The Best Cat Breeds For First Time Owners

What are the best cat breeds for first time cat owners? A lot of factors should go into this decision. Are you looking for an social cat or an independent one? Most people believe that all cats are independent and prefer to be left alone, but this is not always the case. Many cats prefer to be around people and will enjoy becoming a part of the family. This leads to the question, will you be around enough for your cat? A second factor to consider when adopting a cat for the first time is how easy to the cat is to care fore. All cats, like any pet, require regular veterinary check ups and vaccination shots. If you’re looking for a long term relationship with your cat, you may want to be reassured the cat is not prone to any health conditions.

Grooming is an important factor to consider. Many cats leave dander around the house which can add to allergies. Some cats shed more than others, so if you don’t look forward to the hair, be sure your cat is not a heavy shedder or be prepared to get into the habit of grooming your cat. Are you concerned about your furniture being scratched? You will want to consider declawing your cat, at least the front paws. You also don’t want to get scratched up. Kittens will playfully scratch. Like any pet, each cat has a distinctive personality. It’s best to do some research and not impulsively adopt your new cat until you can be sure the cat is a right fit for your life and will make the perfect addition to your family.

Here are the best cat breeds for first time owners.

Maine Coon

The best cat for a first time owner is the Maine Coon. The large cats have big personalities. They are intelligent and easy to train. The Maine Coon makes a perfect pet for the new cat owner that wants to interact with their new pet. Maine’s official state cat is also one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America. The Maine Coons appearance is large and furry. The animals are the largest cat breed. They appear like they should live in the wild, but Maine Coons are one of the tamest of cat breeds. Maine Coons naturally love to play as they are born mouse hunters. The cats natural skills can easily be worked with to teach the cat tricks like playing fetch. Maine Cats love to socialize and will become a part of the family. They like attention, but will also seamlessly blend in with the family. For new cat owners that want to incorporate their new pet into the family, the Maine Coon is the best breed. These cats have many “dog-like” characteristics which people love. The cats can even be trained to walk on a leash. The lovable “gentle giants” enjoy play with their owners. The sociable pets will be present often among the family because they want to be a part of it. Maine Coons also can get along well with other cats and even dogs. Maine Coons tend to have good health and are likely to live long and happy lives with their families.

Siamese

The Siamese cat is also a good for first time cat owners. Siamese cats are beautiful, intelligent and sassy. Their big personalities bring joy to their owners. The Siamese cat is curious and will want to be a part of the household action. They have good general health, and grooming the short haired cats is an easy task. The Siamese cat originated in ancient Thailand. They were used to guard Asian royalty. The breed gained popularity in Europe and North America during the nineteenth century and remains one of the most popular breeds today. The cats are characterized by their exotic blue almond shaped eyes and triangular head. Its slender body is strong and elongated. The Siamese cat is often used in crossbreeding because of its exotic appearance and good temperament.

With a dynamic personality, the Siamese cat is a fun addition to your household. The cat will be loyal to its owner but curious about guests. The Siamese cat will socialize with all family members even other pets including dogs. With its sassy personality and intelligence, the Siamese cat is trainable. Like the Maine Coon, the Siamese cat can be trained to play fetch and to walk with a leash. Its short hair makes grooming easy. A Siamese cat will demand attention and will even communicate with its family through vocal sounds.

American Shorthair

Most domestic cats in the United States are American Shorthair, so they are not difficult to find to adopt. The cats are the most common and come with a variety of markings and colorings. Its eyes come in a variety of colors. The origins of the American Shorthair cat are European. Settlers in North America brought the breed in cargo ships to protect the cargo from rats and mice. The cats flourished in the early American colonies and served as working cats keeping rodents away from crops. During the twentieth century, the American Shorthair’s breeding became selective to insure the strongest qualities in the breed were kept.

