Five Cat Breeds That are the Most Playful

Cats might have a reputation for being standoffish and aloof, but as any cat lover will tell you, most felines hide a playful streak a mile wide. Granted, you have to catch them in a good mood, and it helps if they’re not taking one of their all-day naps at the time. But if you manage those two things, you’ll find most cats love a good time, enjoying nothing more than running around and playing with anything (and anyone) they can get their paws on. The trait is most evident in kittens, most of whom can keep you entertained for hours with their shenanigans. Typically, most cats will settle down a little as they mature, but many will keep that kittenish spirit well into their senior years. Although all cats are individuals, some breeds are more inclined to playfulness than others. If you’ve ever wondered which are the most playful cat breeds, then you’re in luck. Without further ado, here they are.

1. Abyssinian Cat

As Excited Cats notes, Abyssinians are one of the most playful breeds in the world. Their playful ways (not to mention their high intelligence) has led many to compare them to dogs in temperament. Going completely against the stereotype of aloof, independent cats, Abyssinians thrive on interacting with people and will spend most of their day trying to get their human families to play with them, entertain them, and generally heap them with as much attention as possible. If you can’t keep up with their playful ways or give them the attention they crave, they’re likely to get a little upset and bored. If there’s one thing an Abyssinian loves more than anything else, it’s climbing. Abyssinians love to be able to see the full lay of the land, and will try and climb as high as possible to give themselves the best vantage point. If you can, treat them to a ceiling height cat tree. If you can’t, they’re likely to make do by climbing your curtains instead. Unlike most cats that spend the majority of their day snoozing, Abyssinians don’t seem to close their eyes for more than a few seconds. As a cat that’s always on the go, they spend most of their time dashing around, jumping up, leaping to the top of the highest surface they can, and generally making mischief. Playful and persistent, they’ll happily spend hours chasing after teasers and feather toys.

2. Bengal Cat

As anyone who’s had the privilege of meeting one will tell you, Bengals are beautiful cats. With their strong, muscular bodies and their distinctively patterned coats, they look more like wild cats than anything else. But make no mistake. While they might look like they’ve just strolled out of the jungle, these are domesticated cats through and through. Friendly, affectionate, and incredibly loyal, they make great pets. Although there’s one thing every potential new Bengal owner needs to know about first: their energy. These are cats that are constantly in motion. While other cats spend their days napping, Bengals spend theirs chasing their tails, leaping on surfaces, and generally making as much mischief as they can. If you’re looking for a cat to keep you on your toes, you’ve found it with the Bengal. As well as being incredibly high energy, they’re also super-intelligent, making light work of even the most complicated puzzle game. Their history is just as fascinating as their personalities. As Cat Time notes, they were originally developed in the 1950s when breeders began crossing the Asian leopard cat (which at the time could be purchased easily enough in pet stores) with domestic shorthairs. The very first Bengal was bred by an American breeder named Jean Mill, who decided to invest in a black tomcat to keep her leopard cat from getting lonely. Although she never expected the two to mate, they did, resulting in the very first Bengal litter. Since those early days, they’ve become incredibly popular thanks to both their distinctive good looks and, of course, their kittenish personalities.

3. Siamese Cat

CatVills ranks the Siamese as one of the most playful cat breeds around…something that will come as little surprise to anyone who’s ever shared their house with one. Despite their regal appearance, Siamese cats are down-to-earth, chatty, and very, very playful. They’re also very fond of being helpful and will follow their owners all around the house in a bid to be useful. Even when you’re sat down, they won’t leave you in peace for long. At nighttime, they can usually be found snuggled up under the covers with their head resting next to yours on the pillow. Siamese are constantly in motion and huge fans of climbing, jumping, and hitching rides on their unsuspecting owner’s backs. They might be small, but their personalities are anything but.

4. Burmilla Cat

The Burmilla might not be as well known as some of the other cats on our list, but what they lack in fame they make up for in personality. Adventurous, playful, and just a little bit klutzy (if you have any high-value ornaments, make sure you keep them under lock and key when the Burmilla is around), they’ve got charm and character for days. They’re the result of an accidental pairing between a Burmese and a chinchilla Persian that took place in England in 1981. After the breeder saw what a beautiful litter the unplanned mating produced, they went on to develop the new breed into what would eventually become known as the Burmilla.

5. Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex is a strange-looking creature. Its huge ears and giant eyes stand in stark contrast to a body that’s best described as scrawny. Originally believed to be related to the Cornish Rex, it was later found that the Devon Rex was a unique breed that had resulted from a natural genetic mutation. Named after its birthplace (the county of Devon in England) and its curly coat (which has a similar texture to the Rex rabbit), the Devon Rex made it to the US in 1968. 11 years later, it was awarded full recognition by the Cat Fanciers Association. Its character is just as distinctive as its appearance. This is a breed that never loses its kittenish nature. No matter how old they get, Devon Rex cats love nothing more than playing, chasing, and generally keeping themselves (and their owners) entertained.