These 8 Cat Breeds Are Perfect For First Time Pet Owners

Cats get a pretty bad rep for being evil little creatures, but that’s far from the truth! You just need to find the perfect cat breed for your personality and experience with pet ownership. A lot of domestic cats are sociable, affectionate, and make excellent companions. Similarly to other animals and people, every cat has its own unique traits and personality type.

If you’ve never owned a cat and are considering adopting or buying one from a reputable breeder, you should know that there’s no “one size fits all.” No cat is completely perfect, but there is a perfect cat breed somewhere out there for you. If you’re unsure of what kind to get, check out this list of purrfect cat breeds for first-time pet owners.

1. Russian Blue

Not only are Russian Blues pleasing to look at, but these cats are also fairly easy to care for, making them a perfect cat breed for first-time pet owners. These cats are distinguishable due to their blueish-grayish coat and stunning green eyes. Russian Blues are relatively quiet cats, so you won’t have to worry about too much noise in the middle of the night. They’re also super affectionate, so you can expect greetings at your door and an abundance of snuggles from your new feline friend.

Russian Blues are independent and do not require too much attention. They are also highly intelligent and are susceptible to their owner’s moods, which means they’ll be there to comfort you when needed. Because of their sweet personalities, Russian Blues make the perfect cat breed for those who live alone. Due to their super dense coat, they will need to be groomed weekly, but they’ll definitely enjoy it when you brush them! Russian Blues are also shy around strangers, so you may notice your kitty hiding whenever you have company over.

2. Persian

Persians are a fairly popular long-haired breed of cats, and they’re known to be charming and sweet-tempered. Their coats can come in a variety of colors like black, white, gray, or even multi-colored. You can distinguish a Persian cat by its round head, flat face, stubby nose, large eyes, and a whole lot of floof! Because this cat is a long-haired breed, it requires daily grooming. Otherwise, its fur will become a matted, tangled mess, and nobody wants that.

The Persian’s gentle personality makes them the perfect cat breed for first-time pet owners. Unless you give your kitty a toy to play with, these cats aren’t all-action. They will need to get regular exercise to stay in good health since their flattened features can lead to health issues. Persians make the perfect cat breed because they handle change well, so they should warm up to their new owner in no time. If you’re committed to caring for and loving your new Persian kitty, you’ll surely have a loving companion for many years.

3. Ragdoll

Ragdolls are one of the largest cat breeds, but they are also super easy to care for. They have large bones, a long and flowing tail, a broad head, wide-set ears, and large blue eyes. These perfect cat breeds aren’t the most athletic, so that’s a significant advantage for first-time pet owners who don’t want to be chasing a cat around. You won’t need to give them any complex toys because they’ll prefer gentle games or just quietly sitting in your lap. Ragdolls love being around humans a lot, so expect your new buddy to follow you around the house a lot. If you enjoy the company, then a Ragdoll is the perfect cat breed for you!

Ragdolls are also a long-haired breed but require only a moderate amount of grooming. Their soft, silky coat means that they’re quite easy to groom. About 2 to 3 times a week should be ideal for keeping their coat looking good and tangle-free. Your cat will surely enjoy being in your company, and their good-natured personalities mean that they’re great with children and other animals. Ragdolls also adapt well to change, so they’ll warm up to you quickly. If you have a busy lifestyle, this cat would be the perfect breed for you.

4. Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is another large but friendly cat that you’ll want to consider if you’re a first-time pet owner. This cat is a long-haired breed with a thick and shaggy coat, large, tufted ears, and copper-colored oval eyes. Maine Coons are also known as gentle giants because of how friendly they are. Often, they’re compared to dogs because of how sociable, intelligent, and playful they are. Maine Coons are also the perfect cat breed for former dog owners who want to try having cats for a change.

Due to its long and shaggy coat, a Maine Coon’s overall grooming needs are quite high; they’ll need to be groomed about 2 to 3 times a week. Their tougher coat makes its grooming needs a bit more intensive than the Ragdoll’s. Other than that, Maine Coons are relatively easy to keep. They’re highly intelligent cats that are adaptable and very easy to train, making them the perfect cat breed for newbies. Your new Maine Coon will always be devoted to their favorite human!

5. Siamese

Siamese cats are one of the more popular and most recognizable perfect cat breeds. From its long, lean body to its almond-shaped blue eyes, you’ll know a Siamese when you see one! Its short coat means you won’t have to spend as much time grooming it. When you do groom them, they’ll enjoy it a lot because they associate grooming with affection!

Siamese cats are also highly intelligent and full of energy, which make them great family pets and a perfect cat breed for new pet owners. Siamese cats are also very affectionate, so they make a great chill companion. As long as you’re able to dedicate time to play with your new Siamese cat, they will be delighted with you. You’ll definitely want to get a Siamese if the perfect cat breed for you is a cuddly one!

6. Scottish Fold

Let’s be honest here, it’s impossible not to fall in love when you look at a Scottish Fold! This perfect cat breed gets its name because of a rare genetic mutation that causes its ears to fold forward towards its face. Scottish Folds are quiet and sociable, and they’re easy pets to adjust to. Scottish Folds can either be long-haired or short-haired, so their grooming needs will vary from moderate to high depending on which one you get. These perfect cat breeds are loyal companions and get along with children well.

If you get a Scottish Fold kitty, you’ll enjoy how easy they are to care for and live with. It won’t take long for this cat to become comfortable with you or anyone else you may live with. Handle these kitties with care and interact with them as often as possible to keep them in good health.

7. Sphynx

When you think of a Sphynx, the first thing that may come to mind is Dr. Evil’s feline companion in the Austin Powers movies. But rest assured, Sphynx cats are delightfully sociable and make wonderful companions. These cats are also best known for their lack of fur, wrinkly skin, and large ears. Because of their lack of fur, Sphynx cats require regular washing and are best kept indoors. Despite their high grooming needs, these perfect cat breeds are easy to live with.

Your new Sphynx cat is quite energetic and affectionate. When they aren’t climbing and playing around the house, they’ll likely find any excuse to be next to you or sit on your lap. Unfortunately, a Sphynx’s looks don’t appeal to many people. Their fun personality will make up for that, and you’ll have a loyal and affectionate companion once you get one. If that’s all you care about, then a Sphynx is the perfect cat breed for you!

8. American Shorthair

An American Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States for a good reason. You will always be able to find an American Shorthair, so they make the perfect cat breeds for pretty much anyone. These felines have sweet personalities and can adjust to any household. Since they aren’t too hard to find, these are perfect cat breeds for first-time pet owners. They’re the perfect house pets because they’re friendly and will always enjoy sitting in your lap. American Shorthairs are quite thick and sturdy, and they also can come in a variety of colors and patterns. They have moderate grooming needs, which means you should be grooming them about 2 to 3 times a week.

Your new American Shorthair cat will love to play, but they won’t constantly need your attention to be happy. They’re perfectly capable of playing by themselves, which can be a good thing if you have a busy lifestyle. These perfect cat breeds are easy-going, can get along with anybody in the household, and make wonderful companions.