Do you plan on getting a new cat as your pet? Before you head over to the local pet store, make sure you check out which cat breed is best for you. Each cat has its unique personality, and it is important to understand them well before committing to a lifetime of companionship and love. Playfulness and affection are the top qualities searched by cat aficionados.
Your cat can either be a hybrid, purebred, or domestic cat. Most domestic cats don’t have any pedigree lineage history. On the other hand, purebred felines do. Hybrid cats are domestic cats that are crossbred with the wild feline variants. Although there are 45+ purebred feline breeds, some are more popular than others.
So, let us take a look at the top 10 most popular cat breeds that could be your next pet.
10 Popular Cat Breeds: What Are They?
Felines have certain character traits that make them so popular among pet lovers. They have a stunning look and queen/king-like personality that resonates with most humans. So, here are the top 10 popular cat breeds that could be a part of your family.
1. Siamese Cat:
Siamese cats are among the most popular cat breeds, given their unique coloration. They have enjoyed preceding popularity over other cat breeds since the early 19th century. The cat breed was formerly termed Siam and came from Thailand. Siamese cats have been a part of the foundational breeds such as sphinx, oriental shorthair, & Himalayan.
Most of the Siamese cats tend to have a distinctive marking termed as points. They are coloration areas on the face, feet, ears, or tail. There are two variants of the Siamese cats. The first variant features a chubby body and head that is apple-shaped. Others have slender bodies and larger heads.
If you have ever watched the Disney movie named “Lady & the Tramp”, it featured several Siamese cats that were singing songs in the same. Most Siamese cats that derive their origin from Thailand did have a tail kink. However, this is a trait that has been bred out from most of the Siamese cats found today. You can surely find some with this trait in the street cats roaming about in Thailand.
2. Persian Cat:
Persian cats are unique in terms of look. They are lovingly called “Smushed-Face” felines. Persians have a long and beautiful fur coat and are also known by names such as Shiraz or Iranian Cat. They have different coat color shades & have a flatter face as compared to other cat breeds.
You can see the Persian cats featured in several artworks, movies, & commercials. They have been among the popular cat breeds for decades. However, if you are someone who cannot dedicate enough time to groom your cats on a regular basis, it is better to opt for a cat with shorter hair.
Persian cats require regular grooming, or else it could result in matting issues. Just like any other purebred cat, they are vulnerable to being affected by a range of diseases that include cardiac or renal problems.
3. Maine Coon:
The Maine Coon cat breed is popular for its massive stature & thick coat. In simple words, when you see a Maine Coon, it would be difficult to remove your eyes from them. The cat breed derives its origins from Maine & is the official cat of the state.
This cat has a giant stature yet is gentle in nature. They are also amazing hunters & attained popularity post achieving recognition from the CFA as a purebred during the latter half of the 1970s. To date, they are among the highly popular feline breeds. You can also notice that Maine Coon cats do have polydactylism or, in simple words, an extra toe that makes their feet appear larger than normal.
Although it might seem like an abnormality, it is an amazing feature that helps the cat hunt easily in the snowy terrains while serving as snowshoes. Classic Maine breed has a brown tabby coloration. However, this particular breed can be found in a lot of beautiful colors.
4. Ragdoll Cat:
If you are looking for a cat with a docile temperament, the Ragdoll breed is a great breed to bring home. These beautiful cats tend to get limp after they are picked up, similar to that of a beautiful ragdoll. Back in the day, people used to think that these breeds couldn’t feel any pain. However, this isn’t true.
Ragdolls have a look that is similar to the long-haired Siamese breeds with some pointed and colorful patterns. Plus, they also feature a distinctive and beautiful set of blue eyes with a dog-like personality as they follow their owners wherever they go in the house.
5. Bengal Cat:
The Bengal Cats are felines that look very similar to their wild relatives. The markings in their coat make them seem more like a part of the jungle as opposed to your home. However, they can surely be domesticated just as well. These cats love to interact with their humans. So, if you are someone who loves cats that tend to talk a lot, this is a breed you must have.
