Let me start by saying all cats are amazing and fantastic pets, I love them all, and that is why I’m devoting some of my time to writing about them to offer help and advice, and also by donating funds and time to cat charities and re-homing shelters. This is very important to me.
All cats need and deserve our love and time. So if you cant offer basic needs please don’t get a cat (please have a read of my article on basic cat needs). However, if you are looking for a kitty with personality and va-va-voom factor, look no further than this list.
Although the below cats have amazing personalities, you will get a companion that needs your time and will off course love you unconditionally (until you forget a feed, or need to clean teeth or tablet them), I need to caveat “interesting’ with:
- Sometimes needy (in some cases all the time)
- Crazy demanding meows (Siamese can have crazy voices, but they talk to you)
- More like a dog than a cat (play fetch, ask for food, appeal to your sensitivities)
- Will follow you around (they always want to be part of what you’re doing, or in the Centre of any conversation)
- Smart (Rio used to bring me her empty food packets to indicate she is hungry)
So, with no further ado, I present to you my list:
1.Siamese Cats (I’m biased here clearly) – noisey, loyal, intellegent, active, crave attention
Siamese cats are much like the Burmese in that they are loving cats who crave the attention of their owners. They enjoy being at the center of what’s going on. When they’re not sitting in your lap getting cuddles and a little play time in, they’re following you around the house or yard, being nosy. They are highly curious cats who poke their nose directly into your business. They have an adorable way of interjecting themselves into whatever is going on. You’ll have an assistant for whatever task you’re doing, even if it’s going to the bathroom or taking a shower. They get along with most people of all ages. They don’t mind a little rowdiness and may even join in. Siamese are known for their dog like temperaments. They are very smart cats who enjoy playing a game of fetch and will even tolerate a leash for going on walks with you.
2. Maine Coon – highly social, loyal, playful, curious, intellegent
Maine Coons are one of the friendliest cat breeds around. They have a remarkable ability to get along with just about any person of any age, or other household animals. They adapt very well to changes and are suitable for city living or for living in the country. Small or large home, it doesn’t matter, as long as you love them and are willing to share in some lap time for cuddling throughout the day. Maine Coons are smart cats who enjoy playing, but they are calm enough to make amazing travelling companions. They are easy to leash train and will go out on a walk with you, and be content to sit quietly in your lap when it’s time to settle down in the evening.
3. Sphynx – hairless, affectionate, playful , lap cat, good indoor cat
Sphynx are a unique cat breed that are hairless and have a quite novel appearance. Most Sphynx are friendly and affectionate cats with sweet and gentle personalities. They love cuddling because the additional warmth feels good to them because of their lack of a warm coat (please get them hooded basket beds for warmth). They also crave the attention of their owners. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. If you’re busing doing chores around the house, your Sphynx is likely to be your shadow. Don’t be surprised at all if your Sphynx does some off the wall things to get your attention. They like to stay engaged with their owners and if you’re not giving them the attention that they think they deserve, they’re going to find a way to get it. Not usually mischievous cats, they are creative in their approaches for getting attention, and sometimes they slip and commit a no-no.
4. Ragdoll – loving, crave attention, calm, not too streetwise (maybe best as indoor cats), get on well with others
One of the friendliest cats around is the fluffy Ragdoll, a somewhat new variety first bred in the 1960s. They are an excellent choice for pet parents who live in apartments or other small spaces, and they are great with children. Ragdolls are affectionate and become attached to their humans, so you may find them greeting you at the front door after work or following you around the house. Ragdoll cats are commonly thought to be very loving. Unlike most cats, they are happy to be picked up and carried around in your arms. They prefer to stay at ground level, and are expert snugglers with their owners. They enjoying following you around the house, just waiting for a fuss.
5. Birman – friendly, curious, people focussed, laid back
They looks like a fluffy Siamese. The Birman is a calm, affectionate feline who enjoys spending time with his family — especially if you lavish lots of attention on this former temple idol. Birmans get along well with children and other pets. If you talk to him, your Birman will respond in a soft, pretty voice, but he’s not as vocal as the Thai Siamese. Although Birmans are less active than some breeds, they have a serious playful side. It’s not unusual for them to fetch or chase a ball — when they’re not curled up in your lap. The silky coat of the Birman doesn’t shed much; twice-weekly combing keeps it beautiful. There are certainly things to consider before you adopt a semi-longhaired cat like a Birman. These are social cats, and although they are adaptable to your schedule, they don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time.
For this reason, Birmans are not necessarily well suited to be “only children”, and often thrive best with people who work from home or who have other pets.The great news on that front is that these animals have no undercoat. That allows you to enjoy the plushness of their silky fur without the potential headache of dealing with mats. They do require a grooming commitment, and are a long-lived breed, surviving 12-16 years. In exchange, you are afforded the opportunity to share your life with a highly intelligent, soft-voiced cat whose companionship will be constant and loving. If you have never owned a cat before, the Birman is an excellent breed with which to begin if you are willing to put in the time to keep its coat in good shape.
