Pedigreed cats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, coat lengths, and colors, and they also have different levels of energy. Where some cat breeds are filled with endless energy, others are known to be mellow and laid-back. Here are nine calm cat breeds known for their chilled-out personalities.
Breed Characteristics
The calmest cat breeds vary in appearance and size. Some mellow breeds are large while others are medium-sized. Calm cats might be long-haired or short-haired, with a hefty build or more moderate body type. Temperament will vary among individual cats, but some breeds are consistently less active than others.
Even calm cats need daily playtime or exercise, such as chasing after toys, climbing, scratching, and exploring. Some very calm cats might even need prodding and creative ideas to encourage them to get enough activity and exercise, which is vital for good physical health and mental well-being. Schedule at least two 15-minute play sessions daily, and more is always better.
Tip
Even though a cat might be considered a calm breed, each cat is different. Some might have higher energy than others and therefore require more playtime and exercise.
- 01 of 09
Birman
Nynke van Holten / Getty Images Medium-sized with a sturdy build, the Birman cat has long, silky hair. Birmans always have four white paws, blue eyes, and are color-pointed: the light-colored body has darker “points” of color on the face, ears, legs, and tail. Birmans are laid-back and loving, making them a great pet for quiet families. These cats get along well with gentle kids and other pets, even gentle dogs.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: About 7 to 14 pounds, with males slightly larger
LENGTH: About 15 to 18 inches
PERSONALITY: Gentle, quiet and loving
COAT LENGTH: Medium-long to long; silken in texture, with heavy ruff around the neck
COAT COLOR: Seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, seal tabby point, blue tabby point, chocolate tabby point, lilac tabby point, red tabby point, cream tabby point, seal-tortie tabby point, chocolate-tortie tabby point, blue-cream tabby point, lilac-cream tabby point, seal-tortie point, blue-cream point, chocolate-tortie point, lilac-cream point, red point, cream point
EYE COLOR: Blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 16 years
- 02 of 09
British Shorthair
Chendongshan / Getty Images Medium to large in size, the British shorthair cat has a short, dense coat and a distinguishing rounded head and face reminiscent of a teddy bear. Loving and affectionate but never demanding or clingy, the British shorthair is a great addition to any family. This cat has a quiet, laid-back personality and tends to get along great with everyone, including kids and other pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: About 7 to 14 pounds, with males slightly larger
LENGTH: About 15 to 18 inches
PERSONALITY: Gentle, quiet and loving
COAT LENGTH: Medium-long to long. Silken in texture, with heavy ruff around the neck
COAT COLOR: Seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, seal tabby point, blue tabby point, chocolate tabby point, lilac tabby point, red tabby point, cream tabby point, seal-tortie tabby point, chocolate-tortie tabby point, blue-cream tabby point, lilac-cream tabby point, seal-tortie point, blue-cream point, chocolate-tortie point, lilac-cream point, red point, cream point
EYE COLOR: Blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 16 years
- 03 of 09
Chartreux
Elmaz Selyametova / Getty Images The Chartreux is a medium-sized cat with a medium-short double coat with a unique texture—it’s slightly woolly and breaks at the neck, chest, and flanks like sheep’s wool. The coat is always a solid blue-gray color, and the hair ends are tipped with silver, lending an iridescent sheen to the coat. Chartreux cats are exceptionally well-manned, gentle, quiet, and friendly, making them wonderful family pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 16 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 24 inches
PERSONALITY: Calm, friendly, docile
COAT LENGTH: Short
COAT COLOR: Solid blue-gray
EYE COLOR: Copper/orange
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 11 to 15 years
- 04 of 09
Exotic Shorthair
Volchanskiy / Getty Images The exotic shorthair is closely related to the Persian cat, with the main difference being the exotic’s short, plush coat, which makes them look like cuddly little teddy bears. Because the exotic is so much easier to groom than the profusely coated Persian, some people call the breed the “lazy person’s Persian.” Exotic shorthairs share the Persian’s mellow personality and are laid-back, gentle, quiet, and loving.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 30 inches
PERSONALITY: Affectionate, loyal, easygoing, low-energy
COAT LENGTH: Short, plush
COAT COLOR: Solid, pointed, tabby, and tortoiseshell, in black, white, golden, silver, smoke, bicolor, and Himalayan
EYE COLOR: Gold, green, and blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 8 to 15 years
Continue to 5 of 9 below.
