The cat is considered one of the most popular pets for a number of reasons: it rids the house of rats and mice, has a playful, friendly disposition, and calms the nervous system with its melodious purring. Some representatives of the cat family are a real decoration and pride of the owners due to their unusually beautiful color, elegant appearance, and breed characteristics. Based on world statistics, it has been revealed that about 13 million cats live in Russia, this is the third place in the world. The best breeders offer from 40 to 90 types of purebred pets. We offer a rating of the best cat breeds for 2021.
Rating of the smartest cat breeds
| Nomination | place | breed | rating |
| The smartest breeds of shorthair cats | 1 | Abyssinian cat | 5.0 |
| 2 | Oriental cat | 4.9 | |
| 3 | British cat | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Siamese cat | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Bengal cat | 4.6 | |
| The smartest breeds of semi-longhair cats | 1 | Norwegian Forest Cat | 5.0 |
| 2 | Maine Coon | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Balinese cat | 4.8 | |
| The smartest breeds of long-haired cats | 1 | Siberian cat | 5.0 |
| 2 | Turkish Angora | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Munchkin | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Russian blue | 4.7 | |
| The smartest breeds of hairless cats | 1 | Canadian Sphynx | 5.0 |
| 2 | Ukrainian Levkoy | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Minskin | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Peterbald | 4.7 |
Maine Coon
The raccoon cat from Maine in the northeastern United States has a large army of fans. All supporters of this breed note its excellent ability to learn.
Mental abilities include:
- thoughtful contemplation of the surrounding world;
- the presence of logic in actions and actions;
- the presence of innate intelligence;
- excellent memory;
- the ability to feel the owner’s mood even without words, by facial expressions and behavior;
- responsiveness and complete readiness to carry out the owner’s commands.
Interesting video:
Despite its large, intimidating size, the Maine Coon is the most affectionate and intelligent cat breed. These cat giants find a common language with all family members, especially children. Maine Coons perceive small children as their own and take care of them with great responsibility.
The smartest breeds of shorthair cats
Pedigree cats with short hair are especially popular among lovers of these animals. They are beautiful and graceful. The smartest of them will be discussed in the first category.
Abyssinian cat
Rating: 5.0
The appearance of the Abyssinian cat gives the impression of an independent animal with a proud character. However, in the process of communication, the owner of the four-legged creature will begin to understand that the pet is friendly. It is distinguished by long legs, a neat head with large ears. The color resembles a predatory puma.
The main advantages of the breed include attentive attitude towards children in the house, lack of need for frequent grooming, playfulness and beauty. It is worth considering that the Abyssinian cat cannot stand loneliness and constantly finds places to play. She needs quite a lot of space, including vertical space. You can buy an Abyssinian kitten for 10-15 thousand rubles.
Advantages
- gets along with kids;
- unpretentious care;
- friendly attitude;
- playfulness.
Flaws
- require a lot of attention;
- space for games is needed.
Oriental cat
Rating: 4.9
The rating continues with a sociable cat that expresses its feelings through meowing. She is very devoted to her owner and perfectly understands his mood. Pet owners are delighted with their developed intuition. She seems to completely understand a person like no one else.
The breed looks quite unusual. The main features of the appearance are a beautiful muscular body, graceful paws and a thin tail. Almond-shaped eyes look expressive and mysterious. The main advantages of this variety are easy care, calm attitude towards children, ingenuity and courage. An Oriental cat is not suitable for those who dream of a quiet friend who will sleep peacefully next to them. She is active throughout the day and even at night. The price of 15-25 thousand rubles is not affordable for everyone
Advantages
- beautiful appearance;
- easy care;
- developed intelligence;
- ingenuity.
Flaws
- hyperactivity.
British cat
Rating: 4.8
The British have a round head with pronounced cheeks, a short nose and small ears. There are long-haired and short-haired cats, but the difference is not very noticeable. This breed is chosen for its good health, friendly and affectionate character, cleanliness and ease of care. The British cat can treat depression in humans and promotes the psycho-emotional development of children.
Among the disadvantages, they note the need for proper nutrition (no fish), wayward and independent character. The British are not trainable, but they easily get used to the tray and learn other rules. The cost of a Siamese kitten varies from 8 to 25 thousand rubles.
Advantages
- accessibility and prevalence;
- strong immunity;
- cleanliness;
- is an anti-stress.
Flaws
- wayward character;
- picky eating.
Siamese cat
Rating: 4.7
Like the previous participant in the rating, the Siamese cat has an obstinate and peculiar disposition. She becomes strongly attached to a person and is able to respond with warmth and tenderness in return for care and affection. The pet will be jealous of other animals. He remembers grievances and is quite vulnerable.
