What Cat Should I Get?
Take the Free Cat Breed Quiz
Not all cats suit all lifestyles. The What Cat? breed quiz asks 18 questions about your real life — your space, schedule, household, and preferences — and returns a ranked list of cat breeds that genuinely fit. Scored, reasoned, and honest about what doesn't match too.
How the cat breed quiz works
Most breed quizzes ask you a few vague questions and give you a random answer. The What Cat? quiz is different. It scores every one of the 68 breeds in our encyclopedia against your answers, weights the traits that actually matter for your lifestyle, and produces a ranked match list — not just a single suggestion.
Answer 18 questions about your life
Questions cover your living space, activity level, how long your cat will be alone, whether you have children or other pets, grooming tolerance, allergy considerations, and more.
Every breed gets scored against your answers
Each of the 68 breeds in our encyclopedia is scored against your responses. Traits are weighted differently — a breed that struggles with solitude scores heavily if you work full-time.
Get a ranked list — with honest warnings
Your results show why each breed matches your lifestyle, and what to be aware of — not just the positives. Free users see the top 3; Premium unlocks the full ranked list with detailed reasoning for every breed.
Your matches are saved in your breed encyclopedia
Top matches appear in a "Picked for you" rail so you can compare them side-by-side in the breed encyclopedia any time — without retaking the quiz.
Sample quiz questions
Here are five of the 18 questions the quiz asks. The full quiz takes around 3–4 minutes to complete.
What your results look like
Every breed result includes a compatibility score, a plain-language explanation of why it matches, and honest warnings about traits that might not suit your situation. Here are three example results for a first-time owner in an apartment who works 4–8 hours a day:
Ragdoll
97% matchRagdolls are famously relaxed, affectionate, and low-anxiety. They adapt well to apartment living, tolerate being alone for moderate stretches without distress, and are gentle enough for most households. Their coat is semi-long but surprisingly low-maintenance — weekly brushing is usually enough.
British Shorthair
89% matchThe British Shorthair is calm, independent, and content in small spaces. They handle solitude better than most breeds — a good fit if you're out 4–8 hours a day. They're affectionate without being clingy, making them ideal for first-time owners. Their short coat needs very little grooming.
Scottish Fold
82% matchScottish Folds are quiet, gentle, and adapt well to apartment life. They're more laid-back than most breeds and enjoy being near their owner without demanding constant attention. Their folded ears give them an endearing owl-like appearance that many owners fall for immediately.
68 breeds covered by the quiz
The quiz matches you against every breed in our encyclopedia — from well-known favourites to rarer breeds you might not have considered.
Frequently asked questions
Which cat breed is right for me?
There's no single right answer — it depends on your lifestyle, space, and household. A structured breed quiz that asks about your actual daily life is the most reliable approach. Key factors are how much time your cat will be alone, your living space size, whether you have children or other pets, how much grooming you can commit to, and allergy considerations. The What Cat? quiz weighs all of these across 68 breeds.
What cat breed is best for apartments?
The best apartment cats are calm, adaptable, and content indoors without a large territory. The British Shorthair, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, and Russian Blue all fit this profile. High-energy breeds like Bengals or Abyssinians need significantly more stimulation and space, and can become destructive or anxious in a small flat without it.
What cat is best for people who work full-time?
If your cat will be alone for 8+ hours regularly, choose a breed that handles solitude without anxiety. Independent breeds like the British Shorthair, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Maine Coon manage well. Highly social or clingy breeds — Siamese, Burmese, and Tonkinese — are better suited to homes where someone is around most of the day. Getting two cats is also a good option for very social breeds.
What cat breed is best for families with children?
Family-friendly breeds tend to be social, patient, and tolerant of noise and unpredictable handling. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Birmans, and Abyssinians all rate well with children. More reserved breeds — Russian Blue, Norwegian Forest Cat, and British Shorthair — can manage with older children who respect the cat's space, but may not suit homes with very young children.
What is the most low-maintenance cat breed?
For minimal grooming and independence, the British Shorthair stands out: short coat, sturdy health, content to entertain itself, and not particularly needy. Other low-maintenance options include the Russian Blue and American Shorthair. Long-haired breeds like Persians or Maine Coons require significantly more coat care regardless of their temperament.
What are the best hypoallergenic cat breeds?
No cat is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds produce less of the Fel d 1 protein that triggers most cat allergies. Breeds often recommended for allergy sufferers include the Siberian, Balinese, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and Sphynx. If allergies are a concern, the What Cat? quiz will filter and prioritise lower-allergen breeds in your results.