5 Best Cat Breeds For First Time Owners

If you have always wanted a cat but have never owned one, select a cat breed suitable for first-time owners!

Cat Breeds For First-Time Owners

The best cats for first-time owners are Ragamuffins, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons. These cats are social, affectionate, and easygoing, and are not prone to being shy or aggressive. Scottish Folds and American Shorthairs are also easy to care for due to their social nature and easy-going temperament.

If you’re looking to get a cat, but have never had one before, you certainly won’t want a cat breed with a difficult personality or high maintenance requirements! Instead, select a breed known for having a calm, laidback, and social temperament.

1. Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin is, without a doubt, one of the best cat breeds for first-time owners.

Their long, silky fur needs to be groomed at least once or twice a week, but it is shorter and less prone to tangles than other longhaired cats like Maine Coons or Ragdolls.

When it comes to temperament, Ragamuffins are some of the calmest cats out there, making them one of the best cat breeds for apartments.

These cats prefer to spend most of their time cuddling with their owners or sleeping on the couch.

While they do enjoy batting toys around or chasing after feather toys, they are not very energetic cats and therefore do not need a lot of exercise or playtime.

Ragamuffins love to be held and cuddled, and they even follow their owners around from room to room!

Of course, they can be a bit clingy at times, particularly if their owners are away often. That is why these cats do best in families that spend plenty of time at home, so they can get all of the attention they need.

2. Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a very similar breed to the Ragamuffin, with just a few differences in appearance and temperament. Like Ragamuffins, they are incredibly affectionate and cuddly.

They are a bit more playful than Ragamuffins, and they have higher grooming needs. The Ragdoll’s coat is a bit longer and more prone to tangles, so they must be groomed at least twice a week, plus more during shedding season.

Ragdolls are very patient, easygoing cats that fit well into families with children, cats, and even dogs.

They love being held, and they are famous for going limp in their owner’s arms, just like a doll!

This cat breed is one of the best cat breeds for kids because they do not mind being carried around or playing dress-up!

These cats will gladly spend all day in your lap, but their social nature means they can become lonely and depressed if they are left alone for too long.

Ragdolls do best in a household where they can receive lots of attention, and they may need another cat as a companion if they become lonely.

3. Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, and for good reason! These enormous cats are famous for their loving, playful temperament and long, beautiful fur.

Maine Coons love people, so they are easy to socialize with, and they are highly unlikely to be aggressive or territorial.

They get along well with children and other cats, and they are so friendly that they are also one of the best cat breeds for dog owners.

Maine Coons love to spend time with their people, and while they do follow their owners around from room to room, they are not known for being clingy.

These giant cats like to be near their people but will not demand to be picked up or cuddled if you are busy. Instead, they prefer to hang out nearby, resting or playing while you work.

Maine Coons are incredibly playful and energetic cats, so they do need more exercise than other breeds. They need plenty of space, as well as a large cat tree or shelves so they can climb and jump up high.

The Maine Coon cat also needs plenty of durable, exciting cat toys like motorized mice, so they can run chase, and hunt.

So long as you can provide your Maine Coon with enough toys and playtime, these cats are very mellow and easy to care for.

Their long, thick fur does need to be brushed two to three times a week, but they are much easier to care for than cats like Persians or Sphynx.

4. American Shorthair

While American Shorthairs are loving, affectionate cats, they are more independent than breeds like Ragdolls or Scottish Folds, and they are more tolerant of being left alone for a little while.

They will happily spend time cuddling with you on the couch, but they also do not mind spending time alone to play or rest, so you do not have to worry about them being clingy.

This breed was originally developed for hunting mice and other pests, so they are playful, active, and very intelligent.

They are also easier to train than many cat breeds, so you can teach them to do tricks or even play fetch!

Even though the American Shorthair was originally used as a hunter, today, they are one of the most popular cat breeds for companionship.

American Shorthairs are very easygoing. They are not sensitive to change or louder households with children. They also get along great with kids, as well as other pets.

American Shorthairs are very versatile, so they can thrive in just about any household.

While they certainly do not mind having plenty of space, they can also live just as well in an apartment.

The American Shorthair’s short coat is also incredibly easy to care for. They only need to be brushed about once a week, except during shedding season, when they may need to be brushed two or three times a week (source 1).

5. Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold is an adorable cat breed with big, round eyes and folded ears.

These are sweet, sensitive cats that love spending time with their owners. They are one of the best cat breeds for cuddling, and they are also one of the easier cat breeds to care for.

Their soft, short coat is easy to brush, though you may need to check their ears more often for dirt and buildup, particularly if they are tightly folded.

Scottish Folds are intelligent and calm. They are moderately active, so they only need about thirty minutes of playtime a day.

Most of the time, they prefer to just hang out on their owner’s lap, or take a nap near their favorite human.

These cats are great for families with children or other cats, and most can be socialized to get along with dogs, as well.

While they are very sweet and loving towards their owners, they can be a bit shy towards strangers, and they prefer quiet, calm households to loud, crowded ones.

The Scottish Fold does need a lot of attention, though, so they are one of the best cat breeds for new owners who spend plenty of time at home.

They will not tolerate being left alone for long periods, so if your Scottish Fold seems lonely, you may need to consider bringing home a second cat as a companion.

Overall, this cat breed is a great choice for first-time owners who live in a relatively calm household, and who do not mind spending lots of time with their pet!

These cats make a great option for adults and seniors, but they can also thrive in a household with children, provided they are not too rowdy or rough (source 1).