Siamese cats make excellent mousecatchers. They are cunning, resourceful and stubborn. The strengths of the breed include its elegant and graceful appearance. Judging by the reviews, pets can follow certain commands after proper training. It is also interesting that the cat expresses its desires with the help of its voice, using different intonations. She meets her owner from work and “tells” how she missed him, purring affectionately.
Advantages
- resourcefulness and cunning;
- elegance;
- affordable price (a kitten without documents costs from 300 rubles);
- catches mice.
Flaws
- If you protect a small child from a Siamese cat, she may scratch the baby;
- remembers grievances for a long time.
Bengal cat
Rating: 4.6
The Bengal cat is considered one of the smartest breeds. She is able to learn tricks and commands, and her intellect is well developed. The pet acts as an antidepressant for the owner. He is sensitive to his mood. These animals make excellent watchdogs.
Bengals are distinguished by strong immunity and endurance. She is easy to care for. All you need to do is follow the standard procedures of cleaning the ears, combing the coat and trimming the nails. This is a worthy choice for homes with other friendly pets. The price for a kitten starts from 15,000 rubles.
Advantages
- exotic color;
- trainable;
- good health;
- ease of care.
Flaws
- do not like being squeezed;
- sometimes they are too loud.
Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora, like the Balinese cat, is often compared to dogs for its loyalty, devotion and intelligence. She loves to chase the ball and will happily bring you her favorite toy. In addition to the “fetch” command, you can also teach your pet to give a paw, perform easy tricks and overcome obstacles.
It is important to remember that the Angora is a very capricious cat. She will not follow commands against her will. So you shouldn’t force your pet to learn commands and tricks - if the Angora wants to mind its own business, training will be ineffective.
By the way, this is one of the few cat breeds that are not only not afraid of water, but also love to swim. And, if you throw a few toys into the bath, the angora will go on a real hunt while bathing.
The smartest breeds of semi-longhair cats
Cats belonging to the semi-longhaired group have pronounced pubescence on the sides, tail and collar. They can roam freely during the cold season. They are interested in everything that happens around them. They are inquisitive and attached to their owners. Let's meet the smartest of them.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Rating: 5.0
Because of their fluffiness, Norwegian Forest cats appear quite large. Their body is elongated and massive, and their hind legs are longer than their front legs. The fur pattern is expressive and clear. Its color can be almost any. Reviews about the breed are mostly favorable. The owners note the affectionate and understanding character of their four-legged friend.
One of the disadvantages is molting in the hot season. A Norwegian Forest kitten can cost 20-25 thousand rubles. If you buy a pet “from hand”, you will be able to find an option for 1000-2000 rubles.
Advantages
- many rave reviews;
- devotion to the owner;
- gets used to commands;
- an understanding and sensitive pet.
Flaws
- In hot weather it can shed heavily.
Maine Coon
Rating: 4.9
The attention of cat lovers is attracted by the calm disposition, soft fur and large size of the Maine Coon. This breed is valued for its sociability and responsiveness, funny behavior and mischievous character. The Maine Coon is always the star of any evening, the subject of conversation with friends and family. There are not many disadvantages to the breed. They are insignificant compared to the developed intelligence of a cat. However, there are still disadvantages.
A breed-class animal will cost the buyer approximately 40-70 thousand rubles. Not everyone can afford such expenses. You need to prepare for the fact that you will have to constantly care for the coat. Otherwise it will be everywhere. It is also worth getting acquainted with the rules of feeding the Maine Coon in advance. The diet should be rich in protein and minerals.
Advantages
- responsiveness;
- interesting appearance;
- developed intelligence.
Flaws
- the need for increased nutrition;
- expensive breed;
- difficult grooming.
Balinese cat
Rating: 4.8
Next in the ranking is the Balinese, a fairly popular cat breed. She is valued for her beautiful graceful appearance, gentle affectionate character, and affection for her owner. The pet does not conflict with other animals and treats children well. Nutrition and care do not cause any special problems.
According to reviews from breeders, these are smart animals that are well accustomed to order in an apartment and are well trained. The weaknesses of the breed are the difficulty in purchasing a kitten and a large number of hereditary diseases. It is important to take into account that the Balinese cat does not tolerate loneliness well and can be overly talkative. On the Internet you can find kittens at prices starting from 1,500 rubles.
Advantages
- gracefulness;
- affectionate character;
- kind attitude towards children;
- hassle-free care.
Flaws
- cannot stand loneliness;
- difficult to buy in Russia;
- many genetic diseases.
Balinese
Balinese cats are often compared to dogs. First of all, of course, because of loyalty and the ability to protect the house (Balinese are very wary of strangers). However, the similarity with dogs does not end there - representatives of the Balinese breed are able to quickly learn to carry out any commands - they bring toys, perform simple tricks, etc.
