CatMatch My selection FR

Which cat gets along with other cats?

10 cat breeds sociable with their own kind: strong intra-species tolerance for successful multi-cat cohabitation. A reasoned LOOF/FIFe selection.

  1. 1 Siberian
  2. 2 Maine Coon
  3. 3 Ragdoll
  4. 4 Birman
  5. 5 Neva Masquerade
  6. 6 American Curl
  7. 7 Tiffanie
  8. 8 Burmilla
  9. 9 Cymric
  10. 10 LaPerm

Not all cats get along with each other — the opposite is actually more common in nature, where the cat is a solitary, territorial species. Successful multi-cat cohabitation requires breeds specifically tolerant of their own kind (4/5 minimum) and a properly followed introduction protocol. Maine Coon, Siberian, Norwegian Forest Cat and certain colorpoint cats (Birman, Ragdoll) are known to be more accommodating: placid temperament, less pronounced territoriality, rare defensive aggression. Conversely, the Siamese and Bengal, despite their intelligence, have strong territorial instincts that make introductions difficult, especially in adulthood.

10 recommended breeds

Every portrait opens the full profile: temperament, living conditions, health, budget and cited sources.

Siberian

1

Siberian

The Siberian is a Russian natural breed whose documented history dates back to the year 1000, shaped by millennia of extreme Siberian winters. It stands out for its semi-water-resistant triple coat, its powerful semi-cobby build and, above all, a rare immunological trait: about half of individuals produce Fel d 1 levels — the main feline allergen protein — statistically below average, making it the breed best documented for tolerance among allergy sufferers. Ranked near the top of LOOF registrations in France, recognized by the CFA since 2000 and by FIFe, it remains a large cat (4–9 kg depending on sex) with slow maturity (3–5 years) and a long lifespan.

4 to 9 kg 15 years
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Maine Coon

2

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is the largest semi-longhaired domestic cat, native to the state of Maine (USA), weighing 5 to 10 kg depending on sex. The number one breed in France at the LOOF since 2012, with more than 26 000 registrations a year, it is nicknamed the "gentle giant" for its calm, sociable temperament despite its imposing frame.

5 to 10 kg 13 years
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Ragdoll

3

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a large semi-longhaired colorpoint cat, developed in the 1960s in California by breeder Ann Baker. Its name — literally "rag doll" — comes from its behavioral quirk: it tends to go completely limp in its owners' arms, becoming as floppy as a plush toy. A popular breed in France with a regular place in the LOOF top 10, it has become one of the default choices for households looking for a calm, gentle, demonstrative cat.

4 to 9 kg 14 years
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Birman

4

Birman

The Birman, also known as the Sacred Cat of Burma, is a semi-longhaired colorpoint cat recognizable by its four pure white gloves and its deep sapphire eyes. A French breed officially recognized as early as 1925, it holds a steady place near the top of the LOOF's most-registered breeds in France.

3 to 7 kg 14 years
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Neva Masquerade

5

Neva Masquerade

The Neva Masquerade is the colorpoint variant of the Siberian, developed in Saint Petersburg on the banks of the Neva in the 1970s-1980s. Its name evokes the Neva River and the dark facial mask characteristic of the colorpoint pattern. A large, robust breed with a waterproof triple coat and always-intense blue eyes, it shares the morphology and active temperament of the classic Siberian. Its federal status is ambiguous: a distinct breed with the WCF and the GCCF, a colorpoint variety of the Siberian with the LOOF and the FIFe. In France, it is registered with the LOOF under the designation Siberian colorpoint.

4 to 9 kg 16 years
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American Curl

6

American Curl

The American Curl was born in 1981 in Lakewood, California, from a stray female cat named Shulamith whose ears curled spontaneously backward — an autosomal dominant mutation of the Cu gene, with no effect on the skeleton or on any other cartilage. Available in two variants (longhair and shorthair), it is characterized by a playful temperament that persists into old age, marked sociability and genetic robustness thanks to its diverse founding base. Recognized by LOOF, the CFA (1991) and FIFe (2002).

3 to 5 kg 14 years
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Tiffanie

7

Tiffanie

The Tiffanie is the semi-longhair variant of the British Asian Group — in simple terms, a longhaired Burmilla. Born from the same breeding programs as its shorthaired cousins, it shares their muscular semi-foreign body, their large green eyes rimmed with a natural black outline, and their range of silver or golden colors, but is set apart by a silky semi-long coat, a pronounced ruff and a bushy tail. An extremely rare breed in France, it is more established in the United Kingdom, where the GCCF recognizes it within the Asian Group. Not to be confused with the American Chantilly-Tiffany, a distinct breed with no genetic relationship.

