Best cats for indoor life

These breeds score highest on our happy-indoors scale. They tend to be calm, people-focused and content with a window, a scratching post and play every day. An indoor cat still needs things to climb, a place to hide and two short play sessions a day, or it gets bored and heavy. A secure balcony or a cat run gives fresh air without the traffic.

BirmanHappy indoors: 5/5BombayHappy indoors: 5/5British ShorthairHappy indoors: 5/5ChartreuxHappy indoors: 5/5Cornish RexHappy indoors: 5/5Devon RexHappy indoors: 5/5Exotic ShorthairHappy indoors: 5/5HimalayanHappy indoors: 5/5PersianHappy indoors: 5/5RagamuffinHappy indoors: 5/5RagdollHappy indoors: 5/5Russian BlueHappy indoors: 5/5Scottish FoldHappy indoors: 5/5SphynxHappy indoors: 5/5American CurlHappy indoors: 5/5Australian MistHappy indoors: 5/5British LonghairHappy indoors: 5/5BurmillaHappy indoors: 5/5DonskoyHappy indoors: 5/5German RexHappy indoors: 5/5Havana BrownHappy indoors: 5/5JavaneseHappy indoors: 5/5KoratHappy indoors: 5/5LykoiHappy indoors: 5/5

Scores 1 to 5 are our own estimate from the breed standards and the sources on each breed page, not a published rating. Open a breed for its costs, health and the rules where you live.

Which breed fits you? Compare breeds

More lists

• Best dogs for cold climates
• Best dogs for apartments
• Low-shedding dogs
• Best dogs for first-time owners
• Dogs that cope with being alone
• Quiet dogs that bark less
• Low-shedding cats