14 Most Talkative Cat Breeds: Vocal & Chatty (With Info & Pictures)
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When it comes to the most vocal cat breeds, most cat lovers know that the Siamese tops the list. They’re an adorable blend of attention-seeking and devoted, with a love for all sorts of gossip.
Siamese cats aren’t the only talkative felines out there, though. Many of the breeds descended from them, like the Burmese, and even a few who aren’t related at all are just as chatty.
Talkative cats might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you enjoy relaxing in peace. But for those of you who can’t stand a quiet home, here are 14 talkative kitties that would be happy to talk your ear off.
The 14 Most Talkative Cat Breeds:
1. American Bobtail
Lifespan: | 11 – 15 years |
Weight: | 8 – 13 pounds |
Temperament: | Adaptable, devoted, friendly, loving, intelligent |
Although they’re not one of the biggest chatterboxes on this list, the American Bobtail still likes to vocalize their thoughts. They’ll purr, meow, chirp, and even trill as they follow their favorite two-legged companions around the house.
The American Bobtail is a beloved companion for truckers and RVers due to their adaptability to all sorts of situations. Provided that they’re with their family members, they’re happy to tag along on your travels, join you on leashed walks, or spend the day playing fetch at home.
Many cat owners adore them because their intelligence, loyalty, and loving natures give them a dog-like personality on a smaller, more manageable scale.
2. Balinese
Lifespan: | 9 – 15 years |
Weight: | 5 – 10 pounds |
Temperament: | Friendly, devoted, intelligent, athletic |
Originally known as longhaired Siamese, the Balinese started as an undesirable result of breeding Siamese cats. It wasn’t until the 1940s and ‘50s, when American breeders fell in love with the longhaired kittens, that the breed began to be developed properly.
Due to their close ties with the Siamese, the Balinese are among the most vocal cats around. They share many of the same personality and appearance traits, from their coat color to their chatty, follow-you-everywhere natures. Balinese cats are also notorious for their intelligence, and they’ll even supervise your household chores.
If you’re not fond of the loudness of the Siamese but don’t mind a chatty cat, the Balinese are talkative but not quite as noisy.
3. Bengal
Lifespan: | 10 – 16 years |
Weight: | 8 – 17 pounds |
Temperament: | Active, intelligent, confident |
Despite their wildcat appearance and temperament, the Bengal is an affectionate breed that loves to run and play as much as they adore curling up with you for a nap. Intelligent and athletic, the Bengal can be a challenge to keep entertained, but their friendliness and willingness to play make them a well-loved member of the family.
Their fearlessness also gives them plenty of confidence. They’ll chat your ear off, play in their water bowl, or even hop into the bathtub with you. While their intelligence makes them easy to teach tricks to, they’re easily bored and can develop interesting habits, like turning lights on and off.
4. Burmese
Lifespan: | 10 – 16 years |
Weight: | 8 – 12 pounds |
Temperament: | Energetic, friendly, people-oriented, intelligent, curious |
Another descendant of the Siamese, the Burmese cat is unsurprisingly talkative. Although their voices are softer than the Siamese, they’re still just as happy to tell you everything about their day.
As one of the most family-oriented cats on this list, the Burmese are particularly susceptible to loneliness. They cope best with families that spend a great deal of time at home, although they do get along with other Burmese or if properly socialized, other cat breeds and dogs.
These cats are more than happy to trail you around the house and poke their noses into whatever chores you need to do.
5. Japanese Bobtail
Lifespan: | 9 – 15 years |
Weight: | 6 – 10 pounds |
Temperament: | Playful, intelligent, adaptable |
Like the American Bobtail, the Japanese Bobtail is recognizable by their short, stumpy tail. They’re also similar in temperament. Like their American cousins, the Japanese Bobtail is more than happy to talk your ear off in a range of different tones. Despite their chattiness, they’re quieter than many other breeds on this list.
Their intelligence makes them eager to learn, whether you’re teaching them new tricks or they are thinking up creative ways to entertain themselves. They also make for excellent traveling companions whether you live in an RV or enjoy taking your pets on day trips.
6. Ocicat
Lifespan: | 10 – 15 years |
Weight: | 6 – 15 pounds |
Temperament: | Sensitive, devoted, playful, friendly |
Like the Bengal, the Ocicat has a wildcat appearance that belies their friendliness. As house cats through and through, they’ll happily do everything with you, whether it’s hitching a ride on your shoulder or greeting guests.
Their talkative nature comes from their Siamese blood. Like many other breeds descended from the Siamese, the Ocicat is generally much quieter. They also won’t demand your attention, although they prefer not to be left alone for too long.
You can keep them entertained with puzzle toys, teaching them tricks, and leashed walks. They also have a knack for figuring out how to open closed doors.
