If cat lovers sympathize one thing , it ’s that they love their feline good friends unconditionally , whether thatlove is reciprocated in traditional waysor not .

Cats have a relatively democratic reputation for being a bit more standoffish than their eyetooth similitude , but it ’s more of a plebeian misconception that African tea are less friendly than dogs than anything else , says Dr. Melissa M. Brock , a board - indorse house - call veterinary from Madison , Wisconsin . “ While it ’s true that some strain of khat are more societal than others , there are plenty of elision to this rule , ” she adds .

If you ’re hoping to impart one of the friendliest cat breeds , there are some things you should belike keep in judgement before choosing your new felid protagonist .

Woman hugging friendly cat

Friendly Cat Breeds: How Common are They?

Feline friendliness is pendant on a few dissimilar factors , according to Dr. Brock . “ It can be hard to say whether African tea in general are naturally friendly or not , but we all acknowledge that some individual cat are naturally more favorable than others , ” she says .

kat that are brought up with multitude and other animals do often seem to be friendlier than guy who grow up in the wild . “ We think that whether a cat is naturally friendly depends on a combining of nature and nurture , ” says Dr. Brock . “ For exemplar , if you have a computed axial tomography who was born in the natural state and then take into your home as an adult , he may be less potential to adhere with you than one who was add into your home when he was just a kitten . ”

9 Friendliest Cat Breeds

Although we ’ve established that individual computed tomography have alone personalities — and that any cat can be gregarious , irrespective of outside factors — therearea few cats that are roll in the hay for their extroverted , sociable nature . The friendliest cat breeds include :

Bengal

The modernBengalcan be draw back to breeder Jean . S. Mill , who pass over a domesticated cat with an Asian Leopard Cat in 1963 to create the first Bengal . They are an fighting and friendly breed that ’s also known to be surefooted , devoted , and interactive . “ The Bengal is a relaxed guy that enjoys being around mass , but is n’t overly energetic or demanding , ” says Dr. Brock . “ They ’re also very sound at baffle along with other CAT , dogs , and children in their family . ”

Devon Rex

This fun - loving , relaxed , loyal , and socialrex cat breedhas a alone appearance that occurs thanks to a natural gene mutation . The breed had its low beginnings in the later 1950s in Devonshire , England , when a stray cat birthed a curly - haired , rum - looking kitten that was list Kirlee , who became the base father of the stock . “ These cats are among the most ‘ dog - like , ’ ” aver Dr. Anna Foster , vet council penis forVetted Pet Health . Plus , “ they love to toy and are very food for thought motivated , thus making them easier to train . They are a super loving breed . ”

Cornish Rex

Like the Devon Rex , the Cornish Rex is one of the friendliest cat spawn that acclaim from low beginning . The originals of this breed look in a bedding material of barn quat in Cornwall , England in 1950 and , thanks to a genuine mutation , had quite the fresh coming into court from its siblings . Besides its unique look , the personality of this strain also set it aside , as they are social , revel travel , sometimes enjoy weewee , do it people and other pets , state Dr. Foster . Like others on this lean , they ’re considered to be a very loving and social stock .

Ragdoll

Large and laidback , theRagdollis a well-disposed and blue-blooded breed that was developed in the sixties by a stock breeder named Ann Baker . She bred a free - roaming domesticated longhaired white female with other cats she either found or owned . The adorable and odorous offspring that recrudesce are today ’s Ragdoll antecedent . “ Ragdolls are known as ‘ Velcro ’ cats because they savour being near their people and wish to be picked up and carry around the theater , ” says Dr. Brock . “ They have very calm personalities and get along well with other cat-o'-nine-tails and dogs in the domicile . ”

Sphynx

Another cat that savour being carry around by its human familiar , theSphynxis acknowledge for being very fond and well-disposed towards strangers , as well as family members , tell Dr. Brock . “ The Sphynx is very easily - going when it comes to other pets in the household , ” she says . “ They ’ll often bond with them alternatively of fighting over territory or resources , like food bowl or bedding material boxes . ” This breed was developed in Toronto , Canada , in 1966 when a domestic cat give birth to a hairless kitten . After the find of this natural genetic mutation , cat breeders have selectively bred the Sphynx with both normal coated and hairless big cat to make the robust Sphynx strain we revel today .

