The Most Playful Cat Breeds

When he's not riding on your shoulder, you can find the typically outgoing and active Japanese Bobtail carrying toys around, playing fetch or splashing his paws in water.

Sometimes called the "Aby-silly-an" for his fun-loving nature, the highly active and intelligent Abyssinian isn't much of a lap cat — he's usually on the move. Keep his mind and body engaged by providing food puzzles, teaching him tricks and training him to do agility.

With her high cheekbones and huge ears, doesn't the Devon Rex look just like a pixie? Well, as you may recall from fairy tales, pixies are tiny, playful troublemakers — and so is the Devon Rex. The highly intelligent, highly active breed usually enjoys learning tricks and avidly supervising everything you do.

Although the Birman usually isn't as active as some other cat breeds, he can have a seriously playful side. The breed usually enjoys fetch and playing with interactive toys. Just be sure to save this cuddly breed a little room in your lap after your play session.

She may not have a tail, but that doesn't stop the spirited Manx from jumping to high places and racing around the house at top speed. Channel her energy by playing fetch, teaching tricks and giving her interactive toys.

The Munchkin may be short on height, but he's long on fun. Don't be surprised to find him speeding around the dining room table or jumping on furniture. The typically friendly and energetic breed is usually happy to play with anyone — whether that playmate has two legs or four.

If you fail to keep the typically fun-loving and inquisitive Siamese entertained, she'll likely find a way to entertain herself. These activities could include turning on faucets, opening cabinets, hiding in unlikely places or watching television. Thankfully, the breed is also fairly open to doing things that are usually reserved for a certain other four-legged pet: She often enjoys playing fetch, learning tricks and walking on a leash.

If you want a cat you can ignore and hardly interact with, the Bengal is not the breed for you. The breed can be highly active and demanding, so you'll need to keep him occupied with interactive toys, scratchers and plenty of places for him to climb.

He may be compact and heavy, but that doesn't stop the Burmese from being a fine feline acrobat. Don't be surprised if you find this typically athletic breed leaping to the highest spot in the room. The breed can also be a good playmate for kids if you supervise the interaction and teach children how to handle cats properly.

You may need to build a kitty obstacle course if you get a Siberian. The breed has been known to climb to great heights and leap far and wide in order to get a feather toy or laser pointer. And if you have a lot of fragile items, it's probably a good idea to keep them locked away and out of her path.

Who says cats don't like the water? Nicknamed "the swimming cat," the Turkish Van may join you in the bathtub or swimming pool. And when he's not swimming, you can find him running, jumping or going after his toys. If he does manage to sit still, he may let you pet him, but he doesn't always like being held or cuddled.