7. Oriental
Lifespan: | 10 – 15 years |
Weight: | 5 – 10 pounds |
Temperament: | Opinionated, friendly, people-oriented, athletic |
Well-meaning busybodies, the Oriental — both the longhaired and shorthaired varieties — isn’t afraid to share their opinions. They’ll talk about everything that happened while you were at work or the best way to do the dishes. With their chatty nature, it’s no surprise to find this is another breed descended from the Siamese.
The Oriental does best in pairs, especially if you spend a great deal of time out of the house. Their people-oriented nature makes them susceptible to separation anxiety, so a fellow cat can keep them entertained in your stead.
8. Peterbald
Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
Weight: | 6 – 10 pounds |
Temperament: | Loyal, athletic, friendly, affectionate |
While they’re not among the fluffiest feline companions, Peterbald cats are still affectionate and friendly. They form powerful bonds with their favorite humans and show an almost dog-like loyalty to their chosen family. Like many other people-oriented cats, they prefer to always be surrounded by people and get along well with children too.
Along with sharing the intelligence and athleticism of the Siamese, one of their ancestors, the Peterbald is notorious for their willingness to chat.
9. Siamese
Lifespan: | 8 – 15 years |
Weight: | 6 – 14 pounds |
Temperament: | People-oriented, opinionated, intelligent, athletic |
No list of talkative cats is complete without the Siamese. Among cats, they’re infamous for always having something to say, to the point where their loud, raspy meowing may be considered annoying.
The Siamese are also renowned for their sleek fur. Their aristocratic features give them an air of nobility over many other cat breeds, and they earn every bit of the attention that they demand.
While they’re not a breed for lovers of peace and quiet, the Siamese balance their chattiness with plenty of affection and playtime.
10. Siberian
Lifespan: | 11 – 18 years |
Weight: | 8 – 17 pounds |
Temperament: | People-oriented, playful, affectionate, active |
Despite the cold temperature of their homeland, Siberian cats are affectionate and love to spend time with their favorite people. They’re more than happy to sit in your lap as you brush their fur, which can take a great deal of maintenance, but they also require a significant amount of exercise to manage their boundless energy reserves.
The Siberian enjoys playtime just as much as they adore sharing everything about their day with you. While they’re not as loud as the Siamese, the Siberian isn’t afraid to talk to you, your guests, and even the birds in the yard.
11. Singapura
Lifespan: | 11 – 15 years |
Weight: | 4 – 7 pounds |
Temperament: | Active, playful, people-oriented, curious |
What the Singapura lacks in size, they make up for with their affectionate nature and outgoing personalities. As friends of the world, they’re inquisitive, friendly, and always happy to play.
They’re not one of the loudest cat breeds — their voices are as small as they are — but they’re not afraid to make their presence known and talk your ear off. Singapura cats aren’t shy around strangers either and are more than happy to greet your guests and steal their laps when they least expect it.
12. Sphynx
Lifespan: | 8 – 14 years |
Weight: | 6 – 12 pounds |
Temperament: | Energetic, curious, sociable, athletic |
Hairless cats are always eye-catching due to their unique appearances and the Sphynx thrives on the attention they draw to themselves. They’re not shy about demanding attention with their voices either and will announce their presence to both their family members and guests.
The Sphynx’s desire for attention and easy-going nature make them popular as therapy cats.
Between cuddles, the Sphynx is inquisitive and athletic. They’re happy to spend time perched on the top of their cat tree or a bookcase or to settle closer to the ground and nap under the blankets on your bed.
13. Tonkinese
Lifespan: | 10 – 16 years |
Weight: | 6 – 12 pounds |
Temperament: | Active, friendly, affectionate, intelligent |
Fondly nicknamed “The Tonk,” the Tonkinese is another descendant of the noisy Siamese. They share many similar traits with their distant cousins, including their highly affectionate nature, intelligence, and fondness for gossip. Compared to the Siamese, though, their voices are softer on the ears and a little quieter.
As one of the more stubbornly willful cats on this list, the Tonkinese demands attention and needs plenty of entertainment. Unlike many of their aloof feline cousins though, the Tonkinese isn’t scared of showing their soft sides and will claim your lap almost before you sit down.
14. Turkish Angora
Lifespan: | 12 – 18 years |
Weight: | 5 – 9 pounds |
Temperament: | Playful, active, affectionate, intelligent |
One of the smallest and longest-lived cats on this list, the Turkish Angora endear themselves to all sorts of people with their elegant appearance and kitten-like personality. These cats never really grow up, holding onto their youthful curiosity and energy levels until well into their seniority.
Although they can be a little stubborn, particularly when it comes to teaching them how to behave, Angora cats love to receive attention. You might need a great deal of patience to handle their mischief. They thrive best in active households with other pets so they’re never on their own.
Final Thoughts
While most cats prefer a quiet approach to communicating with each other and their human families, there are plenty of cats that love to talk. We might not be able to understand most of what these breeds are saying, but they’re certain to brighten up an otherwise quiet home. Better still, none of them are shy about showing their love.
If you’re looking for a cat to talk to about your day, we hope that this list has helped you find the perfect addition to your family.