Cats are territorial but they do not require a lot of space compared to dogs. If you are still choosing for a feline companion, we have come up with a list of Best 6 cat breeds for small apartments.
Even if you live in a small apartment, your kitty friend can still thrive there. If you provide your cat the needed environment enrichment such as toys, a cat tree, playtime, and most importantly – your attention, your cat will have a happy life. Depending on your cat’s energy levels and age, it can still work if you provide enough exercise for your cat.
What is The Best Cat For a Small Apartment?
Is the size of the cat is more important or their breeds’ personality traits? In both cases here are some good breeds that are most suitable for smaller spaces:
- American shorthair
- Devon Rex
- Exotic shorthair
- Manx
- Munchkin
- Singapura
1. The American Shorthair as a small apartment cat
Size: Medium to large; males typically 11-15 lbs (5-7 kg), females 6-12 lbs (2.75-5.5 kg).
Personality: Friendly, easygoing, and adaptable. They are good with children and other pets, making them great family cats.
Suitable for small apartments? Sure, American Shorthairs are well-suited for apartment living. They are moderately active, enjoy interactive play, and can be content with a variety of toys and scratching posts.
American shorthairs are a friendly cat breed that requires low maintenance due to their short fur coat. They are social but are able to entertain themselves given there are toys available. They used to be the ideal farm cats as they are great hunters. They became a pedigreed domestic cat in the early 20th century when a selective breeding programme aimed to preserve their best traits.
The American shorthairs are a medium to large-sized breed which is good for small apartments. The males typically weigh 11-15 lbs (5-7 kg) and the females are usually between 6-12 lbs (2.75-5.5 kg). Their head is round with more length than width, with large eyes, and ears are medium with slightly rounded ear tips. Their overall physique is well-muscled. Their coat color can be almost anything, almost all coat colors are accepted for cat shows.
Overall the American shorthair is a good companion, they are friendly, love to play but can do well on their own as well. They could be a good fit for owners who are out for many hours of the day. Some breeds bond differently and can get lonelier than others. The American shorthair enjoys your company but does not require attention every hour of the day.
2. Devon Rex cat breed for small apartments
Size: Small to medium; typically 6-9 lbs (2.75-4 kg).
Personality: Playful, energetic, and affectionate. Devon Rex cats are highly social, love attention, and enjoy being involved in everything their owners do.
Suitable for small apartments? Devon Rex cats are great for apartment living. Their small size, activity level, and love of climbing and exploring make them well-suited for smaller spaces. They love interactive play and companionship.
This dramatic looking cat has an active personality in a miniature size. As long as you provide enough space a Devon rex cat should be content with their surroundings. Its coat is short and wavy but has a silky feel to it, requiring low maintenance when it comes to brushing. Devon Rex cats are a small to medium size type of cat, weighing typically around 6-9 lbs (2.75-4 kg).
The Devon rex cat’s appearance is quite striking, almost elvish, they have a triangular shape of the head, wide-set eyes and large rounded ears. The fur is very short and has the ripples/waves where it is long enough. The whiskers are crinkly as well.
Overall Devon Rex cats are said to have a dog personality in a cat. They are very smart, active and can be trained. These cats tend to wag their tail when they are happy. They really like to know what you are doing at all times, they could jump on your shoulder and be somewhat clingy to their human. They are perfect for those working from home as they love human company.
3. Exotic shorthair cat in small apartments
Size: Medium to large; typically 10-15 lbs (4.5-7 kg).
Personality: Gentle, affectionate, and easygoing. Exotic Shorthairs are known for being quiet and loving, enjoying cuddles and attention.
Suitable for small apartments? Yes, Exotic Shorthairs would be okay in a smaller apartment. They have a calm demeanor and do not require a lot of space to be happy, making them great companions for smaller living environments.
The Exotic shorthair is pretty much a short-haired Persian cat. These cats are very cuddly, not very active and prefer to sleep on anything soft, for example your lap. These cats are perfect for small apartments. The Exotic shorthair became recognised due to breeders crossing Persian cats with the American Shorthair cats and other breeds for genetic diversity of the already established breeds.
The appearance of an exotic shorthair involves a flat round head and close-set eyes and a very flat upturned nose. Due to close proximity of the nose and the eyes, this breed unfortunately has many health risks. They are susceptible to breathing problems and kidney stones just to name a few. The fur of the Exotic shorthair is low maintenance due to its length, they do not require intensive brushing unlike the Persians.
Otherwise, when it comes to personality the Exotic shorthairs are very calm and laid-back. They are not high jumpers and can thrive in a smaller apartment because they do not require a lot of space. They enjoy human company and are a perfect lap cat.
4. The Manx cat breed for small apartments
Size: Medium; typically 8-12 lbs (3.5-5.5 kg).
Personality: Playful, intelligent, and affectionate. Manx cats are loyal, enjoy human interaction, and are known for their friendly and social nature.
Suitable for small apartments? Yes, Manx cats will be fine in a smaller apartment. They are adaptable, enjoy moderate activity, and form strong bonds with their owners, making them great companions in smaller spaces.
The Manx is a rather old cat breed originating since the 1800s from the Isle of Man. They are famous for their tailless appearance that is due to a random mutation of their spine that occurred and spread on the Isle of Man. The Manx are compact and muscular cats. They were kept on ships as they were very good hunters.
Manx cats have a rounded head and large eyes. The most popular coat color of the Manx is a tabby, though many coat colors are accepted. Usually Manx cats have a shorthair coat that is low maintenance compared to the longer hair breeds. But there is also a long-hair variant, the Cymric (Manx Longhair).
The Manx cats have a dog-like personality, they are intelligent, active and playful. They can seem rabbit-like when they jump or hop around. Manx cats can be trained and generally their personality makes them get along well with children and other pets. Despite being active they also appreciate a quiet and calm environment. So they are a good fit even for a smaller apartment.
