15 Most Popular Cat Breeds
Most people put several things into consideration when choosing a pet cat – appearance, temperament, adorableness, name them. Some have even chosen particular breeds of cats based on what they saw on television. But have you ever wondered what the most popular cat breeds are? There are countless cat breeds; some very common, some not so common. Typically, cats are either referred to as domestic cats or pure breed cats. Pure breed cats have a pedigree history trace in their lineage. And this separates them from the domestic cat breed. There are over fifty cat breeds recognized by the three main regulatory bodies for cat breeding – The International Cat Association, The Cat Fancier’s Association, and Federation Internationale Feline. This article has compiled for you the 15 most popular cat breeds and a few things to know about them.
Exotic Shorthair Cats
The Exotic Shorthair cat is one of the top cat breeds among cat lovers. If you have seen the Persian breed, you will notice they are very similar in appearance. Although the Exotic Shorthair cats have shorter hair. They come in medium to large sizes and various colors. They are very sociable cats and love to be around their humans. They cannot handle being left alone for too long. Because they have short hair, they require comparatively less care. They are calm, lively, loving, playful, and good-natured.
Ragdoll Cats
Ragdoll cats have a calm and docile temperament. That is where they get their name from. They have elegant features that have made them very popular. Most cat experts believe that Ragdolls are as a result of cross-breeding between the Siamese cats and the Persian cats in the past. They usually take longer years before they reach feline maturity – three years to be exact. This gives them a very long childhood. They have blue eyes that are very distinctive and a personality that many cat lovers describe as dog-like. This is because of the way they love to follow their owners around the house. Their docile nature has led some people to believe that Ragdolls do not feel pain. But we all know better, don’t we?
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat has a face so amiable and adorable at the same time. It has thick hair and makes for a loving pet cat. This is because of how easy it is to get along with. It also adapts well to any family size. When it comes to charming looks and sociable nature, the British Shorthair is considered one of the best cat breeds. It is easy to take care of, it loves to play, and it does not mind extra feline company. A British Shorthair has an average lifespan from twelve years to twenty years. That means that if you decide to own one, you should be prepared for a long relationship.
Persian Cats
If you have ever heard of the “smushed-face” cats, you have heard about the Persian cats. They come in a variety of colors and color combinations. They have fur coats that are long and beautiful and flat faces that strangely seem to befit them. Because of their long fur, they require to be groomed regularly. They come in a variety of names – Shirazi cats, Persian Longhair, and Iranian cats, to name a few. Because Persian cats are purebred cats, they vulnerable to a variety of diseases related to genetics. These include problems of the heart as well as renal problems. Do not let their looks fool you; they are loving and playful cats.
Maine Coon Cats
You cannot ignore a Maine Coon cat. This is because Maine Coon cats have a large and comparatively imposing structure. As their name suggests, they hail from the State of Maine and have been chosen as the official cat of the state. Their giant-like structure belies their temperament. This is because they are gentle and loving cats. Also, they are regarded as great hunters. They have large feet with added an added toe on each to make their feet even larger. This gives them a good advantage when it comes to hunting in the snow. They can come in any color of hair, but the common color is tabby brown.
American Shorthair Cats
This breed of cats is all-American. They have short ears, round faces, and large bodies. Plus, they are very intelligent cats. They are purebred cats, although most people mistake them for domestic, mix-breed. They are good-natured and lovable. They also adapt very well to different family sizes and new environments. This makes them ideal for companionship. They are intelligent, moderately active, smart, and easy to train. Unlike some other breeds, the American Shorthair cats are comparatively independent, although they love the occasional petting on the lap. They do not appreciate being picked up often, though. They love learning new tricks and enjoy puzzle-solving games. They are natural hunters, and the instincts take over when thy spot birds or other smaller animals.
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Scottish Fold Cats
Scottish fold cats belong to the domestic breed of cats. Their notable characteristics are their folded ears, round faces, and large eyes. The folded ears are as a result of a dominant gene mutation. They are small to medium-size cats with rounded heads and rounded bodies. They very affectionate cats naturally, and they tend to get attached easily to their owners and care-givers. They are gentle, good-natured, and get on well with other pets at home. They come in several colors and color combinations. They hate isolation and loneliness, and this can easily get them depressed. They are playful and smart cats that love to go outside, although it usually not safe for them. One thing you can easily fall in love with about Scottish Fold cats is their gentle and sweet voices.
Sphynx Cats
The first thing you will notice about the Sphynx cats is their lack of body hair or lack of fur coats. They have no whiskers and no eyelashes. However, they are not completely without hair. They do have some fine, downy hair not noticeable from a distance. They have eyes that are set deeply to look like lemon-shaped, they have barrel chests, and body structures that look muscular with fine bone outlines. They require little grooming because of their lack of hair. However, the same makes them vulnerable to extreme weather changes. They are noted to be mischievous cats, smart, outgoing, and lovers of attention. Another noticeable trait about them is that they love to follow their owners about, chattering, and even sharing their beds.
