The 18 Best Barn Cat Breeds for Your Homestead

Dogs get all the credit as man’s best friend and working companion, but you shouldn’t underestimate the contribution that cats have made to keeping human holdings safe.

When it comes to pest control, particularly the elimination of rodents which can spread disease and cause damage, cats are peerless and constantly vigilant predators.

Cats have accompanied ships at sea to keep rations safe, and have long stood guard over barns and granaries, a tradition that continues today.

If you’re having trouble with rodents around your homestead, a barn cat is the perfect solution. Keep reading and I’ll tell you about some of the best barn cat breeds below for your consideration…

Domestic Shorthair/Longhair

The domestic shorthair and domestic longhair cat “breeds” aren’t really breeds at all. Instead, the cognomen is something of a catch-all term for domestic cats of uncertain parentage and broadly similar features.

But like most “mutts,” if you want to call them that, they tend to be very healthy, resistant to disease, and quite adaptable. What is also known, for sure, is that they all enjoy hunting and are very enthusiastic about it.

That being said, anything that moves is on the menu, from mice, rats, and squirrels to birds, amphibians, and even large bugs. Probably the best attribute of these domestic cats is that they can be had freely for very little money from every pet shelter and adoption agency.

Bengal

One of the most remarkable and strikingly beautiful cats on our list, the Bengal has a spotted or speckled coat that makes them look very much like a miniature leopard. And they’ve got the physiology to match!

Muscular, with hunting and tracking instincts that are still very close to those of wild species, they are superb hunters and love doing what they are so good at.

Bengals are one of the few cat breeds that don’t seem unduly disturbed by water, and it’s not uncommon to see them out prowling even when it is raining.

Unfortunately, these tend to be one of the more expensive domestic breeds so if you’re planning on buying a cat a Bengal is a pricey proposition.

Maine Coon

Certainly one of the largest and most wild-looking cats on our list, the Maine Coon is known for its impressively large size, long and frilly double coat, and humongous paws with equally huge claws.

They also retain a high degree of wild hunting instincts, and will absolutely eradicate mice and rats with pleasure. Despite their ferocious appearance, they’re known to make excellent pets and get along wonderfully with their owners and families.

But keep in mind that with great size comes great calorie requirements, so you must be prepared to furnish them with additional food. You can’t rely on them to feed themselves and stay healthy just on what they catch!

Balinese

These slender, athletic cats are affectionate, curious, and gorgeous, with a long and lanky body that terminates in a tail wrapped in long, soft hair. This is one of the more fun breeds that you can choose because they often get up to mischief as they explore the property.

Know, though, that they have the standard predatory instincts of all cats but are sometimes lackadaisical hunters. Sometimes they just aren’t in the mood to hunt or catch pests, and that can be frustrating when you have a problem that needs solving!

If you want a cat around “just in case” or if you aren’t dealing with large rodent populations, they make a pretty good choice, but they aren’t any good for serious rodent elimination.

American Curl

A medium-sized cat that is known for overall intelligence and love of play, American Curls make a wonderful barn cat because they are always active.

You’ll rarely fail to see most cats lounging around and basking in the sun or napping, but American Curls seem like they’re constantly on the move.

This means they are an ever-present threat to rodents, and even if they aren’t catching many their travels tend to disperse them or keep them suppressed.

One thing to perhaps keep in mind is that they have a tendency to toy with and brutalize prey before dispatching it, so if you have a weak stomach don’t watch them while they are hunting!

American Shorthair

Often thought of as the quintessential pet feline, the American Shorthair actually has a distinguished history as a mouser: these cats have been in America since the days of the earliest colonists, who used them for keeping mice and rats away from barns, wood sheds, and stored food.

Remarkably adaptable and with strong hunting skills, they are definitely a great choice. Just think twice if you live in an extremely cold region because their shorter coats don’t give them as much insulation.

Siamese

Among the oldest and certainly most beautiful cat breeds in the entire world, Siameses are synonymous with elegance and distinction.

Incredibly stylish cats owing to their dark markings at the tips of their face, paws, tails, and ears, they are nonetheless alert and athletic killers of mice, though they seem less decisive against larger rodents.

Something you should know, though, is that they’re among the most vocal cat breeds and if they are unhappy or just need attention they will constantly meow and make noise.

Doesn’t sound like a problem, until you realize that there is no guarantee they won’t do it right outside the door or your bedroom window!

Siberian

Another wild-looking domestic cat, the Siberian, as its name suggests, hails from the most frigid and remote regions of Siberia in Russia. As expected, there is hardly a better breed if you need a cat capable of withstanding extremely cold weather.

Despite their shaggy appearance that makes them look downright soft, almost lazy, they are remarkably muscular and agile for their size and noted for a decidedly un-catlike attention and loyalty to their owners. The Siberian is one of the very best barn cat breeds if you live in a cold climate.

Chartreux

A large and regal-looking French breed, the long, usually gray fur of the Chartreux gives them a highly distinctive appearance in conjunction with their remarkably sharp, amber eyes.

