10 Lazy Cat Breeds (With Pictures)
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Some cats have an endless supply of energy and cannot sit still for a moment, and others prefer relaxing on the couch or curling up in their owner’s lap. Choosing a new cat for your home is easier when you know which type will fit best in your home.
If you’re fond of lazy cats, you’re in luck! We made a list of the laziest cat breeds, and we’re confident you’ll find a feline that will make an excellent lifelong friend.
Top 10 Lazy Cat Breeds
1. Maine Coon
- Weight: 7.9–18 pounds
- Height: 10–16 inches
- Lifespan: 9–15 years
The Maine Coon is a large, muscular animal, but its intimidating appearance contrasts its sweet nature. It has a thick double coat that protects it from frigid northeastern winters, but the cat is happiest when it can relax inside with its family. Although it’s a people-oriented cat, the Maine Coon is not a clingy animal. It gets along with other cats and dogs and loves lounging in the living room with humans, but it’s not entirely dependent on its owners.
While it loves cuddling, the Main Coon also enjoys alone time away from the family. If you have a pool or pond on your property, you may see your new pet play in the water or go for a swim. Maine Coons are water-loving felines that often interrupt their owners’ showers.
2. Russian Blue
- Weight: 7–15 pounds
- Height: 9–11 inches
- Lifespan: 15–20 years
As a naturally occurring species, the Russian blue is a feline with an unknown origin. However, the cats became loyal companions of Russian sailors in the 19th century, and the breed eventually made its way to England and other European countries. The Russian blue has piercing emerald eyes, a double-layered gray coat, and a handsome wedge-shaped head.
Although they love exploring their environment, Russian blues are happy to live indoors with families or single pet owners. They take time to warm up to people, but they’re calm and lovable when they feel comfortable in their surroundings. Their high intelligence sometimes gets them into trouble when they open doors or cabinets, but they’re easily distracted when you throw a ball of paper or a catnip mouse their way.
3. Ragdoll
- Weight: 10–20 pounds
- Height: 9–11 inches
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
If you’re looking for a trusting pet that follows you around the house like a canine and gladly curls up in your arms or lap, the ragdoll may be the breed for you. Ragdolls were developed in 1960 when a breeder crossed a domestic long-haired white cat with other feral cats in her neighborhood.
They’re muscular and can weigh up to 20 pounds, but they’re gentle and prefer staying at ground level, unlike most breeds. Ragdolls are perfect for families with children because they’re patient and calm around young humans. Like the Maine coon, the ragdoll is fascinated by water and will happily join you in the bathtub or backyard pool.
4. Ragamuffin
- Weight: 10–20 pounds
- Height: 10–15 inches
- Lifespan: 12–16 years
Although it’s considered a separate breed, the Ragamuffin shares many of the same traits as the Ragdoll. The cat has a soft, fluffy medium coat that’s a perfect fit for amateur cat owners because it’s tangle-free and only requires a quick weekly brushing. All Ragamuffins are born with white fur, and the colors and patterns eventually emerge as the cat becomes an adult.
Like Ragdolls, Ragamuffins have canine personalities and love following their favorite human around the house. They’re one of the largest breeds, but they’re docile and tolerant of other pets and guests. When the lazy feline is not curled up in your lap, you can teach it tricks and train it to walk with a harness. Ragamuffins take up to 4 years to reach maturity, so you’ll see plenty of kitten-like behavior.
5. Exotic Shorthair
- Weight: 10–15 pounds
- Height: 10–12 inches
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Exotic Shorthairs typically weigh around 15 pounds, but their large bones and round features make them appear chubby. They were developed in the 1950s when American Shorthair breeders crossed their cats with Persians. The Exotic shares the same temperament as its Persian ancestors but has a short-haired coat instead of a long-haired one.
The cat gets along with young children and other pets, but it loves adult humans. It can suffer from separation anxiety when the owners go to work if it does not have another animal to keep it company. Exotics adapt well to houses and apartments, and they enjoy curling up in laps and playing games with their owners.
