You’ve got your loyal canine companion at home, and now you’re thinking about adding a feline friend to the mix. Smart move, honestly. The idea that cats and dogs are natural enemies is outdated folklore. With the right cat breed, you can create a peaceful multi-pet household where both species not only tolerate each other but genuinely bond.
Here’s the thing though. Not every cat is cut out for life with a dog. Some breeds are naturally skittish or territorial, which could spell trouble in a home with an energetic pup. The secret lies in choosing a cat with a calm, adaptable temperament that won’t be fazed by your dog’s enthusiasm. Let’s dive into the calmest cat breeds that could become your dog’s new best friend.
Ragdoll: The Gentle Giant That Goes Limp With Love
Ragdoll cats are the ultimate cuddle machines, known for their docile and relaxed nature, often going limp when picked up by their beloved family members. If you’re worried about how your dog might react to a new cat, the Ragdoll’s laid-back personality makes them an ideal choice. They adapt easily to their environment and get along with both children and adults, along with other dogs and cats.
Ragdolls are famous for going limp in your arms, and that same relaxed attitude helps them get along with dogs, as they’re affectionate but not overly territorial. Their size is substantial, which means they won’t be easily intimidated by larger dogs. However, they do best with more laid-back dogs, as higher-energy breeds can overwhelm them. These cats prefer gentle play sessions over chaotic wrestling matches, so keep that in mind if your dog is a hyperactive ball of energy.
Maine Coon: The Dog-Like Cat That Follows You Everywhere
The Maine Coon is often referred to as the “gentle giant” of the cat world, known for its friendly disposition and dog-like behavior, making them uniquely suited for cohabitation with dogs. These magnificent cats can weigh as much as some small dog breeds, giving them the confidence to stand their ground without aggression. They’re known to play ball and cuddle up to dogs they’ve been raised around, and they don’t have a strong territorial instinct.
The gentle giants of the cat world, Maine Coons are big, friendly, and adaptable, with their playful nature making them a great match for dogs who like a buddy to romp with. What makes them exceptional is their intelligence. Maine Coons are highly intelligent and trainable, with males reaching the size of a medium-sized dog. Don’t be surprised if your Maine Coon learns tricks alongside your pup or even joins you both on outdoor adventures.
Birman: The Silky Social Butterfly
Sweet and gentle, Birmans are known for their affectionate and easygoing nature, tending to adapt well to new companions and environments, making them a good fit for multi-pet homes. These gorgeous cats have deep blue eyes and luxurious coats that make them look high-maintenance, but their temperament is anything but demanding. The fluffy Birman has a posh appearance with a beautiful, silky coat and deep blue eyes, and combined with their gentle, charming personality, they make wonderful feline companions who love to chase, play tag, and even fetch a ball around with canine family members.
The Birman’s outgoing and playful attitude makes them a perfect choice of cat for a home with dogs, as they’re quiet but love to be involved with daily life, and their inquisitive nature means they might even enjoy the chance to go for a walk when you’re taking your dog. Let’s be real, how many cats do you know that actually want to participate in dog activities? Birmans are special that way.
British Shorthair: The Unbothered Aristocrat
With a dense coat and distinguishable appearance, the British shorthair is one of the most chill and easy-going cat breeds out there, and though they love their peace and quiet, British shorthairs make lovely, patient canine companions. These round-faced felines have a reputation for being calm and unflappable. These laidback cats take almost everything in their stride, so sharing their home with a dog won’t ruffle their fur in any way, and their confident nature means they’re more than capable of standing their ground with puppies or energetic dogs.
What I appreciate about British Shorthairs is their independence balanced with affection. While they enjoy attention and affection, they’re not demanding. This means they won’t compete with your dog for constant attention, reducing potential jealousy issues. They’re perfectly content observing household activities from a cozy perch while your dog runs around below.
American Shorthair: The Easy-Going All-Rounder
These adaptable cats are laidback, and while they do enjoy playing, they also love a good snooze, being sociable with both people and other animals alike, with most American Shorthairs getting along well with dogs. Their history as working cats on American farms means they’re accustomed to being around other animals. American Shorthairs have an easygoing, loving temperament, are very social and outgoing, and aren’t picky about playmates, gladly chasing or playing with toys with a dog, provided you socialize them well.