In addition, Balinese are very inquisitive. This encourages them to educate themselves. For example, kittens quickly learn to open dresser or closet doors in search of a favorite toy or for research purposes.
The smartest breeds of long-haired cats
Today, felinologists identify over 30 breeds of long-haired cats. This list is updated annually with new popular varieties. We will find out from the third nomination which of them are distinguished by their developed intelligence and quick wits.
Siberian cat
Rating: 5.0
The Siberian cat with a wise and majestic appearance is considered the real pride of our country. A distinctive feature of the breed is its powerful body, strong-willed character and thick coat. They look especially luxurious in winter, when their cover is fluffy and shiny. Breeders note the animal's hunting qualities. This is not surprising, because our ancestors are wild animals.
The owners describe their pets as smart, reserved and easy to train. The disadvantages include the risk of health problems in old age. But they have almost no hereditary diseases. The average price for a kitten in Russia is 7,000-10,000 thousand rubles.
Advantages
- decent appearance;
- has the qualities of a hunter;
- restraint;
- easy to educate;
- good health.
Flaws
- They get sick a lot in old age.
Turkish Angora
Rating: 4.9
The rating continues with the Turkish Angora, which has dog-like skills. This is a very loyal and kind cat who gladly brings things that have been abandoned. She perceives such a gesture as a fun game. A distinctive feature of their appearance is their almond-shaped eyes, which often come in different shades.
Representatives of this breed are very sociable. They are hardy and patient. They are easy to train and are considered long-living. With proper care, an Angora cat can live up to 20 years. A kitten without documents costs from 500 rubles.
Advantages
- unique appearance;
- endurance;
- reasonable price;
- live long.
Flaws
- They do not tolerate loneliness well and require attention all the time.
Munchkin
Rating: 4.8
The adorable Munchkin breed is renowned for its intelligence, curiosity and playfulness. Short-legged cats come in a variety of colors. They have a shiny, silky coat and thrive in the company of people and other animals. Cats are patient with babies and allow themselves to be cuddled.
It is necessary to comb your munchkin 1-2 times a week to prevent tangles from forming. Kittens without a pedigree cost 2-5 thousand rubles. Animals under the age of 1 year with all documents will cost approximately 5-15 thousand rubles.
Advantages
- funny look;
- very smart cat;
- good character;
- easy care.
Flaws
- Regular grooming is required.
Russian blue
Rating: 4.7
The Russian Blue obeys only one owner. She behaves extremely carefully with strangers. Kittens of this breed look simply amazing. These cute creatures begin to understand the words of their owner from the first days. Representatives of this variety come in both long-haired and short-haired varieties. The latter are more popular.
Russian Blue does not force itself on a person. She easily tolerates loneliness and is particularly intelligent. The cat understands prohibitions well and responds to orders. The frustrating fact is that animal fur is susceptible to browning, and the pets themselves can suffer from leukemia, rhinotracheitis, and obesity. Nurseries charge from 8 to 25 thousand rubles for a kitten.
Advantages
- understand the owner's commands;
- does not get bored alone;
- smart.
Flaws
- there are many negative reviews about the harmful nature of the cat;
- susceptible to allergies and diseases.
Russian blue
Russian Blues, despite their name, have a lot in common with British cats. These pets have stunningly beautiful fur coats and gracefulness. By nature, they are calm purrs who have listened to their owner since childhood.
An important character trait of such pets is obedience. The Russian Blue quickly remembers house rules and will not perform prohibited actions. You don’t have to worry about your pet throwing everything off the shelves or tearing up your favorite sofa with her claws.
These cats learn especially quickly during play. Wanting to climb onto a cabinet or get into a closed room, the Russian Blue cat will quickly find a way and learn to open the door handle.
The smartest breeds of hairless cats
Hairless cats look very unusual. They appeared due to the absence of a gene that is responsible for hair growth. Over 10 breeds are classified as hairless species. They are chosen not only for their hypoallergenicity, but also for their developed brain.
Canadian Sphynx
Rating: 5.0
Canadian Sphynx cats are distinguished by their excellent memory and the ability to jump to impressive heights. They are easy to train. This breed has many advantages that make it especially attractive for keeping in an apartment. We are talking about an easy-going character, easy learning and high intelligence.
Canadian Sphynx cats are attached to their owners and are friendly with children. They are not capricious and do not require any specific living conditions. The disadvantages of the breed include high prices, a tendency to respiratory pathologies and annoyingness. Sphinxes do not leave a person's side, which can be annoying. Cost – from 15 thousand rubles.
Advantages
- excellent memory;
- easy to train;
- easy care;
- flexible disposition.
