Most cats are friendly with their favorite humans, but not all of them get along with other family pets, especially dogs. If you want to have a multi-species household, pet friendliness may be something you’re looking for in a new cat.
Some breeds are naturally more pet friendly than others. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the most naturally pet-friendly cat breeds.
However, just because a cat isn’t mentioned below doesn’t mean they won’t be friendly toward other pets. Training and socialization go a long way for any pet.
With that in mind, here are 13 cats in alphabetical order that have the the highest score — five stars — when it comes to being naturally “pet friendly” according to breed characteristics found our CatTime Cat Breed Center.
Remember, you can find cats of just about any breed from your local rescue or shelter. Check out CatTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code. Whenever possible, adopt! Don’t shop!
Do you have a pet-friendly cat? Are they one of the breeds listed above? Let us know in the comments below!
Pet-Friendly Cat Breeds
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Abyssinian
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The Abyssinian is naturally more curious than skittish, even when it comes to meeting other animals. They're outgoing and curious, and they're likely to introduce themselves to any other pet just to see what happens.
Abyssinians are known to get along with other cats, dogs, and even birds or ferrets.
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Bengal
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The active and social Bengal has plenty of energy to match playful children, dogs, and other cats. They aren't as fearful as some other breeds, and they're not usually scared away by other animals.
These cats do have a high prey drive, though, so it may be best to keep them separate from hamsters and other small pets.
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Birman
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The friendly, laid back Birman is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They keep it chill and will even tolerate children playing dress up with them, so other pets shouldn't pose many problems.
That said, it's always important to introduce pets slowly and let them get used to each other on their own time.
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Cornish Rex
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Cornish Rex cats like to stay active, and they're quite outgoing. In fact, they're likely to play fetch just as well as dogs. They can even learn tricks.
Their active, friendly nature will make them great companions for pets who like energetic play sessions.
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Devon Rex Cats
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Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex is happy to play fetch and stay active. They're also naturally outgoing; though as with any cat, it's important to introduce them to other animals slowly.
Once the Devon Rex makes friends with other pets, they'll have lifelong playmates to burn off energy together.
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European Burmese
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The European Burmese is another high-energy, outgoing breed that will happily introduce themselves to a new playmate, whether it's feline, canine, or human.
They're happy to join in a game of fetch, learn tricks, and be the center of attention.
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Japanese Bobtail
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The Bobtail is both amiable and fearless, which are great traits for making friends. Indeed, they will not hesitate to get close to other cats or cat-friendly pooches for a play session.
Even though they have high energy levels, they're also happy to stay relaxed for a game of dress up with kids.
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Maine Coon
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The Maine Coon is the largest cat breed, and they've got big hearts to match. They're capable of getting along with just about everyone, from kids to canines.
Their size also makes them pretty capable of roughhousing; although, it's always important to supervise play time.
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Ragamuffin
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Some describe the Ragamuffin as the ideal family pet because they get along with children, other pets, and people so well. They're also smart and have a high energy level, so they may be better off with a playmate.
Whether you have another pet in the house to keep your Ragamuffin active or not, make sure they get enough physical activity to prevent boredom.
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Scottish Fold
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The Scottish Fold is relaxed and friendly. Their easy-going nature means they let most things slide and will tolerate antics from human kids or overly energetic pups fairly well.
That said, it's always important to make sure your pets aren't feeling too stressed out by activity around them. Even the nicest cat has their limits.
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Siamese
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Active and social describe the Siamese cat's personality. Their outgoing disposition will make most introductions to other pets go smoothly, provided all parties are on board with making friends.
They'll play fetch, learn tricks, and keep up with just about any dog.
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Siberian
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The Siberian has a bold temperament, and nothing much ruffles their composure. In fact, they're happy to play guard cat and patrol kids' rooms for nighttime monsters.
While they may be defensive to threats that come from outside their family, they're very loving toward creatures within the family. They'll mostly get along with other cats and dogs without complaints.
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Sphynx
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The Sphynx stays active and loves to be the center of attention. They're happy to get that attention from human or animal family members, alike.
Being active and social, the Sphynx will love a good play session to keep them moving.