3 to 6 kg 15 years
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Burmilla

8

Burmilla

The Burmilla was born in 1981 in England from an accidental cross between a lilac Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian. Its silver or golden coat with shaded tips, its large green eyes rimmed with a natural black outline, and its muscular semi-foreign body make it an immediately recognizable breed. Moderately common in France — more widespread in the United Kingdom — it is registered with the LOOF under the Asian and Burmilla category.

3 to 6 kg 15 years
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Cymric

9

Cymric

The Cymric is the semi-longhair version of the Manx, carrying the same taillessness mutation that arose on the Isle of Man. Its stocky cobby body, raised hindquarters and distinctive gait make it instantly recognizable. The breed carries a serious genetic stake: the gene responsible for taillessness is lethal in the homozygous state, and a proportion of kittens develop Manx syndrome, an irreversible spinal and neurological condition. Breeding it requires rigorous selection and early veterinary monitoring.

3 to 5.5 kg 13 years
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LaPerm

10

LaPerm

The LaPerm is an American breed born in 1982 on an Oregon farm, when a farm cat gave birth to a bald kitten that later grew a spectacular curly coat. Its unique dominant mutation produces soft spirals reminiscent of mohair — neither Devon Rex nor Cornish Rex, but an entirely independent genetics. A medium-sized breed (3 to 5 kg), active and curious, it stands out for a sincere human attachment with no need for constant presence, and for robust health with no documented breed-specific conditions.

3 to 5 kg 14 years
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Practical advice

  • Favor breeds rated 4/5 or higher for tolerance of their own kind: Birman (5/5), Maine Coon, Siberian, Ragdoll, Neva Masquerade, American Curl.
  • Adopt a pair from the start if possible (two littermate kittens): no territoriality to manage.
  • For a late introduction, plan on 2-4 weeks of physical separation with scent and bowl swapping.
  • Multiply resources: N+1 litter boxes (for N cats), N+1 bowls, several separate elevated resting spots — this massively reduces territorial conflict.
  • Neuter every cat: it's non-negotiable for peaceful cohabitation. An intact male marks his territory, and an intact female comes into heat repeatedly, putting the whole group under tension.

Frequently asked questions

How many cats can you have living together?
Three cats is the practical ceiling for most households — beyond that, conflicts become hard to contain in a typical home. What matters isn't so much the number as the density: every cat needs to be able to eat, sleep and eliminate without crossing paths with the others. A multi-cat household that works means 2 to 3 neutered cats, duplicated resources, and vertical space.
Should you get two males, or a male and a female?
Once neutered, little difference. Conflicts between intact males are the most violent; between intact females, the most chronic. Systematic neutering of both sexes is the answer either way. Favor two kittens from the same litter to skip the late-introduction phase entirely.
Will my first cat accept a second one?
It depends on his breed and age. Under 2 years old: easy acceptance within 2-3 weeks. Adult, 3-5 years: 4-8 weeks, requiring a rigorous protocol. Senior, 8+ years: difficult, sometimes impossible — consider a calm adult companion rather than a bouncy kitten.
Is the Siberian really sociable?
Yes — 4/5 for tolerance of its own kind, it's one of the easiest breeds for a multi-cat home. Placid temperament, not very territorial, handles late introductions well. The Neva Masquerade (the Siberian's colorpoint variant) inherits the same qualities. An excellent choice for a household planning on 2-3 cats.
How much does a multi-cat household cost?
For 2 cats: 110-160 € a month (vs. 60-80 € for 1). For 3 cats: 160-220 € a month. Food and litter are the two costs that really double; equipment doesn't scale down well (you need N+1 litter boxes and several sleeping spots, not just one bigger one). Also plan on a multiplied initial cost: cat trees, bowls, and a per-cat vet budget.
My cats are fighting — is that serious?
It depends on the intensity. Short ritual scuffles with raised fur and no deep bites = normal during the 2-6 month adjustment period. Fights with blood, injuries, or pained yowling = consult a behaviorist. Urine marking in the home = a sign of anxiety, often reversible with pheromones and more resources.

Sources