What Cat Should I Get? A Complete Guide to Choosing a Cat Breed

By What Cat?  ·  June 4, 2026  ·  7 min read

Choosing a cat is one of the best decisions you can make — but it's also one that's worth getting right. A cat can live 15 years or longer. Pick a breed that suits your lifestyle and you'll have a devoted companion for life. Pick one that doesn't, and both you and your cat will struggle.

The good news: there's a cat breed for almost every lifestyle. The challenge is knowing which questions to ask. This guide walks through the five most important factors to weigh before you decide.

Why breed matters more than most people realise

Many first-time owners assume all cats are roughly the same — quiet, independent, low-maintenance. In reality, cat breeds vary enormously. A Bengal demands hours of active play every day and will redecorate your home if bored. A Ragdoll will follow you from room to room and go limp in your arms. A Siamese will have a conversation with you; a Russian Blue will observe you quietly from across the room.

Temperament, energy level, grooming needs, and social requirements differ dramatically between breeds. Matching these to your life isn't just about your happiness — it's about the cat's welfare too.

The 5 questions to ask before choosing a breed

1. How active do you want your cat to be?

Some breeds are high-energy athletes who need interactive play sessions, puzzle feeders, and cat trees to stay sane. Others are placid lounge cats who are happy to nap on the sofa all day.

• High energy: Bengal, Abyssinian, Savannah, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair
• Medium energy: Maine Coon, Burmese, Tonkinese, Norwegian Forest
• Low energy: Ragdoll, Persian, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair

Be honest with yourself about how much time you have for play. A bored, high-energy cat in the wrong home becomes destructive — not because it's a bad cat, but because it's not getting what it needs.

2. How much space do you have?

Most cats adapt to apartment living, but some breeds genuinely need room to roam. Savannahs and Bengals — both descendants of wild cats — want to sprint and climb. Others, like the Ragdoll or British Shorthair, are perfectly content in smaller spaces as long as they have vertical territory (a cat tree does wonders).

For a deeper look at apartment-suitable breeds, see our guide to best cats for apartments.

3. How much grooming are you willing to do?

Long-haired breeds like Persians, Maine Coons, and Himalayans need daily brushing to prevent mats — this is a genuine daily commitment. Short-haired breeds like the British Shorthair or Russian Blue need only a weekly brush. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx require no coat grooming but do need weekly skin wipes.

Grooming isn't just about appearance — mats are painful, and a cat that won't let you groom it is a cat that may need professional grooming (an added cost and stress for the animal).

4. Who else is in your home?

If you have children, you need a patient, robust breed that tolerates unpredictable handling. Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Birmans excel here. For our full family-cat breakdown, see best cats for families with kids.

If you have dogs, look for breeds described as "dog-friendly" — Maine Coons, Burmese, and Ragamuffins typically integrate well. If you have other cats, most breeds adapt, though territorial breeds like the Persian can take longer to settle.

5. Are allergies a concern?

If you or anyone in your household has cat allergies, it doesn't automatically rule out cat ownership — but it does narrow your choices significantly. Breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, and Devon Rex produce lower levels of the main allergen (Fel d 1) and are better tolerated by many allergy sufferers. See our full guide to hypoallergenic cat breeds.

Should you get a kitten or an adult cat?

Kittens are adorable but demanding — they require supervision, training, and a lot of play. Adult cats from reputable breeders or rescue organisations often have a more settled, predictable temperament. If you're a first-time owner or have a busy schedule, an adult cat can be a better match. Rescue cats in particular often make wonderfully devoted companions to the family that finally gives them a permanent home.

The fastest way to find your match

The questions above give you a framework, but applying them to 68 different breeds takes time. The What Cat? quiz does it in about three minutes — 18 targeted questions about your lifestyle, home, and preferences, with a personalised ranked result that includes honest compatibility warnings for each breed.

Or browse the full breed encyclopedia to read detailed profiles for all 68 breeds, including temperament, grooming, health considerations, and who each breed suits best.