Abyssinian Cats
Abyssinian cats are originally from Ethiopia. That is the reason why they are called Abyssinian, which is a former name for Ethiopia. One distinctive thing about this breed of cats is their orange or red agouti fur coat. This means that their individual hairs are somewhat banded with more than one color. These domestic cats have a slender structure with fine bones lines that make them look muscular. They are medium-sized cats with long limbs and alert ears. When it comes to temperament, they are playful, extroverted, and sociable. They enjoy constant activities and will easily become depressed when they are denied it. They are also affectionate towards their owners and other pets at home.
Devon Rex Cats
Devon Rex cats love attention, and they are ready to put on playful shows to get it. These medium-sized breed of cats are energetic, active, and always ready to entertain. They do not entertain for free, though. They expect some appreciation in the form of petting and attention. They love to exercise, and their most favorite is leaping unto sofas and tables. Providing them with cat perches and cat trees will be very appreciated. They also have quite an appetite. Owners are, therefore, advised to pay close attention to their nutrition. They usually have fragile hair. Thus, owners are advised not to brush them. Just rubbing them gently with a soft cloth is good enough for them.
Birman
Just like the Ragdoll and Siamese, the Birman cat breeds are color-pointed. They have medium to long coats with no undercoats beneath. One noticeable thing about them is their deep blue eyes. They are similar in appearance to the Ragdolls. This is because they were used for the breeding and development of the latter. However, they differ in temperament. When it comes to personality, Birman cats are more private. Aside from their owners, they do not attach themselves to other humans. They also love attention and can be jealous of it; especially when their owners are not giving them as much attention as they want. Just like most cats, they are territorial. However, they not aggressive in protecting their territories.
Norwegian Forest Cat
It is believed that the Norwegian Forest Cat breed was the cat of the Vikings. Usually referred to as “wegie” for short, it shares some similarities with the Maine Coon cat breed. Do not let their wild looks deceive you. The Norwegian Forest cats are affectionate, and they love attention, although they will not demand it because they are independent cats at the same time. They do not vocalize often, and you will not find them sitting on laps to be petted. However, they do love the occasional rubbing of the head against your hands lovingly. Although they are affectionate and playful with kids especially, they are generally very quiet cats.
Cornish Rex
The first things you will notice about the Cornish Rex are their slender and rangy structures, ears that are large and set high, and heads that are long and shaped like a wedge. They have large eyes, soft curly hair, and curly whiskers. The Cornish Rex cat breeds are very intelligent, smart, and love to learn new tricks. They are active, agile, and have mischievous sides to them. They have the energy to play for hours without stopping. But there are times when they only prefer to sit on the lap quietly and curl up. Because they have very short hair with no protective fur, they are prone to becoming very cold easily. Thus they usually prefer warm places to sleep.
Siamese
Although they might not look like it, the Siamese cats are very common cat breeds. They have been used in several breeding programs to create other breeds such as the Sphynx, the Himalayan, and the Oriental Shorthair. They have distinctive areas of coloration called points on the ears, faces, feet, and tails. However, not all Siamese cats have this distinctive coloration. Also, Siamese cats appear in different body structures. Some are slender, while others look chubbier; some have apple-shaped heads while others have larger heads. Originally from Thailand, these cats have beautiful eyes that appear in either blue or green colors. They are considered to be very loyal and affectionate. They also have very short coats which makes grooming very easy. They love to play, especially with their humans, and they adapt to any family size.
Oriental
The Oriental cat breed is a unique breed on its own. They have heads that appear triangular in shape, with large eyes shaped like almonds. Their eyes appear in either green or blue colors, although some have odd-looking eyes. Complimenting their triangular heads are tall ears with straight and long noses. They also have long and slender limbs with tapering tails. When it comes to fur, the Oriental cat breed has two varieties – the Longhair and the Shorthair. The fur of the Longhair is medium length whilst the Oriental Shorthair has, well, short hair which appears glossy and flows close to the body. The Oriental cat breeds are very intelligent and can be trained to do several tricks. They can be stubborn at times because they usually have minds of their own. They are very affectionate and love to have their affections returned with petting and attention.
To Summarize
So, there you have it – the fifteen most popular cat breeds at the moment. The popularity of these cat breeds has been enhanced over the years because of several things. These include their looks, temperament, intelligence, maintenance, and even adaptability. The different cat breeds have one thing in common – they are all affectionate and loving cats that will fill your home with love and fun. Because of their diverse appearances, you have a wide range to choose from. And honestly, you cannot go wrong with any choice you make. Have fun choosing!
