Cat Breed Personality Traits: Choosing a Purebred Kitten or Cat Based on Typical Qualities

Each cat breed has a typical set of personality traits and behavioural qualities. Of course there will always be exceptions, but if you’re interested in adopting a purebred, you can increase the likelihood of getting a cat whose temperament is in harmony with your own by doing a bit of breed research beforehand.

Making a list of qualities that you’d like in a cat can help in choosing a breed. Do you like talkative cats, or prefer a cat that is not particularly noisy or demanding? Do you want a very active cat that may be a bit more of a handful, or a peaceful, quiet cat that will sit on your lap for hours on end? Are you interested in adopting a cat that is willing to learn tricks? Are you concerned about whether or not your new cat will get along with a resident dog? The following breed characteristics may help in making a selection.

Affectionate and Sociable Breeds

Many people prefer an extroverted cat. Some of the more affectionate, friendly cat breeds include:

Intelligent Breeds

Intelligence varies widely within each breed, so it’s impossible to rank every breed based on this trait. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the following may be among the more clever breeds overall, but there are brighter and duller cats within each breed:

Talkative Breeds

For those who like a chatty cat, the Siamese is often the number one choice. Other talkative breeds include:

Longest-Lived Breeds

There is significant variance in longevity based on medical care and whether or not cats are allowed outside. With good veterinary care and barring accidents or severe medical problems, anecdotal evidence suggests that Siamese and Manx cats are among the longest-lived breeds.

Lap Cats

While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, breeds that are more inclined toward lap-sitting include:

Tonkinese cats may lap-sit, but they are more likely to prefer sitting on their favourite humans’ shoulders.

Quiet, Undemanding Breeds

“Doglike” Cats

The Manx is probably the most doglike breed of cat. Manx cats are more amenable to learning tricks than most breeds, and many will even play fetch. They are also more likely to be comfortable traveling in vehicles, and tend to follow their favourite humans around the house. Other cats with doglike traits include:

Laid Back Breeds That Are More Inclined to Get Along with Dogs and Be Good with Kids

While many cats can learn to tolerate or even enjoy the company of dogs, the Scottish Fold, Ocicat, and Burmese are actually inclined to like dogs. Laid-back breeds breeds are also more inclined to get along with other pets and children. Some of the more easy-going breeds include:

Any breed of cat is more likely to accept a dog or another cat if the introductions are handled properly. For information on how to smooth the first contact between a resident pet and a new adoptee, see Introducing a New Dog to Your Cat.

Highly Active Breeds

Other Factors to Take Into Account

In addition to personality, time may be an issue. Long-haired breeds such as Persians, Himalayans, and Turkish Angoras are not a good choice for those who don’t have the time to groom their cats daily to prevent tangles and hairballs. For those who like the Persian face and body type but don't have a lot of time to spend on grooming, the Exotic, also known as "the Lazy Man's Persian," is a shorthaired variant.

Another factor to take into account is cat allergies. For cat lovers who suffer from allergies, anecdotal evidence suggests that Siberian, Sphynx, and Devon and Cornish and Rex cats are less likely to produce allergic reactions than other breeds. Allergy sufferers should spend time with the cat to be adopted or a different cat of the same breed to gauge allergic reactions before adopting.

Dec 29, 2008 9:43 AM

Guest :

this doesn't reflect my experience with some of these breeds - and i show cats all year round!

Dec 29, 2008 12:28 PM

Jennifer Copley :

These are generalized trait lists derived from certain cat experts, but there is a lot of variance among individual cats and even families of cats within a given breed. I'd be very interested to hear from people who have a lot of experience with certain breeds regarding whether their impressions match or diverge from the traits listed.

Jan 3, 2009 7:18 PM

Guest :

I have had a Siamese cat in my home since I was a child. My red point, Russell Samuel John Rusterholtz (Rusty) is 17 years old. All of mine match the qualities listed above for their breed. Additionally, all have been fetchers, all "answer" the door and greet anyone invited into my home and talk to people on the phone. Phichai Oliver Blioux (Oliver)was a shoulder sitter/rider his whole life.

Jun 3, 2009 9:14 AM

Guest :

I have a Bengal and a Balinese. I got the Bengal from a breeder and adopted the Balinese from a shelter as a companion for my Bengal. Did I choose wrong? What can you tell me about these cats? Should I be giving the Bengal a raw food diet since he is descended from a wild cat? They have both been fixed. The Bengal is a male and the Balinese is a female and possibly as a result of past owner/owners tends to eat everything in sight. She has gained quite a bit of weight in the month and a half since I got her. Should I with hold food from her except for certain times. But this doesn't help my Bengal who eats like he is supposed to. Thank you for your time and trouble. Fran

Jun 3, 2009 10:27 AM

Jennifer Copley :

Hi Fran, for information on Bengal cats, see http://cat-breeds.suite101.com/article.cfm/bengal_cat_breed_profile.

For information on Balinese cats, see http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/balinese_cats.

I don't believe there is such thing as a "wrong" choice when it comes to cats. Some cats and owners are better suited to one another based on temperament, but for the most part, any cat you love is the right cat.

Bengals shouldn't require a different diet from other cats - all cats are descended from wild cats, and all cats are healthier if fed a high-protein diet. (See http://cat-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/high_protein_diets_for_cats for more information on this.)

High-protein diets are also far better for weight loss than withholding food. Most cats get fat because many commercial cat foods are high in carbohydrates and low in protein, which is an unnatural diet for a carnivore. Such diets cause some cats to overeat, because they don't feel satisfied as they are not getting sufficient protein.

Another healthy weight loss strategy is to increase the amount of exercise the cat gets. See http://www.suite101.com/blog/shaya_weaver/how_to_help_a_cat_lose_weight_thr ough_exercise for information on how to increase a cat's exercise levels.

Jun 17, 2009 10:34 AM

Guest :

hello, I don't if this is possible to tell, but what are the breeds of cats(if there are any) that stay small and kitten-like(when kittens) the longest?
thankyou, H

Jun 29, 2009 7:31 AM

Jennifer Copley :

There are some breeds that are smaller than others (the Singapura is particularly tiny, even in adulthood). There are also some breeds that tend to remain playful and active in adulthood, and there are slower-maturing breeds such as the Maine Coon, which takes 4 years to reach full growth (though it is one of the largest breeds when full grown).

I'm not sure that any particular breed will necessarily meet the criteria, but there are certainly individual cats that remain playful and don't lose their kittenish qualities. Choosing an active kitten of a small breed and playing with her regularly to keep her lively is probably your best bet for a more kittenish adult.