Best cats for apartments
Calm, indoor-content breeds that take small-space living in their stride — ranked by temperament, activity level and how well they cope with staying in.
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The ranked shortlist
Hand-picked by our editors using breed trait profiles — scores are out of 5.
1. Ragdoll
5/5The cat that goes limp in your arms and would rather be underfoot than up high.
2. British Shorthair
5/5Round eyes, round cheeks, and a firm four-on-the-floor policy about being picked up.
3. Russian Blue
4/5Quiet, plush and cautious — a cat that earns its way to you rather than leaping into your arms.
4. Persian
4/5A furry cushion with opinions — placid, plush, and happiest ruling the sofa.
5. Scottish Fold
4/5The owl-faced charmer whose signature ears come with a hard genetic catch.
What makes a good apartment cat
Floor space matters far less than temperament. Look for a calm cat that is content indoors, a moderate activity level rather than a wall-climbing livewire, and a sociable nature that copes with being home alone. Give any indoor cat vertical space — a tall cat tree or shelves — plus daily play and a scratching post, and a flat suits it perfectly well.