6. British Shorthair
- Weight: 9–18 pounds
- Height: 12–14 inches
- Lifespan: 12–17 years
British Shorthairs are ancient cats with ties to the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers discovered the cats on Egyptian trade routes. They smuggled the felines back to Italy and eventually brought them to their colonized lands. In the late 19th century, the wild shorthairs were bred with Persians to create the British Shorthair that we know today.
Although the breed was close to extinction after World War II, it rebounded in the 1970s and remains one of England’s most popular breeds. The British Shorthair is a calm, loving cat, but it’s okay at home alone and enjoys playing by itself. They’re not lap cats, but they have a subdued nature and love lying on the couch. Because they’re sedentary and enjoy snacks, you have to be careful not to overfeed them.
7. Korat
- Weight: 6–10 pounds
- Height: 7.9–9.8 inches
- Lifespan: 9–15 years
The Korat is one of the purest ancient breeds, and it’s considered a national treasure by the Thai government. In ancient Siam, Korats were used to check for scorpions before mothers placed their babies in cribs. It has a silky gray single-layered coat, green eyes, and a compact, muscular frame. Korats are intelligent creatures that are skilled problem solvers and capable of opening cabinet and bedroom doors.
They dislike noisy environments and prefer spending quiet time with their families. They’re not clingy or overly affectionate, but they bond closely with their owners. Because they’re territorial, they do not get along with other pets. Korats can be trained to behave around children, but they’re not as patient with infants as other breeds.
8. Scottish Fold
- Weight: 6–13 pounds
- Height: 8–10 inches
- Lifespan: 11–15 years
The Scottish Fold has a well-documented lineage that began with an accomplished mouser with folded ears that was bred with a British Shorthair. Scottish Folds display several coat colors and patterns, but what makes them unique are their brilliant round eyes and tiny folded ears. The cat’s coat color determines the eye color, and some folds even have eyes with separate colors. Scottish Folds are lovable and fond of laying around or playing with their pet parents.
However, they do not behave well when alone, and some cat owners adopt another Scottish Fold to keep their pets entertained. The cats are famous for standing on their hind legs and sitting like humans in chairs.
9. American Shorthair
- Weight: 8–12 pounds
- Height: 8–10 inches
- Lifespan: 15–20 years
The American Shorthair has a long history of accompanying European settlers on trips to colonize the New World, and they later helped American gold miners control rodents during the gold rush. The cats have over 80 coat colors and patterns, but their eyes are green or golden.
They have short coats that are simple to groom, and their thick fur shields them from cold weather. They’re skilled hunters, but they happily spend time indoors with their pet parents. Although they’re lovable, they’re independent and typically do not enjoy sleeping on their owners’ laps. However, the cats are gentle around young children and enjoy playing games.
10. Persian
- Weight: 7–12 pounds
- Height: 10–15 inches
- Lifespan: 12–17 years
With its long, fluffy coat and flattened face, the Persian is a unique feline with a lovable personality. Persians are not as active as the other lazy cats on our list, and they tend to tire quickly. Their limited athletic ability is related to their small, flattened noses; they cannot breathe as easily as other breeds. Persians are the ultimate couch potatoes, and they would rather sit around the house than play strenuous games.
Their stubby legs are not designed for climbing, and they prefer spending most of the day on the floor or couch. Compared to other cats, they require significant grooming to prevent matting and tangled fur. If you’re looking for a quiet, calm feline that isn’t clingy, the Persian may be the ideal pet.
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Conclusion
High-energy felines make exciting pets, but they require owners to devote more time to exercise breaks and play sessions. Although the cats from our list love humans and enjoy playing games, they’re also fond of relaxing most of the day indoors. Whether you adopt a Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, or another cat, we’re confident you’ll find a feline friend who can join you for laid-back sessions in front of the television for many years.
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Featured Image Credit: Lizavetta, Shutterstock
