We’ve all heard the phrase ‘dogs are a man’s best friend’, but what about cats? It’s commonly jested that cats have ‘staff’ and have a slightly superior air towards their humans! However, some cats are just super friendly and can easily become best friends to their owners. Here we’ll take a look at some of the types of cats that are known for their friendly and relaxed personalities – some are pedigree cats; others are plain old moggies with big personalities.
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Pedigree Cats
On the pedigree front, there are a few breeds that are renowned for being chilled, friendly and excellent as family pets. Remember, if you’re buying a pedigree cat – just like buying a pedigree dog – it’s important to look for healthy parents without extreme characteristics that can cause health problems later in life. Always ask to see health testing, parents, and ensure the breeder is reputable.
Maine Coon
These cats are huge in stature and personality! One of the biggest pedigree breeds, these cats are intelligent and independent making them a lovely combination between super friendly human-loving companions, and mouse-hunting independent athletes. Their friendly nature makes them super pets. But remember, they are a big breed – much bigger than the standard cat. They need plenty of space to be active. Their long coat hair also needs time and effort spent on maintenance.
Ragdoll
Recognised as one of the friendliest cat breeds. Ragdolls are known for loving spending time with their owners, following them around, and loving any attention. Some say that having a Ragdoll kitten is a little like having a puppy! They are reported to have lovely docile personalities, offering a lot of affection. Remember though, these cats are long haired and do require a lot of coat maintenance. Perfect if you love spending time brushing and pampering your cat!
Siamese
Siamese cats are known for being intelligent, and very talkative! They are very social, and Siamese kittens definitely like to make their presence known with their big and boisterous personalities. Bear in mind though, sometimes this breed can struggle with being left alone; so they may be best suited to a home where their human friends are around a lot to interact with them.
Abyssinian
These cats are known for being energetic and lively! However, they are also known to be bonded to their owners, sticking close by, checking out what you’re cooking in the kitchen, or acting as a scarf when you’re snuggling down for a movie night.
On the flip side of this, some pedigree cats are felt to be less social and friendly. Perhaps due to them being genetically closer to their wilder ancestors, or bred for certain coat patterns and traits. Bengal cats and Savannah cats are known to be fiercely independent, intelligent and athletic, but perhaps less tolerant of being messed around with.
Personality and colour
If purchasing a pedigree cat isn’t your bag, and you’re looking to rescue a feline in need from a cat shelter, which type should you look for to make sure you get the friendliest?! Well, in reality, this is down to the individual cat’s personality. However, there is some anecdotal talk about different coat colours (and therefore genetics) being related to different personality types.
Tortoiseshell
Many people will christen Tortoiseshell cats ‘Naughty Torties’ as they are thought to be more likely to be feisty characters – this doesn’t mean they won’t be friendly, but it might mean that they have something to say about it if you are trying to do something that they don’t like – such as giving worming tablets, or taking blood samples. This is not scientific though, and there are lots of wonderful, friendly Tortie cats who love attention!
Ginger
Anecdotally, ginger cats have been thought to be more laid back in character – taking life at a steady pace, being bothered by very little, and not getting uptight about anything quickly! Just like with the character traits given to Tortoiseshell cats, there are no scientific rules to govern this, so ultimately, it’s all down to the individual cat!
Black and White
In addition, there are stories describing black cats as having less extreme character traits (perhaps adding to their mysterious reputation?) and some say that white cats are a little more anti-social and shy than other cats. There hasn’t really been any research into this, but it’s interesting to hear how people feel that coat colour is linked to personality traits.
Choose an individual above all!
If you’re looking for a lovely Domestic Shorthair (or moggy) to join your family, it’s best to ignore the coat colour. Go and spend some time with them, get to know them, and assess their personality. Do they like being handled and stroked? Do they come up to you and ask for interaction? Or do they want to come and sit with you for a fuss? By spending some time with your potential new pet, you will soon get a feel for their personality and an idea of whether they are a good fit for your family, as well as if they are the super friendly feline companion you’re looking for.
Do you have a super friendly cat? Does your cat’s breed or coat colour match what is described here and the anecdotal thoughts on their personality traits? Or are they making their own way in the world, proving that coat colour or breed is no barrier to how much they love their human companions?
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