- 05 of 09
Himalayan
Ecuadorplanet / Getty Images Also related to the Persian, the Himalayan has a similar long, flowing, voluminous coat, but it comes in pointed colors like a Siamese cat. The breed is recognized differently by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). CFA considered the Himalayan to be a color division of the Persian breed; TICA considers the Himalayan a separate breed from the Persian. Affectionate, snuggly, and mellow, Himalayans love to relax and cuddle and live harmoniously with most people and pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: About 7 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 12 to 16 inches
PERSONALITY: Sedate, affectionate, gentle, friendly, and intelligent
COAT LENGTH: Long
COAT COLOR: White to cream body in with pointed markings in chocolate, seal, blue, lilac, and red
EYE COLOR: Blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 12 years
- 06 of 09
Maine Coon
Alexandra Jursova / Getty Images Don’t let the Maine coon cat’s size fool you—these gentle giants with the long, flowing coats are very relaxed and mellow. Nothing ever seems to faze a Maine coon. They play wonderfully with respectful kids and coexist peacefully with other household pets, including other cats and gentle dogs. Curious and outgoing, Maine coons enjoy being in the middle of family life.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Average of 9 to 18 pounds; males can weigh 20 pounds or more
LENGTH: About 19 to 30 inches
PERSONALITY: Amiable, gentle and dog-like
COAT LENGTH: Heavy and shaggy; silky with coat falling smoothly
COAT COLOR: Solid (white, black, blue, red and cream), tabby (classic, mackerel and ticked), bi-color (black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream and white), parti-color (tortoiseshell and blue-cream), parti-color and white (calico, tortoiseshell and white, blue-cream and white), shaded and smoke, and shaded/smoke and white
EYE COLOR: Varies according to coat color but may be green, gold, green-gold, copper, blue or odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
- 07 of 09
Persian
Darek Glina / Getty Images The Persian cat is medium to large in size with a round, flat face and a long, flowing coat. The Persian is the most popular purebred cat breed in the United States, and their calm, affectionate, and gentle personality likely has a lot to do with that position. Even the Persian’s meow is soft and sweet. They love cuddles, pets, and enjoy lounging around the house watching the day-to-day activity of their family.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: About 7 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 14 to 17 inches
PERSONALITY: Sweet, gentle and affectionate
COAT LENGTH: Long all over the body and thick, with an immense ruff around the neck, deep frill extending between the front legs and very full brush tail. Glossy, with a fine texture
COAT COLOR: Solid (blue, black, white, red, cream, chocolate or lilac), silver and golden (chinchilla and shaded), shaded and smoke (including cameo and tortoiseshell patterns), tabby, particolor, calico and bicolor, and Himalayan (pointed colors)
EYE COLOR: Varies according to coat color, but may be copper, blue, green, blue-green, hazel and odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 20 years
- 08 of 09
Ragdoll
Angela Kotsell / Getty Images The ragdoll is one of the calmest and cuddliest cats around. In fact, the breed earned its name thanks to these cats’ endearing tendency of melting limply into your arms while you hold them. Ragdolls are known to be exceptional with gentle kids, and they get along well with other pets, too. The ragdoll is a friendly and affectionate cat, making them a wonderful family pet.
Breed Overview
PERSONALITY: Friendly, easygoing, cuddly, social
WEIGHT: Up to 20 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 40 inches nose to tail
COAT LENGTH: Medium-length hair
COAT COLOR: Chocolate, red, seal, blue, lilac, and cream
COAT PATTERNS: Mitted, color point, bicolor, tortoiseshell, lynx
EYE COLOR: Blue
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 17 years
Continue to 9 of 9 below.
- 09 of 09
Selkirk Rex
fotojagodka / Getty Images The Selkirk rex is on the larger side, with solid build and substantial muscle and boning. The Selkirk’s unique curly coat gives it a crinkly “bed head” appearance, but the coat, which may be long or short, is surprisingly soft and luxurious feeling. The Selkirk is extremely laid-back, affectionate, and tolerant. These friendly cats get along great all people, including respectful children, and live peacefully with other pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 16 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 30 inches
PERSONALITY: Laid-back, friendly, affectionate, medium-energy
COAT LENGTH: Short or long hair
COAT COLOR: Any genetically possible color or combination in solid, tabby, shaded, tortoiseshell, chinchilla, smoke, calico, bicolor, tricolor, pointed, mink, and sepia
EYE COLOR: Any color
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 15 years
