There are many different cat breeds available for you to choose from.
If you’re relatively new to the world of cats, you may think a cat’s a cat, and there can’t be too many differences between breeds… Oh no!
Some domestic cat breeds have very different personalities to others.
Some are more mentally demanding, some more physically demanding. Some are more pre-disposed to certain diseases.
The amount they meow even varies a lot – the Siamese cat, for example, is well-known for its vocal talents!
If you’re thinking of getting a cat, the choice of breed is extremely important. Choose well and you and Kitty stand the best chance of developing a long and happy relationship.
On this web page, I’ve listed some of the most popular different cat breeds, and given a quick overview of their personalities, the type of home they’d be suited to and other information specific to each of the different cat breeds. This will hopefully help you make your choice. However, a word of caution…
I believe every feline, in one way or another, is a law unto him or herself. Different cat breeds tend to have certain characteristics, but there are always exceptions.
A good example is Priscilla, my Persian. Persian cats are meant to have quiet, melodic voices, and allegedly don’t vocalize often. Priscilla meows loudly, a lot, and is about as melodic as a pneumatic drill.
So when you read this, bear in mind it’s a general guideline only. OK, here we go…
Click here for information on (almost!) non shedding cat breeds.
Popular Different Cat Breeds
Personality: Active, curious, intelligent, affectionate
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Love climbing, very agile, quite vocal, need lots of mental and physical stimulation
Personality: Gentle, good with children, quiet
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Healthy, long lived breed
Personality: Very intelligent, demanding, active, agile
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Very vocal, need lots of attention and stimulation
Personality: Clever, trusting, loyal, quite shy
Suits: Singles, quieter homes, first time cat owners
Other: Loves curling up on your lap, hardy, sometimes frightened of young children and often avoid them
Personality: People orientated, loving, playful
Suits: Lively families, busy households with children and other pets
Other: Want to be the centre of attention, need stimulation and lots of space to run around and play, have short curly fur which sheds very little
Personality: Love people, energetic, playful, very clever
Suits: Lively families with children, families and singles with other pets
Other: Need lots of attention, need to play and be active, best kept indoors
Personality: Affectionate, calm, easy going, gentle
Suits: Families with older children, experienced cat owners
Other: Coat needs grooming daily, face needs washing regularly. Flat face may give rise to breathing problems and watery eyes. Not very vocal
Personality: Very friendly, love people, easy going, intelligent
Suits: Families, singles, first time cat owners
Other: Quite vocal, large cat
Personality: Calm, love people, friendly, easy-going
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Love climbing, very fast, good with other pets
Personality: Generally sociable and outgoing, playful, clever
Suits: Singles, first time cat owners, families
Other: Love attention, active and very resourceful when they want to get on high surfaces (will use anything available as a climbing frame!)
Personality: Friendly, intelligent, good with other animals and children
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, homes with other pets
Other: Love climbing, grow quite large
Personality: Affectionate, easy going, docile, very adaptable, need attention
Suits: Families, experienced cat owners
Other: Coat needs grooming daily, face needs washing regularly. Flat face may give rise to breathing problems and watery eyes. Not very vocal
Personality: Gentle, easy going, relaxed, love people
Suits: Families, singles, first time cat owners
Other: Fascinated by water and very trusting, so should never go outside without supervision
Here’s an article on Character Traits of Ragdoll Cats, written by Jenny Dean, owner of Floppycats.com
Personality: Affectionate, gentle, intelligent, playful
Suits: Singles, first time cat owners, families with older children
Other: Not very vocal, shy with strangers
Personality: Calm, love people, lovely temperament, not very active or demanding
Suits: Families with other pets, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Good with children, adaptable
Personality: Very outgoing, sociable, highly intelligent, people orientated
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Need lots of attention and stimulation. Very vocal – loud, penetrating meow which they tend to use excessively
Personality: Very affectionate, playful, curious, intelligent
Suits: Families, singles, experienced cat owners
Other: Skin needs sponging almost daily, ears need regular cleaning, don’t tolerate cold well so need to be kept in warm conditions
P.S. Moggies Need Good Homes Too!
The different cat breeds here are some of the most popular, and there are many more to choose from.
Maybe you’re not particularly bothered about owning a pedigree, or can’t decide on which of the different cat breeds you’d like?
As an alternative, there are thousands of gorgeous, affectionate, healthy moggies in rescue centers all anxiously waiting for good homes.
Click on this link for more information on black cats.
