21 Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring

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Cats make wonderful companions for many people. If you are a first-time owner or a busy owner, this blog would be helpful for you. It will give the list of cat breeds which is common with low a maintenance level. Also, brief introductions would be given to the most popular cat breeds. Let’s dive into it.

Domestic Shorthair-the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring

  • Cost: $50
  • Pet Characteristic: Affectionate, playful, and independent
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Compassionate, engaging and active lifestyle.
  • Caring Difficulties: Low
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

A domestic shorthair cat is not a specific breed but rather a type of mixed-breed cat. Therefore, they have various colors and patterns.

If you ask why it can be the top one of the most common cat breeds list, its health status, adaptability and low maintenance counts are the three main reasons. As a mixed-breed cat, genetic diversity makes them more resilient to disease. More and more, their shorthair cat requires less care than other breeds of cat. When it comes to adaptability, it is their nature.

American Shorthair-Silver Medal Winner in  “the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring” 

American Shorthair-Silver Medal Winner in  "the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring" 

  • Cost: $600-$1500
  • Pet Characteristic: Affectionate, playful
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Patient, active but not overbearing, family-oriented
  • Caring Difficulties: Low
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Moderate

Different from Domestic Shorthair, American Shorthair is a distinct breed that originates from European Shorthair brought by early European settlers. However, the reasons why they gain lots of popularity are similar as those of Domestic Shorthair. They are easy-going, low maintenance and healthy.

To our surprise, American Shorthair is perfectly mouser though it seems cute. They were originally bred to control rodent populations on farms, which has made them natural-born hunters. Their muscular build and agility help them chase and capture prey effectively.

British Shorthair-the Third Winner in the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring” But Also the Hungriest One

British Shorthair

  • Cost: $800~$1000
  • Pet Characteristic: Calm, gentle and independent.
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Gentle, quiet and calm.
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Moderate

British shorthair shares some similarities with American Shorthair, but it was developed from Roman Cats brought by Romans in the 19th century. Also, calmness, low maintenance and adaptability make them common. Sometimes, its good appetite may bother its busy owner. So many British Shorthair’s owners prepare a smart pet feeder for convenient feeding.

For example, Mochi, the British Shorthair of our furry family, has finished two bowls of dry food when the other cat was making preparation. Hereby, I declare that it deserves the honor of “Eating King”.

Domestic Longhair- ” I Have Pretty Hair.”

  • Cost: $400-$800
  • Pet Characteristic: Affectionate, moderately active, and often playful
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Patient, attentive
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

In fact, domestic longhair is not a specific breed in the traditional sense with mixed-gene. Although they need careful grooming, some people still choose them as house pets. This can be attributed to its good-looking, good available level and low price. Still less, with the developing technology, the trouble of longhair grooming is perfectly solved by pet dryer box nowadays. Some device even comes with the negative-ions blow technology, which reduces static and smooth the pretty hair without any hand operation. Thus, domestic longhair cat can become popular.

Siamese-” I Am Friendly.”

  • Cost: $200
  • Pet Characteristic: Intelligent, affectionate, vocal, playful, and active
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Affectionate, interactive, and patient
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

They are not very cheap in the pet market, but many people are pleased to own them. To a great extent, their social nature and intelligence count a lot. Furthermore, some Siamese are qualified to work as therapy animals in the hospital after strict selection.

And, there is a funny phenomenon. Siamese cat’s fur changes based on temperature. I think it is another attractive point of the Siamese cat.

Maine Coon-“I Need A Clean Litter Box.”

Maine Coon

  • Cost: $800-$2000
  • Pet Characteristic: Friendly, intelligent, playful, and social
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Affectionate, patient
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2.5-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High
  • Special Caring: Litter box cleaning

Moreover, Maine Coon another breed which may work as therapy animals. So it is not hard to understand why people commonly love them. It is very gentle and easygoing. Also, some people like their impressive size and stunning appearance.

