Best Cats for First-Time Owners
Forgiving, straightforward breeds for anyone taking on this kind of pet for the first time.
← All cat breeds (37)29 entries
Maine Coon
The gentle giant of the cat world — fluffy, friendly and fascinatingly dog-like.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 9–22 lb (4–10 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
British Shorthair
Calm, round and deeply dignified — the teddy bear of the cat world.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 9–18 lb (4–8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–20 years
Ragdoll
The cat that goes limp in your arms — and steals your heart.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 10–20 lb (4.5–9 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–17 years
Sphynx
Naked, warm and impossible to ignore — the cat that runs on love.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 8–15 lb (3.5–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Scottish Fold
Owl-faced and irresistibly round — the cat the internet loves.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 6–13 lb (2.7–6 kg)
- Lifespan
- 11–15 years
Norwegian Forest Cat
A Viking in a fur coat — rugged, independent and breathtakingly beautiful.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 9–20 lb (4–9 kg)
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Russian Blue
Silver-plush, quietly observant and deeply loyal to a chosen few.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–12 lb (3.2–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
Devon Rex
Enormous ears, curly coat and the personality of an over-caffeinated toddler.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5–9 lb (2.3–4.1 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Birman
Silk gloves and sapphire eyes — the gentlest of the pointed breeds.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 7–12 lb (3–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Exotic Shorthair
A Persian in a wash-and-wear coat — the same round face, a fraction of the brushing.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–14 lb (3.2–6.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
American Shorthair
The working cat that became a family favourite — hardy, easy and built to last.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 8–15 lb (3.6–6.8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
Burmese
A small cat with the density of a brick and the personality of a dog.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–12 lb (3.2–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 15–18 years
Tonkinese
Siamese charm without the volume — the deliberate middle ground between two great breeds.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 6–12 lb (2.7–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 14–18 years
Turkish Angora
A silk-coated athlete from Anatolia — elegant, busy and considerably bossier than it looks.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 6–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
Siberian
A forest cat built for Russian winters — powerful, playful and unusually dog-like.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 10–20 lb (4.5–9 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
Cornish Rex
Marcel-waved, whippet-thin and permanently in motion — a cat that never really grows up.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5–10 lb (2.3–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Manx
The tailless cat of the Isle of Man — sturdy, playful and unusually attached to its people.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 8–12 lb (3.5–5.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Balinese
A longhaired Siamese with the same brain, the same voice and a plume of a tail.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 6–11 lb (2.5–5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–20 years
Bombay
A patent-leather panther in miniature — warm, heavy and relentlessly sociable.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–12 lb (3.2–5.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
Selkirk Rex
The cat in sheep's clothing — a plush curly coat wrapped around a genuinely placid temperament.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 7–15 lb (3.2–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Chartreux
A quiet French blue cat with a smiling face and a hunter's calm.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–15 lb (3–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Egyptian Mau
The fastest domestic cat — naturally spotted, loyal and quietly intense.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 6–11 lb (2.5–5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Ocicat
A wild-looking spotted cat with an entirely domestic, dog-like personality.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–15 lb (3–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
Korat
A silver-blue Thai cat considered a symbol of good luck.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–17 years
American Curl
Backward-curled ears and a playful nature that lasts a lifetime.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
LaPerm
A curly-coated cat with a gentle, affectionate nature.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Toyger
A domestic cat bred to look like a miniature tiger.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 8–15 lb (3.5–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
Nebelung
A long-haired blue cat — shy at first, devoted once won over.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–15 lb (3–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 15–18 years
Havana Brown
A rich chocolate cat with green eyes and a curious, affectionate nature.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years