Cats have a reputation for being lazy — and there are certain
breeds that live up to this stereotype — but many breeds are so active
and adventurous that they hardly have time for a cuddle session. If you’re
looking for a fun-loving cat breed, you’ve come to the right place. Just
keep in mind that many playful breeds demand a lot of attention and often need an owner who’s just as active as they are.
Check out our photo gallery below to meet 11 cat breeds that tend to enjoy fetch, playing with toys and even swimming. As always, remember that cats are
individuals, so you may come across a Turkish Van who hates the water or an
Abyssinian who prefers lap time to playtime.
Sometimes called the "Aby-silly-an" for his
fun-loving nature, the highly active and intelligent Abyssinian isn't much of a
lap cat — he's usually on the move. Keep his mind and body engaged by providing
food puzzles, teaching him tricks and training him to do agility.
Devon Rex
With her high cheekbones and huge ears, doesn't the Devon
Rex look just like a pixie? Well, as you may recall from fairy tales, pixies
are tiny, playful troublemakers — and so is the Devon Rex. The highly intelligent, highly active breed usually
enjoys learning tricks and avidly supervising everything you do.
Birman
Although the Birman usually isn't as active as some other cat breeds,
he can have a seriously playful side. The breed usually enjoys fetch and playing
with interactive toys. Just be sure to save this cuddly breed a little room in
your lap after your play session.
Manx
She may not have a tail, but that doesn't stop the spirited
Manx from jumping to high places and racing around the house at top speed.
Channel her energy by playing fetch, teaching tricks and giving her interactive
toys.
Munchkin
The Munchkin may be short on height, but he's long on fun.
Don't be surprised to find him speeding around the dining room table or jumping
on furniture. The typically friendly and energetic breed is usually happy to
play with anyone — whether that playmate has two legs or four.
Siamese
If you fail to keep the typically fun-loving and inquisitive Siamese
entertained, she'll likely find a way to entertain herself. These activities
could include turning on faucets, opening cabinets, hiding in unlikely places or
watching television. Thankfully, the breed is also fairly open to doing things that
are usually reserved for a certain other four-legged pet: She often enjoys playing fetch,
learning tricks and walking on a leash.
Bengal
If you want a cat you can ignore and hardly interact with, the Bengal is not the breed for you. The breed can be highly active and demanding,
so you'll need to keep him occupied with interactive toys, scratchers and plenty
of places for him to climb.
Burmese
He may be compact and heavy, but that doesn't stop the
Burmese from being a fine feline acrobat. Don't be surprised if you find this
typically athletic breed leaping to the highest spot in the room. The breed can
also be a good playmate for kids if you supervise the interaction and teach children
how to handle cats properly.
Siberian
You may need to build a kitty obstacle course if you get a
Siberian. The breed has been known to climb to great heights and leap far and
wide in order to get a feather toy or laser pointer. And if you have a lot of
fragile items, it's probably a good idea to keep them locked away and out of
her path.
Turkish Van
Who says cats don't like the water? Nicknamed "the
swimming cat," the Turkish Van may join you in the bathtub or swimming
pool. And when he's not swimming, you can find him running, jumping or going
after his toys. If he does manage to sit still, he may let you pet him, but he doesn't always like being held or cuddled.
