20 Smartest Cat Breeds

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Some cat breeds are known for their smartness and intelligence. These cats can be independent and self-reliant which makes them an excellent pet. 

Smart cat breeds can adapt to new environments when trained well. This article discusses the 20 smartest cat breeds that you can add to your family.


1. Abyssinian

Abyssinian is a sleek cat known for its athletic and agile quality. They are the happiest when they can monitor their surroundings and play with toys.

These cats can weigh 8 to 12 pounds and grow 8 to 10 inches tall. Tall pointy ears, slender body, and wedge-shaped head are some of their physical characteristics.

They are known as the smartest cat breeds because of their curious nature and detective skills. Abyssinians are also very independent, quick learners, and love to spend time with their families. 

2. Siamese

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Siamese cats are famous for their beautiful coats and curious nature. These smart cats are also known for their social and chatty nature. 

They have sleek bodies with almond-shaped eyes and wedge-shaped heads. These cats can grow 8 to 10 inches tall and weigh 8 to 10 pounds. 

Siamese cats can be energetic and destructive to items if bored and restless. So you must engage them in puzzles and toys to entertain them.

3. Cornish Rex

Known for their waxy coats, Cornish Rex are friendly and easy-going cats. They can be found engaging in activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing fetch.

They can be 12 to 14 inches tall and weigh 6 to 10 pounds. These cats have curved bodies with high cheekbones and large ears.

Cornish Rex loves to spend time with family by playing or napping on laps. They are also a very clever, adventurous, and curious breed of cats.

4. Japanese Bobtail

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Japanese Bobtails are highly intelligent animals that are receptive to learning various tricks and orders. One of the unique features of these cats is their tail because no two tails are ever alike.

They can weigh 6-10 pounds and grow 10-14 inches tall. These cats have lean bodies, high cheekbones, and oval eyes. 

These cats love human companions, social interaction, and playtimes. They are also very fast learners and play games such as fetching.

5. Balinese

Balinese cats are active cats that are very curious about their human companion. They are social cats that often vocalize their needs and opinions. 

Wedge-shaped heads, slender bodies, and blue eyes are some of the physical qualities of these cats. They can grow 6 to 7 inches tall and weigh 8 to 12 pounds.

These cats are receptive to learning tricks and commands in a short time. Moreover, they also love to fetch, walk on a leash, and show affection towards their family.

6. Bengal

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Bengal cats are famous for their coats which look like a jaguar or leopard. They are very smart, athletic, and slightly wild. 

Their weight can reach up to 8 to 15 pounds and their height is 10 to 16 inches. Moreover, they have a sleek, muscular body with a striped and spotted coat.

Bengal cats are very active and require a spacious environment to run, jump, climb, and play. These cats should also be engaged in various exercises and mental challenges due to their active nature. 

7. Burmese

Burmese cats are highly energetic cats that are known to read the mood of their owners. They are social cats that are very good at forming bonds with their owners and other animals. 

These cats have round golden eyes and compact muscular bodies. They can grow up to 10 to 12 inches and weigh 8 to 12 pounds.

Some qualities that make them smart are that they are clever, adaptable, playful, and eat to train. Moreover, they also love to be the center of attention and play games such as fetch.

8. Havana Brown

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Havana Brown are intelligent cats with green eyes and large ears. They are famous for their beautiful silky, chocolate-colored coats.

These cats are very social and love to chat with their family and other animals as well. They can grow 11 inches tall and weigh 8 to 10 pounds. 

They love to spend their time playing, investigating, and socializing with their owners and other felines and canines as well. These cats are also very fond of taking nice long naps on chairs or pillows.

9. Korat

Korat cats are a highly intellectual breed that loves to engage themselves in interactive games such as fetch. These cats have heart-shaped heads with stocky bodies.

As much as they are energetic, they are also very fond of their nap times. With proper encouragement and rewards, they are highly receptive to learning new tricks and commands.

If you own these cats, remember to show them affection and attention as they thrive on them. Moreover, they also love to play with toys.

10. Savannah

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Savannah cats are smart and curious cats who are quick to learn tricks and are mischievous when bored. They are exotic cat breeds that need lots of space due to their running, jumping, and playing behavior.

It is important to engage them in different games and environmental activities to help them with boredom. These cats can also figure out how to open doors and cabinets with their intelligence and curiosity.

Savannah can jump up to eight feet tall and can be seen on top of cabinets or refrigerators. Therefore, you should not leave them unsupervised in the open where they can escape.

