Top 10 Best Cats

Written by Krishna Maxwell
Updated: May 22, 2023
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With all the different types of cats that exist, it can be hard to settle on just one. And how do you know if it’s the best cat for you? Whether they’re the cutest or the top cats for cuddling, for apartment living, or for families, some have earned the reputation of being the most popular cat breeds. Here is information on the top 10 best cats and what makes them have such great reputations.

#10: Persian

Persians are a top pick for best cats because they love to cuddle.

©iStock.com/akillerqueen

Considered one of the best cats for cuddling, the Persian is gentle, quiet, and affectionate. It is also fine with lounging and sleeping by itself since it’s not needy. Known for not being very energetic and lazy, it’s great for apartment living, too. These cats do need regular grooming so make sure that is something you are up for before choosing one of these fluff balls.

#9: Oriental Shorthair

This top pick is great for companionship.

©iStock.com/Leschenko

If you’re looking for a cat that will stick to you like glue, the Oriental Shorthair is one of the top breeds for giving you the companionship you want. It will greet you when you come home from work, follow you around everywhere, and just generally be nosy about what you’re doing. This breed is a member of the Siamese cat family along with the Siamese, Oriental Longhair, and Balinese.

#8: Ragdoll

This best cat breed, the Ragdoll, has a very low-volume meow.

©iStock.com/Angela Kotsell

The Ragdoll, like the Maine Coon, is a large breed. This social and affectionate cat is one of the best for cuddling and families, but it’s also quiet, with a barely audible meow. It is one of the most popular breeds because it goes limp when you hold it, carry it, or have it in your lap. And because it’s accommodating, it’s also good for apartment living.

#7: Birman

The Birman is a top pick for best cat breeds because they do well living in apartments.

©iStock.com/Fabio Caironi

The Birman is a good choice for apartment living as it cares more about the people it’s living with than a small space. It’s another one of the best for cuddling and for families as it gets along with people as well as other pets. This lap cat is playful, social, sweet, quiet, and low-maintenance – though its long hair does require grooming to stay in top shape. .

#6: Singapura

The Singapura was chosen for this list of best cats because it is highly intelligent.

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The Singapura is the smallest cat breed, making it great for apartment living. Its ticked coat and large eyes and ears combine with an intelligent, affectionate, and playful personality. This breed is athletic and enjoys making long jumps and high leaps, but it’s also people-oriented enough for families. It’s best to provide plenty of toys, a scratching post, and a tall cat tree to keep it happy.

#5: LaPerm

The LaPerm is one of the best cat breeds because it doesn’t shed.

©iStock.com/oxico

Another small breed that is great for apartment living, the LaPerm has a non-shedding, curly coat. Personality-wise it is mischievous, silly, loyal, and loving. Social and outgoing, there’s no such thing as a stranger to a LaPerm. It is also athletic and energetic, so it will need cat trees and other high perches to watch the action.

#4: Bengal

The Bengal is one of the best cat breeds because of its dog-like tendencies.

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Looking like a small cheetah, the Bengal has a personality that is just as appealing as its exotic looks. It is dog-like with kittenish energy, so it’s great for families or for people who have dogs. With gentle introduction, it is fine with puppies, children, and loud noise in its environment.

#3: Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is not needy which makes it a top pick for cats.

©iStock.com/Angela Kotsell

The maximum weight a Devon Rex naturally reaches is nine pounds, making it a good choice for apartment living. It has a dog-like personality, loyal and following you around like a puppy, and doesn’t like being left alone for long periods. At the same time, however, it’s not needy or overly demanding of attention — it just wants to be nearby or involved. Outgoing and playful, it’s good for families with children, other pets, and even frequent guests. Given its extremely short coat, these cats need to be strictly indoor cats.

#2: Maine Coon

The fact that the Maine Coon is known as “America’s cat” makes it one of the best cat breeds.

©iStock.com/TRAVELARIUM

“America’s cat” has everything going for it: It’s one of the cutest, one of the best cats for cuddling, and families. Male cats are larger than females, but the Maine Coon is still generally very big; in fact, it’s one of the types of cats that is considered a “giant” breed. It’s good for apartment living as long as you provide it with plenty of toys. It’s also great with children, other cats, and dogs.

#1: Domestic Shorthair or American Shorthair

The Domestic Shorthair gains the number one spot for best cat breed because it is most commonly rescued.

©iStock.com/kla3950

While not a breed per se, “domestic shorthair” refers to a non-pedigreed mixed-ancestry cat or “mutt.” They are the most common cats rescued as strays, and the cost to buy them at a shelter is the adoption fee. With about 80 million in the United States and about 600 million around the world, it is the most popular. That’s almost 95% of United States’ cats. There are benefits whether you adopt a kitten or an adult. A kitten allows you to socialize them to your liking, while an adult cat already gives you an idea of their personality. Because of its mixed ancestry, the domestic shorthair tends to be healthy and rugged. It is great at pest control and loves to play, being a good choice for families. It is also a good choice for apartment living.

The American Shorthair is the pedigreed, purebred version known as the classic tabby. It not only gets along with children and dogs but is low-maintenance. If you’re looking for a breed for children to grow up with, or to live with you for a long time, it is one of the top cats for a long lifespan.

Conclusion

This list was tough to make considering the different types of cats and their personalities. Some of the most popular and friendliest cat breeds tend to get attached to one person at the expense of everyone else, so they’re not the best for families. Other cat breeds, which are among the best for cuddling have high-maintenance or unique grooming needs. Others are not a good idea for first-time cat owners or apartment living, while some of the cutest breeds are rare or not the most popular.

There are several cat breeds that have gained popularity in the past ten years because they have garnered a lot of attention on social media. Grumpy Cat is a prime example and her popularity has spurred attempts to breed more like her. Unfortunately, the traits that brought Grumpy Cat her fame were caused by genetic mutations and dwarfism. These are not healthy traits and should never be intentionally bred for. Scottish Fold cats are a breed which should also be avoided for ethical and humane reasons. Their folded ears are painful and prone to infection. The genetic abnormalities that give them their folded ears also give them a variety of health problems.

Several factors determine the top cats including their health and the ethics of breeding them.

Summary of 10 Best Cats:

RankBreed
1.Domestic Shorthair or American Shorthair
2.Maine Coon
3.Devon Rex
4.Bengal
5.LaPerm
6.Singapura
7.Birman
8.Ragdoll
9.Oriental Shorthair
10.Persian

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/TRAVELARIUM


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About the Author

Krishna is a lifelong animal owner and advocate. She owns and operates a small farm in upstate New York which she shares with three dogs, four donkeys, one mule, and a cat. She holds a Bachelors in Agricultural Technology and has extensive experience in animal health and welfare. When not working with her own animals and tending her farm, Krishna is helping other animal owners with behavior or management issues and teaching neighboring farmers about Regenerative Agriculture practices.

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