Types of Cat Breeds

Kids love pets they can include in their games of make believe. Whether they want to carry your cat around pretending she’s their baby or want her to sit as a guest at their tea party, you need a kitty who’s affectionate, playful and most of all: patient.

Gradually introduce her to the family and teach your children how to respect her. Give her plenty of time to get acclimated to her new household. Explore our selection of best cat breeds for children below to find the perfect feline for your family.

Having other pets can make bringing home a new kitty more complicated. By doing your research, however, you can choose the best cat breeds for dogs or other animals, which will make for a smoother transition. Cats that like dogs and other pets are non-territorial and they aren't shy, skittish or aggressive. Ensure the kitten or cat you bring home is properly socialized and slowly introduce her to the other pets in your home to ease her nerves. Browse our list of cat breeds that are good with dogs and other pets below.

Trying to decide what type of cat is right for you and your family? Browse through our list of cat breeds using our filter tool, and find the best cat for you.

Cat breeds with moderate shedding typically have a medium-length coat—not too short, but not overly long—and require regular grooming. This maintains their skin and coat health, in addition to minimizing shedding and reducing hairballs. Moderately shedding cats include some of the most popular breeds, like the Maine Coon and Bengal. View the complete list below to find a moderately shedding cat to meet your lifestyle needs.

Cats with no hair may look a little different than the fluffier breeds, but they are just as affectionate, if not more, as they like being close to their humans for warmth. Some of these so-called “naked cats” even have a short coat of peach fuzz-like hair. Don’t let the name fool you, though. Just because they're hairless doesn’t mean these cats never require any grooming or a bath. Explore these hairless cat breeds below to find the right one for you.

Whether you have kids in need of a playmate or simply want an active and playful cat, a high-energy cat breed is a great choice. Supply them with plenty of attention, toys and games and they’ll entertain themselves—and you—for hours. Explore our list of playful cat breeds below to find a perfectly energetic cat for your home.

If you work full time or your kids have busy after-school schedules, you need a pet that is comfortable staying home alone for several hours at a time. Although they love quality time with their humans, independent cat breeds like Russian Blues or Persians are perfectly content to entertain themselves with toys and plenty of cat naps while you’re away. You can't ignore these self-sufficient felines completely, however. They still need playtime, snuggles and other attention from you.

Some large cat breeds, like the Maine Coon, can weigh 15 pounds or more, whereas other large breeds, like the Persian, may weigh less than 15 pounds. With such a large variance in size, you’ll want to do your research to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want. Our list of big domestic cats includes ones with exotic ancestors, like the Savannah (descended from the African Serval) and the Bengal (descended from the Asian Leopard Cat). Explore the largest domestic cat breeds below to find the right size for you. 

If you want a soft, fluffy cat, you’ll probably find what you’re looking for with a long haired cat breed. These felines have long and luxurious coats that are silky to the touch. Despite their softness and beauty, long haired cats may not be right for everyone. They require daily grooming to keep their coats tangle- and mat-free, which can be a chore for busy individuals or families. Plus, they may trigger an allergic reaction in people with dander allergies, which is exacerbated by the frequent shedding. Explore our list of longhaired cat breeds below to find out which one of these elegant felines is right for you.

There’s nothing quite like the joy of owning a cat, but constant shedding can be problematic, particularly for busy individuals or families. To minimize the amount of time you spend vacuuming up cat hair, consider getting a low-shedding cat. Although these felines still shed, it’s a much smaller amount than you’d experience with other breeds. Cats that don’t shed much will still require some grooming and bathing, but they’re lower maintenance than longhaired breeds. Browse the low-shedding cat breeds listed below to see if one is a good match for you.

Some cats have a lot of energy and want to play seemingly nonstop while others are much more laid back, preferring to snooze on an armchair rather than engage in playtime. Fortunately, if you want the best of both worlds, you can find it in medium-energy cat breeds. These cats will enjoy a healthy mix of playtime and relaxation, and while they’re affectionate, they’re also independent. Find out more about these middle-of-the-road cats by exploring our list below.

Affectionate cat breeds thrive on attention and are eager to please. Some express their affection vocally through purrs and meows, while others prefer physical affection, such as curling up in your lap. Regardless of how they express themselves, these breeds love interacting with their humans.

These most affectionate cats are anything but shy, and are generally playful, confident and spirited. They’re also good-natured, easygoing and devoted to their family. Affectionate cat breeds don’t mind active households, as they can easily adapt to different environments and situations. Browse our list of most affectionate cats below to find the perfect kitty for you.

Whether you want the most popular cat breed for yourself or you’re just curious about the top cat breeds, we’ve compiled a list so you can view them all in one place. You can learn about their origins, personalities, health and more here. Explore our list of top cats and see for yourself why these felines are so popular.

Chatty cats do more than just meow and purr—they may chirp or twill as well. You may find them asking about your day when you come home or telling a critter outside their window to move along. The Siamese is one of the most vocal cat breeds, but others include the Japanese Bobtail and the Oriental. If you’re looking for a feline who will engage you in intelligent conversation, explore our list of talkative cat breeds below.

Unique color combinations and exotic markings are just one of the many reasons a cat breed may be considered rare. Newly developed breeds may also be rare, as can ancient and foreign breeds that are difficult (or nearly impossible) to acquire. Explore all these rare cat breeds below to learn more about their history and characteristics.

If you want feline companionship but want to maintain a quiet environment, consider a silent or quiet cat breed. They still purr and may even meow from time to time, but they are much less vocal than other breeds. Rather than meowing or chirping at you, instead they’ll cuddle or nudge you for playtime and meal times. Explore our list of silent and quiet cat breeds below to find a quiet companion.

Thanks to their size, many small cat breeds are light on their feet and athletic. Although the smallest domestic cats may be shy around larger pets and strangers, many are also playful and loyal companions to their people. Explore the following cat breeds that stay small to find the perfect one for you.

Cats are known for their intelligence. In fact, Mark Twain wrote in A Cat-Tale: “A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime.” Although some of the smartest cats are easy to train, there are other ways to measure their intelligence, such as how quickly they learn, how well they adapt to new situations and environments and how they interact with humans and other animals. Explore our list of the smartest cat breeds below and you may find yourself adopting a cat who can open doors, turn on faucets and more.