Cat Breed Selector

How does the cat breed selector work?

Each answer becomes a limit on a breed trait: a quiet home rules out the talkers, young children call for a patient, tolerant cat, a busy schedule calls for a cat that copes with time alone. Every breed is checked against every limit, loses points for each one it misses (more for the important ones, like children), and the five with the fewest misses are shown, best first. Coat length works as a hard filter.

The list covers 25 breeds popular in the US and Europe, plus the domestic shorthair, the mixed-breed cat that most owners actually live with. Weights and life spans come from the cat registries' breed standards. The trait ratings (energy, playfulness, affection, voice, shedding, grooming, children, other pets, time alone and beginner-friendliness) are our own editorial ratings, checked against several registry and veterinary breed profiles rather than copied from one.

What matters most when choosing a cat breed?

Energy and voice matter most day to day: a Bengal or Abyssinian needs climbing space and daily play, and a Siamese or Oriental will tell you about everything, loudly. After that come coat care and time alone, the two things owners most often underestimate.

• Energy: calm breeds like the British Shorthair, Ragdoll and Persian are content with a sunny window. High-energy breeds get bored, and a bored cat redecorates.
• Coat: long-haired breeds such as the Persian need daily brushing to prevent painful mats, and the Persian's flat face needs regular eye cleaning too.
• Time alone: people-focused breeds like the Siamese, Oriental and Sphynx struggle with long days alone. Breeds such as the British Shorthair and American Shorthair cope better.
• Children and other pets: the Ragdoll, Birman, Maine Coon and American Shorthair have the best reputations with children and other animals.

Our breed guides go deeper on the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, British Shorthair, Bengal and Siamese, and the cat breeds hub groups breeds by lifestyle, including apartment cats and family cats.

Are there hypoallergenic cat breeds?

No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic. The main cat allergen, Fel d 1, comes from saliva and skin glands, not just hair, so even hairless cats produce it, and levels vary far more between individual cats than between breeds. If anyone in your home has allergies, spend time with the specific cat before committing. Our guide to hypoallergenic cats explains what helps.

Should I get a purebred or a mixed-breed cat?

Most cats are mixed-breed, and an adult cat from a shelter comes with a known personality, which a kitten from any breed doesn't. Breed describes what's typical; the individual cat is what you live with, so ask the shelter which of their cats match your answers.

Frequently asked questions