Calmest Cat Breeds for Laid-Back People: Discover the Top 9 Meet Gentle and Relaxed Feline Companions for Stress-Free Living By Jackie Brown Updated on 06/11/25 Reviewed by Bartley Harrison Reviewed by Bartley Harrison Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Dr. Harrison is part of The Spruce Pets’ veterinary review board. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board Credit: Kryssia Campos / Getty Images Pedigreed cats come in a range of shapes, sizes, coat lengths, and colors, each with varying energy levels. While some breeds are high-energy, others are notably mellow and laid-back. Here are nine calm cat breeds recognized for their relaxed personalities. Breed Characteristics The calmest cat breeds vary in appearance and size. Some mellow breeds are large while others are medium-sized. Calm cats might be long-haired or short-haired, with a hefty build or more moderate body type. Temperament will vary among individual cats, but some breeds are consistently less active than others. Even calm cats need daily playtime or exercise, such as chasing after toys, climbing, scratching, and exploring. Some very calm cats might even need prodding and creative ideas to encourage them to get enough activity and exercise, which is vital for good physical health and mental well-being. Schedule at least two 15-minute play sessions daily, and more is always better. Tip Even though a cat might be considered a calm breed, each cat is different. Some might have higher energy than others and therefore require more playtime and exercise. 01 of 09 Birman Credit: Nynke van Holten / Getty Images Medium-sized with a sturdy build, the Birman cat has long, silky hair. Birmans always have four white paws, blue eyes, and are color-pointed: the light-colored body has darker “points” of color on the face, ears, legs, and tail. Birmans are laid-back and loving, making them a great pet for quiet families. These cats get along well with gentle kids and other pets, even gentle dogs. Breed Overview WEIGHT: About 7 to 14 pounds, with males slightly largerLENGTH: About 15 to 18 inchesPERSONALITY: Gentle, quiet and lovingCOAT LENGTH: Medium-long to long; silken in texture, with heavy ruff around the neckCOAT COLOR: Seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, seal tabby point, blue tabby point, chocolate tabby point, lilac tabby point, red tabby point, cream tabby point, seal-tortie tabby point, chocolate-tortie tabby point, blue-cream tabby point, lilac-cream tabby point, seal-tortie point, blue-cream point, chocolate-tortie point, lilac-cream point, red point, cream pointEYE COLOR: BlueLIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 16 years 02 of 09 British Shorthair Credit: Chendongshan / Getty Images Medium to large in size, the British shorthair cat has a short, dense coat and a distinguishing rounded head and face reminiscent of a teddy bear. Loving and affectionate but never demanding or clingy, the British shorthair is a great addition to any family. This cat has a quiet, laid-back personality and tends to get along great with everyone, including kids and other pets. Breed Overview WEIGHT: About 7 to 14 pounds, with males slightly largerLENGTH: About 15 to 18 inchesPERSONALITY: Gentle, quiet and lovingCOAT LENGTH: Medium-long to long. Silken in texture, with heavy ruff around the neckCOAT COLOR: Seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, seal tabby point, blue tabby point, chocolate tabby point, lilac tabby point, red tabby point, cream tabby point, seal-tortie tabby point, chocolate-tortie tabby point, blue-cream tabby point, lilac-cream tabby point, seal-tortie point, blue-cream point, chocolate-tortie point, lilac-cream point, red point, cream pointEYE COLOR: BlueLIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 16 years 03 of 09 Chartreux Credit: Elmaz Selyametova / Getty Images The Chartreux is a medium-sized cat with a medium-short double coat with a unique texture—it’s slightly woolly and breaks at the neck, chest, and flanks like sheep’s wool. The coat is always a solid blue-gray color, and the hair ends are tipped with silver, lending an iridescent sheen to the coat. Chartreux cats are exceptionally well-manned, gentle, quiet, and friendly, making them wonderful family pets. Breed Overview WEIGHT: Up to 16 poundsLENGTH: Up to 24 inchesPERSONALITY: Calm, friendly, docileCOAT LENGTH: ShortCOAT COLOR: Solid blue-grayEYE COLOR: Copper/orangeLIFE EXPECTANCY: 11 to 15 years 04 of 09 Exotic Shorthair Credit: Volchanskiy / Getty Images The exotic shorthair is closely related to the Persian cat, with the main difference being the exotic’s short, plush coat, which makes them look like cuddly little teddy bears. Because the exotic is so much easier to groom than the profusely coated Persian, some people call the breed the “lazy person’s Persian.” Exotic shorthairs share the Persian’s mellow personality and are laid-back, gentle, quiet, and loving. Breed Overview WEIGHT: Up to 15 poundsLENGTH: Up to 30 inchesPERSONALITY: Affectionate, loyal, easygoing, low-energyCOAT LENGTH: Short, plushCOAT COLOR: