Top 10 Cat Breeds

This type of cat may not be the best on this list in terms of cuddling but it’s still a very adoring breed that loves attention. Bengal cats are extremely smart and athletic felines. Generally, they’re pretty gentle creatures, and are inherently domestic cats despite their rather wild-looking spots and leopard-like bone structure. If you’re inclined to take your cat out for walks on a leash, this may be the breed for you.

One of the cat breeds that’s similar to dogs in terms of behavior, this type of kitty is also similar to the Siamese cat. How so? Orientals can be very social and demanding felines, though they’re definitely more quiet and reserved than the Siamese – who they’re related to, btw. But what separates the Oriental from their puss peers is that they’re available in more than 300 different color combinations and come in both Longhair and Shorthair form.

Likely originating from Burma – where they are believed to have been the protector of temples in the country – these cats are very playful, which is a good thing if you have kids or other pets around, but they’re also good at keeping themselves busy. That said, they’re usually fine with guests at your house, and they’re flexible creatures as well, which are traits you don’t usually expect from other breeds of cats. On top of all that, you don’t have to groom them much, either.

You may tend to more commonly associate this breed with Mr. Bigglesworth from “Austin Powers”, but this cat is definitely more than just a movie star. They’re almost hairless, and their unconditional love towards their owners as well as their love for cuddling makes them worth owning. Its sensitivity is what really makes it a domesticated cat, but it’s also quite good around strangers, and doesn’t like being alone for too long – so maybe you should consider getting two Sphynxes.

Friendly, lively, and very attractive – what more could you want from a cat breed? Thin and slender in their body type, and very elegant-looking, the Abyssinian is one of the more active breeds of cats, known for how much they love to play games whenever they get a chance. Not only are they extremely active and intelligent felines, they’re also great around kids, so young parents looking for a feline friend to join their family might want to consider having one of these around their home.

Named as such because of how they go all floppy when you hold them in your arms, this breed is a very affectionate and loving one, both towards its owners and towards children. However, this is very literally a domestic cat, as ragdolls are not particularly good at defending themselves. That said, they are loyal cats in the sense that they’ll follow you around wherever you go – so much so that they might remind you of a dog.

Aside from the fact that they crave routine, this breed can sometimes be accused of being demanding of their owners and craving attention; but otherwise, the Siamese are cats who will give you all kinds of love and affection. With their highly social and athletic demeanor, they might not be the most convenient kind to have if you’re not at home that often. But at their best, they’re one of the most loyal types of feline friends to have.

A bit like a shorthaired Persian cat – more on the longhaired kind of Persian later – but maybe even more loyal and friendly, Exotic Shorthairs are also very good cuddle partners. These cats are sometimes known as the lazy man’s Persian because their coats are easier to care for. They’re laid back and chilled out felines, but can still be energetic when they want to be. If you want the best of both worlds – in other words, owning a Persian without having to groom them so much – the exotic shorthairs are right up your alley.

With their flowing coat, various colors and strong bone structure, these cats are great ones to have at home. They do well in winter with heavy snowfall, since their fur and their big paws make them very durable in those kinds of weather conditions. Native to the state of Maine in the U.S., they are large (weighing up to 18 pounds on average) but also gentle creatures that may have a thick coat – but they don’t need to be groomed often, which is all the more reason to consider owning one.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- American Shorthair
- Russian Blue
- Somali
- Manx
- Himalayan

Their long fur, wide eyes and pudgy faces bring their cuteness up to insane levels, and their gentle but colorful nature makes them ideal domestic pets. Though the early Persian cats are believed to have originated in the 1600s in the region that would eventually become Iran, the more modern ones may be from Western Europe. Either way, these cats are loving, relaxed and make fantastic companions. The only downside? They are fairly high maintenance cats, in that their thick, long fur needs to be groomed every day, and they need to take baths often – but with these kitties, it’s worth all that trouble.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite cat breed of all time? With new and purrrfect top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.