10 Cat Breeds Perfect for You
How I went from cat-fearful to cat-loving, and how to find the cat breed perfect for your home
I have forgotten what my deceased grandmother’s voice sounds like but I remember Diva, the chunky Persian that bit me when I was eight. It’s a traumatic memory, one that has halted me from interacting with the feline species nearly my whole life.
But times change and people do, too. The change for me happened when I started dating my ex and he introduced me to his cat, Romeo–and as his name would suggest, he’s a lover. Yes, things didn’t work out, but I still think fondly of that black and white feline.
Weeks after the breakup I found myself scrolling through pictures of Romeo on my phone. Him on my chest. Him twirling around my feet. Him pleading for catnip. I missed my furry friend. And one spontaneous walk through PetSmart had me wondering. Where are the other good cats?
In fact, I’m not the only one wondering. “There's been increases [of adoptions since Covid]. Those people were home alone. People that lived alone were getting lonely because for a huge amount of time nobody could see anybody.” Joan Daljon, the Vice President of The Lucky Cat Rescue in Weehawken, NJ said.
A survey conducted by the APPA National Pet Owners also found that in 2022 “households that own at least one cat” has increased by 10 percent, at 45.4 million owners in the USA. That’s a jump from 32 million cat owners recorded in 2018 by the American Veterinary Medical Association. That’s a lot of new owners!
When interested in adding a furry creature to your family it’s always important to first consider whether you are compatible and to write out a list of potential cons. “I think people should consider if they are really committed to having a pet,” Alydnn Brewer from Long Branch, NJ, owner of 3 rescue cats, said, “because they can live 10 years or more.” That’s a long time to live with a creature that might dislike you.
I can confirm. Diva lived to 17. Thank God, we didn’t live together. But here’s a selection of cats guaranteed to be perfect for any newbie cat owners.
5.) The Maine Coon
Are you compatible with this friendly giant?
A Maine Coon has often been referred to as the dog of the cat world. They are intelligent and trainable as a result. They’ve been known to even play fetch. If you are more familiar with dogs this might be a potential option for you.
Maine Coons can weigh up to 25lbs and hold The Guiness World Record title for the longest cat. The record? 3ft 11inches.
Temperament
Maine Coon cats are family cats. They interact well with children and other animals. These cats are social and will love to be in your company. That means that “Main Coon cats can be left alone but,” according to Maine Coon Central, “only for short periods of time.” Something to consider if you have a lifestyle that allows you to be home more often than you are away.
Appearance
Personally, I think they look like miniature lions. Main Coons are longhaired and born with a variety of different coat colors and patterns. White, black, orange, gray. They can have tortoiseshell fur or even mackerel stripes. If you’re like me and went “huh?” at that fur pattern description let me break it down for you! Tortoiseshell is called such because it resembles the material by the same name. Think of brown, black, and orange paint sponged messily onto a canvas. And mackerel striped? That’s just a fancy way of saying stripes!
Possible Concerns
The Maine Coon breed can be affected by two hereditary health conditions. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (this is when the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it difficult to pump blood) and hip dysplasia (painful grinding of the hip joint). Another possible, but albeit more minor, concern a potential cat owner might have is the level of coat maintenance Maine Coons require. Due to their thick luscious locks these furballs need grooming at least once a day to prevent them from matting.
Average Cost
From a reputable breeder in the USA the cost of a Maine Coon kitten can range from $400–2,000. This is a large range that depends on a lot of specific factors. Are you looking for a kitten to show in competitions? Are you looking for an older cat? What color fur? What color eyes?
4.) Bengal
Allergic to cats? Try this lil guy.
Bengals are hypoallergenic which means if you have always held back from looking at cats because of allergies this breed might be for you. They “produce less of the protein Fel d 1,” The Bengal Cat Care website says, “they also don’t groom themselves as often.” This combined with the decrease of shedding as they become adults prevents cat dander from provoking your allergies.
*Fel d 1 is the main cat allergen for 96% of people according to a study presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress in 2019. If you are interested in reading more, click here.
Temperament
Bengals are confident, active, curious, athletic, and energetic. They are good with children and other animals. It is also noted that they are one of the rare cats that has no qualms with water. Due to the high energy nature of this breed they benefit greatly from exercise wheels and lots of playtime.
Appearance
They are known for their leopard patterned fur. This is because the Bengal is a domestic hybrid of an Egyptian Mau and the Asian Leopard cat.
Possible Concerns
If you have children it is best to purchase a Bengal kitten rather than an adult so that they grow accustomed to their human housemates. In some cases they can become territorial.