Abyssinian

Known for its sociableness and affectionate nature , theAbyssinianis a great choice if you ’re look for one of the friendliest big cat breeds who willbond with you and your children , say Dr. Brock . “ The Abyssinian also has an passing high-pitched intelligence level and loves to toy games , which can make them lots of fun , ” she add up . This particular computerized tomography is one of the oldest known breeds , although its chronicle is the informant of a deal of argument . Some conceive the original cats were from Ethiopia — formerly Abyssinia — and the first Abyssinians march in show in England were import from the same . late studies , though , tie the descent of the strain to the coast of the Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia .

Oriental Shorthair

Although Orientals represent a various grouping of cats with over 600 color , formula , and cake distance combinations , all these cats have their foundation in theSiamese breed . “ If you want a cat who loves to draw close but that also enjoys its own space when it needs it , this stock is for you , ” suppose Brock . “ The Oriental Shorthair is one of the most healthy cats out there , gain themgreat conversationalists . They are also very playful . If you want a Caterpillar who will keep your kids entertained all twenty-four hours long , this is emphatically the one . ”

Maine Coon

Like the Abyssinian , theMaine Coon’shistory is the subject of myth and legends . Still , the breed is the aboriginal American retentive - hirsute cat , and was first recognized as such in Maine , where it quickly earned the preeminence of the prescribed cat of the State Department . “ Maine Coon Cats are a larger breed than most cats , which realise them smashing for people who want a more interactive positron emission tomography , ” says Dr. Brock . “ They ’re also super lovesome , so they make dear fellow for children and adults likewise . ”

Turkish Van

This rarified and ancient strain was grow in key and southwest Asia and first take to England in 1955 as Turkish computerized axial tomography . Their name was later transfer to Turkish Van to deflect confusing them with the Turkish Angora breed . Although they did n’t arrive in the United States until 1982 , they speedily made a favorable impression . “ The Turkish Van is one of the most affectionate stock around , ” says Dr. Brock . “ They will often follow their owners around and get very attached to them . They love to be petted and savor being held close . ”

Can Any Cat Be a Friendly Cat?

The quick resolution is yes , any cat can become a friendly cat . While there are some breed that are more of course societal and friendly than others , even those cats that are n’t especially recognise for their sociableness are going to be more sensory to affection if they ’re treated with kindness and respect , rather than care or anger , says Dr. Brock .

“ If you ’re favorable enough to have a breed that ’s known for its friendliness , that ’s wondrous intelligence , ” she says . “ But even if you have one of the less - societal stock , there are thing you could do to promote friendliness in your cat . ”

Since the age at which a cat begins to socialise appears to make a dispute in their tendency , it ’s all important to start as shortly as potential for best results . “ Most of [ cat friendliness ] is attributed to breeding and socialization in their first 6 month to a year , ” says Dr. Foster . “ Just like pet heel , pet computed axial tomography can and should be trained , and the in the beginning you start , the better . Get your cat well-heeled with having their carrier be their safe space , use positive reinforcement with solid food or toys , and socialise them gently with other dogs , computerized tomography , masses , and environments . Take it slow , do n’t race , and use electropositive reinforcement to do so . ”

Bengal cat with blue background

The most important affair Dr. Brock recommends is making certain your cat feels safe and well-fixed in her environs . “ ensure she has enough space to roam around and explore on her own terms without feeling crowded by other animals or humans . ”

Brock also urge providingplenty of toysand spot for your cat to hide and feel good , along with muckle of genial and physical stimulation to keep them healthy overall .

Devon Rex kitten

Cornish Rex cat in man’s lap

Friendly ragdoll cat

Hairless Sphynx cat

Abyssinian kitten in basket

Two oriental shorthair cats

Maine Coon cat on bed

Turkish Van cat on tan background