32 cat breeds with the biggest meows
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When it comes to the cat breeds with the biggest meows, the list is certainly a long one! Chatty felines make a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a spirited member of the family, and they’re a particularly great option for those who live alone.
Most chatty breeds tend to be extroverted and somewhat demanding in nature, although there are a few exceptions with some of the more introverted or laid-back breeds being vocal but still mellow.
Regardless of their temperament, all of the cats on this list will love conversing with you — and if you have time to play with them using the best interactive cat toys in between all the chatting, that will certainly earn you some major brownie points.
Ready to find out which cats make the most noise? It's meow or never so let's dive in!
1. Siamese
Life with a Siamese cat will be anything but quiet with this breed being one of the most vocal of them all. One of the best cats for extroverts, the chatty and outgoing Siamese is an elegant-looking feline with a mischievous, loyal, and intelligent nature. They require a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy so be sure to stock up on plenty of the best cat toys if you plan on welcoming one of these playful and curious cats into your home.
2. Burmese
About as far removed as you can get from a shrinking violet, the spunky Burmese is a popular breed with a reputation for converting even the most adamant self-proclaimed cat haters into feline-loving fans. Like the Siamese, they are extremely vocal and can be high-maintenance and demanding, so they’re certainly not a cat for those in search of a quiet life.
However, if you don’t mind lots of talking, these sweethearts will reward you by being a wonderfully sensitive, affectionate, and family-oriented pet. Just be sure to invest in the best cat puzzle feeder as this is a very smart breed whose brain needs a good daily workout.
3. Tonkinese
One of our favorite rare cat breeds, the Tonkinese is a handsome cat — the result of breeding the Siamese with the Burmese. Loving, playful and affectionate, the Tonk (as they’re often affectionately called) is often active during the day and enjoys being a cuddly lap cat at night. People cats who are never happier than with their family, they have a sweet and silly nature and enjoy amusing their humans with their clown-like antics.
4. Bengal
Always fancied going hiking with cats? The active Bengal may well be the breed for you! Not many cats enjoy slipping on a harness and hitting the trails, but this adventure-loving feline is certainly the exception. A striking cat that looks like it’s just wandered out of the jungle, Bengals may look wild but they have a very affectionate and kid-friendly nature that makes them a joy to have in the home.
Big communicators who are known to be noisy, the Bengal is a very active cat who needs a lot of physical stimulation, so be sure to invest in a cat tree and consider putting up shelving that they can use to climb, jump, and explore.
5. Sphynx
The near-naked Sphynx is a cat that stops traffic but look beyond the lack of fur and what you’ll find is one of the most affectionate cat breeds around. Playful, goofy, and social, they tend to get on beautifully with people of all ages and stages and most enjoy the company of dogs and other cats.
Energetic cats who are known to have quite raspy voices, they can be vocal and demanding of attention and do not do well if left on their own for long periods of time. Because of that, they do best in homes where someone can be around most of the day to keep them company.
6. American Bobtail
Vocal in an adorable way, the American Bobtail will chat away using chirps, clicks, trills, and meows. Those who are lucky enough to have one of these kitties in their family describe them as loyal and playful companions.
Bold and sociable, they’re often referred to as the golden retriever of the cat world thanks to their friendly and affectionate nature. Wonderfully sweet lap cats, they form deep bonds with their humans and get on well with older children.
7. Balinese
While their meows aren’t quite as big as that of the Siamese, the Balinese is still a vocal cat — they just have a softer vocal tone. Super intelligent, these long-haired beauties are renowned for their silky fur and are graceful and elegant.
Engaging conversationalists, Balinese cats are devoted, and loving and enjoy being around their humans. They like to follow their family members from room to room, so if you’d prefer not to have a Velcro cat, this is one breed you might want to steer clear of. One of the brainiacs of the cat world, the answer to the question ‘can you train a cat?’ is a big yes if you have a Balinese as these cats love learning new things.
8. Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail has a sweet voice that they love using to chat away to their humans throughout the day. Often described as ‘singing cats’ because of how melodic their chirps and meows sound, this breed is active, loving, and very intelligent. Because they adore playing, we highly recommend investing in some of the best automated cat toys and when it comes to can cats play fetch, you’ll be delighted to learn that the Japanese Bobtail certainly can! In fact, they love this game so much that you don’t even need to teach it to them — they seem to be born with the ability to fetch baked right into their DNA.
9. Ocicat
With a larger-than-life personality, the ocicat is far from shy. A medium to large breed with a well-muscled and athletic body, this breed will give you the feeling of owning a wild cat without any of the danger that would come from keeping a tiger in your living room! Highly social, they’re a brilliant choice for anyone looking for an engaging companion.
Accepting everyone, the ocicat typically forms strong bonds with one person in particular and will be quite content to spend their days following their human from room to room. Because they’re so active and smart, you’ll want to have plenty of puzzle toys and other activities on hand to provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need to thrive.
