Which cat is better to have in an apartment – an overview of the most calm, unpretentious and hassle-free breeds

What should you pay attention to when choosing a cat?

Experts agree that for cats living in an apartment, a calm, friendly character is optimal. Important is the ability to “occupy yourself” with something non-destructive, while the owner leaves the apartment. It is advised to choose breeds that are not characterized by increased energy – in a confined space it will manifest itself in the form of various pranks.

The cat wants to be played with

We have conducted our own research on this topic, so before giving specific recommendations on choosing the right breed, it is necessary to describe some common features of the animals and the possible problems associated with them. This is worth doing before bringing a cat into your home. Thus, you can be sure that the selected cat will fit your lifestyle, and you will “find a common language.”

Agree, taking responsibility for a living being is a serious step and it is best to carefully prepare for it.

Potential difficulties of living with a cat

1. Cats go to the toilet. Yes, and “in a big way” too. Of course, cats are much cleaner than dogs, they cannot go to the toilet out of negligence or from an excess of emotions, but cats also happen to shit in the wrong place. There can be many reasons for this, but in this case the essence is different – the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe apartment is small, and the smell of cat feces is quite sharp. This can cause problems with neighbors or homeowners. Therefore, it is preferable to choose animals already accustomed to the tray.

Cat litter box and kitten

If you think that cats are easy to train, and instincts themselves will push them in the right direction, you are mistaken. Our editor is the proud owner of two large mongrel cats, one of whom absolutely refuses to remember that the trash can is not the right place for his toilet. And even if you manage to convince him of this today, it’s not a fact that tomorrow the situation with the surprise found in the trash can will not happen again.

2. cats shedding. And this is also a problem. Are you ready for your entire apartment to be littered with cat hair? It will get everywhere: on clothes, in food, on all surfaces. In a small space, especially during periods of seasonal molting, cat hair turns into a real punishment.

Combing a long-haired white cat

Moreover, some cats periodically develop dandruff, which you or your family members may be allergic to. So, when choosing an animal, you need to remember about the upcoming “war” with its coat, and if this is a problem for you, it is better to take smooth-haired breeds or sphinxes in general. On the other hand, with proper care, problems with wool will practically not arise. In any case, it is worth paying attention to this issue.

3. cat temperament or character. In some cases, it can also bring very unpleasant surprises. If you live in a relatively small apartment, you should choose a furry friend of a breed that is characterized by the following traits:

• lack of a pronounced instinct for one’s own territory;
• easy perception of loneliness;
• sociability;
• friendliness to strangers;
• not too active.

The latter is worth explaining – cats with high activity require a lot of space for their games. They physically need to spend their energy somewhere, so they rush around the apartment like mad, turning over various objects, spoiling furniture, knocking you down. Such animals need to be outdoors, so keeping them in an apartment will be problematic for you.

What are the best breeds for apartment living?

Knowing now what to look for when choosing a pet, you can consider specific breeds of cats and the reasons why you would be comfortable living with them in an ordinary small apartment. We hope that you will like one of the cats below.

Maine Coon

Maine Coons are a very friendly cat breed. They will give you their attention and warmth, regardless of the circumstances. They have a very friendly nature, which allows them to easily get along with other pets and find a “common language” with all family members. In addition, they are very smart, so there should not be any problems with the tray or pranks.

Maine Coon kitten is bored

However, Maine Coons grow very large compared to other domestic cats. They weigh an average of 6-7 kg, reach 40 cm in height and over a meter in length, measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. So they need a lot of space – this is important to consider. In addition, they require careful maintenance. But if this does not bother you, the Maine Coon will become your best, most devoted and gentle friend.

Siamese cat

Siamese cats are considered the most sociable among other breeds, so if your neighbors cannot stand excessive noise, cat songs are unlikely to please them. But if you have thick enough walls in your apartment, this will not be a problem. At the same time, Siamese cats are very smart, they are easy to train and even perform various tricks, which makes them a very interesting company.

