Have you researched cat breeds and considered bringing home your dream kitten? Maybe you’ve started researching the genetic health conditions that can affect some breeds and would rather focus your search on healthy breeds with a long life expectancy.
If that’s the case, you’re in luck! We’ve hunted down 26 of the healthiest felines. Of course, any cat can develop an illness, but by choosing a breed that’s well known for their robust health, you can at least try to minimize the chances of your cat developing a genetic illness.
Another great tip when looking for a kitten is to ensure you only buy from a reputable breeder with a proven track record. They will be happy to speak openly and honestly about which health conditions can affect the breed they focus on. Experienced breeders are concerned with maintaining genetic diversity when selecting their breeding pairs, which means the kittens will be healthier.
The 26 Healthiest Cat Breeds
1. American Shorthair
The gentle American Shorthair is well-known for being an extremely healthy breed. They can live for 15 years or more, and their sweet personalities and kind natures make them a hit with all family members, both young and old.
2. Ragamuffin
These gorgeous cats have a medium-length coat and striking eyes. The adorable personality of the Ragamuffin has earned them a legion of loyal fans. They love to spend time with their families and tolerate being picked up by kids. They can live upward of 15 years.
3. Balinese
The beautiful Balinese combines a stunning soft coat with large ears, blue eyes, and the same color-pointed pattern as a Siamese cat. They form strong bonds and will faithfully follow their humans around. The average life span for a Balinese is an impressive 18–22 years.
- Also Read: 10 Cat Breeds with Blue Eyes (With Pictures)
4. Savannah Cat
The striking Savannah Cat is a hybrid of a domestic cat and a wild African Serval. They can live up to 20 years. While Savannah Cats love to spend time with their owners, it has to be on their terms! The Savannah can suffer from a heart condition, but they are still considered a healthy breed overall.
5. Russian Blue
The eye-catching Russian Blue has a life expectancy of around 15–20 years, but some have been known to live up to an impressive 25 years. This cuddly cat is also incredibly clever and benefits from plenty of interaction and play sessions with their owners.
6. Egyptian Mau
The stunning mottled coat of the Egyptian Mau is reason enough to fall in love with this breed, but they have more to offer! They are active and playful and don’t hesitate to seek attention from their humans. Their life expectancy is 13–16 years.
7. Maine Coon
The instantly recognizable Maine Coon is a chunky and robustly healthy cat designed to survive the harsh winters of New England. They can live for 10–15 years, but you do need to be careful when selecting a breeder since Maine Coons can suffer from genetic health conditions.
8. Manx Cat
Manx Cats are almost always tailless but have longer hind legs than most breeds. They’re usually prolific and successful hunters and are extremely active. They don’t enjoy life as an indoor cat and can live for 9–13 years.
9. Siamese
A Siamese cat holds the world record as the oldest cat, living for an amazing 30 years! The standard life expectancy, however, is 10–13 years. This is another breed where selecting a reputable breeder is essential, as they can suffer from genetic conditions like progressive retinal atrophy.
10. Singapura
The beautiful little Singapura cat is the world’s smallest breed and perhaps one of the friendliest! They generally live 11–15 years and are usually healthy. They’re also playful and curious, so you’ll need plenty of spare time to indulge them.
11. American Wirehair
The American Wirehair is known for their distinctively wiry coat, and they usually live 7–12 years. These calm cats are more tolerant of change than many other breeds and make wonderful family pets, thanks to their kind personalities.
12. Chausie
The eye-catching Chausie is a hybrid that came about by crossing Abyssinian cats with the wild Jungle Cats of Asia. They can live for up to 15 years and are a generally healthy breed. They love plenty of attention, so they are better suited to families where they have company most of the day.
13. Bombay Cat
The stunning Bombay Cat might look like a fierce black panther, but there’s nothing they enjoy more than cuddles. They can live up to 20 years, but you need to select a reputable breeder, as some Bombays can have short muzzles that create breathing difficulties.