10. Peterbald
Lively, friendly, vocal, and affectionate, the Peterbald is a newer breed of Russian origin. Deeply loyal, these cats get along beautifully with people of all ages and stages and are never happier than when immersed in family life. Because they’re so inquisitive and energetic, they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day to prevent them from becoming bored and getting into mischief. And because they’re so chatty, you’ll never have to wonder where your Peterbald is because they’ll always make themselves known!
11. Turkish Van
Very soft, very vocal, and very active, the Turkish Van is a devoted and affectionate cat that loves to run and play. A large and semi-long-haired breed, the Turkish Van is always on the go, so they’re well suited to energetic families who don’t mind them zooming about all over the place. They absolutely adore water, so don’t be surprised if you catch them trying to swim at every opportunity, they’re very loyal — but while they tend to stick closely to their humans, they prefer to keep all four paws on the floor.
12. Oriental
Like most cats in the Siamese family, the oriental is a very chatty kitty indeed! Known for their ongoing commentary, this talkative breed craves affection so they make wonderful companions for those living alone.
However, they get on famously with people of all ages and stages and do well in almost any living situation. Intelligent, athletic, and full of personality, if you’re looking for ways to be the best cat owner with this breed, simply responding to their requests for love and attention will win you their heart.
13. Birman
Sweet-natured and gentle cats with luxuriously soft fur, the birman is one of the world’s most popular cat breeds and it’s not hard to see why. They get on with absolutely everyone, making them an ideal choice for singles, couples, families, and the very young to the very old. Irresistibly fluffy, they are a very loving breed and they strike the perfect balance between being moderately active and also enjoying lots of cuddle time. Easygoing, kind, curious, and clever, they form strong bonds with their owners.
14. Exotic shorthair
A short-haired version of the Persian, the exotic shorthair is one of the best cats for introverts due to their low energy levels. Unlike some of the more demanding breeds, they don’t require tons of interaction or stimulation to keep them happy and while mellow in nature, they do enjoy chatting with their humans. Laid-back and easy to please, the exotic shorthair is loyal, loving and enjoys one one-on-one time with family members.
15. Kurilian Bobtail
Moderately vocal cats who love to express themselves with sweet trills and chirps, the Kurilian Bobtail is smart, curious, and independent which makes them a great choice if you tend to be out of the house during the day.
Active and outgoing, they tend to be very affectionate cats who love to cuddle and play. Known for their charming personalities, they’re very easygoing and laid-back kitties who get on well with everyone and they tend to do well in homes with other cats and cat-friendly dogs.
16. Devon Rex
If you’re looking for an active cat that will keep you on your toes, the mischievous Devon Rex is a breed well worth considering. This full-of-energy little fur ball looks like Yoda in cat form and if their pixie-like features and short, curly coat weren’t enough to make them stand out from the crowd, their inquisitive and energetic personalities certainly will.
Known to be vocal if you don’t give them enough attention, this people-oriented kitty is one of the cat breeds most likely to suffer from separation anxiety and they can cause chaos when they’re bored, so if you do need to leave them alone, be sure to provide them with plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
17. Manx
Good-natured, affectionate, and cuddly, the Manx forms strong bonds with their people and loves nothing more than to be involved in all the family activities. Wonderful companions, they are one of the best emotional support animal breeds because of their clown-like antics and loyal, devoted and chatty natures. While they do well in all environments, they’re a particularly great choice for those living alone as they like the company of people and never stray far from their side.
18. Siberian
A loyal and affectionate kitty who loves to be in the company of their inner circle, the fluffy Siberian is known for its intelligent, playful, and patient temperament. While they’re not clingy lap cats, they don’t like being left alone for long periods of time so do best in homes where someone is around for most of the day — otherwise, be prepared for them to vocalize their displeasure when you return. One of the best cat breeds for cold climates, their thick and dense coat ensures they stay warm and toasty in even the harshest environments.
19. Maine Coon
The ultimate family cat, the Maine Coon is never happier than when involved in all the day-to-day activities of life. Renowned for being vocally expressive, they tend to use a range of different sounds depending on what it is they’re wanting from you.
As far as large breed cats go, they don’t come much bigger than the Maine Coon but while they may be big, these gentle giants are real sweethearts. Good-natured and gentle, they make a fantastic choice for families with children.
20. Ragdoll
Peaceful, sociable, calm and gentle, the ragdoll is one of the world’s most beloved breeds. They make outstanding companions due to their affectionate nature and because they can tolerate reasonable levels of household noise, they tend to thrive in most living situations.
Both playful and cuddly, the ragdoll is a great choice if you’re looking for a cat that offers the best of both worlds. They’re very attention-seeking, so expect plenty of head butts and meows if you’re not giving them enough love!
21. Singapura
Originally from Singapore, this little kitty may be small but it has a big personality. Curious, affectionate, active, and playful, the singapura has an extroverted and impish nature you can’t help but fall in love with. They have loving and loyal natures, making them wonderful companions, and because they’re petite, they adore climbing up onto the shoulders of their favorite human so they can get a good view of what’s going on around them.
