“What are the most aggressive cat breeds?”
Have you ever asked yourself this question while choosing your first cat?
Then keep on reading to discover 7 of the so-called meanest cat breeds that might not suit an inexperienced owner.
Related: what dog breeds are best suited with cats
7 most aggressive cat breeds
Speaking honestly, it’s difficult for me to say which cat breed is the most aggressive.
All cats have an aggressive streak in them because they still have their predatory instincts. When angry or cornered, almost all cats are going to defend themselves, and a lot of cats play rough when excited.
For this list, I’ve selected breeds that are less tolerant and patient than others and tend to let you know when you’ve overstepped their boundaries. Still, most of these cats aren’t mean without a very good reason.
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#1 Siamese
If you ask people, “What’s the meanest cat breed?” the Siamese will be one of the first breeds mentioned.
Despite their striking blue eyes and elegant body, the cute Siamese has the reputation of being jealous, aggressive, and territorial.
What most people don’t realize is that Siamese cats bond very closely with a single person and are happy to ignore the rest of the family.
Since they’re so affectionate, they might get a little jealous when somebody is receiving more attention than them.
In addition to this, Siamese cats get irritated when you overstimulate them. They’re also very playful and tend to get overly excited during playtime.
Siamese cats are also very chatty and can be quite loud when unhappy. So, they aren’t suitable for people who want a quiet companion.
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#2 Sphynx
One of the most unique cat breeds, the Sphynx is a cat that thrives on attention and is happy to receive it from everyone she meets.
Interestingly, the breed wasn’t created intentionally but came into being after a litter of hairless kittens was born in Toronto due to a gene mutation.
This hairless cat is in our list of the most aggressive cat breeds because she demands attention. If you don’t satisfy your Sphynx’s need for company and comfort, this cat will pester you until she gets want she wants.
So, don’t get a Sphinx unless you have enough time to deal with them or don’t like it when cats sleep next to you. Since they don’t have fur, Sphinxes often seek somebody to cuddle with.
On the plus side, they’re one of the cat breeds that sheds the least.
#3 Cymric
Have you ever wanted a cat that will act as a watchdog? Then the Cymric will be the perfect addition for your family.
Cymric makes up for their lack of tail with a big cat attitude. They’re very protective of their homes and owners and might growl or attack at the slightest sound of trouble.
Cymric cats are also very playful, energetic, and smart. They can learn to open doors but tend to respect the boundaries you set.
This breed does well with children if the cat has been exposed to kids as a kitten. But older Cymric cats might not get on well with kids who don’t respect their personal space.
#4 Bombay
A rare cat breed that steals the hearts with its unique panther-like appearance, the Bombay cat is next in our list of the most aggressive cat breeds.
Unlike panthers, Bombay cats are very affectionate towards people and tend to have a strong bond with their people. So why are they deemed one of the most aggressive cat breeds?
Well, these amazing black cats can be quite persistent when they want attention and get mean when you ignore them for too long.
In addition to this, some owners report that their Bombay cats don’t like noises, and loud sounds might make them nervous and aggressive.
On the bright side, Bombay cats love to play fetch and might be convinced to walk on leashes. Moreover, they do well with children and other pets as long as everybody knows who the top cat is.
#5 Bengal
Bengal cats are quite stunning with their leopard spots and graceful bodies. The wild Asian leopard cat is their ancestor, so it’s not surprising that they still have a wild streak in them.
Bengal cats are very intelligent, curious, and full of energy. Left alone without company, these cats will pry open your drawers and cabinets to investigate and won’t hesitate to jump into the pool for a swim.
Since Bengal cats love to climb, they need a lot of vertical space (cat trees) to feel comfortable and satisfy their need to observe the world from up high. They also tend to hide things, so you’d never be bored with them in the house.
While Bengal cats are affectionate towards their family, they tend to be shy around unfamiliar people.
In addition to this, since they’re so energetic, they might play rough or become very mean if they don’t have a way to burn off their pent up energy.
#6 Savannah
Do you want a cat that loves to snuggle with you while you watch TV? Then Savannah is not the right cat breed for you.
This hybrid cat gets a lot of the traits of its serval (an African wildcat) parent and is very active, adventurous, and independent.
Savannah cats are full of energy and might play rough with their owners or one another. Since they’re so big, they might appear aggressive when all they actually want to do is play.
