The Best Cat Breeds For Apartments

Even the kitties on this list of best cats for apartments will show signs of distress or other destructive behaviors when they're not given enough opportunities to express their genetic characteristics.

But most cats are highly adaptable and will enjoy whatever space they can call home. Yet, some cats truly do better in apartments and townhomes than others.

Cats with docile and independent personalities are better suited for apartment living than high-energy breeds that are known for needing a disproportionate amount of mental stimulation to keep them from bouncing off the walls.

If you suspect living that apartment life is causing your kitty anxiety, review our guide to the signs of cat stress. While moving house may not be an option for you, there are methods to provide your cat with more stimulation than they're currently getting at home.

Keep in mind that most cats are mixes of several breeds, according to data from the Humane Society.

Purebred cats are rare. So when evaluating whether or not a cat will do well in an apartment, you're really looking to identify traits of the breeds that your mix most resembles — such as a birman mixed with an American shorthair, for example.

• ​Personality:​ Affectionate, gentle, and quiet
• ​Average weight:​ 7-12 pounds

Hailing from the Persian empire — current day Iran — the Persian cat is among the older, more well-established cat breeds. This is why you frequently find Persian mixes in many households.

Of the many traits that make a Persian ideal for apartment living is the fact that these kitties generally prefer to have their paws planted firmly on the ground. Since they do not aspire to great heights, there's little need for cat condos or other elaborate climbing structures.

However, be prepared to groom your Persian daily because this fluffy longhaired cat will shed.

• ​Personality:​ Docile, affectionate, and sociable
• ​Average weight:​ 10-15 pounds

Ragdoll cats are an American original. Among the newer breeds of purebred kitties, the first ragdoll was registered in Riverside, California in 1966.

This moggie gets its name from their unique tendency to go limp when picked up or enjoying a cuddle. Their docile nature is what makes a ragdoll the perfect cat for living in apartments. They are typically not known for being hyperactive and are quite content to lazy-about in small spaces.

While the ragdoll is a domestic longhair that needs regular brushing, unlike the Persian, their coats generally do not get matted. This is why ragdolls are some of the prettiest kitties you'll ever see.

• ​Personality:​ mild, intelligent, and social
• ​Average weight:​ 6-15 pounds

Despite their name, the British shorthair traces their origins to ancient Egypt where they were working cats employed as mousers in crop fields and onboard trade ships.

This beautiful cat has evolved since its working-class days and is now a popular apartment cat due to their laid-back personality. While the British shorthair is prone to the occasional bout of night-time zoomies, they'll make the perfect companion for families in townhomes, studios, room shares, and apartment homes.

• ​Personality:​ Shy, affectionate, and good with people
• ​Average weight:​ 5-11 pounds

A favorite cat breed in the courts of Russian Tsars, this regal kitty has a well-earned reputation for being a family cat. Even Queen Victoria was impressed by the mild-mannered temperament of the Russian blue and kept several at the Crystal Palace in London.

Yet, you don't need a palace of your own — the Russian blue is a good apartment cat, too. They're independent and can spend time by themselves, which is good for working households. Furthermore, the blue is among a small subset of cats that are hypoallergenic.

• ​Personality:​ Calm, mild, and playful
• ​Average weight:​ 10-25 pounds

While many would scoff at keeping such a notoriously large cat in an apartment, this gentle giant is well regarded for their enjoyment of town-home living.

In fact, more so than other breeds, the Maine Coon is known for being willing to walk on leashes. So you can take yours outdoors for their daily exercise. As an added bonus, this "dog-like" kitty may even be up for a game of fetch while you're out there.

The Maine Coon's long, luxurious coat will need daily grooming and some maintenance. But you'll have plenty of time for brushing them, while yours spends hours watching the world go by from their favorite windowsill.

While many thrive in small spaces, not all cats do well in apartments, townhomes, and condos. Some simply need more territory and opportunities to satisfy their energy levels than an apartment will provide.

Again, most cats are mixes. But if you suspect the kitty that you are caring for, or considering adopting, is mixed with a high-energy breed like an Abyssinian, Balinese, Bengal, Savannah, or Siberian — you may want to consider their engagement needs. Most cats will do well living in apartments, provided that you give them ample enrichment and lots of love. Even moggies that are probably too high-energy for townhomes and condos, will most likely adapt to their surroundings.