THE 25 EASIEST CAT BREEDS TO TAKE CARE OF

Some cats can be easier to look after than others, depending on their physical makeup, personality and temperament, as well as the owner’s lifestyle and needs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association warns: “Your pet-owning experience will be most enjoyable if you carefully consider which pet best suits your family, home, and lifestyle. The primary reason cats are given up to animal shelters is unfulfilled expectations, so make an informed decision.”

Here we look at 10 (extract) of the easiest cat breeds to take care of.

Ragdoll

Named the most popular cat breed of 2020 by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, ragdolls are “well behaved and easy to care for” and “perfect for our modern, busy, lifestyles,” the CFA says.

Their silky semi-long coat “requires minimal grooming to keep it looking its best.” They are known to be gentle cats and “usually play without extending their claws,” it adds.

Exotic

The Exotic breed was ranked the second-most popular breed of 2020 by the CFA.

“The Exotic is an ideal breed that produces a quiet, sweet, peaceful and loyal companion. They are easy going and not much seems to disturb them. In general, they are extremely affectionate,” the CFA says.

American shorthair

These “good-natured, easy-going cats” are among “the most adaptable breeds for any type of household” from singles to seniors, the International Cat Association (TICA) says.

Getting along well with children, dogs and other pets, the breed is also known for its longevity and robust health, the CFA adds.

British shorthair

With ancestry tracing back to the felines of Rome, the British shorthair is one of the oldest breeds among English cats, TICA says.

Described to have an easygoing nature, they are “relatively calm cats when they mature.” They are “easily trained and very adaptable,” with no breed-specific health-related problems, the CFA says.

Persian

Persian cats have a sweet, gentle nature and “blend easily into most households as they become comfortable in their new home,” according to TICA.

Persians “will not demand your undivided attention” but will relish in it when attention is given. Their signature luxurious coat does require daily combing and regular bathing but “many Persians love their bath once accustomed to it,” TICA says.

While they prefer serene, secure environments, they “can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households. Their quiet, melodious voices are pleasant and non-abrasive,” the CFA adds.

Scottish fold

Distinguished by their unique folded ears, Scottish folds are “intelligent, inquisitive, and are loyal to their family” and “can even be trained to play fetch,” TICA says.

The CFA adds: “Scottish folds adapt to almost any home situation and are as comfortable in a room full of noisy children and dogs as they are in a single person’s dwelling. They don’t usually panic at shows or in strange hotel rooms, and they adjust to other animals extremely well.”

Maine coon

These “gentle giants” are sweet-tempered and friendly and “aren’t demanding of attention,” TICA describes.

The CFA said: “Though their size can be intimidating, they are known for their friendliness towards just about anything and are especially good with children and other pets.

“The Maine Coon Cat has a silky and somewhat oily coat, it is not dense and its upkeep is much easier than that of other longhaired breeds. The coat is almost self-maintained but will require occasional grooming. Because they love attention of any kind, grooming is easily accomplished,” the CFA adds.

Birman

The Birman breed is “easy to handle and makes an ideal pet” due to its quiet and gentle, yet social, nature, according to the CFA.

“The Birman is a hearty, healthy cat that does not reach full maturity until approximately 3 years of age. Because of its exceptionally sweet nature, the Birman is easy to handle and makes an ideal pet. The Birman is sociable, gentle, quiet, loving, and companionable. They love to be with people and are playful and desirous of attention. They are social with both people and other animals,” the CFA says.

Siberian

Known to be “fearless and easygoing,” these personable cats enjoy being around children, dogs and other animals, the CFA describes.

“Not much disturbs their natural calm and equanimity. They seem to know when they are needed for psychological and moral support and spend time with the person who needs that support. They are a quiet breed that expresses itself in a melodic way through sweet mews, trills, chirps, and lots of purring.

Their “long, water repellent triple coat” tends to “remain relatively tangle-free, requiring only occasional brushing,” the CIFA adds.

Somali

Somalis are “loyal, affectionate, highly intelligent and very interactive with their owners and their environment,” and their soft coat is easy to maintain, TICA says.

“Despite having long hair, Somali’s are easy to groom. Their soft, silky coat rarely mats or tangles. They do not require regular brushing however, many of them like it. They don’t need to be groomed professionally or bathed unless they’ve gotten into something messy,” TICA advises.