5. Munchkin cat breed for small apartments
Size: Small to medium; typically 5-9 lbs (2.5-4 kg).
Personality: Playful, outgoing, and sociable. They enjoy interacting with people and other pets.
Suitable for small apartments? Yes, Munchkins are well-suited for apartment living. Their small size and playful nature make them adaptable to smaller spaces, and they are content with moderate exercise and companionship.
The Munchkins are a uniquely shaped kitty friend. Famous for their short appearance, these cats have a form of dwarfism due to a genetic mutation and because of that they do not grow very big. It is a relatively new breed, officially recognized only in the 1990s. The munchkin status as a breed is controversial as many cat organizations refuse to accept it because it is bred from a genetic mutation. Many countries prohibit breeding munchkins.
The Munchkin cat personality is playful and affectionate. They cannot jump as high as normal cats, which means a lot of your furniture will be unexplored. This could make them suitable for smaller apartments because they cannot reach higher places. They have all sorts of fur coat variations and fur lengths. Short-haired munchkins require minimal grooming, while the long-haired versions need regular brushing.
Overall the munchkin cat can be a great fit for a smaller apartment due to their own small size. These cats do love playing and being active so it is important to give them the attention they need. If you are considering getting a Munchkin cat, it is best to familiarize with their genetics and possible health risks.
6. Singapura: tiny cat for small apartments
Size: Small; typically 4-8 lbs (1.8-3.6 kg).
Personality: Playful, curious, and affectionate. Singapura cats are energetic, enjoy attention, and have a friendly, outgoing nature.
Suitable for small apartments? Singapura cats are great for apartment living. Their small size, playful yet manageable energy levels, and love for human interaction make them well-suited for smaller spaces.
Famous as the smallest domestic cat breed in the world, the Singapura cats are truly tiny. They have a complicated origin, thought to have originated from Abyssinian and Burmese cross-breeds. Today these cats have a notable ticked coloration and are usually compact in size and weight. An adult Singapura female cat usually weighs 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb) while the male usually weighs about 2.7 kilograms (6.0 lb).
The personality of a Singapura cat is friendly, active and they are described to also have quiet meows. They are quite strong and agile, they really enjoy climbing and exploring so a cat tree would make them happy even in a smaller apartment. It’s said that they make friends with new humans easier than other cat breeds. You can even teach Singapura cats some tricks.
Overall Singapuras are great for smaller apartments due to their own tiny size, given they are provided with playtime and high places to explore. These are the 6 cats that we recommend considering if you have a small apartment.
7. A shelter cat for small apartments
As a little bonus let’s talk about the shelter kitties. They are usually domestic cats, and weigh between 4 – 5 kg.
Size: Medium, typically 4-5kgs.
Personality: It can vary. If you visit domestic cats in a shelter you might find many playful kitties. They can be curious, and affectionate.
Suitable for small apartments? You can ask! Usually at the shelter there are adult cats and the shelter workers can tell how well a cat is suited for an apartment. In any case a small apartment would still be much more than where they live.
Domestic cats come in all shapes and sizes, and the same goes for their personalities. If you are considering adopting a cat from a shelter, you could get to know you cat a little via play, and ask the shelter workers for more information about your future furry companion. Even if you live in a smaller square meter space apartment, it would be an immeasurable change for any shelter cats that often live in tiny cages. It would definitely make a great difference.
Do cats do OK in small apartments?
Yes, cats can do well even in small apartments. As long as their physical and mental activity needs are met, they can thrive in smaller spaces. Make sure to play with your cat every day. Tall cat trees are great for smaller cats in small spaces, because they enable your kitties to explore vertically and spend some of their energy.
Do apartment cats get bored?
Apartment cats can get bored if they don’t have enough stimulation. It is good to provide interactive toys for your cat, puzzle feeders and a possibility for climbing and scratching. Even when living in a smaller apartment we can give our cat a good life.
Is my flat too small for a cat?
Most apartments are not too small to have a cat, so an apartment of minimum 20 square meters should be enough to have 1 cat. It is not recommended to keep multiple large pets in 1 small apartment as they can get stressed if there is nowhere to retreat into.
Is my cat unhappy in my apartment?
You can tell that your cat is unhappy if they show signs of excessive meowing, destructive behavior or withdrawing/hiding from you. If you notice these signs you can take several steps to make your cat more comfortable. Check if they have enough stimulation: toys, scratchers, snacks. But also make sure they have their own corner, their own little space within your home where they can hide and sleep comfortably. You can also consider trying a cat pheromone diffuser that has a calming effect on cats, such as Feliway.
How many cats can you have in a small apartment?
For a single cat it is recommended to have at least 20 sq. meters of space. For 2 cats – at least 27sq.m. of total apartment space. If you are considering to build an outdoor enclosure for cats, then 3-6 sq. meters should be enough. In a cat shelter, 4 square meters should be the minimum per cat.
Cats unsuited to small apartment living
Certain cat breeds may be less suitable to live in a small apartment than others. Particularly if you are considering very active cats such as the Savannah cat, Bengal, Abyssinian/Somali cat, and Siamese (because Siamese are vocal). Maine coons can weigh twice the size of an average cat and are higher maintenance so they are less suitable for small apartments. Of course you can get creative in how you organize your space (with cat shelves or cat trees) but generally these breeds would not be suitable for smaller apartments.
All of the mentioned cat breeds can be a great fit for your smaller apartment, but the choice is not limited to the ones mentioned here. If you decide to adopt a cat from a shelter where they often live in small cages, your 1-room studio will be a luxury final home to your new friend, compared to where they came from. Don’t let the recommended list stop you from letting your perfect cat choose you.
