Our list of the top 5 worst cat breeds for new cat owners is a guideline for you to start your own personal research as every cat’s personality can be different. First off, we have to say WE LOVE ALL CATS and would adopt every breed if we could. This list is not to deter you from adopting any of these breeds but to educate you on some pros and cons for your situation and your home environment. You may be surprised about how many cat breeds are out there that may not be happy with their home regardless if you get them as a kitten or not.

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A reminder not all cats will get along with each other regardless of breed. We have nine cats, and sometimes they do not all get along together. They are siblings and toddlers and randomly act like it. (just like us humans) Now with that being said, our 10 furbabies (9 cats & a Corgi) have basically come to understand each other. They have created a system that works for them. This list is not a guarantee that the breeds will or will not get along with others in your home. This is just more of a base to start your understanding of a cat’s possible temperament.

1. Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold cat breed is probably one of the cutest breeds out there. But, do not let their cute expressions and adorable appearance fool you. Scottish Fold cats are known to only take to one or two keepers – usually, the one(s) who take care of them the most. Who is providing him/her with food and water? Will that be you? If so, you may be the only person your Scottish Fold acknowledges – how will your partner, your children, and other animals feel with this little furball always around but ignoring everyone? Scottish Fold cats do not particularly care for outside distractions, nor do they like most other animals. If you are looking to adopt a Scottish Fold for your family and you have other furbabies in your environment then we recommend looking at other options. Sadly, we also have to note that Scottish Fold cats are known not to be good with kids. This has been shown not to matter if the child or children already exist when the Scottish Fold first arrives or later if you bring a baby or child into the home. As stated above, the Scottish Fold cats choose a favorite person, sometimes more than 1 person and they will ignore every other being. Scottish Fold cats do not adapt to changes well. Scottish Fold cats are more creatures of habit. So, if you are thinking of getting this adorable breed please prepare for him/her to be the center of your universe.

2. Bombay

The Bombay cat might look like any other black cat but the Bombay furbabies are very unique. They are solid black down to their paw pads. They also have a small panther-like look to them. Now on a plus note, they are one of the smartest breeds and can be easily trained. But the reason they made this list is due to their aggressive playstyle.
The Bombay cat has received a bad reputation as one of the most aggressive cat breeds, but they are only trying to protect themselves. This matters when they play. They can and will get rough as they don’t know the difference. For this reason, we recommend, if you adopt a Bombay cat that he/she be your only furbaby. Again, note, as you are playing with them, they may accidentally be more aggressive and hurt you. Also, note the Bombay cat breed is extremely sensitive to loud noises so this makes them unsuitable for families with children -let’s be honest here, kids can get loud. (Dad laughing at his joke) Due to this sensitivity, it makes this breed hyper-alert and scared around everything that might be perceived to them as a threat. We deplore the idea of people labeling them as aggressive. This is their natural nature and they are just trying to protect themselves.

3. Persian

First, we want you to know the Persian cat breed has some of the sweetest cats you will ever be around. Mostly they get along great with kids, other animals and generally adapt well. So why is this breed on our list? We want to point out one MAJOR area to consider with any new adoption – allergies! The Persian cat can produce very high levels of Fel D1 which is the primary allergen that affects humans from cats and can make you miserable. You might not know if you are allergic to cats till you get a high enough level of Fel D1. Dad discovered this issue with our Maine Coon Taco but not with any other of our cats. Of course, we did not know of his allergies till Taco was officially a part of our Kittystead so Dad takes allergy medicine to alleviate his symptoms.
The Persian breed is known for its beautiful long and puffy coat and truly will make a great addition to your family if allergies are not an issue. This is an example that you need to do due diligence before your adoption and be aware you might not have been around a breed that produced enough Fel D1 to trigger your allergies before.

4. Savannah

There are a few reasons why the Savannah cat breed made our list. We will start out telling you how much we love this breed and wish we could have one. Our 1st mention is the price. Depending on the parents and the breeders, this kitty could cost you two thousand dollars to twenty thousand dollars – yes you read that correctly. ($2,000 to $20,000 US dollars) Had to put that in number form to confirm your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. (another DAD laugh at his own joke – haha) Yes, we were shocked when we found out the price. Moving on, for those that the price did not deter, let us get to the next point of why the Savannah cat breed is on our list. This breed does not like to be held and has no desire to be a lap cat. ~~We love our lap cats! The Savannah cat breed is a very independent breed and will do what they want regardless of what you think or train them to do. An example would be to stay off the kitchen counter – probably never going to happen. We also feel we should mention with both children and adults there is sometimes a need to hold our furbabies. With the Savannah cat breed, this could cause some problems as they could scratch and hurt the human offender. For this reason, for our new cat owners, we highly recommend steering clear of the Savannah cat breed as your first cat.

5. Sphynx

Pros for the hairless breed Sphynx is the Sphynx can be a great breed for people who are allergic to cats. Fel D1, most common allergy from cats, is not found in hair but more saliva and skin of cats but some people with allergies have found the Sphynx does not affect their allergies and BONUS – no shedding! We recommend being around the Sphynx before adoption to see if your allergies are triggered. No cat is purrrrfect. (DAD PUN). The Sphynx cat breed is very needy and can get aggressive if it does not get its way. They can also be the sweetest cat regardless of how scary they sometimes look. Some people feel they always look mad. To Mom, they always look cold so therefore not happy – can’t be happy when you are cold, right? The Sphynx needs to be the center of your universe so this breed does not do well in homes with pets or kids. It is not that they are aggressive towards them but once again this a needy breed and will not like your attention elsewhere. Side note – it is recommended to give your Sphynx a weekly bath as the oils on their skin easily attract dirt and grime.

This concludes our list of the top 5 worst breeds for new cat owners.

Scottish Fold
Bombay
Persian
Savannah
Sphynx

We love each of these breeds but as seasoned pet parents, we have seen our fair share of cats not getting along and do not wish to amplify normal behavior to worse fights all the time in any home. This does not mean you can not adopt them, love them, and/or they love you back. It is just a fair warning for people who have not had any pets or just coming into the wonderful world of cats. Most cats can live together in harmony with you and your environment. We just recommend that if you are thinking of adopting a new addition to your life that you look at all the many options available and research what will work best for your situation.

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