Best Cat Breeds for Apartments
Cat breeds that adapt well to apartment living: moderate energy, quieter voices and a relaxed attitude to smaller spaces.
Almost any cat can live happily in an apartment if you provide vertical space, play and enrichment. The breeds below have moderate energy and quieter voices, which makes them easier neighbors and less likely to climb the walls. See also our guide to cats in rented homes.
British Shorthair
Calm, dignified and teddy-bear round — affectionate on its own terms.
Persian
Serene and sweet, with a glamorous coat that needs daily care.
Russian Blue
Gentle, quiet and loyal — shy with strangers, devoted to its people.
Birman
Sweet, gentle and sociable, with blue eyes and white "gloves".
Exotic Shorthair
A Persian personality in a plush, low-maintenance short coat.
American Shorthair
Easy-going, healthy and adaptable — a classic, low-drama family cat.
Himalayan
A colorpoint Persian: sweet, placid and high-maintenance.
Chartreux
A quiet, smiling blue cat with a woolly coat and a hunter's instinct.
Secure windows and balconies before a cat moves in — falls from height ("high-rise syndrome") are a common emergency. Read cat-proofing your home.
Most affectionateFor families with kidsCalm & quietLow sheddingFor allergy sufferers