Many of our feline friends thrive when kept at home – these indoor cat breeds certainly do! Those best suited to this sort of lifestyle are those who are people-oriented, adaptable and easygoing with low-to-moderate energy levels.
More and more cat owners are choosing to keep their kitties indoors and we can't say we blame them. Outdoor cats are exposed to a lot more danger from traffic, other animals and extreme weather conditions. Keeping a cat indoors will eliminate these risks and help ensure you have them around for years to come.
However, it's important to note that cats are natural hunters and because of that even the calmest of breeds needs plenty of mental and physical enrichment to keep them healthy if they're going to be inside. For that reason, we recommend investing in plenty of the best cat toys to give them an outlet for this innate behavior.
Ready to find your new fur-ever friend? Without further ado, here are our favorite indoor cat breeds...
Indoor cat breeds
1. Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are beloved the world over – and for good reason. These large and affectionate felines were given their name because of the way they happily go limp when being carried around by their owners.
These cuddly cats adore being on the receiving end of love and attention, and they're equally fond of dishing it out. They are a wonderfully friendly breed, and their easygoing, patient and tolerant nature means they get on brilliantly with children. Given how trusting and docile they are, they can be vulnerable to the dangers of the outdoors and are well suited to indoor living.
2. Birman
A sweet-natured kitty with a heart of gold, the Birman is known for being calm, adaptable and very affectionate. Quiet cats who enjoy indoor living, these friendly felines originated in Burma (now Myanmar) where they were considered sacred.
Birman cats have dog-like personalities – they like to greet their owners when they arrive home and are endlessly loyal. While not all like to be cuddled, they adore human companionship and will usually follow their people from room to room.
Birmans are playful and intelligent cats, so they'll appreciate having toys around to play with and will usually be keen to master a trick or two.
3. British Shorthair
Lovingly referred to as the teddy bears of the cat world thanks to their rounded faces and chunky bodies, the calm and collected British Shorthair makes for an outstanding family cat breed.
Non-demanding and independent yet still highly people-oriented, these felines are sweet-natured and affectionate but never clingy. Active without being hyper, they are well behaved cats who love to play. And while they were originally farm cats used to control the rodent population, British Shorthairs will be happy to live indoors as long as they have toys to play with and a good window perch so they can watch the world go by.
4. Sphynx
They may not win any beauty contests, but sphynx cats are highly intelligent, a breeze to train and very playful. Loyal and loving, these kitties adore a good cuddle – although that may be partly because they're hairless and so a snuggle session helps them stay warm!
Energetic and sociable, the sphynx may look low-maintenance but they do require a lot of care to keep their skin healthy. They are also best kept indoors because their lack of fur makes them vulnerable to both heat and cold. If you do want to give them outdoor access, supervision is essential and they need to be kept on a leash.
5. Burmese
There are so many reasons to love Burmese cats. These Velcro kitties adore human companionship and are never happier than when by the side of their humans. Affectionate, chatty and endlessly curious, they are very sweet-natured and because they're also incredibly trusting and naive, they're best suited to indoor living. Lovingly referred to as bricks wrapped in silk, the Burmese has a muscular body and beautifully soft fur.
A real character, these cats retain their kitten-like energy well into adulthood and while they love snuggling up with their people, their inquisitive and playful nature (plus their love of climbing) means they need plenty of interactive cat toys, a good cat tree and a window perch to provide them with lots of stimulation.
6. Persian
Persian cats are perfectly suited to indoor living. They are gentle, sweet, quiet and calm, and they are never happier than when curled up on their owners lap. Reserved with new people but deeply bonded with their human family, these docile and mild-mannered cats like tranquil environments and do best in mellow households where there isn't a lot of noise and very little change on a day to day basis.
Despite their sometimes grumpy appearance (thanks to their flat faces), Persians are very loving cats who enjoy bird watching from the comfort of a window ledge and are happy to be left alone for short periods of time.
7. Siamese
Known for their vibrant personality and friendly, social and affectionate nature, Siamese cats are regal looking kitties with striking baby blue eyes and a slim and sleek build.
One of the smartest cat breeds, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to thrive but they do well as indoor cats provided these needs are met. Curious, mischievous and oh so chatty, Siamese cats are a joy to have in the home and are perfect for anyone looking for a spunky and attention-seeking feline friend.
8. Russian Blue
Russian Blues are sensitive souls who are deeply devoted to their humans. Intuitive and intelligent, they are quiet yet observant cats who are usually content to watch life unfold from the sidelines rather than putting themselves in the middle of it.
Calm, affectionate and shy with those they don't know well, the Russian Blue tends to attach most strongly to one particular person who they are especially loyal to. These cats are quite happy to be left alone for short periods of time as they're independent enough to entertain themselves, however this undemanding cat does not like change and thrives in homes that can offer them a predictable and consistent routine.
9. Ragamuffin
Ragamuffins are very much the parents of the cat world – they adore children and will truly dote on them. This is a kitty who won't mind being picked up, carted around the house, pushed in a pram or dressed up and invited to a tea party, that's how tolerant and patient they're known to be.
Sweet-natured and docile, ragamuffins are very social and affectionate, so they make fantastic family cats. They're very in tune with their owners emotions and bond deeply with their humans, plus their beautiful ruff makes them a striking cat to look at. Because ragamuffins are so trusting and thrive on human companionship, they're well suited to indoor living.
