Cats can make loving companions and faithful friends. Here are a few suggestions from our Lisle vets, on the best breeds to consider if you are looking for the perfect indoor house cat.
Choosing The Right Breed for You
When deciding on the best breed of house cat for you, there are a number of factors that you should consider, including:
- How much time will your cat spend alone?
- How much grooming are you willing to commit to?
- What kind of personality are you looking for in a cat?
Once you know the answer to those simple questions you can begin to narrow down your breed options and begin to single in on the perfect breeds to suit your lifestyle and personality.
Ideal Indoor House Cats
Most cat's will be content to stay indoors if offered enough stimulation and companionship. Nonetheless, some breeds are happier indoors than others. Here are just a few of our favorite house cat breeds.
Sphynx
Often referred to as the Velcro cat, this breed loves to curl up in their owner's lap. Sphynx kittens are extremely friendly and affectionate, and will grow into a cat that will adore relaxing around the house with you. This breed is also intelligent, inquisitive, and will happily greet you at the door whenever you've been out. Although completely hairless, it's important to note that this breed requires a lot of grooming to ensure that their skin stays healthy.
Ragdoll
These beautiful long haired cats are loving, sweet, and always up for cuddles. Ragdoll cat's will greet their people when they arrive home, and pick up tricks easily with a little positive reinforcement (and a few treats). These cats are large, long-bodied and strikingly beautiful, with long, silky coats. Ragdoll cats are a great breed for apartment dwellers seeking a feline friend, but do require regular grooming to help keep shedding under control.
Scottish Fold
Scottish Folds are active mousers who are playful, expressive and sensitive. These cats, named for their unusual folded ears, have striking, orange-yellow eyes and just adore to be around people. Scottish Fold cats crave attention and companionship from people or other pets, and are very easy going with children.
Himalayan (Himmies)
These calm, gentle cats boast large, deep blue eyes and long, full, dense coats. These beautiful cats can exhibit kitten-like bursts of energy moving suddenly from snoozing in a sliver of sunlight to franticly running through the living room on their next adventure. Himalyans make great companions, for owners who are attentive to nutrition and give them enough exercise, interaction, and grooming.
Devon Rex
Known as the pixie of the cat world, Devon Rex are mischievous felines with large eyes, high-set cheekbones, slender bodies, and long legs. This breed is described as loyal, relaxed and fun-loving. They make a natural best friend and playmate if you have kids in the house. Devon Rex are intelligent, active, and requires regular stimulation including playing with puzzle toys or learning new tricks.
Siamese
Characterized by a coat that is short, soft and light-colored on the body with a darker face, paws, ears and tail, Siamese cats are strikingly beautiful. This breed is playful, and known for following their owners around the house 'chatting' with them. If you spend a lot of time out of the house, this is definitely not the right breed for you. Siamese cats possess several dog-like qualities including a love of play and a need for lots of companionship.
The Moggy
Moggy is a general term for a mixed breed cat. These cat's are a mixed bag of personalities depending on their roots, but typically they are content and happy creatures. You may just be able to find the perfect moggy for you at your local animal shelter, or cat rescue.