Which Cat Breed is Best for You? A Lifestyle-Based Guide to the Perfect Match

When choosing a cat for you and your home, one option is to head on down to the shelter and pick up the first cute little fuzzy face that looks your way. And, hey, there’s a lot to be said for this option! The other option is to consider your lifestyle and home situation, and to figure out which type of cat is going to be the best fit. Relevant things to think about are whether you’ll be home a lot or a little, whether you want a cuddly or a chill cat, whether a talkative or silent cat is appealing. Further to this is whether your significant other is a fan of cats, if you have kids, or if anyone in your family suffers from an allergy to cats. And, of course, money talks… If purebred is your goal, then this won’t come cheap. Otherwise, you can find all sorts of cats in shelters and rescues across the country, including some specifically tailored for particular breeds. Once you’ve worked out what’s important to you, you can peruse this guide for ideas on the kinds of cats that might just be your favorite new housemate!

You have a large family - playful, talkative, active

A big family is a blessing. The house is full of noise and fun and adventure. This kind of environment is where a number of cat breeds absolutely thrive! What you’re after is a sociable cat that is playful and curious, so they love to hang out with the family and will happily go exploring with the little ones.

Your top picks

• Maine Coons are very large, very playful cats. They are outgoing and will interact with everyone in the family, and all your visitors too. They get along well with other pets too, and their natural curiosity will have them checking out any newcomers in short order. They do have a long coat so they need regular grooming. Their size means they are good for families with small children.
• Siamese and Burmese cats are both known for being extremely affectionate and, at times, a touch demanding. This means they are great in a family setting as there are plenty of people to give them the love they require! You may find that a Siamese bonds more strongly to one family member over others. They’re a talkative bunch and are very intelligent, though aren’t always the biggest fans of other cat breeds.
• Devon Rex are super curious and playful cats. They are inquisitive and will be a great adventure-buddy for older children. They’re a medium-sized cat. Devon Rex cats are good with visitors and large households. They’re known for being good therapy cats as well.

The runners up

You can also consider the following kid-friendly breeds: American Bobtail, American Curl, American Shorthair, Manx, and Persian.

You want a buddy

Some people are keen on a lap-cat, while others are more interested in a cat that can roughhouse a bit, or scramble about the house during playtime. There are a whole bunch of cats that are perfect for people who want a pal, a buddy, a sidekick.

Your top picks

• Japanese Bobtails are the double-whammy of buddy cats. They can have their chill time and don’t demand heaps of attention. And on the other hand, they are really friendly and will hang out with you, doing jumps and fetching.
• Bengals are little leopards who are not made to sit quietly and purr all day. These glorious creatures will want to go on adventures and are always up for playtime. Extremely curious and intelligent, Bengals will greet you at the door and make for a great friend.

The runners up

Also great….Burmese, Devon Rex, Egyptian Mau, Oriental, Savannah, Siamese, Sphynx, and Toyger

You’re torn between getting a cat and getting a dog

With the eternal battle of cat people vs. dog people, I’m pleased to announce that there is a middle ground where nobody need lose out. Many dog people claim that cats are too stand-offish and aren’t affectionate or friendly enough. And while this may be true of some cats, it’s not the rule. Some cats are so playful and loyal, they act similar to a dog! Some of the following will play fetch or even go swimming with you!

Your top picks

• Abyssinians are short-furred kitties that can be taught to play fetch and they love the water, unlike many of their counterparts. They will follow you about, making their presence known, and are always up for play - or a walk; they can be leash-trained. Abyssinians need a lot of attention, so are best in a house without too many owner absences.
• American Bobtails are very clever and affectionate cats, and are great in a family home or busy household. They aren’t as stressed by noisy activities and people as many breeds, so are considered more adaptable than most.

The runners up

These breeds are also doggone good: American Curl, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Manx, Sphynx, Bombay and Birman.

You’re a workaholic - quiet, calm, minimal grooming

If you have a busy lifestyle and can’t guarantee that you’ll be home every evening at 6pm, you’ll be keen on these low maintenance cats. They are chill, and require less grooming than some of the fluffier or shedding-ier breeds below.

Your top picks

• Russian Blues are a breed that will greet you with a head tilt and a ‘sup?’ on your return home, rather than a meow. These cats are super chill and entertain themselves pretty well. They need brushing no more than a couple of times a week, but do enjoy their mealtimes!
• British Shorthair cats are also quite independent and don’t require a whole lot of coat care. Easygoing, these are the cats that will happily give you a cuddle but don’t need lots of them, if you’re having a busy week.

The runners up

Other calm and collected types are Ragamuffin, Ragdoll, Pixiebob, Scottish Fold, Siberian, Singapura, and Somali.

You have allergies

Unfortunately, there is actually no such thing as a non-allergenic cat, more’s the pity. Even a furless cat can still set off allergies, as often it is their dander or saliva (on their fur from grooming) which causes a flare-up, rather than the fur itself. Dander is essentially dust from animals. In saying this, low-shedding and reduced hair cats are still the best, as less fur flying means less dander in the air or on furniture too! Keeping the coat clean and brushed will help to keep the sneezes at bay, and vacuuming frequently.

Your top picks

• Cornish Rex tend to be a good option for allergy sufferers. Their coats are very short and very soft, so they’re good to cuddle too! Regular brushing is obviously a good idea, and a bath to remove the oil build-up on their skin.
• Siberians are luxuriously furred creatures, but are rumored to be as close to hypoallergenic as you can get. Though the science on this isn’t in, many allergy sufferers swear by their Siberians for warding off the sniffles.

The runners up

Some other cats to consider are Devon Rex, Oriental, Burmese and Sphynx.

You enjoy the finer things in life

And now for the glamor-pusses! It’s totally understandable to want one of these glorious cats. Their fluffy, soft fur, and exotic appearance makes them very attractive breeds. For people who like to have the best of the best in all things, these are the cats that will suit your lifestyle and aesthetic. Of course, a cat should always be a friend first, rather than a fashion statement as they live a lot longer than any trend. If you’re committed to giving them the best kitty life they can have though, then there’s no harm in choosing one that’s going to look good in the process! These cats will mean you need to spend a lot more time on their care, with the pampering and grooming (and dressing up?) so they need a higher level of commitment than others. And they’ll also require a lot more from your wallet, from day dot!

Your top picks

• Persians are famous for their beautiful white coats, and sweet faces. They are known for being quiet and calm, and submit happily to the attention that their long, thick fur demands.
• Himalayans have a very regal ruff around their necks, like the royalty they are! Their long fine coats are prone to tangling so they will need daily grooming to keep their exquisite fur in order.

The runners up

Also on the upper-class list are Ragdolls, Bengals, Birman, Sphynx, American Curls, and Scottish Folds.

You’re chill with everyone

If you’re a fuss-free person and you’re after a fuss-free cat, then the plain ol’ mix breed moggie is right for you. They’re any non-specified breed of cat, and are the ones you’ll find at every shelter. These are generally the healthiest of cats, as they aren’t prone to the genetic and hereditary problems that comes with the inbreeding of pedigree cats. They’re known for having great personalities too. Mix-breed cats are cheapest to get, usually no more than an adoption fee, and are cheap to run, as it were, due to less sickness.

Wrapping it up

No matter what you are like, your cat is going to love you, and you, it. Any cat is a lovely addition to a household, and helps to make a house a home. If these cats are still not right for you, there are many many more breeds out there that you can research. I’m sure that the perfect cat is out there, waiting for you (cough, go for a moggie, cough), ready for lap cuddles and/or playtime whenever you are!