If you’re looking to get a pet while living in an apartment, cats are one of the most common choices. However, that doesn’t mean that all cat breeds are great options for apartments. In fact, some are less than stellar choices. Preferably, you want to choose a cat that is not very destructive, laidback, and okay in smaller spaces. Cats that are extremely active and prone to destruction just aren’t going to work in an apartment.
Luckily, there are many cat breeds that fit into these categories.
The 9 Best Cat Breeds for Apartments
1. American Shorthair
| Weight: | 10–15 pounds |
| Height: | 8–10 inches |
American Shorthairs are some of the most common cats in America. They are related to domestic shorthairs. However, these cats have a pedigree and are more carefully bred. Usually, this breed is considered pretty easygoing. They love to hang around humans, though they are not as needy as some other cat breeds out there. As long as you’re home enough to meet their social needs, they do perfectly fine in an apartment.
They are not terribly active, though they aren’t completely inactive either.
2. British Shorthair
| Weight: | 7–17 pounds |
| Height: | 12–14 inches |
British Shorthairs are quite similar to their American Shorthair cousins. This breed is not very high-maintenance and tends to be more laidback than most. Therefore, they do well in apartments and make a good option for those that aren’t home much. They spend much of their day laying around and are not terribly prone to isolation anxiety.
With that said, they are on the more intelligent side and they like puzzle toys and similar engagement options. However, they are not nearly as needy as some other cat breeds out there.
3. Birman
| Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
| Height: | 8–10 inches |
The Birman is the quintessential lap cat. They love hanging around with their humans and are always open for cuddles. These calm cats are great options for apartments for this reason. They don’t spend much time running around and are not very active. Therefore, the size of the apartment doesn’t matter all that much.
However, they will occasionally be playful, especially as kittens. Still, they typically do just fine in apartments due to their calm nature.
4. Exotic Shorthair
| Weight: | 10–12 pounds |
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
An Exotic Shorthair is basically a shorthaired Persian. However, because they do not have long fur, they do not require nearly as much grooming. They still act like Persians, which means that they are quite laidback and affectionate. They spend much of their time laying around and are minimally active and thus are great options for apartments.
However, these cats have higher social needs than others. They do need a bit more attention than some other cat breeds, so make sure that you are home at least some of the time—they are not best for owners that are at work for much of the day.
5. Burmese
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
Burmese are extremely cuddly and spend most of their time laying around. They are not terribly active, so they don’t need much room. However, they do need quite a bit of affection to remain happy and don’t do well with much alone time. Therefore, they are best in multi-cat homes or for owners that spend much of their time at home.
When these cats are active, they can be a bit athletic so it is best to invest in a cat tree or two so that they can spend some time climbing each day. Still, they have low to moderate levels of activity each day, so they usually don’t mind smaller apartments.
6. Maine Coon
| Weight: | 10–25 pounds |
| Height: | 10–16 inches |
Despite being larger cats, Maine Coons are actually quite easygoing and friendly. They spend most of their time laying around, though they can be a bit destructive when they get going. You should supply them with cat trees and plenty of scratching posts. As long as you supply them with toys, they usually do a good job of keeping themselves entertained.
While these cats are affectionate, they are not as needy as other cats out there. Therefore, they are a good option for owners that are gone much of the time. If you spend much of your day at work, this breed may be the best option for you.
7. Ragdoll
| Weight: | 8–20 pounds |
| Height: | 9–11 inches |
As their name suggests, these cats are prone to “ragdolling” when they are picked up. They are amazing lap cats that just want to spend their day cuddling you. As long as they are provided with enough attention, they typically do well in just about every environment.
However, they are not as lazy as other cat breeds on this list. They do have a moderate energy level, which means that they will spend some of their time running around the house. They are playful when they are kittens, and some of them may continue to be playful in the future.
They are prone to following their humans around the house, and they are constantly underfoot. They don’t do well left alone, so they are not best for owners that are gone for much of the time.
8. Persian
| Weight: | 7–12 pounds |
| Height: | 8–10 inches |
Persians have beautiful long fur and are known for their calm demeanor. Truthfully, they don’t do much, which makes them great for apartments. They spend much of their time laying around the house and aren’t prone to climbing (or other potentially destructive cat behaviors). In fact, they are probably some of the most laidback cats you’ll ever meet.
Plus, this breed is also perfectly fine being on its own. They do like their people, but they aren’t terribly upset if they are left alone for much of the time. Therefore, these cats may be the perfect option for you if you are gone for much of the time.
9. Scottish Fold
| Weight: | 6–14 pounds |
| Height: | 8–10 inches |
Scottish Folds are known for their folded ears, from which they get their name. They are friendly cats that are on the calmer side, which makes them a great option for apartments. While they can be a bit active, they spend much of their time laying around.
These cats are intelligent, so they require a decent amount of stimulation. However, if given plenty of puzzle toys and attention, they do just fine in smaller living conditions. You can even train them to play fetch or complete other activities.
Still, because these cats are a bit more people-oriented, they aren’t a great option for those that are gone much of the time. We recommend them for those that are home regularly.
Conclusion
While cats are typically one of the best animals for apartment living, not every breed of cat is suitable. Many felines are quite active and need a lot of room to run. Some can also be quite destructive, especially if they are prone to climbing. Therefore, you need to choose a breed that is suitable for your lifestyle and environment.
On top of choosing a cat that is suitable for an apartment, you need to consider how much time you have. If you are gone much of the day, be sure to choose a breed that is okay with being home alone for much of the time. Some cats are a bit too people-oriented for this purpose and are happiest if you are home more than you are away.
Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
