Foreign Cat Breeds in Nigeria: 6 Popular Breeds and How to Choose

The most popular foreign cat breeds in Nigeria are the Persian, Maine Coon, British Shorthair, Ragdoll, Bengal and Turkish Angora. For a first-time owner, we recommend a doll-face Persian or a Maine Coon. Here's how the six compare.

1. Persian (doll-face)

Calm, quiet and affectionate, with a long coat that needs daily brushing. Doll-face Persians, with a longer nose, breathe more easily and handle heat better than flat-faced (peke-face) Persians. Our top pick for beginners. Read our Persian cat guide.

2. Maine Coon

A gentle giant: large, sociable, playful and good with families. Needs space, more food and regular grooming. Also a great first foreign cat if you have the room.

3. British Shorthair

Calm, independent and affectionate without being clingy. A short, dense coat that's easy to groom. Good if you're out at work during the day.

4. Ragdoll

Large, gentle, blue-eyed and very people-focused. Ragdolls follow you from room to room. Read our Ragdoll cat guide.

5. Bengal

Wild-looking, athletic and full of energy. Bengals need a lot of play and climbing, and get bored easily. Best for experienced, active owners. See our Bengal cats in Nigeria guide.

6. Turkish Angora

Elegant, intelligent and active, with a silky coat. Wants interaction and play more than a sofa cat does.

Which foreign cat breed suits you?

• **First-time owner:** doll-face Persian or Maine Coon
• **Out all day:** British Shorthair
• **Want a cuddly shadow:** Ragdoll
• **Active home with time to play:** Bengal or Turkish Angora
• **Small flat:** Persian or British Shorthair

Heat matters in Nigeria

Long coats and flat faces both make heat harder to handle. Whatever breed you choose, plan for a cool room, fresh water and regular grooming. Read keeping your cat comfortable through heat and harmattan.

Buying a foreign cat in Nigeria

Before you pay, use our checklist for buying a foreign kitten and our free guide, Before You Buy. When you're ready, see the foreign cats for sale on our available pets page. Every Clawfrican cat comes with a veterinary health certificate.