If your cat knowledge is limited to the essentials, at best, the process of choosing which breed of cat you want to add to your family can become quite a chore! When considering which breed of cat you like best, you must be sure to choose a breed that will best suit your lifestyle. While certain cat breeds require a great deal more grooming than others, you can also find breeds that need a lot more exercise--it's all a matter of traits specifically belonging to certain breeds. Look below to find the top five most popular cat breeds. You will also find a brief description about each breed’s grooming requirements and personality type.

The Oriental is one of the most popular cat breeds around. This breed is a very intelligent, loyal companion and tends to bond deeply with its family. It has large, pointed ears, and although its body is very sleek, it is still quite a muscular breed.

One of the most popular cat breeds for a family is the American Shorthair. The American shorthair originally was a breed known for its hunting skills, mostly for mouse hunting, which explains the agile muscular structure and short hair. They do need a little exercise, but most are quite happy being a lap cat.

The Birman breed is thought to have originated from Burma. It is perhaps best recognized by its blue eyes, white body, and smoky-brown face, ears, legs, and tail. Birmans possess a long, sturdy body structure with extensive, mat-resistant hair. They love to play and are quite gentle. They are affectionate without being too needy.

If you’re looking for a very affectionate, cuddly cat, then a Sphynx may be the breed for you. Although they look like they have no fur, they actually have a suede-like fur all over their body. As they don’t have much hair to protect their skin, they should strictly be kept indoors. This breed has a particular necessity for comfortable room temperature, as they can easily become too cold.

A very mild and gentle cat breed is the Ragdoll, appropriately named such as it can be quite floppy and relaxed when picked up. If you love a cat that accompanies you from room to room, this breed would likely be a wonderful match for you. They make an excellent companion for children as they are very gentle whilst playing around.

Hopefully you have a better understanding of which type of cat would be best for you. Just keep in mind the requirements that each breed can demand, and be sure that whichever cat you choose, you are up to maintaining it. The best rule of thumb to go by is to choose a cat whose activity levels and lifestyle best match your own.

It is equally important that you have the proper supplies to raise a cat. Whether your cat is exclusively an indoor pet or not, a piece of cat furniture or pet steps are a great way to ensure that your cat gets the exercise he needs to remain fit.