Average Cost
The cost of a Bengal is between $1500–3000.
3.) Ragdoll
Guys, chill, it's limp, not dead. I swear.
Ragdoll cats are derived from breeding a Persian cat with a Burmese cat. The result? A cat so docile it has the tendency to go limp when picked up. Hence the name.
Temperament
Ragdolls are known for their laidback and gentle nature. This is perfect for someone looking for an affectionate cat without the energy found in Maine Coons or Bengals.
Appearance
They have distinct blue eyes and similar coloring to the Siamese, however, unlike the Siamese, they are longhaired. Typically they are white or cream colored with dark coloring around the eyes.
Possible Concerns
Similar to the Maine Coon they also carry the genetic risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. They are also a larger breed like the Maine Coon and require grooming every day.
Average Cost
This number seems to vary widely. Some sources list Ragdoll kitten adoption as low as $400 while others show $2,500. The consistent variable controlling this scale is whether you are looking for a regular shmegular kitten or a ‘Breeder Quality’ show cat. For more information regarding prices you can click here.
2.) American Shorthair
Not to be confused with the Domestic Shorthair.
In the 19th century there was great emphasis on separating The American Shorthair from the Domestic Shorthair –genetically. This quest pushed breeders to focus on creating a breed both friendly and striking in appearance. The American Shorthair was one of the first five cat breeds to be recorded by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1906.
Temperament
As a result of their specific breeding they are friendly and easy-going cats. They are adaptable to many different lifestyles, whether you live in an apartment or on a rural property. They were originally used as barn cats to take care of unwanted pests. This means they are hardy cats that don’t mind the outdoors, but also appreciate a good cuddle on the couch.
Appearance
They have rounder faces with eyes that are noticeably closer together than found with Domestic Shorthairs. They are also known for their mackerel striped fur in shades of gray, black, and brown.
Possible Concerns
American Shorthairs run the risk of being obese so it’s important to make sure they get proper excercise and don’t overeat. They should also be tested for hyperthyroidism, polycystic kidney disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Average Cost
Costs can range from $500-1200.
1.) Domestic Shorthair/Medium hair (Rescue Cat)
‘A happy accident’ as Bob Ross would say.
These are the wildcards of the cat world. The Domestic Shorthair isn’t really a breed so much as it is a shorthand for any cat that isn’t purebred but has short fur. This includes alleycats, tabbys, or ‘moggies’ as the British refer to them. Domestic Shorthairs are thought to have arrived with America’s earliest settlers. They were used to rid their ships of vermin. Today they are the most common cat found in animal shelters/rescues.
Daljon has been involved in cat rescue and rehoming for over a decade. She was kind enough to share some insight into the rescue process and what rehoming is like. “We do a lot of street rescues,” she said, “you know, from people in hoarding situations. A lot of cats in our area are abandoned or dumped, and getting them into good homes is rewarding.”
Temperament
Since the Domestic is a mutt it can be hard to predict what nature a cat might have as they get older. Especially with rescue cats since “you don’t necessarily know what they have been through.” Alydnn Brewer, an owner of 3 fluffy rescues says, “Still, I would rather adopt a cat from a shelter than a breeder because they are in more desperate need of adoption– it’s that or be put down.”
Brewer is a strong advocate for animal adoption and shared her rescue experience with me. All three of her cats have a strong bond despite having been adopted at different times and interact well with her two dogs (also rescues).
Appearance
They have short hair that can be a myriad of different colors and patterns. Primarily their fur is orange, gray, black, tortoiseshell patterned.
Possible Concerns
They run the risk of obesity, but have fewer overarching health concerns when compared to the American Shorthair.
Average Cost
“We charge $165 for kittens. For cats over five months we charge $141,” Daljon shared about Lucky Cat Rescue. Cats also aren’t put up for adoption until they are spayed, neutered, tested, microchipped, and vaccinated.
More Information on Rescuing
On The Lucky Cat Rescue website they list the cats available and Daljon is always ready to discuss concerns a potential owner may have. There is an adoption application at the top of the webpage and for those unable to fully commit to adopting, but are still interested in becoming a cat mom (or dad) TLC Rescue also offers fostering.
“You know cats are born in the spring and in the fall. In another month there'll be kittens bursting out all over the place,” Daljon said. That means more cats will need adoption. But whether they are a Maine Coon or a street cat they all need love. With the Humane Society’s studies evidence it’s apparent that after the pandemic people are searching for an animal’s love, too.