Solid, pointed, tabby, and tortoiseshell, in black, white, golden, silver, smoke, bicolor, and HimalayanEYE COLOR: Gold, green, and blueLIFE EXPECTANCY: 8 to 15 years Continue to 5 of 9 below 05 of 09 Himalayan Credit: Ecuadorplanet / Getty Images Also related to the Persian, the Himalayan has a similar long, flowing, voluminous coat, but it comes in pointed colors like a Siamese cat. The breed is recognized differently by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). CFA considered the Himalayan to be a color division of the Persian breed; TICA considers the Himalayan a separate breed from the Persian. Affectionate, snuggly, and mellow, Himalayans love to relax and cuddle and live harmoniously with most people and pets. Breed Overview WEIGHT: About 7 to 12 poundsLENGTH: About 12 to 16 inchesPERSONALITY: Sedate, affectionate, gentle, friendly, and intelligentCOAT LENGTH: LongCOAT COLOR: White to cream body in with pointed markings in chocolate, seal, blue, lilac, and redEYE COLOR: BlueLIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 12 years 06 of 09 Maine Coon Credit: Alexandra Jursova / Getty Images Don’t let the Maine coon cat’s size fool you—these gentle giants with the long, flowing coats are very relaxed and mellow. Nothing ever seems to faze a Maine coon. They play wonderfully with respectful kids and coexist peacefully with other household pets, including other cats and gentle dogs. Curious and outgoing, Maine coons enjoy being in the middle of family life. Breed Overview WEIGHT: Average of 9 to 18 pounds; males can weigh 20 pounds or moreLENGTH: About 19 to 30 inchesPERSONALITY: Amiable, gentle and dog-likeCOAT LENGTH: Heavy and shaggy; silky with coat falling smoothlyCOAT COLOR: Solid (white, black, blue, red and cream), tabby (classic, mackerel and ticked), bi-color (black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream and white), parti-color (tortoiseshell and blue-cream), parti-color and white (calico, tortoiseshell and white, blue-cream and white), shaded and smoke, and shaded/smoke and whiteEYE COLOR: Varies according to coat color but may be green, gold, green-gold, copper, blue or odd-eyedLIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years 07 of 09 Persian Credit: Darek Glina / Getty Images The Persian cat is medium to large in size with a round, flat face and a long, flowing coat. The Persian is the most popular purebred cat breed in the United States, and their calm, affectionate, and gentle personality likely has a lot to do with that position. Even the Persian’s meow is soft and sweet. They love cuddles, pets, and enjoy lounging around the house watching the day-to-day activity of their family. Breed Overview WEIGHT: About 7 to 12 poundsLENGTH: About 14 to 17 inchesPERSONALITY: Sweet, gentle and affectionateCOAT LENGTH: Long all over the body and thick, with an immense ruff around the neck, deep frill extending between the front legs and very full brush tail. Glossy, with a fine textureCOAT COLOR: Solid (blue, black, white, red, cream, chocolate or lilac), silver and golden (chinchilla and shaded), shaded and smoke (including cameo and tortoiseshell patterns), tabby, particolor, calico and bicolor, and Himalayan (pointed colors)EYE COLOR: Varies according to coat color, but may be copper, blue, green, blue-green, hazel and odd-eyedLIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 20 years 08 of 09 Ragdoll Credit: Angela Kotsell / Getty Images The ragdoll is one of the calmest and cuddliest cats around. In fact, the breed earned its name thanks to these cats’ endearing tendency of melting limply into your arms while you hold them. Ragdolls are known to be exceptional with gentle kids, and they get along well with other pets, too. The ragdoll is a friendly and affectionate cat, making them a wonderful family pet. Breed Overview PERSONALITY: Friendly, easygoing, cuddly, socialWEIGHT: Up to 20 poundsLENGTH: Up to 40 inches nose to tailCOAT LENGTH: Medium-length hairCOAT COLOR: Chocolate, red, seal, blue, lilac, and creamCOAT PATTERNS: Mitted, color point, bicolor, tortoiseshell, lynxEYE COLOR: BlueLIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 17 years Continue to 9 of 9 below 09 of 09 Selkirk Rex Credit: fotojagodka / Getty Images The Selkirk rex is on the larger side, with solid build and substantial muscle and boning. The Selkirk’s unique curly coat gives it a crinkly “bed head” appearance, but the coat, which may be long or short, is surprisingly soft and luxurious feeling. The Selkirk is extremely laid-back, affectionate, and tolerant. These friendly cats get along great all people, including respectful children, and live peacefully with other pets. Breed Overview WEIGHT: Up to 16 poundsLENGTH: Up to 30 inches PERSONALITY: Laid-back, friendly, affectionate, medium-energyCOAT LENGTH: Short or long hairCOAT COLOR: Any genetically possible color or combination in solid, tabby, shaded, tortoiseshell, chinchilla, smoke, calico, bicolor, tricolor, pointed, mink, and sepiaEYE COLOR: Any colorLIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 15 years Explore more: Cats Cat Breeds