Cats that are good for first-time pet owners
Want to know more about cats that are good for first-time pet owners? See all the cats that fit this criteria and learn more about what it's like to have these cats as pets.
25 Results
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short, long
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, white, red / orange
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, low prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Prized for his unusual curly coat, the Selkirk rex cat is one of only four breeds of cat with wavy fur. This curly-haired cat has a warm, loving disposition and comes in both short- and long-haired versions.
- temperament: sociable
- coat length: short
- colors: blue / gray
- patterns: solid
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, tolerates being picked up
Chartreux cats are as quiet and calm as they are silly and personable. Learn more about this fun French breed.
- temperament: affectionate
- coat length: long
- colors: white, black / ebony, blue / gray, red / orange, chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, fawn, lilac, lavender / silver
- patterns: bi-color, solid, calico / tri-color, tabby, color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, cats, families
- other traits: easy to groom, requires lots of grooming, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Beautiful, fuzzy, gentle giants, the RagaMuffin is the perfect family cat. She loves being held and stroked, and she gets along famously with children and other pets.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short
- colors: blue / gray, lavender / silver, chocolate / brown / sable, lilac
- patterns: solid
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, tolerates being picked up
With their huge eyes, outgoing personalities, and dog-like tendencies, Burmese are the perfect cat for winning over people who say they don’t like cats.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
The American shorthair cat has a short, dense coat and came to the U.S. aboard the Mayflower. With their affectionate nature, compact build, round faces, and short ears, American shorthairs make beautiful and loving pets.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long
- colors: cream / beige / tan
- patterns: color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, low prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Originally called the Sacred Cat of Burma, the Birman is an ancient breed that’s been prized for generations for her beautiful markings and lovely, mild temperament. These mid-size cats are sociable, easy-going felines that make wonderful pets for people of all ages.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, lilac
- patterns: bi-color, tabby
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Meant to emulate wild ocelots, the ocicat brings the visual thrill of a big cat, without a drop of wild blood.
- temperament: affectionate, neurotic, shy
- coat length: short
- colors: blue / gray
- patterns: solid
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: hypoallergenic, easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Russian blues are intelligent, loving, and loyal cats while preserving their independent streak. Learn more about this playful, pretty breed.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long
- colors: white, red / orange, blue / gray, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable, fawn, lilac
- patterns: color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, families, seniors
- other traits: requires lots of grooming, friendly toward humans, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat
Combining everything people love about the Siamese with a soft coat of luscious, long hair, the Balinese is a luxurious take on an already popular breed.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long, short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, red / orange, white
- patterns: bi-color, solid, calico / tri-color, color point, tabby
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, cats, families
- other traits: easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat
The American curl is best known for the ears that give the breed their name. But along with this adorably unique feature, these are friendly, sweet family pets.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, neurotic, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, white, black / ebony, red / orange, cream / beige / tan
- patterns: bi-color, solid, calico / tri-color, tabby, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, friendly toward humans, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Devon rex cats are known as “poodle cats,” thanks to their wavy coats and intelligent, outgoing personalities. Learn more about owning a Devon rex cat.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, neurotic, bold, shy
- coat length: short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cream / beige / tan
- patterns: tabby
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, good for first-time pet owners, tolerates being picked up
Singapura cats are high-energy, pint-sized pets with wide eyes, big ears, and playful personalities. Learn more about living with Singapuras.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, shy
- coat length: short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, red / orange, white
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
European shorthair cats are adaptable, friendly, people-pleasing pets who love to hunt and spend time with their pet parents. Learn more about the European shorthair cat breed.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, lavender / silver, cream / beige / tan, fawn
- patterns: solid, bi-color, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
American wirehair cats are a playful, affectionate, and independent breed with a coarse, crimped coat. Read more about this friendly companion cat breed.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: white
- patterns: solid
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, tolerates being picked up
Khao Manee cats, also known as Khao Plort cats, are playful. They have pure white coats and jewel-tone eyes, and these rare kitties are said to bring good luck to owners. Learn more about living with a Khao Manee cat.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long, short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, white, red / orange
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: hypoallergenic, easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
LaPerm cats are known for their curly coats, friendly personalities, and loud and proud purring. Learn more about living with the loving LaPerm cat breed.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: long, short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, lavender / silver, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable
- patterns: solid, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Burmillas are a cross between chinchilla Persians and Burmese cats. These cats are a fun, friendly breed that loves to be part of the family. Learn more about living with a Burmilla cat.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: long, short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, red / orange, white
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, prone to health issues, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
American bobtails are known for their wild appearance and short bobbed tails. These cats make loving, loyal, and playful pets. Learn more about owning an American bobtail.
- temperament: affectionate
- coat length: short
- colors: blue / gray
- patterns: solid
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, cats, families
- other traits: hypoallergenic, easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Regal in bearing and possessing a stunning, shimmering blue coat, the Korat is a gorgeous, affectionate “good luck cat” for most households.
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: long, short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, lavender / silver, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable
- patterns: solid, bi-color, tabby, calico / tri-color
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, tolerates being picked up
Japanese bobtail cats are known for their short tails and playful personalities. This breed makes wonderful family pets. Learn more about owning a Japanese bobtail.