Playful Cat Breeds at a Glance
- Burmese
- Abyssinian
- Tonkinese
- Singapura
- Ragdoll
- Egyptian Mau
- Bengal
- Devon Rex
- Cornish Rex
- Domestic shorthair or longhair
Related articles: Best cat breeds for children   Low energy cat breeds   Best indoor cat breeds
Devon Rex
Probably my top pick for playful cat breeds, the Devon Rex is friendly, outgoing, energetic and remains playful well into adulthood. This is a breed that loves to be on the go. Devon Rexes get along with everyone, people, pets and other cats. They are great with children.
Care: Easy
Cost: $800 – $1,200
Abyssinian
- Care: Easy
- Cost: $800 – $1,600
One of the oldest cat breeds, the Abyssinian is an intelligent, extrovert and energetic cat who thrives on human companionship. Dog-like in nature, they love to be a part of their human family. Affectionately called Aby’s, the Abyssinian loves to be up high and is always on the go.
Singapura
- Care: Easy
- Cost: $1,500 +
The smallest cat breed in the world, Singapuras are affectionate and playful cats well into adulthood. They get along well with other animals as well as children. The words sweet-natured fit the Singapura perfectly; they don’t have a mean bone in their body.
Singapuras are playful, loving and affectionate who love to be near their human family or even strangers who visit the home.
Burmese
- Care: Easy
- Cost: $700 – $1200
My favourite breed, the Burmese, truly is a great all-rounder who suits most households. Loving, playful, and very easy-going, Burmese cats make exceptional family pets. Some of the breeds in this article are very active, the Burmese are playful, without being over the top.
Cornish Rex
- Care: Easy
- Cost: $1,000 +
The Cornish Rex is a curly-coated domestic breed of cat who came about as a spontaneous mutation in Cornwall, England. The short, curly coat is similar to that of the Devon Rex, however, the gene responsible for the unusual coat is different in each breed.
Cornish Rex cats are quiet but friendly, outgoing, and very active, they love to be up high. They get along well with children and other pets. Cornish Rex cats love attention and companionship.
Sphynx
- Care: Moderate
- Cost: $1,000 to $2,000
The Sphynx is an extremely outgoing, friendly and loving breed of cat. They love to climb and be up high and are always on the go. Part cat, part dog, a part monkey is used to describe the Sphynx.
Sphynx cats appear to be bald, apart from the whiskers, but the skin has a fine peach-fuzz.
Care: Sphynx cats produce more ear wax than other cats due to the lack of hair, which requires regular cleaning. They can be prone to oiliness need a regular bath.
Egyptian Mau
- Care: Easy
- Price: $1,500 +
The Egyptian Mau is believed to have descended from the African Wildcat who were originally trained to hunt prey, such as birds and fish, and return the bounty to their humans.
They are intelligent, playful, lively, active and outgoing, thriving on attention. They are extremely athletic and love to climb. Egyptian Maus bond deeply with their human family, and get along well with other pets and children.
Egyptian Maus are a talkative cat, and one unusual trait is they are fond of wagging their tail when happy.
Ragdoll
- Care: Moderate
- Price: $1,500 +
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, with males weighing in between 6-7 kg. The breed was founded by Jan Baker of the United States in the 1960s and remains one of the most popular breeds today.
Ragdolls are a laid back breed of cat but don’t let that fool you; they are also playful although not quite as turbo-charged as some of the other breeds on this list. They will greet you at the door and follow you around the house. Once you settle down for the night, they love to sit on your lap with you.
Ragdolls make an exceptional family pet, getting along well with children and other household pets.
Bengal
- Care: Moderate (suits experienced cat owners)
- Cost: $2,000 +
The Bengal is a wild-looking cat with the sweet nature of a domestic cat. Bengals were created by crossing the Asian Leopard cat with domestic cats to create a wild looking cat with the sweet nature of a domestic.
Bengals are intelligent, active, inquisitive and energetic cats. Due to their Asian Leopard Cat ancestry, many Bengals have a love of water and will drink from and play with the water from a dripping tap.
These cats love to play, well into adulthood. Fetch, stalking and pouncing on a wand toy, chasing toy mice are some of their favourite games. Their intelligence means they pick up new tricks quickly.
This is a high-energy breed that is constantly on the go. They can also be very vocal and have a distinctive meow.
Tonkinese
- Care: Easy
- Cost: $1,200 +
The Tonkinese is a hybrid between the Siamese and Burmese and has the best of both breeds. Confident, playful and very very curious best describe the Tonkinese.
We adopted two last year, and they slotted straight into our busy household of 2 dogs and two cats. They will talk to their human family, but not as much as the Siamese, they have the laid back, but playful personality of the Burmese.
Domestic Shorthair or Longhair
Not a pure breed but one to consider is the domestic or mixed breed. Pros are they are easy to find, cost much less and you are giving a shelter cat a home.
Domestic cats can have long or short hair, and no two are the same. If you are looking for a playful and friendly cat, consider a domestic. Shelter workers and volunteers spend a lot of time around cats in their care and get to know their personalities.
Care: Cats with long coats will need to be brushed for 5 minutes a day to avoid the coat matting
Cost: $200+
Choosing a playful cat breed
If you are looking to adopt a cat and want one that is playful, I recommend you research the cat breeds before you make a decision. The best way is to visit cat shows, meet the cats and talk to the breeders. Most are more than happy to show off their cats and give you advice.
Don’t rush into a decision, take your time, and meet as many cats as possible. Some breeds are more work than others. Many of the active, playful breeds don’t do well on their own, so if you are out for long periods during the day, we recommend two cats, so they have company.
Plenty of interactive toys, as well as scheduled play sessions, are a must. These breeds thrive on interaction and love to play.
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