22. Turkish Angora
Turkish Angora’s have a very loud meow but they have a good excuse — many are deaf which means they can’t hear their own voice and can’t modulate. While deafness is common in this breed, it doesn’t affect their quality of life with these kitties delighting in spirited play sessions and time spent with their humans. Social cats who form strong bonds with their family, they also have an independent streak which means they’ll happily occupy themselves when you’re too busy to entertain them.
23. LaPerm
Active and people-oriented, these curly-coated cuties are known for their loud and proud purring — which means you’ll always know when they’re in the room! Gentle lap cats who adore attention, the LaPerm has a delightful inquisitive streak and because they’re so laid back and relaxed, they get on beautifully with people of all ages and stages, as well as other pets.
In your face people lovers, they have a reputation for softly patting their humans on the face using their paws as a way to show their affection, and they have excellent hunting skills, so playing fetch with them will be much appreciated.
24. Chausie
One of the largest domestic cat breeds in existence, the muscular chausie originally hails from Europe and can reach weights of up to 30 pounds! Known for their striking appearance, the chausie is the result of breeding an Abyssinian with a jungle cat. But while they do have wild origins, they are amiable, playful, and affectionate cats who make wonderful companions.
Because they are highly intelligent, they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation each day to ensure they don’t become bored and get into mischief. With that in mind, we recommend you learn how to teach a cat a trick as this will ensure your chausie’s brain is put to good use!
25. Toyger
Named because they look like a toy tiger, the talkative toyger is a bright and bold kitty who knows how to stand out in a crowd. Visually stunning, they’re an active and super smart breed who thrive on being challenged.
There are some great tricks to teach your cat and it’s well worth doing this if you have a toyger in your family — not only do they respond incredibly well to training, but they love learning new things and this will help them to thrive both physically and mentally. They love playing games like fetch and most will happily walk on a leash, so if you’re looking for an adventurous and chatty companion, the toyger is well worth considering.
26. Minskin
The minskin is one of those cats that makes you do a double take. Before you start wondering if all felines come with a zipper in their fur that lets them slip out of their coat when they get taken by the desire to run around naked under a full moon, it’s worth noting that the minskin is born with nothing but the tiniest whispers of fluff covering their body. One of the rarest cat breeds, they’re hugely social and energetic — and they’re highly trainable too.
A cross between the munchkin and the sphynx with a dash of Burmese and Devon Rex thrown in there for good measure, the chatty minskin has a gentle nature and enjoys the company of both humans and other animals.
27. Savannah
Highly vocal cats with super long meows, you’ll always know when your Savannah is in the house! A cross between a serval and a domestic cat, this wild-looking feline makes a wonderful companion for the right person.
They are big bundles of energy and because of that, they require an energetic owner who has plenty of time to devote to them. Lots of mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis is required to keep this kitty happy, but if you have the capacity to give them what they need, they’ll reward you by being a loyal, devoted and affectionate member of the family.
28. Cornish Rex
Due to their Siamese heritage, the Cornish Rex tends to be a chatty cat — especially when they’ve eaten their allocated portion of the best cat food and are keen for their bowl to be topped up! Curious, social and friendly cats, they have a playful nature and retain their kitten-like energy well into adulthood.
Easily recognizable thanks to their curly coat, svelte physique, and willowy limbs, they’re very easygoing and laid back, adapting well to almost any living situation. And while they do enjoy zooming round the house and burning off some energy each day, they also delight in curling up on a nice warm lap and being stroked.
29. Bombay
Looking for a talkative little feline who will keep you on your toes? Look no further than the Bombay! This cat loves to chat and they communicate in a variety of ways, including meows and chirps.
Vocal and persuasive, this tiny panther on the prowl is extroverted, and confident and rarely has time for a nap. Never happier than when surrounded by people and other pets, they’re real velcro cats and have affectionate and adaptable natures.
30. Serengeti
The result of crossing a Bengal with an oriental shorthair, the Serengeti has almost inexhaustible energy levels. Outgoing and confident while still gentle, this active and agile cat fits in beautifully to bustling homes where there’s lots going on to keep them occupied.
They form strong bonds with their humans and are known for being excessively chatty but as long as what you’re looking for in a cat is one that sticks to you like glue and talks the day away, the Serengeti might just be your perfect match.
31. Havana Brown
While not as loud as their Siamese ancestors, the Havana Brown is still one very talkative little cat. Always dressed in their Sunday best with their stunning tobacco-colored coat, this adaptable, affectionate, and intelligent feline resembles the wrapping of a fine Cuban cigar.
And yet believe it or not, despite their name, they actually originated in England! Human-oriented, if you’re looking for ways to be the best cat owner, facilitating regular play sessions with your curious Havana Brown will certainly go a long way in keeping them happy.
32. Sokoke
Thought to be the rarest breed of domestic cat in the world, the sokoke hails from the coastal region of Kenya in Africa. Known for being loud and communicative, the sokoke likes to be up high, so if you’re lucky enough to welcome one of these cats into your home, be prepared to invest in one of the best cat trees to keep them happy!
Easy to train, they enjoy learning new tricks, and they do well in busy homes with children thanks to their tolerance for loud noises and their relaxed attitude to having small people running all over the place.