Mary Allen
Faithful pets? Many people automatically think of dogs. Cats can also be loyal companions. PetReader reveals ten cat breeds with loyal character traits.
The best friend of humans, loyal souls, and constant companions – this is probably how many people would describe dogs. No wonder there are tons of heartwarming stories about the four-legged friends. For example, because they stay with injured conspecifics until they are rescued. Or because they wait months for their masters – even though they have long since died. The four-legged friends themselves confirm the cliché of the loyal dog again and again.
Cats on the other hand? They are more likely to be independent, but not necessarily loyal. Wrongly, believes Vicki Jo Harrison, President of the International Cat Association (TICA), among others. “Newsweek” revealed them to cat breeds, whose typical characteristics make them particularly loyal companions.
We present ten of them to you here:
American Bobtail
You may look like a wild cat, but American Bobtails are considered very loyal and loving, intelligent and confident. “They don’t like to be alone and like to bond with the whole family, not just one person,” said Vicki Jo Harrison.
“Bobtails are not as vocal as some breeds and tend to communicate their wellbeing with chirps, clicks, and trills, as well as the obligatory purr and meow. They are good travelers and make wonderful therapy cats. ”
Birman
Gentle and easy to care for, the Birman is a loyal cat companion. “They love being around people and they can adapt to any home,” said Harrison. “The Birman is a calm cat that loves people and follows them all day.” In addition, the cat breed is very playful.
Bombay Cat
Relaxed and loving at the same time: This is what distinguishes Bombay. They enjoy the company of their families and greet visitors effusively. “You are really part of the family and want to be involved in everything,” explains the cat expert. Regardless of whether you are taking a walk, on the lap of your keeper – or even under the covers.
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair – BKH for short – is one of the most popular cat breeds. And for good reason: “They are loyal and devoted companion cats who always want to be where you are and snuggle up next to you on the sofa. These intelligent cats are reserved, they rule their indoor kingdom with a calm demeanor. ”
Birman Cat
Burma is considered a real philanthropist. “They are social and feel good in a company, so they quickly get lonely if they are left alone for long periods of time.” She is playful, fond of children – and very communicative.
Maine Coon
The appearance of the Maine Coon can be a little intimidating – the kitties are particularly large and can weigh up to nine kilograms. But that doesn’t change the fact that they have a gentle disposition and get on well with most of them. Because of their intelligence and playfulness, they are sometimes referred to as “dog cats”.
“They are one of the gentlest breeds and tend to follow their family as a constant companion from room to room, even if they do not always lap cats,” says Vicki Jo Harrison. “Social by nature, they are the perfect companions for large, active families and get on well with children, other cats, dogs, and most other animals.”
Oriental Shorthair
Anyone who longs for an active and trusting cat will find it in the Oriental Shorthair. “They have an extremely loving temperament and form close bonds with their families and people of all ages, including children,” explains the cat expert. “They flourish with attention and affection and are often by the side of their people.”
Persian Cat
The Persian cat looks majestic – and accordingly prefers a quiet environment. “Persian cats communicate with their expressive eyes and soft, harmonious voices. They are very relaxed and prefer to lounge on the sofa with their families. They are an adaptable breed and will be comfortable with any family as long as they are loved and treated gently. ”
Ragdoll
Similar to the Maine Coon, the Ragdoll is one of the large cat breeds. Nevertheless, she also has a very loving character. “They’re generally relaxed and calm, but they love to play,” said Harrison. “That’s why balls, toys with catnip and cat trees are compulsory. They are often compared to dogs for their friendliness and intelligence. You can even learn to fetch. ”
Turkish Van
Do cats hate water? Not so with the Turkish Van. She enjoys going for a swim and frolicking in the water. “Not only are they loyal and loving, but also extremely intelligent and a little mischievous.” According to Vicki Harrison, the breed of cats likes to be petted, but they don’t like to be petted or hugged.
Do Loyal Cat Breeds Have “Disadvantages”?
Of course, it doesn’t always have to be positive for a cat to have loyal traits. Because especially affectionate cats, for example, tend to have high social needs – so you should be able to take plenty of time for your kitty and otherwise distract her with interactive toys. Also, some of the loyal cat breeds tend to be vocal about themselves. Frequent meowing, purring, or trilling shouldn’t be a problem.
Unfaithful Breeds of Cats?
But are there also typical cat breeds that tend to be less loyal? According to “The Spruce Pets”, this applies above all to particularly independent breeds and to those that were originally bred for a specific task: for example the Norwegian forest cat or the curly LaPerm.
Even cats who have had little or no contact with humans in their life have difficulties with loyalty and affection. This is especially true of (former) stray cats. As a rule, they are very shy and find it difficult to trust people.
Ultimately, however, the breed of your cat is almost of secondary importance. After all, the following applies: For loyalty, you always need two sides. And how you treat your kitty affects her loyalty and affection for you.