Beautiful blue-eyed Siamese cat lies on a pillow

In ancient times, Siamese cats guarded some temples in Tibet, but modern representatives of this breed are very affectionate. They are excellent companions for single people. Adult cats rarely weigh more than 4 kg, they are very graceful and not very active. Most Siamese cats have short hair, so in this sense there should be no problems.

Manx

Representatives of this breed are both long-haired and short-haired. A characteristic feature of these cats is that in some cases they are tailless, although there are Manx cats with a full tail. But despite such anatomical features, cats of this breed are very playful and dexterous. They have small dimensions – the weight of males rarely exceeds 5 kg, females are even smaller.

Tailless cat from the Isle of Man

For life in an apartment, it is preferable to choose short-haired representatives of this breed. Manx cats love to live indoors, so the constant stay in the four walls does not cause them any stress. They are wonderful companions – there is an opinion that nature compensated for the lack of a tail with a special charm.

exotic shorthair cat

A soft plush coat and a very friendly disposition make this breed one of the best candidates for a vacant seat in your lap. They are very similar in appearance to Persian cats, but do not require such careful care due to their short hair.

Exot (or exo) – a short-haired cat with a dog character

Exotics have an amazing calm character for cats. They are very attached to a person and need his constant presence. Some traits of their character are more characteristic of dogs – they are very devoted and loving. However, exotics are not averse to playing, and some of them are excellent mousers. But, in general, they are very soft, affectionate and calm. The only difficulty in keeping them is that they will miss you in moments of loneliness.

Sphinx

Despite their strange appearance, these “naked” cats are very friendly even to strangers. The features of this breed make Sphynxes ideal domestic cats – they do not shed, do not cause allergies, have a gentle character and literally need to be constantly indoors so that ultraviolet radiation does not injure their delicate skin.

Sphynx – “bald” gentle non-shedding hypoallergenic cat

These cats, by the way, are very pleasant to the touch – their skin is soft and warm. They avoid unnecessary activity, which also makes them excellent tenants in the apartment. The weight of an adult sphinx can reach 5 kilograms. These cats are very devoted to their owner, but also do not avoid the attention of other family members or guests of your house.

Russian blue cat

These cats have amazing beauty – bright blue or green eyes and a rich bluish-gray color of short hair. They are very intelligent and delicate in their behavior. Representatives of this breed feel great in an apartment and are not at all inclined to be naughty or arrange “races on the walls”.

The Russian Blue is an intelligent cat that does well in an apartment.

Russian Blue cats are great with other pets and children. But in relation to strangers, they are shy and avoid contact, preferring to hide somewhere. If you do not often invite guests, such cats will become your wonderful friends and trouble-free roommates.

Ragdoll

The name of the breed can literally be translated as “rag doll” – these cats limp funny when you try to pick them up and do not resist active “hugs” from a person at all. The character is quite phlegmatic, however, cats of this breed are smart and strongly attached to the owner. In addition, they are very friendly to children and get along well with dogs. Caring for them is quite easy, despite the fluffiness of this breed.

Ragdolls are very large, fluffy and friendly cats.

Cats of the Ragdoll breed sometimes grow very large – males can weigh up to 9 kg, so, despite their calm nature, it can be uncomfortable to cohabit with such a beast with a very small living space. But this breed is exclusively domestic – they are not adapted for life on the street due to their trusting and non-aggressive nature.

Munchkin

Small delightful cats with a more or less standard long body and legs 2-3 times shorter than usual. Munchkins weigh 3-4 kg. Due to their size, they are perfect for living in an apartment. In addition, these cats are very friendly and invariably cause tenderness thanks to their short paws. They come in both long and short hair.

Munchkin – a breed of cutest cats with short legs

Despite their toy appearance, Munchkins are very active and require attention, so it is better to have such cats for single people or families with children. In care, they are very unpretentious, but, not receiving enough human attention, these cute cats mope and get sick.

Persian cat

One of the oldest breeds, very popular all over the world. Persians have a very thick and long coat that requires careful care. Adult cats grow quite large, they can weigh 5-6 kg. Their nature is very peaceful and calm.

