Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome in to our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
One thing to think about before getting your first pet cat is whether you plan for them to stay indoors.
Some breeds are happy to stay inside (with a regularly-changed litter tray!) for most of their lives and will have little interest in the outside world beyond the home they share with their humans.
All they need (other than their beloved owner) is an assortment of climbing trees, scratching posts, puzzle feeders, window perches, and interactive toys to keep them engaged and give them plenty of chances for mentally-stimulating play.
Here are the 10 best breeds of housecat.
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5. Russian Blue
Give a Russian Blue a few toys, a climbing tree and a few perches and they'll happily play indoors all day with little in the way of curiosity about the outside world (and we all know what curiousity did to the cat). This is another cat that loves the predictable routines that come with indoor living. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Maine Coon
Maine Coons often grow to be real gentle giants but, as long as you have enough space for them to stretch their paws and adventure, they are fine to stay in. Plenty of interactive and fun toys will be highly appreciated by this feline. | Canva/Getty Images
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7. Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats are playful, curious, and highly people-oriented. Their lively personalities suit indoor homes filled with climbing opportunities, toys, and frequent interaction to keep them mentally stimulated. | Getty Images
8. Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is essentially a Persian with a short back and sides and so shares most of that breed's attributes - including being delighted to just chill at home. The bonus is that they need less grooming that their hirsute cousins. | Canva/Getty Images