If we would like to own a Maine Coon, one thing is necessary to know-how to clean its litter box. Their size and long fur can create unique challenges for maintaining a clean and hygienic litter box environment. This can make it necessary to clean the litter box more frequently, ideally scooping at least once a day and performing a full litter change every 7-10 days. Sometimes, it is a good idea to use a smart cat litter box if your budget is okay. I have heard that it can automatically pack and seal the cat litter with a real-time camera monitoring the status of the box. This is really an excellent invention for Maine Coon’s owner.

Ragdoll-” I Can Be the Therapy Cat in the Hospital.”

  • Cost: $400-$1100
  • Pet Characteristic: Affectionate, calm
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Affectionate, patient, calm, willing to groom
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Better than Maine Coon, Ragdoll is often considered as the top choice for hospital therapy cats. People love them not only because of their gentle personality but also low maintenance . And it is very suitable for the green hand cat owners.

Persian-” I Am Loved by Royalty.”

  • Cost: $500-$3000
  • Pet Characteristic: calm, affectionate, and gentle personality, low activity level
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: Patient, dedicated to grooming, quiet and loving
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High
  • Special Caring: Brushing, eye care

Appealing appearance is an obvious and key reason for attracting so many pet lovers. Round faces, large eyes and luxurious coats make them leave a cute image in public. More and more, its characteristic perfectly matches to its elegant look. It comes with calmness and laid-back nature.

Besides, some people may associate the Persian Cat with royalty and wealth. This is not groundless. Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901, was known to have a love for Persian cats. Her affection for the breed helped boost their popularity in Europe during the 19th century.

By the way, its luxurious coat needs special care. We suggest using a wide-toothed comb initially to detangle any loose fur, followed by a slicker brush or pin brush to remove dead hair and prevent mats. A metal comb can also help with smaller tangles, particularly around the face and ears. Besides, regular cleaning to its eyes is important since their flat faces (brachycephalic structure) make them more prone to eye issues, including tear staining, conjunctivitis, and eye infections.

Russian Blue-” I Am Good-Looking.”

  • Cost: $400-$2000
  • Pet Characteristic: calm, reserved, and affectionate
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: patient, gentle, and able to respect the cat’s more independent nature
  • Caring Difficulties: Low
  • IQ: equal to that of a 4-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Low

So, why is such an unsocial breed common? It largely be attributed to its striking blue-gray and vivid green eyes. This appearance is very unique among all the cat breeds. With its calmness and affectionateness, Russian Blue cats are commonly loved by many people.

Bombay-” I Have Exotic Appearance.”

  • Cost: $500-$2000
  • Pet Characteristic: affectionate, playful, and energetic
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: engaging, attentive and playful.
  • Caring Difficulties: Low
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Bombay is very attractive for people who prefer black and exotic style. Sleek, jet-black cold and captivating gold or copper eyes give it a striking, almost partner-like appearance.

Bengal-” I Am a Smart Kitty.”

  • Cost: $1000-$3000
  • Pet Characteristic: highly energetic, athletic, and intelligent
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: active, patient, and experienced with cats
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 5-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Moderate

Siberian-” I Need More Clean Water!”

Siberian

  • Cost: $800~$1500
  • Pet Characteristic: intelligent, playful, and energetic, and enjoy interactive activities
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: active, attentive, and patient
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 4-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Moderate
  • Special Caring: More water drinking than others

The Siberian cat is a breed that tends to drink more water compared to others. One reason for this is their natural, hearty constitution, which has evolved to thrive in cold, harsh climates, where hydration might not always come from abundant sources of fresh water. So we owners should offer more water in daily life. Some people use easy-cleaning smart water fountain without pump. I have taken a look at that device and I think it works. In fact, this design cleverly comes with a compact pillar faucet in an integrated construction. So it is very easy to clean and saves lots of labor of Siberian owners.

Second, Siberian cats have a dense, triple-layer coat that requires a higher metabolic rate to maintain, which can increase their overall water intake.