Flaws
- prone to respiratory diseases;
- obsession.
Ukrainian Levkoy
Rating: 4.9
Next in the ranking is a breed that is famous for its soft and easy-going disposition. It fully matches their delicate and velvety cover. The Ukrainian Levka has a lot of advantages. Pet owners note the animals’ cleanliness and devotion, savvy mind, and intelligent behavior.
These four-legged animals quickly find common ground with other animals. Kittens become accustomed to the litter box in a short period of time. Moreover, they go to the toilet very carefully. They are easy to train and instantly remember simple tricks. You can buy a kitten without documents for 5,000 rubles.
Advantages
- pleasant to the touch cover;
- cleanliness;
- savvy;
- good memory.
Flaws
- afraid of cold weather;
- few people recognize it except the owner.
Minskin
Rating: 4.8
The Minskin breed appeared thanks to the crossing of two varieties of cats that were already presented in this rating. We are talking about a munchkin and a sphinx. Characteristic features include a hairless body with hairy islands and short legs.
Minskins are friendly and get along well with children. They love affection and will always reciprocate it. Buying a kitten in Russia can be a real problem. Breeders do not want to breed the breed in our country due to low profitability. The price for a kitten is quite high.
Advantages
- get along with children;
- original appearance;
- friendliness.
Flaws
- high cost;
- difficult to find on sale.
Peterbald
Rating: 4.7
The rating is completed by a hairless breed, which is distinguished by well-developed muscles and an elegant physique. These are playful and sociable pets that quickly become attached to humans. They often suffer from hereditary diseases and allergic reactions. Direct sunlight is harmful to Peterbald.
The breed is easy to train. The cat remembers the location of the toilet the first time and is clean. Peterbald requires certain financial costs for care and food. The price for a kitten varies depending on the class. It starts from 5000 rudders.
Advantages
- elegant look;
- quickly remembers information;
- cleanliness.
Flaws
- get sick often;
- financially costly care.
Sphinx
The birth of a hairless kitten due to a genetic mutation has always been considered a culling. But at one point, such an unusual appearance first interested Canadian breeders, and then French, American and Russian. As a result of their work, the Canadian and Russian (Don and St. Petersburg) Sphynx breeds were developed.
Sphynx owners note their friendliness towards everyone around them, and on the other hand, their lack of narcissism, as if they understand that the lack of hair and wrinkled skin can cause a grimace of contempt in some people. But depending on the mood, sphinxes love to pose and enjoy the admiration in the owner’s gaze.
Interesting video:
Smart indoor cats, Sphynx cats love to play, especially hide and seek or chase. And they can play not only with people, but also with other animals in the house, for example with dogs.
Difficulty in care
Every cat requires grooming, but some breeds require more or less attention. Difficulty in content can both depress and delight - consider your desires and capabilities.
Cats that do not require special care
If you don’t want to spend your evenings combing wool or thinking about your pet’s menu, pay attention to the following breeds:
Short fur and sparse shedding
Cat for lovers of black clothes
Easy to care and maintain
Enough to feed and pet
Almost no shedding
Siamese cat
Suitable for even the laziest owner
This is an abbreviated list, but the easiest cats to care for are those with short hair and no quirks in appearance.
Long-haired cats often shed and require careful grooming, while hairless cats get cold and sweat. Pets with short hair are an excellent choice for a busy owner.
Difficult breeds to keep
Are you a passionate cat lover and ready to devote a considerable amount of time to caring for your pet? Then take a closer look at these breeds:
In winter it will never leave the battery
Freezes in the cold, sweats in the heat
A big cat has more fur
Thick fur sheds heavily
Lazy and fluffy
Scottish lop-eared
Curled ears need to be cleaned regularly
Sphynx cats are cold cats who want constant warmth and care. The Persian cat is complex due to its record length of fur, which constantly gets tangled into tangles. In addition, Persians have a flat face, which can cause them to get sick often.
It is not easy to care for cats with unusual ears: Scottish Fold or American Curls. Also, all long-haired breeds can be considered difficult-to-care cats.
Which cat is better to have in an apartment: selection criteria
When choosing a cat for an apartment, you need to understand the following features of each breed that is interesting to the buyer:
- how quickly the animal gets used to new things;
- noise (the cat should not disturb the neighbors);
- the ability to tolerate loneliness (after all, most owners spend a lot of time at work);
- contact (this is especially important if there are small children or other animals in the house);
- degree of activity (a cat that needs high physical activity will not be comfortable in a closed room);
- fussiness in care (long-haired pets will leave a lot of hair on soft surfaces if they are not combed regularly).
Important! You should choose an animal based on your own character and needs. A passive breed will not suit an active person, nor vice versa.