11. Singapura

Singapura cats are intelligent and curious felines that are very loyal and affectionate towards their owner and friends. These cats can be found investigating the surroundings due to their curious nature 

They make good pets in a calm family with older children but may be stressed if their surroundings are noisy and chaotic. You may also be amazed by their helpful nature as they love to get involved in any of your business. 

Singapura are very friendly and affectionate with their friends and family. They are also very fond of climbing so make sure to provide plenty of vertical spaces for them.

12. Scottish Fold

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Scottish Folds are playful and active cats that are well known for their folded ears. These cats are also very social and get along with other cats and dogs. 

They can adapt to different situations and can also tolerate loud and busy homes. These cats can thrive in family homes as well as single homes but prefer well with older children. 

They do not do well on their own, love to play outside and enjoy climbing. Therefore, it is important to keep them engaged and have access to a safe outdoor space.

13. Tonkinese

Tonkinese cats are a smart, sweet, and sociable mix of Siamese and Burmese cats. They can be found in muted colors and have chirp-like voices that compliment their personality. 

These cats are active, intelligent, and easygoing which makes them a great pet to spend time with family without much attention. They thrive when they are pet, held, talked to, played with, and cuddled on a lap.

They are also very eager cats that want to be involved in everything that their owner does. These cats can also entertain you with their hyper activities like climbing and jumping.

14. Turkish Angora

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Turkish Angora are playful and affectionate cats that are well known for their long, ballerina-like bodies and silky fur. These cats are most suitable in homes that can provide love and attention. 

They are slightly more needy than other breeds and do not like it when they are left alone. Their intelligence makes them highly receptive to tricks and can be trained easily. They also like to be taught to play fetch.

Turkish Angora's curious nature makes them explore open cabinets, drawers, and empty boxes. Moreover, they also thrive well with children and other pets making them a great addition to your family.

15 Persian

Persian cats are round, flat-faced cats with flowy coats that can be found in almost every color. These cats are observant and like to see and know what is going on in the house.

These cats are selective about who they spend their time with and tend to choose close family and friends that they trust. They are friendly cat breeds that require gentle handling with no grabbing from children. 

It is considered better to keep Persians inside the house due to their overheating nature. They are also likely to tangle their long beautiful coats when left outside with no supervision. Moreover, they can live alone for a short time if it is their own home where they feel safe.

16. Russian Blue

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Russian Blue is a loyal and intelligent cat breed known for its shimmery blue coat with a silvery cast. They are quiet non-clingy cats that love to show their love and presence in their terms and time.

These cats are also well-known for their independent nature. They are good observants who monitor their surroundings closely and learn tricks easily. 

Russian Blue are very disciplined cats who follow a routine and do not like change. They can easily survive when they are lonely in their house but are more likely to stay away from chaotic and noisy households.

17. Egyptian Mau

Egyptian Mau are lean, elegant cats that are some of the fastest runners among domestic cats. They can reach a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. These cats have playful, active, and affectionate personalities. 

They are intelligent cats that do best when they are engaged in cat toys and activities that showcase their physical and mental response. These cats are very independent and can be regularly left alone for a few hours. 

Egyptian Mau's enjoy a game of fetch, learning to retrieve thrown toys, and love playing in and with water. They are also very friendly affectionate cats that love to curl up on a lap or any warm spot around the house.

18. Sphynx

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Sphynx cats are a very intelligent, curious, and alert breed that are well known due to their hairless appearance. They are very loyal and affectionate cats that often choose a favorite person from their family as their shadow.

It is better to engage them with toys or visual engagements as they may become restless when they are bored. They are also very fond of socializing and spending time with their family by snuggling up. 

Sphynx are clingy social cats that do not do well when left alone during the day. They are also very noisy and tend to chat a lot by following you from room to room. 

19. Somali

Somali cats are smart cat breeds that are very good at feline agility courses and also very easy to teach to walk on a leash or fetch things. These cats are also very active, playful, curious, and social cat breeds. 

Due to their active nature, these cats are always looking for something to do and someone to do it with. If left alone, they can be found creating their own entertainment such as climbing curtains or scaling the refrigerator.

They are affectionate cats but are not huge fans of being held on and cuddling. Somalis thrive in a calm environment and can also be regularly left alone for a few hours. 

20. Maine Coon

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Maine Coons are a huge distinctive breed of cats that are intelligent, friendly, and gentle. They are very relaxed, confident cats that are great friends for gentle children, cats, and dogs.

These cats are very curious and can be seen following around the house to engage in whatever interesting situation. They are also talkative cats that can be found trying to communicate through various soft meows. 

Maine Coon is highly receptive to training and enjoys learning tricks when positively reinforced. They are also known for their love of water and can be found playing, bathing, and even swimming in it.

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