Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The closest thing to a safe first guess for a cat home. Cavaliers are not much bigger than a cat, gentle and adaptable, and they usually want company more than a chase. The useful twist is that they are also fearless for their size, so a hissing cat is unlikely to cow one. That steadiness helps early meetings settle rather than spiral, and it suits a confident cat that likes to set the rules from the top of the couch.