The Cutest Cat Breeds of All Time

Picking the cutest cat breed is like trying to decide which baby is your favorite. They are all adorable and unique and amazing, and it’s hard not to love each one! I also have to say this before you read any further: I am an adopt don’t shop girl 100% percent of the time. And truthfully I didn’t always think that way (I had a persian cat growing up), but the past few years as I’ve become involved with local shelters and been exposed to just how many are in need, it’s hard to recommend any particular breed because in my mind, the ones that need homes are the most adorable of all.

But we’re having fun today and researching cat breeds and thought this list of the “cutest” would be a fun way to show off some of these cats’ histories.

Which cuties are your favorite? Share with us in the comments section below!

Scottish Fold

All Scottish Folds trace back to Susie, a white barn cat from Scotland who was born in 1961 with ears that folded forward, and nobody could explain why. The folded ears make the whole face read round: round eyes, round cheeks and a cute “owl” look that makes the cat seem mildly shocked to see you. Scottish Folds are probably some of the most famous cats on the internet thanks to Taylor Swift (whose cats Meredith and Olivia are both Scottish Folds).

But there’s one very important catch: the same gene that folds their ears also affects cartilage throughout their entire bodies. There’s more in the Cat Files box below, because it matters if you decide you want one.

British Shorthair

A British Shorthair is what a cuddly toy would become if it came to life with instant opinions about personal space. Their coats are so thick and fluffy the fur doesn’t lie flat, and their faces are perfectly round. And then there’s the classic blue-gray version, with big copper eyes that look hand-painted. There’s long been speculation that Lewis Carroll’s famous Cheshire Cat was based on a British Shorthair, and once you’ve seen that face, you’ll agree.

Their personalities are famously full of dignity (as far as cats go). Generally speaking, a British Shorthair doesn’t want to be ON you, but rather sitting 12 inches away from you at all times in “loaf” position while supervising everything around them, including you (and yes, that’s love…you just have to learn to read it).

Ragdoll

Ragdolls got their name for being so relaxed that they’ll go limp in your arms when you hold them, like a cat that’s decided resisting would be beneath them. They’re big cats, and they always have a softness to them. Every single purebred Ragdoll has blue eyes. Breeders started selecting Ragdolls back in the 1960s because they wanted cats that would want to spend time with people, and it still shows: Ragdolls are probably the breed most likely to follow you from room to room like an extremely fluffy assistant with no actual responsibilities.

Persian

Persian cats have been winning people over for more than a hundred years, and the current flat-faced look gives them quite an expression, like they’re disappointed in you, or just woke up from a nap you’ll pay for. Somehow the scowl just makes them more lovable. The grooming on a Persian coat is a full-time commitment: brushing every day, without exception, or else the fur mats together into felt.

That flat face is also the breed’s biggest health issue, which brings us to the fine print.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest cat breeds, and males often weigh more than fifteen pounds, yet the sounds that come out of them are tiny. Most Maine Coon owners will tell you their giant cats chirp and trill rather than meow. So when this massive cat comes to greet you at the door, it squeaks. Then add the ears, the mane and the tail they wave around like a banner, and there isn’t much that would make you fall in love more quickly.

They were also declared the official state cat of Maine, and I support this decision wholeheartedly.

Siberian

Siberian cats have been working on farms in Russia for centuries, and that’s why they look the way they do today: thick triple coats, a full ruff around the neck, and strong muscular bodies underneath. Their faces are sweet and round, and the fur only makes them look rounder.

Many people who are allergic to cats say they don’t react as much when they’re around Siberians, and the vets at VCA point to research showing certain Siberians produce less of the major allergen that causes most reactions to cats. But no cat can be called hypoallergenic, so make sure you spend plenty of time with one before making any promises about how your sinuses will react.

Devon Rex

The Devon Rex barely resembles a feline at all: massive ears, giant eyes, an adorable “pixie” type head shape, and fur that grows in soft waves instead of lying flat. All Devon Rex cats can be traced back to just one little curly coated kitten born in 1960 in Devon, England.

That thin, wavy coat doesn’t hold body heat well, so Devon Rex cats are extreme heat seekers. They’ll curl up under blankets, wrap around your shoulders, and take any lap on offer. If you’re looking for a cat with no interest whatsoever in playing hard to get, this is your breed.

Siamese

Siamese cats have been popular for centuries, first as palace and temple cats in Thailand, and the look still stops traffic: a pale body, dark ears, face, paws and tail, and seriously blue eyes. I think the color points are the most interesting piece of cat trivia. The gene that causes them responds to how cool or warm each part of the body is. So the cooler areas produce darker fur, and the pattern is essentially a temperature map of your cat.

They’re also some of the loudest talkers out there. A Siamese will narrate your entire evening in a loud, raspy voice and expect you to answer, so be prepared for that when you bring one home.

Norwegian Forest Cat

The skogkatt was built for actual Scandinavian winters, with a waterproof top coat over a woolly undercoat. It also sports a ruff on its neck like a lion’s and hair between each toe that acts like tiny snowshoes. In the Norse legends, the goddess Freya’s chariot was pulled by cats, and these are most likely the cats in question. They’re serious climbers, happiest as high up in your house as they can get, keeping an eye on everything below.

They look like Maine Coons at first glance, but the profile tells them apart: a straight line from forehead to nose that gives the face a calm storybook look.

The actual cutest cats of all time

Full disclosure: this last poster was not part of the plan. I was going to end with a tasteful note about adoption, but two cats with unsupervised access to my laptop decided the list was incomplete, and they weren’t wrong. The two cutest cats I’ve ever seen are living with me and they’re both domestic shorthairs. Thelma is an orange rescue who likes to play hard to get. Louis is a true velcro cat who gets major FOMO if he’s not around you. Neither of them is available for questions about how their own wanted poster got in here.

Domestic shorthairs come in many of the same colors and personalities as the other cats on this list, and there are dozens waiting for homes at a shelter near you today.

The best part about any cat you get? They will love you forever, and you will think that’s the cutest.