The American Shorthair is broad and strong. The cat typically has good general health and its life expectancy is more than fifteen years so the breed makes a good family pet. Its short hair is easy to care for and groom. The cats have playful and laid back personalities which owners appreciate.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold is an unusual looking breed of cat that is cute with an outgoing personality. The breed has recently become more popular because singer Taylor Swift owns one. The cats’ ears fold down giving them an owl-like appearance. They are cute and cuddly cats. The first Scottish Fold cat discovered was a white barn cat named Susie. The cat was discovered living on a farm in Scotland in 1961 and was soon bred. The breed’s temperament is naturally gentle, laid back, loving and cuddly which helped it gain popularity. The cats come in a variety of colors and their coat can either be short or long haired. The Scottish Fold cat loves the outdoors but also will become very attached to its owner. Its temperament is perfect for the new cat owner looking to bond with their new pet. The cats are intelligent, loyal and sweet. The cats can be playful and laid back. They get along well with people and other pets, making them good family pets.

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll cat is a result of an unknown Persian type cat breeding with a Burmese type cat. The result is a fluffy, cute cat breed with a sweet, laid back personality. The Ragdoll is easy to get along with and works well with a combination of independence and social living. Because of its great temperament, the Ragdoll makes a great cat for a first time owner. Like the Maine Coon and Siamese, the intelligent, love-seeking Ragdoll cat can be taught tricks like playing fetch. The Ragdoll is often compared to a dog because of its attachment to its owner. The breed is large with a strong body. Its fluffy coat is not very difficult to groom. The gentle cat is good with other pets and with children. The Ragdoll will love to cuddle. The cats have relatively good health and can be expected to live more than fifteen years, making the Ragdoll a good addition to the family.

Exotic Shorthair

For the new cat owner looking for a pet that is similar to the beautiful Persian cat but without the grooming, the Exotic Shorthair is a great idea. Crossbreeding Persians with American Shorthaired cats became popular during the 1950’s. The result was a beautiful new breed with a great temperament. The Exotic Shorthair cat has many characteristics of the Persian cat. A large head with a flat face and beautiful piercing eyes, a thick strong body, and a short thick tail are featured in the Exotic Shorthair. However, the breed has easy to care for short hair.

The temperament of the Exotic Shorthair is similar to the Persian, but the shorthair version tends to have a livelier personality. The cats also maintain a calm and gentle personality, making a good balance. They do well living in an apartment. Exotic Shorthair cats are affectionate and loyal to their owners. They can be social and will get along well with other people and pets. Maintenance of their coats is much easier than the long haired Persian.

Sphynx

If the new pet owner is looking fuss free grooming, the popular Sphynx breed is a great option. Breeding the Sphynx cat began in the 1960’s in Europe and developed in the United State during the 1970’s. Hairless cats have always existed, but the Sphynx is unique. The breed has a layer of very fine hair. Shedding is not an issue with the Sphynx, but attention must be made to body oils. The cats should also avoid direct sunlight. The Sphynx have an energetic temperament, so if a new owner is looking for an exotic looking cat with a big personality, the Sphynx is a great choice. The cats are intelligent and easy to train. They are social and love to perform and learn tricks. The Sphynx will greet its owner at the door and be ready to play.

Burmese

Like the Siamese cat, the Burmese originated in southeast Asia. The Burmese cat originated in Burma near the boarder of Thailand and was considered a royal cat. During the early twentieth century, it became popular to breed the Burmese as the Siamese was bred with other cats in Europe and North America. The original Burmese cats were all brown haired, but other colors began to show up in the breed including black and grey. Today there are subtle differences in the body of the British and the American Burmese cat. The British breed has a slender elongated body. The American breed is stockier with a broader head.

The Burmese cat is a great pet for a first time cat owner because of its temperament. The cats are highly people oriented. Like the Maine Coon, Siamese and Exotic Shorthair breeds, the Burmese cat has dog-like qualities including the love of performing tricks for its owner and greeting its owner affectionately at the door. The cat will form a strong bond with its owner and remain loyal. The cat will also want to be where the action is in the home rather than hiding out and avoiding human contact. These cats are sweet, loyal and loving.

