What is a Tabby Cat? What Every Prospective Owner Should Know

a child gently pets a tan tabby cat perched on a counter top — Note: While the breeds in this collection tend to be tabby, individual pets will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

12 Cat Breeds

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American Shorthair

Easygoing and adaptable, the American Shorthair cat is a good companion cat. They love attention but are independent. They are more inclined to sit next to you than to be on top of you. Quiet and balanced, they are calm cats and thrive in similar environments. 

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Abyssinian

Abyssinians are friendly, curious creatures who always want to get in on the fun. They love to play and have energy to expend. They are loyal and loving but are by no means a lap cat. The Abyssinian cat breed enjoys spending time with their owners, shadowing them around the house. 

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Birman

Loving, gentle, and supremely playful, Birman cats are faithful companion cats that love to shadow their owners. They adore being adored, perhaps thanks to a long history as a temple cat in Burma (Myanmar). Intelligent and people-oriented, they are curious around strangers. They are generally easy cats to care for.

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American Bobtail

The American Bobtail cat might look like a wild cat, but don’t let that fool you—they are fully domesticated sweet, loving, and smart cats that enjoy being with their owners. They are self-assured, outgoing, and adaptable cats that do well in most homes. They are not as chatty as other breeds but aren’t afraid to use their voices. Playful and full of energy, they will ask for your attention by meowing or jumping in your lap. 

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American Curl

People-first cats, the American Curl is attentive and affectionate without being harassing. They love perching to watch their families and love playtime of any sort. They have typical cat curiosity but aren’t as mischievous as other breeds.

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Egyptian Mau

Egyptian Mau cats are known for their dog-like playfulness. These social cats are loyal and crave human interaction, often seeking out warm laps or cozy spots to curl up. Another distinctive characteristic is their expressive voice; they communicate with their humans through a variety of chirps and chatters, creating a bond built on conversation and companionship.

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Javanese

Similar to the Balinese cat, the Javanese cat is affectionate and cheerful. They want to be around their owners, chatting to them in an endless stream of cat commentary. Inquisitive, smart, and good communicators, they are responsive and engaging cats who seem to understand every word their owners say. They’re eager learners, making them easy to train. 

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Maine Coon

These chatty companions are America’s second-most popular breed for a reason—they dole out love and affection in spades. Devoted to their families and incredibly intelligent, these cats are basically kittens in big catsuits. Gentle giants who are playful well into old age, Maine Coons are clever and form strong bonds with their households. Most want to be near you but not on your lap. Maine Coons are true family members and participate in all family routines, whether watching you channel surf from the comfort of the couch or following you from room to room. As befits a former seafarer, Maine Coons are fascinated by water, perhaps because their thick coats are water-repellent and won’t become annoyingly soaked as easily as a thinner coat would. Some will join their humans in the shower briefly, or at least walk around on the wet floor after you get out. They prefer to stand on the edge of the tub, however, and touch the water with a curious paw.

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Siamese

Incredibly affectionate, intelligent, and opinionated, the Siamese is a friend to everyone. They can talk a mile a minute in their signature, low-pitched voice, making them known as the extroverts of the feline world. Siamese have a very dependent nature, often bonding very closely to one person, desiring to be around them constantly. If you go into the kitchen to cook, they will want to follow you and get in on the action!  Siamese cats are self-assured and highly active. They need daily playtime with their owners—or else they’ll find something to occupy their time. Siamese should not be left alone for long periods, as they need to be with people and can develop separation anxiety if not regularly around their owners, but they can be left for a few hours at a time. They require a lot of attention and affection but will give you back every ounce of love you give them. 

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Devon Rex

Devon Rex cats are high-energy, curious creatures. They love being involved in everything and will follow you from room to room, expecting to be part of the action. While not overly vocal, they'll let you know when they want attention. Intelligent and active, they need plenty of playtime and mental stimulation.

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Persian

Less life of the party and more stay-at-home and read, the Persian is a sweet, placid, and even-tempered cat. They enjoy regally lounging about, observing their owners, and getting in small bursts of energy through gentle games. They are intelligent but not as curious as some other cat breeds and are fiercely devoted to their humans, albeit selective in bestowing that honor on them. Trust and love must be earned, but once they are, they bond strongly. They crave attention and love being fussed over like a newborn baby but won’t beg for it like other breeds will. 

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Siberian

Siberians are often seen as the perfect cat: They can be left alone for small periods and can sufficiently entertain themselves as long as they are given the means to do so, and they are super affectionate, enjoy being handled, and love being around people.Adept at problem-solving, they are expressive and use quiet meows, trills, chirps, and a lot of purring to talk to their owners. They’ll meet you at the door when you come home to tell you about their day—and will want to hear about yours.They are fascinated with water, often dropping toys into their water dishes or investigating bathtubs before they’re dry. This is a cat that will want to be near you when you shower, often walking on the edge of the tub to dip a curious paw into the water to play. 

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