If you’re thinking about expanding your feline family, you’ll want to choose breeds that actually enjoy living with other cats. Not all kitties are thrilled about sharing their territory, but some breeds are naturally social, affectionate, and adaptable—making them perfect for multi-cat households.
From gentle giants to playful extroverts, here are 17 cat breeds that thrive in homes with multiple furry companions.
1. Maine Coon
Maine Coons are famous for their massive size and even bigger hearts. These gentle giants are highly sociable and tend to get along well with other cats (and even dogs). They enjoy playing, cuddling, and forming strong bonds with their feline housemates.
Since they’re easygoing and patient, they help keep the peace in a multi-cat household. Despite their size, Maine Coons are not aggressive or territorial; instead, they tend to welcome new feline companions with curiosity and a calm demeanor. Their playful yet laid-back nature makes them an excellent choice for homes with multiple pets.
2. Ragdoll
With their calm, affectionate personalities, Ragdolls are known to go limp when you pick them up—hence the name. They thrive on companionship, whether it’s from humans or other cats, and their laid-back attitude makes them fantastic housemates for multiple felines. They’re peaceful and enjoy curling up with their furry friends.
Because Ragdolls form strong bonds with both their humans and fellow pets, they don’t do well in isolation. Having other cats around helps keep them happy and engaged, preventing loneliness and anxiety. They’re also playful without being overly energetic, making them an adaptable and harmonious presence in multi-cat homes.
3. Siamese
If you want a cat who will keep your home lively, the Siamese is the perfect choice. These vocal, intelligent cats love being around others and can get lonely if left without companionship. They form close-knit bonds with their fellow cats and enjoy engaging in playful activities. Siamese cats do best in pairs or groups, where they can constantly interact and socialize.
Their curious and extroverted nature means they seek out companionship and enjoy playing, grooming, and cuddling with other cats. However, because of their high energy levels and talkative nature, it’s best to pair them with equally social and active feline friends who can keep up with their antics.
4. Burmese
Affectionate, playful, and people-loving, Burmese cats aren’t just drawn to humans—they have a special fondness for other cats as well. They’re known to form close friendships with their feline companions, often seeking them out for snuggles and fun play sessions.
Burmese cats hate being alone, so a multi-cat home is ideal for them. They are highly interactive and thrive when they have a buddy to wrestle and explore with. Their adaptable nature allows them to get along with both energetic and calm cats, making them a versatile addition to any multi-cat household. They are also incredibly affectionate and enjoy sharing their warmth with their companions, often curling up together for naps.
5. Abyssinian
Full of energy and curiosity, Abyssinians are constantly exploring, climbing, and jumping with their keen, intelligent minds. They enjoy having other playful cats around to match their enthusiasm and active lifestyle, making them ideal companions in homes with similarly energetic felines.
Abyssinians tend to form strong social bonds, often engaging in playful chases, climbing adventures, and interactive games with their fellow cats. If left alone, they can become bored and may start getting into mischief, so a lively multi-cat household helps them stay stimulated and happy.
6. Bengal
Though Bengals have the wild look of mini leopards, they’re known for their big, loving personalities. With their sharp minds and boundless energy, they thrive in stimulating environments and enjoy the company of other playful cats to keep them entertained.
Bengals do best with other cats that share their playful and active nature, preventing boredom and mischief. They love interactive play and require plenty of enrichment, so having a fellow feline who can keep up with their high-energy antics is beneficial. They are also known for their strong social bonds, often grooming and cuddling with their companions when they’re not busy exploring their surroundings.
7. Tonkinese
These cats are a delightful mix of Burmese and Siamese traits, meaning they’re affectionate, playful, and highly social. They crave companionship and will happily snuggle up to other cats in the household. Their friendly and outgoing personality makes them great multi-cat companions, as they rarely show aggression or territorial behavior. These cats are known for their mischievous streak and love to play, so having a feline buddy to engage in their antics keeps them mentally and physically stimulated.
They enjoy climbing, playing chase, and interactive games, making them a joy to have in a lively household.
8. Birman
Known for their loving and gentle nature, Birmans are equally fond of other cats. Their non-dominant, easygoing temperament makes them a wonderful addition to multi-cat homes, where they happily engage in playful antics and share peaceful moments of snuggling with their feline housemates.
They are particularly good at helping integrate new cats into the household, as they are welcoming and friendly. Their affectionate nature ensures they seek out companionship, whether it’s from humans or fellow cats, making them a harmonious presence in any home.