10. Maine Coon
A large, active and family-oriented cat, the Maine Coon is well suited to indoor living as long as they have ample space to roam and play and a good cat tree that they can climb. The gentle giants of the cat world, Maine Coons can weigh up to 25 pounds when fully grown and measure around 16 inches in length.
They are big, lovable softies who are quite dog-like in their temperament as they're very loyal, enjoy playing fetch and adore getting wet. Laidback and affectionate, they rarely meow and make great playmates for gentle and respectful children.
11. Devon Rex
A wide-eyed cat with oversized ears and a curly coat, the Devon Rex has an adorable elfin appearance and is a true homebody. These kitties thrive when around their people and they have wonderfully happy-go-lucky personalities that make them a joy to have in the family.
Charming, quirky and playful, the Devon Rex is lively, curious and super social. They're known for running to greet their humans at the door, meowing back when spoken to and can often be found riding around on their owners shoulders.
True cuddle bugs, they are real goofballs who delight in making their humans laugh. They're recommended to be kept as indoor cats due to their thin coat which offers very little protection against the elements.
12. Munchkin
Munchkin cats must be kept indoors because their short legs and limited mobility make it almost impossible for them to quickly flee if any danger arises. Thankfully, you won't find having them around 24/7 a problem at all as the munchkin is a real sweetheart with a friendly and playful nature.
They love sitting upright like little rabbits and can often be found scurrying around the house after their favorite toy, so they're known for providing their humans with lots of laughs. Smart and inquisitive, munchkins love to learn new things and their fun-loving personality means they tend to get on very well with children and other pets.
13. Himalayan
Himalayan cats, affectionately referred to as ‘Himmies’, are a mix of the Persian and Siamese breeds. They have the same flattened faces and long coats as their Persian cousins and the beautiful color point markings courtesy of the Siamese.
Calm cats who have a reputation for getting on with everyone, Himalayans are best suited to indoor living as they don't do well in the heat and thrive on human companionship. Laid back and docile, they like to be a part of all aspects of family life and are very affectionate. Sweet-natured and very attuned to their humans, they love to cuddle and get along well with other pets.
14. Scottish Fold
Scottish Folds are instantly recognizable thanks to their folded ears and owl-like appearance. Incredibly good-natured, these sweet souls are low maintenance and love being with their people.
Smart cats with huggable good looks, they're not super active or hyper but they do enjoy zooming round the house from time to time after their favorite toy. While they like attention, they're not demanding of it and tend to be very calm and easygoing. Scottish Folds will thrive as indoor cats as long as their needs for mental and physical stimulation are met.
15. Exotic shorthair
One of those breeds that are perfect for families, the exotic shorthair is a shorthaired version of the Persian – so if you've always wanted to have a cat who has the same sweet and calm nature as the Persian but without the high-maintenance grooming needs, the exotic shorthair could well be the kitty for you.
Warm and loving cats who are very easy to please and fun to be around, these felines are playful but never boisterous and they get on well with children. Because they're so affectionate and adore their humans, they don't do well with being left alone and will thrive in a home where there's someone to keep them company all day.
16. Selkirk Rex
When it comes to interesting and unique hybrid cat breeds, the Selkirk Rex is one to take note of. These curly coated cuties are the result of a mixed breed cat with a curly coat being bred with a Persian to create the Selkirk Rex we know and love today.
They are very patient and easygoing and will be all too happy to be scooped up and cuddled. Loving and mellow, they are very patient and tolerant and tend to get along with just about anyone. They thrive on companionship so are well suited to indoor living where they will be content to spend a good chunk of the day curled up on your lap.
17. American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a delightfully easygoing and adaptable cat who's a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a chilled out and undemanding feline friend. Their go with the flow attitude and gentle temperament means they feel easily at home in almost any environment, and because they're so low-maintenance, they're suitable for both beginner and experienced pet parents.
While the American Shorthair enjoys outdoor exploration (you can thank their working class roots as outstanding mousers for that), they can thrive as indoor cats as long as they have plenty of enrichment and attention.
18. Chartreux
Hailing from France, the calm, observant and docile chartreux is a plush cat with a sturdy build. A mellow kitty who gets on well with children and other pets, the playful chartreux loves playing games and is particular fond of any toy that lets them exercise their outstanding hunting instincts.
Friendly and adaptable, they're quiet cats who rarely meow but they'll be quick to chirp if they want to get their owners attention. They're an excellent choice for indoor living as they're highly social and very relaxed – as long as they have toys to amuse themselves with and people to give them affection, they'll be more than happy.
19. Oriental shorthair
There's zero chance you'll be ignoring your oriental shorthair once you've welcomed them into your family – so if you dream of having a quiet life, this is definitely not the cat for you! These felines are one of the loudest breeds and honk like a goose when they have something to say or want your attention, which is fairly frequently given how social they are.
Shadow-like and very inquisitive, the day is endlessly entertaining when you have an oriental shorthair in your life. Deeply devoted to their people and not ones for wanting to be on their own, oriental shorthairs want to be wherever you are, making them perfect for indoor living.
20. Tonkinese
One of the best cat breeds for dog owners, the even-tempered, social and playful tonkinese thrives when they're a part of all aspects of family life. Loyal, curious and brilliant problem-solvers, these cats are a cross between the Siamese and Burmese and really are the best of both worlds.
While they love to talk, they're not as loud or vocal as the Siamese and they have the same desire to be cuddled as the Burmese. Perfect for families, the Tonkinese is very tolerant and is very well suited to being an indoor cat where they receive plenty of playtime and human interaction.
Read next: Lap cat breeds
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
