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 a bewildering number of crosses, alongside the trusty Moggy - an indistinct mix of cat that is the most popular type.
One thing you might like to consider before making a decision is that different breeds of cat tend to have different personalities.
While some breeds are pretty resilient to noise and strangers, others are more shy and enjoy living in quiet environments with little in the way of surprises or unexpected visitors.
Here are the 10 most shy and nervous breeds of cat.
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9. Siberian
Siberians often assess newcomers carefully first, like tiny furry diplomats determining whether guests deserve friendship, trust, or immediate suspicious staring from staircases. If the guest makes a loud noise or sudden movement it will NOT be forgotten. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Nebelung
A very rare breed of timid cat, the Nebelung likes its creature comforts and nap-heavy schedule. Anything that get in the way of this will be treated as a major problem. | Canva/Getty Images