Cats: Breeds, Care & Behavior Guide
Cats are one of the most popular pets in the United States: the American Pet Products Association's 2025 Dog & Cat Report counts 49 million US households with a cat. This guide gives you the essentials on breeds, indoor and outdoor life, daily care, behavior, health, and cost, and points you to our in-depth guide on each topic.
Bringing home a kitten? Start with our kitten care guide, which covers the first year.
Well-known cat breeds
The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) publishes a ranking of the most popular breeds based on registrations. Three of the four breeds below are in its 2026 top 10.
- Maine Coon — the largest pedigreed breed, sociable and long-haired, and good with children and other animals. No. 1 on the CFA's 2026 list.
- Ragdoll — relaxed and gentle; No. 2 on the CFA's 2026 list. The breed takes its name from a founding cat, Josephine, who was said to go limp when held; the CFA says this is not typical of most of today's Ragdolls.
- Siamese — vocal, affectionate, and people-oriented. It is not in the CFA's 2026 top 10, but it is a long-established breed, documented in Thai cat poems from the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767).
- British Shorthair — calm and low-maintenance, and well suited to apartment life. No. 7 on the CFA's 2026 list.
Indoor or outdoor?
Keeping a cat indoors avoids outdoor risks, but an indoor-only cat needs its environmental needs met. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) warns in its 2024 position statement that, without that, a cat may develop anxiety, stress-related illness, or behavior problems.
Controlled outdoor access — an outdoor enclosure, a cat-safe fence, or walks on a harness and leash — gives a cat a more stimulating environment while minimizing outdoor risks. The AAFP also advises allowing outdoor access only during the day and keeping cats indoors, or in an enclosure with indoor access, at night. Our indoor cat enrichment guide covers how to keep an indoor cat active and engaged.
Daily care
Feed a high-quality, age-appropriate diet and keep fresh water available. Most adult cats do well on one or two measured meals a day; several small meals or a puzzle feeder are also a good option. Our guide to choosing the best cat food explains labels, wet versus dry food, and portions.
Scoop the litter box daily and provide one box per cat, plus one extra. The cat litter guide covers litter types, boxes, and placement, and our cat supplies checklist lists everything else you need.
Understanding behavior
Scratching is normal and necessary, so provide scratching posts instead of discouraging it. Slow blinks are thought to be a friendly, positive signal, while a twitching tail can mean overstimulation. Respect a cat's space and let it approach you.
For scratching furniture, litter-box issues, and other common problems, see common cat behavior problems. For play ideas, see our guide to cat toys.
Health essentials
Schedule veterinary checkups at least once a year, and more often once your cat is a senior (over 10 years old): the AAFP recommends a checkup at least every six months for cats aged 10 to 15. Keep vaccinations current and discuss parasite prevention with your vet.
Changes in appetite, litter-box habits, or energy level often signal health problems early. If you notice these changes, or your cat refuses food for 24+ hours, contact your veterinarian right away. Our cat health checklist covers preventive care in more detail.
What a cat costs
Plan for ongoing costs, not just the first year. The ASPCA's 2021 estimate put a cat's first-year cost at $1,904, including one-time expenses, and each later year at $1,149. These are 2021 figures, not current prices, so treat them as a rough guide when you plan your budget.