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Many pet owners want a lap cat who will snuggle in their arms and follow them around the house. But you might also enjoy a more independent cat—one who doesn’t need as much interaction as dogs do. Although most cats are less needy than dogs, some cat breeds are more independent than others. If you’re looking for
Characteristics of Independent Cat Breeds
Highly active cat breeds, including hybrid cats that have more wild blood, tend to be more focused on exercise, exploring, and hunting, which can make them more independent and need less cuddling and socializing with their human family members.
Breeds that developed naturally, such as the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Siberian, are also less focused on human interaction and more content with their own company when alone.
Benefits of Having an Independent Cat
Many animal lovers are drawn to cats as pets because they are lower maintenance than dogs in both their care and the amount of attention they need. If this is the case for you, an independent cat breed is a great choice. Such cats are happy to interact when you are home, but equally content to spend time alone when you’re away.
If you work long hours or are gone a lot on the weekends, owning an independent cat can alleviate any guilt you might feel about leaving them home alone because you know they are content at home while you’re away.
13 Independent Cat Breeds
If you’re ready to start your search for an independent cat, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s meet the most independent cat breeds.
#1 Abyssinian
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An ancient breed that retains its instincts as a solitary hunter, the Abyssinian is affectionate and enjoys spending time with their humans, but their independent streak keeps them from being clingy. Highly active, Abyssinans love to climb, run, and play, and their intelligence and curiosity lead them to explore their home, checking everything out and investigating new things. The Abyssinian’s short, ticked coat is easy to care for with weekly brushing.
#2 American Shorthair
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The American Shorthair is an adaptable breed that isn’t usually shaken by changes in routine. This self-resilience means the American Shorthair is content to do whatever the situation calls for—whether hanging out alone or spending time with their favorite people. American Shorthairs also have a strong hunting instinct, which often translates to play or exploration in an indoor environment. This short-haired breed is easy to groom with just weekly brushing.
#3 Bengal
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Much of the Bengal cat’s independence is inherited from their wild ancestor the Asian leopard cat. Thanks to their hybrid background, Bengals have great hunting instincts and are very energetic. This leads them to play, climb, and explore much of the time. Although they are thrilled when you’re home, Bengals are content to entertain themselves while you’re away as long as you provide enough toys, scratchers, and climbing items. Bengals can have short hair or long hair, but both types are easy to groom.
#4 British Shorthair
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The British Shorthair is a rather mellow cat, happy to snooze the day away while you’re at work. Even when awake, British Shorthairs are content to hang out by themselves when alone, and will gladly warm your lap when you come home for the day. They are affectionate but never demanding, making them a great choice for people who prefer an independent cat. The British Shorthair’s plush, short coat needs only weekly brushing.
#5 Chartreux
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The Chartreux is a French breed that has been in existence for hundreds of years. The breed’s relaxed, peaceful, and independent temperament might be a holdover from the time when these cats lived with monks in monasteries. They were invaluable rodent hunters, an instinct they retain today.
Chartreux are affectionate with their people and can form strong bonds with them, but they are also happy to hang out alone, playing with toys or watching birds outside the window. The Chartreux’s unique short coat with a texture similar to wool always comes in blue (gray).
#6 Egyptian Mau
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The Egyptian Mau developed naturally centuries ago—the breed dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian Maus are active and curious, with strong hunting instincts, so they can usually find plenty of ways to amuse themselves when on their own. They do enjoy human companionship, but they are not overly dependent or clingy. The Egyptian Mau has a short, sleek coat. Weekly brushing is all they need to look their best.
#7 Maine Coon
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Often called the Gentle Giant due to its mellow, laid-back personality, the Maine Coon is one of the chillest cats around. “Go with the flow” is the Maine Coon’s mantra. You’re home? Great! A Maine Coon will follow you around like a quiet dog. You’re away? No problem! A Maine Coon will entertain themselves just fine.
Whether they’re hunting down a pesky mouse or snoozing the day away, Maine Coons are the epitome of independence. Their long, shaggy coat needs some upkeep—brush it three times a week to keep mats at bay.
#8 Norwegian Forest Cat
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As you might guess by its name, the Norwegian Forest Cat developed naturally in the forests of Scandinavia. The breed is healthy and hardy, with an irresistibly calm and undemanding temperament. Norwegian Forest Cats are adaptable and balance their desire for human interaction and affection with an independent nature.
When you are around, you can bet they will be right there with you, but they are OK left alone for periods of time. The long, thick coat needs brushing three times a week—daily during seasonal shedding.
#9 Ocicat
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The Ocicat’s development included two independent cat breeds—the Abyssinian and the American Shorthair—so it’s not surprising to learn that the Ocicat also has independent tendencies. Although it’s meant to look exotic, the Ocicat has no wild blood. Although they enjoy attention, Ocicats are not clingy.
They do appreciate interactive play sessions when you’re around. Curious, energetic, and highly intelligent, Ocicats are capable of entertaining themselves when left to their own devices. The short, smooth, spotted coat needs only weekly brushing.
#10 Russian Blue
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The calm, quiet, and somewhat reserved Russian Blue enjoys being part of the family. This breed is not clingy or overly demanding of attention though. These self-sufficient cats enjoy perching up high to observe the goings on of the household or to birdwatch out the window. They are playful but not high-energy, preferring to chill out in between play sessions. The short, smooth coat, which is always blue (silver-gray), is easy to groom with weekly brushing.
#11 Savannah
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The intelligent, curious Savannah cat has so much energy to expend that they rarely find the time to be lonely. These hybrid cats have wild blood from the African serval, and this lends them the heightened instincts of the solitary hunter. Although Savannahs form close bonds with their human family, they are also happy to do their own thing. They need a lot of environmental enrichment that allows them to climb, scratch, play, and explore. The short coat is easy-care.
#12 Scottish Fold
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The Scottish Fold is affectionate and friendly, but not demanding of your attention. In fact, these cats are quite laid-back and self-sufficient, equally happy to entertain themselves or play with their human family. Adaptable and moderately active, the Scottish Fold is a balanced companion that will quietly offer love when you’re close by. They can have short or long coats, but both types are easy to maintain with weekly or twice-weekly brushing.
#13 Siberian
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The Siberian cat comes from Russia, where it developed naturally without human intervention. This led to generations of cats who could take care of themselves in a harsh environment. Nothing seems to faze Siberian cats, including a little alone time. But they are also thrilled to spend time with their favorite people.
Siberians are moderately active and have excellent hunting skills. The unique, thick triple coat needs frequent brushing and combing to prevent mats.
Choosing the Right Cat for Your Lifestyle
Independent cat breeds come in all colors, sizes, and coat types. When choosing a cat, consider how much time you want to invest in grooming your cat and how much shedding you want to deal with. Something else to think about is the cat’s activity level.
Some independent cat breeds are extremely active. Active cats need more enrichment opportunities in the home, and you’ll need to spend more time playing with an active cat.
Tips for Caring for an Independent Cat
Just because your cat is independent doesn’t mean they don’t have needs. All indoor cats need environmental enrichment in the form of cat trees and towers to climb, shelves to perch on, scratchers to sharpen their nails, and lots of toys to play with. It’s best to feed cats on a schedule; if you’re away long hours, an automatic cat feeder can help.
Most important, spend lots of quality time with your cat when you are home. Even independent cats benefit from close relationships with their human family members.