Persians are one of the most ancient cat breeds.

People are friendly, but do not feel an urgent need for human attention. As a rule, they choose one owner for themselves and are constantly somewhere near him or his things.

Scottish Fold

A very popular breed today. These cats are playful and friendly. Scots can grow quite large – up to 6 kg. They have a short, very soft coat. Caring for them is quite simple, they themselves are very smart and affectionate.

The perfect pet for your home – Scottish fold cat

An excellent candidate for apartment living. Especially for single people, because cats of this breed are very playful and love to be given attention. They are very attached to the owner, but at the same time they easily endure loneliness.

british shorthair cat

An old, unpretentious and very hardy cat breed that can adapt well to apartment life. The British are friendly and are a great choice for people who love petting and sitting on their laps.

British shorthairs are true friends of man

An interesting character trait is independence. For all their friendliness, the British perfectly endure loneliness and lack of attention to their person. They also do not like to climb high places, so things on the closet and shelves will definitely remain intact. This cat is ideal if you live in a small apartment and are often absent.

Javanese

This is a very independent cat breed that will have no problems with entertainment, so when you leave for work, you don’t have to worry that your favorite animal will be bored. These are very curious and active animals, besides, they are quite large, so they will definitely make a little mess. At the same time, these cats are very smart, so with the right educational approach, you can mark your pet with all the boundaries that it cannot cross.

Javanese is a cute, lop-eared, big, smart, curious and very active cat.

Javanese do not require special care. They are mostly short-haired, practically do not get sick. Such cats are well suited for single people who are often away from home. They will provide a calm and undemanding company, uplifting with their funny appearance and behavior.

Living in an apartment with a cat: tips and tricks

While we’ve just listed some cat breeds that do well in an apartment, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic. Cats are living creatures, so you will have to deal with some of the consequences of their life.

By adopting a cat, you take responsibility for him, so you must be ready to care for him. So that there are no reasons for negativity, you should keep an eye on a few things:

• the cat litter box must be cleaned regularly, because otherwise the cat may go to an unintended place;
• if you have several cats, each of them should have its own tray, since these animals are quite clean and picky;
• if the cat’s behavior changes and the animal suddenly scatters litter from the tray or goes to the toilet in the middle of the room, it is worth finding out the reasons for such actions, one of which may be a state of health.

If you don’t want extra hassle, avoid using carpeting in your home. Carpets are difficult to clean and the characteristic odor is not easily removed. In addition, cats love to sharpen their claws on carpets. By the way, you should also take care of the claw sharpener in advance and accustom the cat to it with the help of positive motivation from childhood.

You will need a few more useful devices to make cohabitation with a cat comfortable for both of you.

Self-cleaning tray

Self-cleaning cat litter box

Such trays are not very popular, but they can save you a lot of energy. Well, if you are away for a long time, and your pet is picky – such a tray will help you avoid unpleasant incidents associated with uncleaned excrement on time.

house-sharpener

There are many different configurations of such devices, but almost all of them allow your pet to play, sharpen claws and relax. Using such a house, you create a place for the cat to play, where he can spend his energy. In addition, you save upholstered furniture and wallpaper from cat claws.

Automatic feeder

Ideal for those who leave their cat alone for a long time

Also an indispensable thing if you live alone and are often absent. Cats quickly become accustomed to such a device. You just need to check the availability of food and water in the storeroom and set the optimal time intervals for replenishing the cat’s bowl on the timer.

When choosing a cat for living in an apartment, do not forget that the breed is important, but also the personality of the cat must be taken into account. No two cats are the same, even if they come from the same breed. So, for example, in many houses there are representatives of the “European” breed or simply domestic ordinary cats – and they are smart, calm and affectionate. On the other hand, purebred cats suggest their future behavior and habits. In any case, it is worthwhile to soberly assess the living conditions, your routine and preferences, and then make an already conscious choice. A choice that will brighten up your future life.