In spite of a great demand on water drinking, Siberian keeps its uniqueness in people’s hearts with its hypoallergenic quality. Siberians are often considered more hypoallergenic than other breeds due to their lower levels of the allergenic protein Fel d 1. While no cat is entirely hypoallergenic, many allergy sufferers find that they can tolerate Siberian cats better than others. This has made them a popular choice among people who love cats but have sensitivities to allergens.

Abyssinian-” I Am a Dog-like Cat!”

  • Cost: $500~$700
  • Pet Characteristic: active, curious, and highly intelligent
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: active, attentive, engaging
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: Low

Norwegian Forest Cat

  • Cost: $500~$1500
  • Pet Characteristic: friendly, calm, and intelligent
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: active, patient
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Savannah Cat

  • Cost: $5000+
  • Pet Characteristic: Highly active, athletic, energetic, curious
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: active
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 5-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Birman Cat

  • Cost: $400~$700
  • Pet Characteristic: Gentle, affectionate, and adaptable
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: patient
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Oriental Shorthair

  • Cost: $400~$500
  • Pet Characteristic: Energetic, playful, and extremely curious
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: engaging
  • Caring Difficulties: Low
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Sphynx

  • Cost: $900~$1200
  • Pet Characteristic: friendly, social, and affectionate
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: patient and, dedicated
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 4-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High
  • Special Caring: nail trimming, teeth brushing, flea and parasite control

Due to their lack of fur, Sphynx cats are often more prone to slipping or scratching surfaces, which can lead to their nails growing longer than typical cats. So this requires a more frequent nail trimming for cat owners than other cat breeds. Besides, Trimming the nails of a Sphynx cat requires extra care because of their skin’s sensitivity.

But it is not a hard thing if you have a good command of caring techniques. First, we can prepare a cat-specific nail clipper, which are designed to be sharp enough to cut through the nails without causing discomfort. During nail trimming, trim only the sharp, transparent tip of the nail and avoid cutting too far down, as this can lead to bleeding. Additionally, it is a good idea to hold the cat’s paw gently and applying slight pressure will reveal the claws without hurting the cat.

Although it takes time for people to nail trimming for Sphynx, this can not stop its popularity. The unique appearance and allergen-free appeal make him attractive to those like exotic style or those have allergies. More and more, the high IQ brings it affectionate and social nature. Even, people call it “dog-like” cat.

Devon Rex

  • Cost: $1000~$2500
  • Pet Characteristic: Playful, mischievous, and highly active
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: engaging
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Himalayan

  • Cost: $300
  • Pet Characteristic: Calm, gentle, and affectionate but can be slightly reserved
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: quiet, patient
  • Caring Difficulties: High
  • IQ: equal to that of a 2-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Scottish Fold Cat

  • Cost: $800~$1500
  • Pet Characteristic: Calm, gentle, and affectionate
  • Characteristic of Proper Owner: calm, patient
  • Caring Difficulties: Moderate
  • IQ: equal to that of a 3-year-old human
  • Friendliness: High

Other Lists of Cat Breeds Related to the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring

Top 3 Mouser

  1. Maine Coon
  2. Siberian Cat
  3. American Shorthair

Best 3 Therapy Cat Breeds in Hospital

  1. Ragdoll
  2. Maine Coon
  3. Sphynx

Top 3 Dog-like Cat Breeds

  1. Maine Coon
  2. Abyssinian
  3. Burmese

Best 3 Friendly Cat Breeds

  1. Ragdoll
  2. Siamese
  3. Burmese

Takeaway of the Most Common Cat Breeds for Easy Caring

Choosing the right cat breed can make a big difference in how enjoyable and stress-free your experience as a pet owner will be. Most importantly, give them love, care, and a safe home, and they’ll reward you with endless affection and joy in return. Last but not least, if there is any inquiry about pet care, please feel free to contact us. Happy cat parenting!

Written by Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson brings over 15 years of veterinary expertise to her role in pet behavior, care, and storytelling. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis, and certification in Animal Behavior, Emily offers insightful advice to improve pets' well-being. Beyond her writing, Emily volunteers at shelters and enjoys time with her Labrador, Max.

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