Sep 5, 2024
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If you’re thinking about becoming a first-time cat owner, you might be wondering about the best cat breeds for novice cat parents. The great news is, many purebred and mixed-breed cats are great for first-time owners.
The best cat breeds for first-time owners are those that tend to be adaptable, friendly, people-oriented, and laid-back. Breeds that get along well with kids and other pets, are great for families. First-time owners might feel more comfortable with a cat that doesn’t have excessive exercise needs or worrisome health concerns. Finally, a low-maintenance coat that needs minimal grooming is always a bonus for new cat owners.
Read on to meet 12 cat breeds for first-time owners that will blend into your life beautifully.
#1 American Shorthair
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Medium-to-large sized shorthair
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$100–$1,000 The American Shorthair is a great choice for first-time cat owners thanks to the breed’s easy-going personality and affectionate nature. American Shorthair is an adaptable cat that fits in seamlessly to almost any household, whether individuals or families with kids. They are moderately active cats that love to play almost as much as they love to cuddle. The short, soft fur needs only weekly brushing to stay in tip-top shape.
#2 Burmese
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Medium-sized short-haired
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$450-$3,000 The Burmese is a playful, social, happy cat that thrives on human companionship. The love to “talk” to their people in a sweet, soft voice, and will follow you throughout the house as you go about your day. Burmese cats are very people-oriented, and get along with almost anyone, including gentle children. These cats love snuggling up with their favorite humans on the couch or even in bed at night. The short, glossy coat is very low maintenance, needing just weekly brushing or a wipe down with a chamois cloth.
#3 Cornish Rex
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$800-$1,300 The Cornish Rex is an adorable and engaging little cat. Their outgoing personality helps them charm everyone they meet whether family or visitors. Described as extroverts, the Cornish Rex always wants to be in the middle of the action. They are very playful and retain kitten-like behavior well into adulthood, which makes them delightful companions for adults and kids. The Cornish Rex is a low maintenance cat. The unique, wavy coat is very short and velvety, and needs almost no brushing, though they benefit from regular baths.
#4 Devon Rex
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Small to medium-sized shorthair
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$600-$2,000 Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex also has a wavy coat, though it’s slightly longer than that of the Cornish Rex. The Devon Rex has a sweet little face that makes these cats look like pixies or elves, something most children find irresistible. Luckily, Devon Rex love kids and will play with them for hours. The Devon Rex bonds very closely with their human families, and will follow you all over the house or even climb right onto your shoulder. The coat low-maintenance coat sheds very little.
#5 Exotic Shorthair
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$1,000-$5,000 If you like the look of the Persian cat, but that long, flowing coat feels daunting, you’ll love the Exotic Shorthair, aka, the “lazy man’s Persian.” Exotic Shorthairs have a plush, easy-care coat but in all other respects they look and act just like their Persian cousins. Like Persians, Exotic Shorthairs are gentle, sweet, and calm cats. These cats are not overly demanding, but they are highly affectionate and enjoy snuggling, which is great if you’re looking for a lap cat. Added bonus, they get along great with everyone, including respectful kids and other pets, making them great companions for families.
#6 Maine Coon
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$400 to $2,000 The Maine Coon is the coolest cat around, which makes them wonderful pets for first-time cat owners. Maine Coons are the largest cat breed but they are known as “gentle giants” thanks to their famously mellow personality. Maine Coon cats don’t need a huge amount of exercise and they are content to go with the flow of the household. The shaggy coat does need regular grooming but it’s easy to keep it free from tangles by brushing two or three times a week.
#7 Manx
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$500-$1,500 The Manx is best known for something it lacks—a tail! Manx cats can have a small length of tail, and there are even names to describe how much tail a Manx cat was blessed with. “Rumpy” refers to a completely tailless Max. “Rumpy risers” have very short stub of a tail. “Stumpy” Manx cats have partial tails, slightly longer than a rumpy riser. No matter how long a Manx cat’s tail, these friendly cats love to play and bond closely with their people. The short coat is simple to groom with weekly brushing.
#8 Oriental Shorthair
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$400-$2000 The Oriental Shorthair is a Siamese with different coloring. Oriental Shorthairs can be any color or pattern other than the pointed patterns found in the Siamese breed. In most other ways, Oriental Shorthairs are just like Siamese, which means they are extremely affectionate, outgoing, and people-oriented.
They get along great with everyone—human, feline, even dogs and other pets. As long as they have people or other family pets around as company, the Oriental Shorthair is a happy cat. The short, sleek coat needs very little grooming. A wipe down with a soft cloth or even just your hand will often suffice.
#9 Russian Blue
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$1000 - $1700 It’s hard to resist the slight, secret smile of a Russian Blue cat. As it turns out, they have a lot to smile about! Russian Blue cats are a popular choice for a first cat. They are adored for their loyal, affectionate personalities. Though they might be reserved or shy with strangers, they are loving and engaging with their human families. The Russian Blue is a well-behaved cat, not prone to getting into any trouble. The gorgeous, silver-gray coat is extremely soft and very easy-care with just weekly brushing.
#10 Scottish Fold
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$1000 - $2000 The Scottish Fold is so named for the cute way their ears fold over, creating a very round look to their head, which, when paired with their large, round eyes, makes these cats look like little owls. Scottish Folds are more than just an adorable face—they are playful yet gentle, and extremely well mannered, getting along wonderfully with people of all ages, including kids. Scottish Folds can have short hair or long hair. The short-haired Scottish Fold doesn’t need a lot of grooming—brushing once a week is usually sufficient.
#11 Siamese
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$600 - $1200 Siamese cats have big personalities that are impossible to ignore—if you try, they will simply “talk” to you until they are the object of your attention once more. Siamese are adaptable, friendly, and extremely affectionate—if you like the idea of being hugged by a cat, this is the breed for you. The Siamese has a long, tubular body that’s as lean and well-muscled as a ballet dancer. The coat is so sleek it needs very little care. Petting or rubbing them down with a chamois cloth will make them shine.
#12 Domestic Shorthair
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It might not be a purebred cat, but the domestic shorthair cat is an excellent choice for first-time cat owners. Domestic Shorthair is the termed used to describe a mixed-breed cat with short hair. Domestic Shorthairs come in many different colors and body types, and they are usually quite healthy thanks to true hybrid vigor—nicely diverse genes that lead to a greater chance of good health.
You can find Domestic Shorthair cats and kittens available for adoption at any time of year and through any animal shelter or rescue organization. For a first-time owner, look for a cat that is curious to meet you and enjoys petting and other physical touch, and doesn’t act overly shy, scared, or aggressive.