Bengal

The domestic Bengal cat makes a wonderful pet for a first time cat owner. The cats are gentle, loyal and easy to care for. The Bengal is believed to stem from crossbreeding domestic and wild cats in southeast Asia during the early twentieth century. The result is an exotic looking cat with tiger-like markings that developed a mild temperament after a few generations of breeding. One of the biggest draws to the Bengal cat as a house pet is that the breed is hypoallergenic. There is little risk of allergies due to the special coat that covers the Bengal’s body. The cats are also wonderful self groomers, so there is not much work involved in grooming them.

The Bengal cat makes a good companion. The cats are gentle yet playful, intelligent and loyal. The Bengal cat breed has a unique love of water. The cats enjoy swimming, bathing and playing with their water bowl. The Bengal cat is a fun loving and sociable animal. Owners are proud of their pet’s beauty and personality.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian cat breed originated in Great Britain during the nineteenth century and is believed to originated in Ethiopia. Kittens may have been brought back to England by British soldiers. The Abyssinian has a unique and royal appearance. Its body is slender yet strong. Its eyes are piercing, and its ears stand alert. The Abyssinian has a tabby like short hair coat that is easy to care for.

Intelligent and extraverted, Abyssinians are popular cats and make excellent pets. The cats are naturally loyal to their owners. They can be shy yet curious. Trained early on, the Abyssinian will learn to socialize with other people and pets. The cats have plenty of energy and love to play and entertain. The Abyssinian has relatively good health and is easy to groom. The cats will become a long time companion and make enjoyable house pets.

Oriental

Like the Siamese, Burmese or Bengal breed of cat, the Oriental is a beautiful breed that makes a great first time pet cat. The Oriental cat breed stems from the Siamese and carries exotic beauty and easy to care for short hair. The cats have slender muscular bodies, pointed heads and large erect ears. The Oriental cat is intelligent and curious. The cats love attention and are loyal to their owner. The Oriental can be trained early on to learn to socialize with other people and pets. They are good with children and love to perform tricks. Like the Siamese, the Oriental can be very vocal and loves to communicate with its human family.

Russian Blue

The Russian Blue cat is a great pet for a first time owner looking for beauty, easy care and a big personality. The Russian Blue is a native breed in Russia and is believed to have been brought to Europe during the mid nineteenth century. Many Russian Blue cats were bred with Siamese cats during the mid twentieth century. The Russian Blue cat is a short haired cat whose coat can range from silver to grey to slate. The coat is dense and easy to care for. They are considered a hypoallergenic breed. The Russian Blue’s personality is a big draw for new cat owners. The cats love to curl up with their owners and also love to play. The cats are intelligent and curious. Although loyal to its owner, the cat is sociable and will get along well with children, guests and other pets.

Persian

The Persian cat’s gentle nature an natural beauty make them popular with first time owners. The Persian cat originated in Iran and Turkey and was brought to Europe during the seventeenth century. The long white haired cats feature a distinctive round face and short muzzle. The cats are gentle, loving and loyal making them great pets for first time cat owners. The Persian cat is the most popular pedigreed breed of cat in the United States. The Persian cat has a gentle temperament and don’t require too much play. However, they are loving and loyal toward their owners and make great companions. The Persian has relatively good health and can be expected to live a full and healthy life. The only drawback to owning a Persian cat is its long hair which must be consistently groomed.

Snowshoe Cat

The Snowshoe Cat is a close relative of the Siamese Cat. The breed originated in Philadelphia during the 1960’s. The cats look similar to the Siamese but have distinctive white paws. With a personality similar to the Siamese, the Snowshoe makes a great pet. They are intelligent, curious and loyal. The breed can easily be trained to socialize. The cats are easy to care for with their short hair. Snowshoe Cats have become a popular breed and make great pets for first time cat owners looking for an easy to care for pet with a big personality.

Tuxedo Cat

The Tuxedo Cat or Bicolor Cat has been made popular in literature and make wonderful house pets. The cats feature a distinctive black and white coat. Think of Sylvester the Cat from the popular cartoons. The hair is short so it’s easier to care for than longer haired cats. The cats like their independence but also enjoy attention. They are intelligent and bond well with their families. Tuxedo Cats are beautiful and make great family pets.

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