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We all want our cats to live long, healthy lives so we have as many years with them as possible. Mixed-breed cats tend to have the most genetic diversity and the fewest health problems. But when it comes to purebred cats, some breeds are healthier than others.
If you’re thinking about adopting a purebred cat but want one without a lot of health issues, consider bringing home one of the healthiest cat breeds.
Characteristics of Healthy Cat Breeds
The healthiest cat breeds tend to be long-lived and have few known genetically linked health issues—or none. Healthy cat breeds usually do not have any physical extremes, such as baldness, dwarfism, or brachycephalic (pushed-in) facial features. Many cat breeds that developed naturally without human involvement are often robust and healthy.
Such breeds had to fend for themselves and survive in challenging weather or terrain. Due to natural selection, these types of cats are usually hardy and healthy.
Some breeds have health issues that are linked to their unique physical build. For instance, Sphynx cats are usually healthy, but their bald skin can develop allergies, acne, and skin infections. Scottish Fold cats can be afflicted with osteochondrodysplasia, a genetic disease that affects the development of cartilage and bone (this is related to the gene that causes the Scottish Fold’s unique folded ears).
Finally, some breeds are known to have certain genetic issues in their background. These can be passed on from generation to generation if careful breeding practices are not followed. Persian cats and Himalayans are prone to kidney disease and progressive retinal atrophy, and their facial build makes them susceptible to breathing problems and tear duct issues.
12 Healthiest Cat Breeds
If you have your heart set on a purebred cat, there are many healthy cat breeds to choose from. Let’s meet the healthiest cat breeds.
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The Abyssinian is an ancient breed that developed in Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) with very little human intervention until the late 1880s. The Abyssinian was one of the original breeds exhibited at the first cats shows in London. Although Abyssinians have a few diseases lurking in their genes, careful breeding practices can limit these issues.
Abyssinians have long lifespans, living an average of 14 to 17+ years. With good care, many Abyssinians even reach their 20s.
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The American Bobtail evolved naturally in the United States, with the modern breed tracing its roots back to a bobtailed cat from Arizona named Yodi who was found in the 1960s. Feral bobtailed cats from all over the United States and Canada were used to firmly establish the breed. American Bobtail cats have few health issues and are long-lived, with an average lifespan of 12 to 15+ years.
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The American Shorthair is a hardy breed that developed in the United States when cats brought with settlers interbred freely with each other. American Shorthairs were valued as they were excellent mousers, keeping food and homes free from vermin. The American Shorthair has no known genetically linked health issues and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, though many live into their teens and even their 20s.
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The Balinese is like a semi-longhaired version of the Siamese cat. The breed was developed in the United States in the 1950s. Although some Balinese can develop amyloidosis (a disease that affects the kidneys), it’s thankfully quite rare.
Balinese can also be sensitive to anesthesia, so discuss this with your veterinarian before any surgical procedures. Balinese are incredibly long-lived, with many cats reaching their 20s.
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With its dense, slightly wooly, blue-gray coat and vivid gold to copper eyes, the Chartreux is a beauty in the cat world. The Chartreux comes from France, where it lived in monasteries for centuries, providing valuable rodent-hunting services. The Chartreux has no known genetic health concerns and usually live 12 to 15 years, with some reaching their late teens.
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The British Shorthair was once a street cat, but they soon found homes with humans who appreciated their fantastic mousing skills. The British Shorthair evolved naturally for the most part, outside of crosses with Persian cats in the early 1900s, which provided the gene for longhair and led to development of the British Longhair.
The British Shorthair has few health concerns other than hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common heart disease in all cats. They enjoy a long lifespan of 12 to 20 years.
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The Egyptian Mau is one of the oldest cat breeds, tracing its roots back to ancient Egypt. The breed, which is the only naturally spotted domestic cat breed, developed on its own, making the Egyptian Mau healthy and hardy. They are susceptible to a few genetic conditions, but conscientious breeders do their best to keep them out of bloodlines. The Egyptian Mau lives 12 to 15 years on average.
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The Norwegian Forest Cat evolved naturally in the forests of Scandinavia, where it developed into a strong, healthy, hardy breed. They have a long, thick double coat that insulates them in cold winters and helps them cool off in summer. Norwegian Forest Cat are considered healthy in general, though they do have a few known health issues.
Genetic tests are available for pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency and glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD-IV) so breeders can avoid passing these issues on. Norwegian Forest Cats live 13+ years.
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Ragdolls are a man-made breed. They trace their roots back to California and a longhaired white cat named Josephine. Ragdolls are so named because they love to be held and will relax into your arms, going limp like a ragdoll. Ragdolls are extremely healthy, but like many cats, they are prone to a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Luckily, there is now a DNA test for HCM in Ragdolls, which responsible breeders utilize. Ragdolls usually live into their mid to upper teens.
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As the name suggests, the Russian Blue comes from Russia, where they are also known as Archangel cats, named after the Russian port of Arkhangelsk. The breed is an old one—they were one of the breeds exhibited at the very first cat shows in England in the 1800s.
The Russian Blue doesn’t have any specific genetic health conditions and has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but with proper care many Russian Blues live well into their teens and 20s, with some even reaching 25 years!
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The Siamese is an ancient breed that developed naturally in Thailand (originally called Siam). The Siamese is one of the cat breeds mentioned in the Cat Book Poems, a Thai manuscript that dates to the 12th century. Some Siamese cats can develop amyloidosis (a disease that affects the kidneys), but it’s relatively rare in the breed.
Siamese can also be sensitive to anesthesia, so discuss this with your vet before your Siamese undergoes surgery. It’s quite common for Siamese to live long, healthy lives, with many reaching their 20s.
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The Siberian cat developed naturally without human intervention in Russia where cats need to be strong and healthy to survive. These fluffy cats developed a unique triple coat to protect them in cold winters. Outside of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common heart disease in cats), Siberian cats have no known health issues. They are long-lived, with an average lifespan of 12 to 18+ years.
