Cat breeds

Information on all purebred cat breeds and hybrid cat breeds. Learn more about your favorite cat breeds by perusing our comprehensive list of cat breed profiles. We outline cat breed basics and give you the skinny on what you should know before bringing a new cat home – everything from the history of your breed of choice to common health concerns and what they are typically like to live with.

Many American cat breeds might be familiar due to their popularity, but some are much more rare. When considering a rare breed, try to spend time with a breed representative first and talk to someone who knows the breed. That way, you can learn whether its characteristics are right for your lifestyle. mytruestoryphotography / Getty Images The American shorthair has a pedigree stretching back to early U.S. history. This breed’s claim to fame is its voyage on the Mayflower. It’s believed pilgrims brought skilled feline mousers from Europe to keep rodents under control on the transatlantic voyage. Once settled in their new homeland, these early ancestors of the breed continued to prowl for rodents and eventually came to be known as the American shorthair. The breed received official recognition in 1966. eugenesergeev / Getty Images One glance at the backward-curled ears of this American cat breed, and you’ll understand how it got its name. These cats have a natural genetic mutation that results in the peculiar ear shape. The mutation was first discovered in cats of the early 1980s, and efforts quickly got underway to selectively breed for the trait. Unlike some other gene mutations, this one is dominant, meaning just one parent needs to have the gene for the trait to appear. Olga Murasheva / Getty Images The Bengal cat was developed in the U.S. in the 1970s. The breed got its start when an African leopard cat was successfully crossed with a domestic cat. The Abyssinian, Ameri...

Jackie Brown is a senior content editor on the cats.com editorial team. She also writes on all pet and veterinary topics, including general health and care, nutrition, grooming, behavior, training, veterinary and health topics, rescue and animal welfare, lifestyle, and the human-animal bond. Jackie is the former editor of numerous pet magazines and is a regular contributor to pet magazines and websites... Last updated Feb 16, 2023 Brown cats are not particularly rare. Brown, especially brown tabby (brown with black stripes) is a very common color in cats. Solid brown cats are somewhat less common, and can be strikingly beautiful. In some breeds, the solid brown color is called chocolate. Some pointed breeds also come in brown colors, such as the seal point In cats, brown coats come in a range of hues, from very light tan to deep chocolate brown. Brown cats also come in a variety of different patterns, including solid brown, brown tabby, brown spotted tabby, brown ticked, brown spotted, brown pointed (often called chocolate point), and bi-colored (brown with white). One purebred cat breed comes only in brown—the Havana Brown, which is solidly colored in a rich and even shade of warm brown. Many other popular cat breeds come in brown, but also come in other colors, whether solid, patterned, or pointed. Some breeds do not come in brown at all, including the Bombay, Burmilla, Chartreux, Korat, Nebelung, and Russian Blue. Many of the pedigreed cat breeds recognized by the Cat F...

Let’s face it, all cats are beautiful and cute in their own way, but certain breeds are absolutely breathtaking. From exotic coat patterns to long, luscious locks, certain breeds are downright beautiful. Below, you will find the 17 prettiest and most beautiful cat breeds. The 17 Most Beautiful Cat Breeds: 1. Maine Coon Image Credit: Meriluxa, Shutterstock Size: 9–12 inches Color: White, blue, black, red, cream, golden, silver The However, most owners note that the Norwegian Forest is unique in that it loves to be around people, but it does not like being touched. Instead, you can expect the companionship of the Norwegian Forest, but not necessarily cuddles. 3. Birman Image Credit: Borkin Vadim, Shutterstock Size: 15–18 inches Color: Seal, lilac, blue, chocolate, red, tortie, cream No cat is quite as beautiful as the This breed is a favorite among families because they love to be around people and don’t handle isolation well. The more you are at home with your Birman, the happier it will be. 4. Himalayan Image Credit: Nattapong Pongpiyapan, Shutterstock Size: 13–20 inches Color: Black When most people imagine a black cat, it is the Part of the reason these cats are so striking is that they were bred to look like Jaguars. Despite their slightly scary appearance, they are playful and loving and one of the best cats to have in your home if you have children. 7. Russian Blue Image Credit: Review News, Shutterstock Size: 14–18 inches Color: Silver, blue, brown, red, cream, camo ...

Jackie Brown is a senior content editor on the cats.com editorial team. She also writes on all pet and veterinary topics, including general health and care, nutrition, grooming, behavior, training, veterinary and health topics, rescue and animal welfare, lifestyle, and the human-animal bond. Jackie is the former editor of numerous pet magazines and is a regular contributor to pet magazines and websites... on The 7 Most Adorable Flat-Faced Cat Breeds Last updated Jul 18, 2022 No doubt about it, flat-faced cat breeds are adorable. The short nose, short muzzle, round face, and large eyes give flat-faced felines a very human expression, which cat lovers often find irresistible. A flat face is a genetically inherited trait seen in a handful of cat breeds (as well as some dog breed, such as the Pug). The scientific term for a flat face is called brachycephalic, which means “shortened head.” Some people say brachycephalic cats have smooshed faces or pushed-in faces. Among the various brachycephalic cat breeds you will find varying degrees of face “flatness.” Persian cats, Himalayan cats, and Exotic Shorthair cats have some of the most extreme flat faces; this is not surprising since these three breeds are related. Some other cat breeds are considered brachycephalic, but the flatness is more moderate (though just as cute). Which Cat Breeds Have Flat Faces? Flat-faced cat breeds are among the cutest of all cats. Of all the cat breeds, only a handful have flat faces. Get to know sev...

Small cat breeds make popular pets because of their compact size and cute features. Larger cat breeds tip the scales at 15 pounds (or more), while the smallest members of the feline family often weigh 5 to 10 pounds. Their height may vary, since some small cat breeds have lanky legs and others, like the munchkin, stand less than 10 inches tall at the shoulder. They come in a wide range of When it comes to feeding a cat, Breed Characteristics Besides retaining their kitten-cute features into adulthood many of the smaller breed tend to have a playful, spry predisposition. These cats tend to be energetic, Take a look the top 10 small cat breeds that have left a big impression on the feline world. Nazra Zahri / Getty Images Munchkins are shortest cat breed in the world. These cats have a naturally occurring genetic mutation that results in shorter legs, giving these cats a low stature of 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder. The shortest adult cat according to the Guinness World Records is a munchkin from Napa, California, named Lilieput, measuring 5.25 inches tall in 2013. There is some controversy in the cat world whether it is ethical to continue to breed the short-legged munchkin. The International Cat Association recognizes the munchkin as a registered breed, while the Cat Fanciers' Association does not. Angela Emanuelsson / Getty Images The long legs and angular features of the Cornish rex might give you the impression that this cat is larger than it really is. These cats typic...