They’re fairly affectionate and love to play fetch or walk on a leash. However, these cats have strong hunting instincts and parrots, hamsters, and fish are not safe around them.
#7 Scottish Fold
The cute appearance of the Scottish Fold is often deceiving. While these majestic short-haired cats bond closely with their owners, they tend to be a bit more aggressive than other breeds and might bite when petted too enthusiastically.
In addition to this, the Scottish Fold doesn’t like it when you leave them alone for long hours and will demand to follow you everywhere in the house.
Scottish Fold also often figure out how to open drawers, cabinets, and doors so they can make quite the mess when bored.
Aggression is one of the most common feline problems that prompt owners to seek professional help. In my experience, owners often don’t interpret their cat’s body language correctly or provoke them on purpose to make funny videos.
In addition to this, adding a new cat into the household also tends to trigger a cat’s territorial instincts and make her more aggressive than usual.
So always introduce new members of the family slowly and talk to your vet to rule out a medical condition.
OMG! I love your blog. I am a major fan of cats. I just love them. My cat died two years ago and I am still not even over her death because I loved her so much. I’m contemplating and debating on my next cat. My neighbor offered me a beautiful Siamese cat, but sadly he (the neighbor) passed away not too long ago so I am unsure where the cat is. Thank you for sharing this post. I love the fact that you displayed their personalities. I have a friend who had a Sphynx and that cat was the most aggressive cat around water.
We just took in a beautiful kitty we found in our shed trying to escape 2 fox. She was so hungry & thirsty & got her 1st bath, she was the ultimate cuddled & lap kitty with kids
& I. However, when we went to introduce her to one of our other cats, it didn’t go well. I may need
to find a home for “Madeleine “- where there ate no other pets.
Interesting! I’ll keep this list in mind, because we were thinking of getting a cat. With a small baby in the house, it would make sense to stay clear of these breeds 🙈
My neighbor has the sphynx cat and he is as mellow as the day is long. All he wants to do is to sit in the window and sun.
I had never heard that of the Siamese cat before, that they are moody. The Savanna on the other hand, now that’s a beautiful creature!
We really hit the jackpot with our no-kill shelter cat. She is super chill and calm, and the most agrressive thing she does is tap you to pet her. 🙂
I love a Scottish Fold! It’s so cute but a bit mean sometimes. A little aggressive but much better than Siamese!
I had 3 Scottish folds. The males were wonderful, no mean part about them. The female was very skittish But not mean.
This is an interesting list. I thought all cats were aggressive.
hm I have two cats (Scottish Fold) and don’t notice any agression from them, yes they don’t like to be alone, but they don’t like hugs as well..
Looking into getting one – good to know.
I am so confused about my cat! I’ve had her since she was a few weeks old, and we both love each other greatly. I cannot be sure of her breed, but the closest is the Norwegian Forest Cat, however, she does NOT have a friendly, social bone in her body except for me, and even I can be attacked suddenly at any moment. She is very loyal, loving and affectionate, very smart, cones when I call her and usually follows me all day. However, she is unfriendly to every other human and most animals. She will attack if they try more than once to approach her. She has times when she will attack my legs as I walk by, or if she reach out to her in the wrong way, she will draw blood and run. I would never get rid of her anyway, but I know she would be unadoptable. She would be euthanized. What am I dealing with here?
I strongly disagree about the siamese. I have several cats and all my siamese are actually the most affectionate, including with everyone they meet. My standard moggies are aloof with strangers, some of them even hissing and running away. Even with me they are all about being touched on their own terms. The siamese on the other hand, relaxed talkative and fun, never been scratched or bitten or even hissed at by any of them, can pick them up whenever I please and they are happy to be held where as my moggies clearly can’t wait to get down but my siamese…sitting on my shoulder happily…and I have had all my cats from kittens.
I have a highlander lynx, he is 3 and was the sweetest cat, lately he has become aggressive! We have been trying to figure out what to do, buying toys playing with him more, watching Jason Galaxy on utube, but he is constantly try to attack my 13 year old son which is weird because he loves the cat, I’m ready to open up the door and set him free, my kids freak out when I say that but I don’t know what else to do? Last night after playing with him with a fishing pole toy my 8 year old son was lay on the couch and he ran at him and attacked him with all 4s and his mouth