Humans and cats have a close relationship that’s thought to date back over 10,000 years, when the first domesticated felines were evolved from African wildcats.
They are now the world’s second most popular household pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we welcome into our hearts.
It means that there are a staggering number of pet cats out there - in the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends taking up our rugs, sofas and beds.
There are a huge range of types of cat to choose from, with The International Cat Association recognising 73 ‘standardised breeds’.
Then there are a bewildering number of crosses, alongside the trusty Moggy - an indistinct mix of cat that is the most popular type.
Meanwhile, some cats naturally more vocal than others, communicating in a series of loud meows - and sometimes a surprising range of other noises.
Conversely, other breeds generally remain silent, other than gentle purrs and chirps.
Here are the 10 least vocal breeds of cat.
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1. Persian
Persian cats are a pretty quiet and gentle breed, opting for soft, infrequent meows rather than making a racket. Perfect felines for a peaceful household. | Canva/Getty Images
2. British Shorthair
One of the most popular breeds in the UK (as the name would suggest), the British Shorthair will let you know they are there was subtle soft chirps rather than harsher meows. They are as affctionate as they are quiet. | AFP via Getty Images
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3. Ragdoll
Make a list of all the positive cat attributes and the Ragdoll ticket almost every box. That includes their gentle and quiet temperaments, with soft meows or purrs their preferred mode of communication. | Getty Images
4. Russian Blue
Russian Blues are another softly spoken breed whose limited chat often festures chirps, and pleasurable purrs rather than frequent or loud vocalisations. | Canva/Getty Images