Easygoing and adaptable, American Shorthairs are often happy to share their space with other pets, and their calm personality makes them less likely to feel threatened by a dog’s energy. These cats come in various colors and patterns, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. They’re not overly needy but still enjoy companionship, making them perfect for households where your dog already gets most of the attention.
Siberian: The Adventurous Athlete
Siberians are athletic and adventurous, with a dog-like personality themselves, enjoying play and thriving in active households where a dog can become their partner in fun. If your dog is the type who loves hiking, playing fetch, and exploring, a Siberian cat might be the perfect match. Siberian cats are very intelligent and active, making them a great companion for people who also have large dogs, as they love to play and be around other pets.
The affectionate, curious, and cool Siberian cat loves giving and receiving attention, making them great pets for young children and known to adjust to and even welcome canine family members. These fluffy giants have thick coats that make them look like cuddly teddy bears, but don’t let that fool you. They’re agile jumpers and climbers who can easily hold their own with an energetic dog. I know it sounds crazy, but Siberians might actually enjoy roughhousing more than your average cat.
Tonkinese: The Social Chatterbox
The Tonkinese blends the Burmese and Siamese breeds to create a loving and outgoing cat with plenty to say, and these friendly cats crave attention from people or dogs, being outgoing and usually happy to meet strangers and make new friends, not enjoying being left home alone all day, so having a canine companion can be a good way to help them stay happy and occupied. This is the breed for you if you want a cat that’s genuinely interactive with your dog.
Tonkinese cats combine the best of Siamese and Burmese traits, being social, affectionate, and curious, loving interaction and being less likely to be spooked by a dog’s antics. Their vocal nature means your household might get a bit noisier, but that’s part of their charm. They’ll chat with you, your dog, and probably the mailman too. These cats genuinely enjoy companionship and won’t view your dog as competition but rather as another friend.
Burmese: The People-Pleasing Performer
According to the CFA, Burmese cats have such an irresistible appeal that they’ve long been known for winning over people who thought they didn’t like cats, being energetic and almost dog-like, known to enjoy games of fetch, being smart and confident, loving to be active family members, following you from room to room, cuddling up on your lap, and sleeping on your bed. These compact cats pack huge personalities into small bodies.
Affectionate and people-oriented, Burmese cats are social butterflies that thrive on companionship, and their gentle temperament makes them a good match for friendly, easygoing dogs. What sets Burmese cats apart is their genuine enjoyment of interactive play. They’ll happily play fetch with your dog, which can create adorable bonding moments. They also get along well with children and other cats and dogs. It’s hard to say for sure, but I think Burmese cats might secretly believe they are dogs.
Scottish Fold: The Adorable Companion
Scottish Folds are generally laid back and get along happily with other cats, dogs, and children, making adaptable, sweet, and loving companions who aren’t demanding in any sense and can adjust to new people or situations with ease. Their distinctive folded ears give them an owl-like appearance that’s absolutely endearing. Scottish Folds are quiet, loving cats with a clown-like personality who love children, aren’t terribly fond of being picked up, but you will seldom be without their company, as they patiently follow you throughout the house, and they might display quick bursts of running and playing, but in general, they’re very relaxed and laid back.
The Scottish Fold is likely to prefer having a companion as they don’t like being left at home alone for long periods of time, and while they’re occasionally playful, they usually like to perch on your lap or gently snuggle up next to you. This makes them perfect for dogs who also crave companionship. They’ll keep each other company when you’re away, reducing separation anxiety for both pets.
Conclusion
Finding the right cat to join your dog-loving household doesn’t have to be stressful. These nine breeds have proven time and again that they possess the calm temperaments, adaptability, and social skills needed to thrive alongside canine companions. Whether you choose the floppy Ragdoll, the majestic Maine Coon, or the chatty Tonkinese, remember that individual personality matters just as much as breed characteristics.
Proper introductions, patience, and supervision during the early days will set the stage for a beautiful friendship. Give both your pets separate spaces, respect their boundaries, and let them bond at their own pace. Before you know it, you might catch them napping together or playing chase through the living room. What would you have guessed? Sometimes the best friendships really do come from the most unexpected pairings.
