Which Male Cat Breeds Are Friendliest?

Neutered male cats are generally more affectionate than females—this is a widely circulated claim in cat-keeping circles, and most veterinarians and breeders agree. Intact males are a different story: spraying everywhere, fighting, howling in the middle of the night—nothing to do with friendliness.

Ragdolls are universally recognized as dog-like cats. In the 1960s, California breeder Ann Baker selected for gentle temperament as a breeding standard. Male Ragdolls weigh six to nine kilograms at maturity—heavy when you pick them up, but they don't struggle. Their whole body goes limp and lets you pose them however you want. The name "Ragdoll" literally means rag doll. Ragdoll owners often say their cats follow them around like little tails, even following them into the bathroom to watch.

Maine Coons are even bigger—males go over ten kilograms. Their size is intimidating, but their temperament is mellow. Their vocalization isn't the typical meowing either; they make a sort of chirping, trilling sound. When guests come over, they don't hide—some even approach to sniff. The Maine Coon Club says this breed can get along with dogs, and many households with both cats and dogs choose Maine Coons.

Siamese cats are friendly in a different way. They're talkative, with loud voices, and will call out even when nothing's happening. Male Siamese are particularly rowdy—energetic and demanding of playtime companionship. Don't get this breed if no one's home during the day. Left alone too long, they get anxious—licking their fur bald, scratching up the sofa, peeing everywhere can all happen.

British Shorthairs sell well in China, with blue being the most common color. Quieter than the breeds above—they don't meow much and don't cling to people. Male British Shorthairs can be alone but also accept being petted. If you want a cat but don't want too much hassle, consider this one.

Scottish Fold cats do have good temperaments and rarely attack people. But the health issues are too numerous—the folded ear gene is linked to osteochondrodysplasia. Many Scottish Folds start experiencing joint pain at just a few years old, having difficulty walking. The British Veterinary Association opposes breeding them, and Scotland itself is pushing legislation to ban it. If you want a similar temperament, choose a Scottish Straight—the ears don't fold but the temperament is similar, with much lower health risks.

Birmans look similar to Ragdolls—both are colorpoint longhairs. The difference is in the paws—Birmans have white feet on all four paws, like they're wearing socks. Male Birmans have quiet temperaments, not as clingy as Ragdolls, but they do like staying near people. They don't vocalize much, making them suitable for apartments.

Abyssinian cats take another approach—active, energetic, highly curious, climbing up high and squeezing into cabinets. Male Abyssinians interact with people a lot, but not in the lap-sitting way—they run around wanting people to play with them. They're among the smartest cats, trainable to shake hands and fetch. People who like quiet won't tolerate them.

Breed is only one factor. The environment a kitten grows up in has an even bigger impact. Kittens raised being held in a breeder's home versus those kept in cages at pet stores will have very different attitudes toward people as adults. If you can visit the breeder's home when buying a cat, that's best—observing how kittens react to strangers is more useful than just looking at breed.

Neutering timing matters. The ASPCA recommends neutering male cats at five to six months old—surgery before sexual maturity means lower territorial instincts when grown. For large breeds like Maine Coons, some vets suggest waiting longer to let the skeleton fully develop, but this is debated.

Adopting adult cats is also an option. Shelter staff know each cat's temperament and can recommend people-friendly ones. Adult cats have settled personalities—no worrying about a sweet kitten turning wild when grown. On Petfinder, you can filter by personality—checking "likes people" or "suitable for families" will turn up quite a few options.