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Top 9 Friendliest Cat Breeds – Complete Guide (with Pictures)

Sphynx Cat

Cats have a reputation for having an attitude, or may we call it a catitude. Despite this misconception, furry (and sometimes not so furry) felines have been living with people for centuries, causing many cat breeds to absolutely adore human companions.

Though some cats certainly are independent and standoffish at times, certain breeds are super friendly, making them great furry friends to invite into your home. Here are the nine friendliest cat breeds that just about everyone will adore, including you, your children, and other pets.divider-cat

The 9 Friendliest Cat Breeds

1. Maine Coon

maine coon
Image Credit: fcja99, Pixabay
Weight: 7.9–18 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 13–14 years
Coat Length: Long haired

Don’t let this cat’s size fool you. She is nothing more than a gentle giant. With the nickname “America’s cat,” Maine Coons are easily the friendliest breed on the list. You’ll be hard pressed to find a friendliest cat breed list that does not include the Maine Coon.

Whether you have a household with children or dogs, the Maine Coon will fit in perfectly. Between her large size and gentle demeanor, Maine Coons are one of the best family cats to add to your home. At the same time, these cats are also independent and have a quirky personality.


2. Ragdoll

ragdoll kitten
Image Credit: cath5, Shutterstock
Weight: 8–20 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 15 years
Coat Length: Long haired

For those who live in an apartment, the Ragdoll is a great friendly cat to choose. This friendly feline is super affectionate to humans, and often becomes attached to her owners rather quickly. Her cute name comes from the fact that these cats are often carried around the house like a baby.

Ragdolls are a great choice of cat if you have young children. Because this cat is so gentle, she will get along with your children perfectly and become very attached in no time. You may even find your Ragdoll greeting you at the door or following you around during chores.


3. Burmese

Burmese_ge-hall, Pixabay
Image Credit: ge-hall, Pixabay
Weight: 6–14 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 16–18 years
Coat Length: Short hair

If you want a cat who is friendly and curious, you will love the Burmese. Burmese cats love sitting in the window, staring at the world around them. At the same time, Burmese love interacting with their owners, even being curious about their whereabouts.

For those who want a lot of privacy, Burmese may not be for you. Burmese love people so much that she will likely disrupt a lot of your “you” time. Whether you’re scrolling through your phone or changing your clothes, your Burmese very well may be watching. When she is not being curious, Burmese love cuddling up to you and snuggling.


4. Persian

Persian
Image Credit: deliabertola, Pixabay
Weight: 7–12 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 10–17 years
Coat Length: Long hair

For the ultimate lap cat, look no further than the Persian. Whenever you sit down, your Persian will likely be waiting for you, just so that she can quickly jump into your lap and cuddle. You’ll certainly steal a Persian’s heart with pets.

Whenever you’re not petting your Persian, she won’t act as interested, but she will remain friendly and relaxed. Certain Persians are even known to suddenly act kitten-like without any warning, making them a super fun breed to have in your home as well.


5. Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold
Image Credit: Sophkins, Pixabay
Weight: 16–13 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 11–15 years
Coat Length: Short hair

From the second you see a Scottish Fold, your heart will absolutely melt. Her little folded ears and unique ability to sit up makes her endearing on sight. Her friendly personality makes any human gleefully squeal with cuteness overload.

Scottish Folds love participating with humans. In fact, many Scottish Fold owners joke that their cats do not even realize that they are not human. So long as you maintain a routine for Scottish Folds, you will have a uniquely strong bond with your feline friend.


6. Birman

Birman_Antranias, Pixabay
Image Credit: Antranias, Pixabay
Weight: 6- 15 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 14 years
Coat Length: Long hair

The Birman cat is one of the most loved cat breeds worldwide. As her name suggests, this breed originates from Myanmar, which is formerly known as Burma. With blue eyes and an earthy coat, the Birman will become loyal and bound to her Master.

Birman cats have a great nature, making them perfect for multi-pet or single households. Whether you have multiple cats or dogs, the Birman will likely make friends, wanting to turn your other pets into playmates. At the same time, Birmans don’t need animal companions so long as she has you.


7. Siamese

siamese-cats-pixabay
Credit: MLARANDA, Pixabay
Weight: 8–15 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 10–13 years
Coat Length: Short hair

Though your Siamese cat won’t necessarily be known for her beautiful appearance, she is very friendly. In fact, Siamese cats are one of the most quintessentially ‘people’ cats. She wants to be with you at all times, including sitting at your lap, laying with you in bed, and eating with you at the table.

Something that’s unique about a Siamese cat is that she actually communicates very well with humans. If your Siamese cat is hungry or is irritated with you, she will let you know. This is something that many new cat owners really appreciate in Siamese cats.


8. Sphynx

Sphynx
Image Credit: Pexels, Pixabay
Weight: 6–12 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 8–14 years
Coat Length: Hairless

Even though Sphynx is not necessarily the most attractive cat, she is incredibly friendly. This cat loves humans so much that she sometimes acts as though her entire purpose is to please you. At the same time, she is super energetic, making her fun to play with too.

Sphynx feel comfortable around humans. She will likely snuggle up to guests when they arrive at your house. Whenever the party is over, the cat will likely follow you around as you are picking up and doing other miscellaneous chores.


9. Abyssinian

Abyssinian_tsapenkodg, Pixabay
Image Credit: tsapenkodg, Pixabay
Weight: 9–17 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 15 years
Coat Length: Short hair

The last cat breed on our list is the Abyssinian. The Abyssinian isn’t necessarily the cuddliest of cats, but she loves people and tends to be very social. She can nap hard and play hard, making her a great breed for just about any household.

Interestingly, Abyssinians are typically divided into two different categories–the racer or the languor. This goes back to the fact that Abyssinians can be super playful or really chill. In either case, Abyssinians love people and are friendly as friendly can be.divider-cat

Final Thoughts

Even though some cats certainly do come with an attitude, the nine breeds on this list are known for their fun-loving personalities. These cats really do break the stereotype that cats don’t care about their owners. They actually show the opposite to be true, which is that cats absolutely adore human attention and can’t wait for cuddles, just like dogs.


Featured image credit: Igor Lukin from Pixabay

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