9 Low-Energy Breeds of Cat

Persian

• Origin: Persia (Iran)
• Energy: Low to moderate
• Temperament: Easygoing, quiet, gentle
• Coat: Long
  
• Colours: Every colour except pointed or shaded (see Himalayan and Chinchilla)
• Care: Easy, a daily groom to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks.

The world’s best-known breed, the Persian is a gentle and placid breed often described as docile. They are happy to spend hours chilling in their favourite spot without paying attention to what’s going on around them. Persians love to be petted and stroked but are not demanding. Their laid back temperament means they get along well with cats, dogs and children, as long as they are not too boisterous.

Scottish Fold

• Origin: Scotland
• Energy: Low
• Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate, sweet and loyal
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: All colours and patterns
• Care: Easy, a weekly brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

The most recognised feature of the Scottish Fold is the curled down ears, which gives it a beautiful round face. They are a quiet breed of cat, affectionate, intelligent, quiet, sweet and loyal.

Exotic

• Origin: United States
• Energy: Low
• Temperament: Easygoing, sweet, loyal, quiet
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: All colours and patterns
• Care: Easy, a weekly brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

The Exotic shorthair is essentially a shorthaired Persian. It shares many of the Persian traits such as a laid-back and gentle nature and a characteristic round face with a flat nose.

Exotics are sweet, affectionate, loyal, fun-loving and get along with people, including children and other pets. They are not as demanding or obtrusive as other breeds of cat but it is said they do like to follow their human companions around the house.

Russian Blue

• Origin: Russia
• Energy: Medium
• Temperament: Loyal, easygoing, gentle
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: Blue
• Care: Easy, a weekly brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

The Russian Blue is an ancient breed of cat that form close bonds with their human family. They are sweet, devoted and inquisitive. The Russian loves to follow his or her human family from room to room.

Although there are no hypoallergenic cat breeds, the Russian Blue can be better tolerated because they produce less Fel d1 than other breeds of cat.

Ragdoll

• Origin: United States
• Energy: Low to medium
• Temperament: Loyal, easygoing, gentle
• Coat: Semi-longhair
  
• Colours: Seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, red (flame)
• Care: Easy, a daily brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

Their laid-back personality makes the Ragdoll cat a great family pet. They are known to flop in their owner’s arms, however, despite what is said about the Ragdoll, they do feel pain just like any other cat.

Ragdolls thrive on companionship and are never far from their human companions. They are extremely loyal and almost dog-like in their nature. They get along extremely well with people, including children and other pets. It is not uncommon for Ragdolls to choose one favourite human in the family, although they will get along with everyone.

Selkirk Rex

• Origin: United States
• Energy: Low to medium
• Temperament: Easygoing, sweet, loyal, quiet
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: All colours and patterns
• Care: Easy, a daily brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

The Selkirk Rex is a laid-back breed of cat, similar to that of their Persian and British ancestors. That doesn’t inhibit their playful nature, though. They do love a game but are not highly active like some other breeds can be.

The breed is known for its laid-back and placid personality. They are extremely sociable and thrive on human company. They make a great family pet due to their easy nature.

Birman

• Origin: United States
• Energy: Low
• Temperament: Easygoing, sweet, loyal, quiet
• Coat: Semi-longhair
  
• Colours: Seal, blue, lilac, and chocolate as well as red, cream, tortie, in addition to these colours, the Birman also can come with tabby (lynx) points
• Care: Easy, a daily brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

Birmans are a sweet-natured breed, words used to describe them include gentle, playful, even-tempered, affectionate, intelligent, quiet and faithful.

A quiet and laid back breed of cat, the Birman is not as in your face as some breeds of cat. They are an ideal companion for single people, families, retirees and homes with children and other pets.

British Shorthair

• Origin: Great Britain
• Energy: Low
• Temperament: Easygoing, sweet, loyal, quiet
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: All colours and patterns
• Care: Easy, a weekly brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

Amiable, friendly and laid back describe the British Shorthair. As kittens, they are playful but adult British Shorthairs tend to be less active than other breeds. They are a fairly independent breed of cat and are happy to amuse themselves (often by snoozing). They are not a vocal cat.

Burmilla

• Origin: United Kingdom
• Energy: Moderate
• Temperament: Easygoing, sweet, loyal, quiet
• Coat: Short
  
• Colours: The Burmilla comes in 5 colours either shaded or tipped: black, blue, brown, chocolate, and lilac.
• Care: Easy, a weekly brush to remove loose hairs and clean the teeth daily. Trim the claws as necessary, usually every 4-6 weeks

A beautiful shaded or tipped cat with luminous green eyes, the Burmilla came about by an accidental mating between a Chinchilla cat and a Burmese.

Burmilla cats have the best features of both the Burmese and the Chinchilla. Burmillas love to play but are not as energetic as some of the more active breeds. The Burmilla is an affectionate cat who enjoys being a part of the family.