9. Norwegian Forest Cat
These cats are known for their playful spirit and curiosity, traits that encourage interaction with fellow felines. Their lack of territorial aggression makes them easy to integrate into a home with other cats.
Norwegian Forest Cats are affectionate and enjoy the company of others, forming strong bonds with both humans and pets. For families seeking a gentle and social cat to add to their multi-cat home, this breed is an ideal choice.
10. Siberian
Playful and inquisitive, these cats love interacting with their fellow felines. Thanks to their intelligence and adaptability, they handle social dynamics effortlessly, helping to keep the peace and reduce any tensions.
Siberians form strong bonds with their companions, both human and feline, ensuring a warm and cohesive household. For those seeking a friendly and engaging pet for a multi-cat environment, Siberians are an excellent choice.
11. Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthairs are highly social and loving, traits that make them ideal for multi-cat households. Their outgoing nature ensures they integrate well with other pets, creating a harmonious environment. Their adaptability allows them to adjust to changes in their surroundings and social group easily.
Oriental Shorthairs are not territorial and enjoy forming bonds with others, making them a perfect fit for households with multiple cats. Their engaging personality brings joy and companionship to any multi-cat home.
12. Scottish Fold
Renowned for their calm, loving nature, Scottish Folds are excellent companions in homes with several cats. Their gentle disposition allows them to get along with ease, fostering peace and harmony in a multi-pet household.
These cats are sociable and enjoy the company of others, often seen snuggling with their feline companions. Their adaptability and lack of territorial aggression make them easy to live within a household with multiple cats.
13. Sphynx
These cats are known for their extroverted and friendly nature, making them well-suited for multi-cat environments. Their love for companionship ensures they form strong bonds with other pets, reducing tensions.
Sphynx cats thrive on attention and interaction, bringing warmth and joy to any household. For those seeking an engaging and social companion for a multi-cat home, Sphynx cats are an ideal choice.
14. British Shorthair
Affectionate by nature, these cats enjoy the company of others and form strong friendships with their feline housemates. Their adaptable and non-territorial nature makes them a perfect fit for homes with multiple cats.
British Shorthairs bring a sense of calm and warmth to any environment, fostering a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. For families looking for a gentle and loving addition to their multi-cat home, British Shorthairs are an excellent choice.
15. American Shorthair
Friendly and easygoing, American Shorthairs bring a perfect balance of independence and sociability to multi-cat homes. These cats enjoy playing with feline companions but won’t get clingy or territorial when sharing space. Their adaptable nature makes transitions smooth when introducing new cats to the family.
American Shorthairs have moderate energy levels, meaning they’ll engage in fun play sessions with other cats without becoming overwhelming. This breed’s hunting background actually makes them appreciate having fellow felines around for companionship and mock hunts. Health-wise, they’re typically robust cats with few breed-specific problems, so you’ll spend less time at the vet and more time enjoying your cat family. Their medium maintenance coat requires just weekly brushing, making them practical pets for busy households.
16. Exotic Shorthair
Often called the lazy person’s Persian, Exotic Shorthairs combine Persian sweetness with far less grooming demands. Their plush teddy-bear faces hide a mellow temperament that rarely causes friction with other household cats. These gentle souls prefer peaceful coexistence to fighting for dominance. Noise levels stay minimal with Exotic Shorthairs – they communicate with soft chirps rather than loud meows, creating a quieter multi-cat environment. Their moderate activity level means they won’t chase or harass more laid-back feline housemates.
Originally bred in the 1950s by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs, these cats inherited the best qualities of both breeds. They form strong bonds with their human families while maintaining harmonious relationships with fellow cats, making them ideal for households seeking furry harmony.
17. Russian Blue
Silver-tipped blue coats and emerald eyes make Russian Blues stand out, but it’s their temperament that truly shines in multi-cat households. These intelligent felines respect boundaries and rarely pick fights, preferring diplomatic solutions to cat conflicts. Their polite nature extends to sharing resources like food bowls and litter boxes.
Russian Blues balance sociability with independence perfectly. They enjoy interactive play with other cats but also appreciate alone time, preventing the clingy behavior that can irritate feline housemates. Their naturally clean habits mean they won’t create messes for other cats to step in. Historically cherished by Russian czars, these aristocratic cats bring their royal manners into modern homes. They form deep bonds with their human families while maintaining cordial relationships with fellow cats. Their hypoallergenic coat is an added bonus for households with allergy sufferers.