In short The most affectionate cat breeds bond with their person and love to be close — on your lap, in bed, following you around the house. Ideal for anyone who wants a gentle companion.
How we rated
Scored on attachment to people, affection and the need for closeness. A high score = the cat is maximally gentle and devoted.
All breeds in this ranking have the same score on the main axis, so the order was decided by the additional ones:
Need for attention · Kids · Talkativeness
1
Oriental Shorthair
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 5.0
5.0
2
Siamese Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 5.0
5.0
3
Sphynx Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.5
5.0
4
Devon Rex
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.0
5.0
5
Don Sphynx
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.0
5.0
6
Balinese Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.0
Talkativeness 4.5
5.0
7
Seychellois Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.0
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
8
Thai Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
9
Tonkinese Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
10
Burmese Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.5
5.0
Oriental Shorthair
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 5.0
5.0
2
Siamese Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 5.0
5.0
3
Sphynx Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.5
5.0
4
Devon Rex
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.0
5.0
5
Don Sphynx
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.0
5.0
6
Balinese Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.0
Talkativeness 4.5
5.0
7
Seychellois Cat
Need for attention 5.0
Kids 4.0
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
8
Thai Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
9
Tonkinese Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 4.0
5.0
10
Burmese Cat
Need for attention 4.5
Kids 4.5
Talkativeness 3.5
5.0
How the ranking is built
order: Affection → Need for attention → Kids → Talkativeness → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
Which cat breeds are the most affectionate?
Ragdoll, Birman, Sphynx, Maine Coon — they bond strongly with their person and seek contact.
Do all affectionate cats cope poorly alone?
Many sociable breeds dislike being alone for long; they need company or a second animal.
Does affection depend only on the breed?
No — early socialization, upbringing and the cat’s individual character all play a big part.