14. Siberian
The Siberian Cat is a natural breed with Russian roots. These large cats can behave more like dogs and enjoy plenty of play sessions, which makes them an excellent choice as family cats. This healthy breed can live 10–18 years.
15. European Shorthair
The clever European Shorthair is affectionate with members of their families, but you shouldn’t expect them to show the same level of affection with strangers! These laidback cats make lovely family pets and are an excellent choice for first-time cat owners. They live for around 15–20 years.
16. Korat
The stunning Korat is known for its piercing green eyes and distinctive blue coats with a hint of silver sheen. Korats are a rare breed with a loving yet quiet nature. They prefer quieter homes because they can be startled by loud noises. Their life expectancy is in the 15–20-year range.
17. Chartreux
The Chartreux is an ancient French breed known for their hunting prowess. These large cats are quiet but can still communicate what they want from their owners without meowing. They usually live 12–15 years.
18. Bengal
The Bengal is a hybrid created by crossing a domestic cat with the Asian Leopard cat. They have loyal and loving personalities with high energy levels. The Bengal loves to play and can easily be trained. Their life expectancy is around 12–16 years.
19. Thai Cat
In Thailand, this breed is called “Wichien-Maat,” which can be translated as “moon diamond.” You might also see them called the Traditional Siamese. These affectionate cats are talkative and demand your attention! They usually live 12–16 years.
20. Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is a smart and playful breed with plenty of energy. Known for their robust health, Japanese Bobtails usually live around 15–18 years. It’s thought that they are the oldest natural breed of cat, having been recorded in written history for over 1,000 years.
- Does your poor kitty have allergies? Try: 5 Best Antihistamines for Cat Allergies
21. LaPerm
The LaPerm has an unusual coat with a soft and curly texture. They are affectionate and loyal cats that love spending time with their families. They can adapt well to living in multi-pet households and live 15–20 years.
22. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair has a life expectancy of 14–20 years and is considered a healthy and low-maintenance breed. However, it is important not to feed them too much since they can easily become overweight.
23. Havana Brown
The Havana Brown came about in the 1950s by crossing domestic black cats with Siamese. These distinctive cats combine the look of a Siamese with a rich chocolate-colored coat. They are graceful and affectionate cats with a lifespan of 10–15 years.
24. Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a large breed that can live between 12 and 15 years. These playful and clever cats can be taught various tricks, including how to fetch and give their paw. Unusually, the Turkish Van also loves water and will swim if given the chance!
25. Nebelung
The stunning Nebelung is considered rare and is related to the shorter-haired Russian Blue that has the same distinctive coat color. These gentle cats are sweet-natured yet lively and have a life expectancy of 11–18 years.
26. A mixed-breed rescue cat
Last but not least, the humble mixed breed! Mixed breeds, or “moggy” cats, are often healthier than their purebred counterparts, thanks in part to their increased genetic diversity. So, if no other breeds catch your eye, consider a mixed-breed cat from a rescue center!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed learning about the cat breeds we discussed today. Although they’re healthy cats, they require a balanced diet, daily exercise, a clean environment, veterinary checkups, and loving pet parents.
Also, even if you have a healthy cat breed, we recommend that you get pet insurance to deal with unforeseen accidents or diseases.
See also:
- 12 Best Cat Breeds for First-Time Cat Owners (With Pictures)
- 11 Most Affordable Cat Breeds (with Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 26 Healthiest Cat Breeds
- 1. American Shorthair
- 2. Ragamuffin
- 3. Balinese
- 4. Savannah Cat
- 5. Russian Blue
- 6. Egyptian Mau
- 7. Maine Coon
- 8. Manx Cat
- 9. Siamese
- 10. Singapura
- 11. American Wirehair
- 12. Chausie
- 13. Bombay Cat
- 14. Siberian
- 15. European Shorthair
- 16. Korat
- 17. Chartreux
- 18. Bengal
- 19. Thai Cat
- 20. Japanese Bobtail
- 21. LaPerm
- 22. British Shorthair
- 23. Havana Brown
- 24. Turkish Van
- 25. Nebelung
- 26. A mixed-breed rescue cat
- Conclusion