Sweet natured, relatively quiet-voiced, and not over-demanding, the Birman is a friendly and affectionate companion.
6. Abyssinian – highly inteligent, loves to play and interact, attention seekers and athletic
Abyssinian cats love to interact with their owners. They will be quick to greet you after a day of work and they won’t shy away from strangers, other cats, or other household pets. If you’re pining for a sweet, gentle lap cat, the Abyssinian likely isn’t a good match for your home. The Aby is a highly intelligent cat who loves to play and interact with people. Of all the cat breeds, the Abyssinian is perhaps the one who lives life to the fullest. He climbs higher, jumps farther, plays harder. Nothing escapes the notice of this highly intelligent and inquisitive cat, a quality that makes life with him both endlessly entertaining and continuously challenging. Staying one step ahead of an Aby, or even just keeping pace with him, requires the fancy footwork of a Fred Astaire, the brainpower of an Einstein and a sense of humor that never stops. You never know what he’ll get into next, although you can assume that if you have something or are doing something, your Aby will want to investigate it closely. Some people refer to the cats as “Aby-grabbys” because of their propensity for taking things that catch their interest. Sometimes it may seem as if the Aby never sleeps. He is ever in motion, jumping up in the window to look at birds or squirrels, leaping on top of the refrigerator to supervise meal preparation, perching on your desk to watch your fingers move over the keyboard and then swiping at them so you’ll pay attention to him instead. This is a playful, persistent cat who adores being the center of attention and will do anything to achieve and maintain that status. The Aby loves to play, so plan on making or purchasing a variety of toys to keep him occupied. Ping-Pong balls, bottle caps, wadded-up pieces of paper, puzzle toys and teasers such as big peacock feathers will all amuse this busy and brainy cat. Teach him to retrieve at your peril. Once you start, he won’t let you stop. He learns tricks quickly and many Abys enjoy running a feline agility course. A love of heights is a signal trait of the Abyssinian.
7. Manx Cat – friendly and affectinate, placid and laid back, adorses people
Manx are awesome. The Manx cat, is a breed of domestic cat originating on the Isle of Man, with a naturally occurring mutation that shortens the tail. Many Manx have a small stub of a tail, but Manx cats are best known as being entirely tailless; this is the most distinguishing characteristic of the breed, along with elongated hind legs and a rounded head. Due maybe to their ancenstry Manx cats love water, and are likely to surprise by playing with or in it. Despite being rather placid, the Manx loves to run and play. They have a peculiar gait and looks like a bowling ball running around the room. The fur must be groomed daily because of the double coat. Manx cats are 100% lap cats. They are also very intelligent, with a knack for using paws for a variety of things; from opening up cabinets and doors to turning on faucets. Anything you want to keep away from his paws had better be under lock and key! They are also very sociable, love to play and run around and can be lap cats too.
8. Burmese – affectionate, intellegent, gently, outgoing, playful well into adulthood
The Burmese is energetic and friendly. They enjoy conversation but their voice is soft and sweet. They are highly intelligent and seek out human companionship, so not best suited to a home where they will be left alone much of the day. If no humans will be around to engage his intellect, be sure he has the company of another pet. He gets along well with other cats and with dogs, but of course another Burmese will be perfect. The Burmese is very curious so expect him to explore your home thoroughly and know all of its nooks and crannies. they are very playful and remains so into adulthood. Burmese are in need of interactive toys, and you can possibly be able to teach him tricks that will allow him to show off for an audience.
A Burmese is a good choice if you don’t object to complete loss of privacy. This cat will want to be involved in everything you do, from reading the newspaper and working at the computer to preparing meals and watching television. He will, of course, sleep on the bed with you and may even snuggle under the covers. When you are sitting down, he will be in your lap or right next to you, waiting expectantly to be petted. You will be scolded if you ignore him. Guests will receive his full attention, and it is likely that he will win over even those who claim to dislike cats.
9. Persian & Exotic Shorthair – kind, easy going ,calm, laid back and docile, sweet and cuddly
The Persian is the glamor of the cat world. They have a beautiful, flowing coat, sweet face and calm personality have combined to make them one of the most popular cat breeds.
The Exotic Shorthair has an exceptionally gentle, kind disposition that is virtually identical to that of the Persian. It is placid and dignified, but also can be curious, fun-loving and playful. This breed is friendly to other cats and to dogs, as well as to people. A breed with only 50 years of history, the Exotic Shorthair, also known as the Shorthaired Persian, is a popular breed for cat fanciers who walk on the calmer side of life. This breed has its playful side, but it prefers to cuddle and relax for most of the day. Perfect for urban homes, or for country living, the Exotic is plush and beautiful to look at, with the added benefit of being one of the more affectionate breeds. A Persian without pretension, the Exotic is also easy to care for, with a minimal shedding but still luxurious coat.
Them Crazy Cats - cat care and advice 