They might look like lazy layabouts, but don’t be fooled: this is one breed that is remarkably good at hunting even among other cats.

They also tend to form close bonds with their owners if given plenty of interaction, though they do tend to be standoffish, moody, and wary of strangers. If you prefer more interaction with your barn cat, they might not be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time getting to know or interacting with them, they are reliable.

Cornish Rex

One of the most recently developed domestic breeds, if you can call a surprise mutation a development, the Cornish Rex hails from Cornwall in England and has a completely unique appearance among all cats.

Their fur, owing to the mutation, is wiry and wavy, and terminates in almost fringed bands running the length of their body. The fur on their heads and face grows so short and so close to the body they look nearly bald at first glance.

Lanky, friendly, and always keen to explore every nook and cranny, they will be the ones to find where mice are hiding where other cats might fail. Combined with their high energy level, they are a peculiar but highly effective choice for a barn cat.

Feral

Like the domestic shorthairs and domestic longhairs elsewhere on this list, a feral cat is more of a type or classification than a true breed. A feral cat is one that you are likely to inherit, or rather a cat that’s likely to choose you rather than the other way around.

If you notice one day, for a few days in a row, that you have a cat hanging around your barn, congratulations! You now have a feral barn cat.

They may or may not want anything to do with you, but if you let them hang around you’ll usually benefit from reduced numbers of rodents on your property.

The major drawback, as ever, is that they tend to wander and they might leave for days at a time or just decide to take their chances elsewhere, leaving you without a cat at all.

Japanese Bobtail

Striking, upright, and alert, the Japanese Bobtail’s most distinctive feature is, of course, its naturally bobbed or docked tail.

Luckily, it doesn’t slow these cats down one bit, as they are known for high intelligence and excellent hunting IQ, being particularly good ambushers. They always figure out a way to be in the right spot at the right time to bag their prey with a minimum of effort.

This breed is also famously social and gets along remarkably well with people, pets, and most livestock species. However, it’s very unlikely that you will find one up for adoption or cheaply: they are a boutique breed that is very expensive to purchase.

Manx

Another heritage breed from the UK that has a well-established pedigree as a rodent control specialist. The Manx has long been the ship cat of choice for Navy and merchant voyages over the centuries, used for rodent control and also as crew mascots.

With a round head and an expression that seems to be in a constant state of bemusement or disappointment, they don’t look particularly friendly but like all cats, they are highly intelligent.

Manxes get along fine with most people, but show a tendency to form strong bonds with some and not with others. This may lead to hurt feelings if you have kids or other family members who adore the cat, but they don’t reciprocate.

Pixie Bob

The Pixie Bob is another breed that has a credentialed history as a rodent control specialist. They’re actually known to have descended from various kinds of established barn cat stock, and are often said to be related to bobcats owing to their naturally cropped tail.

With a long, shaggy coat, the resemblance to their wild cousin is definitely there! And because of their selective breeding, they are indeed amazing hunters of mice and rats, but are more than capable of bringing down any other small animal that they catch.

They tend to be good-natured towards people if raised by them, but if you buy or inherit a grown Pixie Bob expect them to be a little standoffish.

Turkish Angora

Only a domestic breed by technicality, the Turkish Angora is thought to be by scientists a small, wild cat breed that gradually domesticated itself alongside humanity.

Social to the point of near neediness sometimes, but willful, they need a strong bond with a human owner in order to stick around on your property.

The payoff, though, is that they have among the sharpest hunting instincts of any domestic cat breed and will not struggle in the least to bring down mice and rats by the bucketful.

Chausie

An Egyptian breed that is surprisingly variable in size; some large individuals can top 20 pounds, all of it lean muscle and incredible reflexes!

Chausies are incredibly impressive predators: these short-haired cats are, like the American Curls, highly active and not prone to laying around. And by the same token, they seem to love interacting with people.

If you want to stop and “chat” with your cat every now and then they will love you for it and work even harder when getting rid of mice and rats.

They can also easily dispatch larger animals thanks to their size and strength, so you need to be very cautious if you have ducks or chickens…

American Wirehair

Another popular American breed that emerged somewhere in New England (though it is popularly attributed to New York), the Wirehair has, as its name suggests, short, springy fur covering its body.

This gives them a distinct, plush feel for petting, of course, but also provides them with a remarkable degree of insulation and water resistance.

Considering that barn cats are usually out prowling and growling for much of the time this is an advantage compared to a true pet cat you keep inside the house with you. The American Wirehair is also remarkably athletic, and capable of bringing down larger rodents with ease.

Cymric

The Cymric is best known for being one of the more relaxed and friendly pet cat breeds out there, and they are undeniably attractive thanks to their plush, flowing coat that tends to be fairly long.

Although they are excellent predators, at least as far as the animals they pursue are concerned, they are not the most expert hunters on our list.

However, they are a great choice for a barn cat if you are expecting more of an outdoor family pet that you can use to help suppress rodent populations.

I’d recommend a different breed if you’re dealing with a serious infestation, but if you aren’t the surprisingly adaptable Cymric is a great choice.