Moreover, they also require a good amount of exercise. If you plan to keep your cat stuck inside an apartment, the Bengal Cats might not be something you should have as a pet. They have multiple beautiful colors with patterns such as rosettes or spots. Bengal cats were bred initially from wildcats and domestic cats. You can see some beautiful patterns on their coat that comes from wildcats.
6. Abyssinian:
The Abyssinian cat breed originally came from Ethiopia and was previously known by the name Abyssinia. This cat breed features a distinctively ruddy and agouti coat which creates a unique and breed-specific banded look for these felines. Moreover, the cat has pointy & tall ears along with a head that is shaped in the form of a wedge.
This feline breed isn’t on the bulky side. Rather they have a muscular and slender body that keeps them active and going. So, if you are someone who loves to play with their cats, this is the breed that will keep you on your toes. Abys tend to be active and curious cats known to follow their owners everywhere they go. In addition, they have a playful demeanor which is quite similar to that of a dog.
7. Birman:
Another popular choice among pet owners is the Birman cat breed which features similar traits to the Ragdoll and Siamese breed. These cats have color pointing in the fur that makes them distinctive from other felines. Birmans feature beautiful blue-colored eyes along with a medium-length coat. However, they don’t have any undercoats. This is the prime trait that makes them different from the Himalayans and Persians.
Originally, the Birmans were used for breeding ragdolls, given their similarities in terms of looks and pertinent features. However, they can be differentiated given their markings & unique personalities. Moreover, these cats tend to be fun & social in nature while seeking attention and love from their owners. As compared to other felines, they tend to show their love and dedication to one person.
8. Oriental Shorthair:
When you first take a peek at this cat breed, you might confuse it with the Siamese cat, given its slender look. However, the Oriental Shorthair sure is a different breed. As compared to the Siamese breed, they tend to have green-colored eyes & several color patterns on their coat. The Orientals can also feature long and fancy hair. However, it is rare to find such as trait.
One thing that could be problematic for pet parents that have an Oriental Shorthair in their premises is that they tend to be vulnerable to issues such as skin cancer. Given their short hair, they are also prone to feeling cold and could suffer from skin drying problems. You can see the Orientals clad with thick sweaters during the winters by their owners.
If you are one among the pet parents with Oriental Shorthair in your house, your fur friend will do well with a durable and thick sweater to bring them warmth. One option you can try is the Bobibi Christmas Cat Sweater. Make your cat look like a mini Santa with this beautiful and warm sweater with a turtleneck design.
9. Sphynx:
For pet parents that are allergic to furs, the best option is to bring home a Sphynx breed. This hairless cat doesn’t bring in the worries of shedding all around the house while ensuring that you don’t have to deal with those stubborn allergies. Remember that episode in the Friends TV series where Rachael paid a whopping $1000 for a Sphynx cat named Mrs Whiskerson? Well, a Sphynx cat could surely cost you a lot, given its unique look.
However, they might not seem as appealing for pet parents that prefer pets with fur. The Sphynx tend to be very active, social, & a characteristic trait that is similar to dogs in terms of playfulness. By the looks they flaunt, they seem to belong to people with royal lineage.
These cats are goofy & playful while acting more like the court jesters regardless of their obvious regal appearance.
10. Devon Rex:
Another popular breed that is known for its playfulness is the Devon Rex cat breed. These cats tend to have soft and wavy short hairs with slender bodies & enormous ears. They are particularly active and playful who seem similar to a monkey wearing a catsuit. They can also be trained well with several tricks and easy-to-understand commands, just like you would with a dog.
Cat Breed |
Weight |
Height |
Life Expectancy |
Coat & Color |
| Siamese Cats | 5-8 pounds | About 14 Inches | 12-15 Years | Short Coat (Chocolate, Lilac, Blue) With Beautiful Blue Eyes |
| Persian Cats | 7-12 pounds | 14-18 Inches | 15-20 Years | Long Coat (Black, White, Cream) Along With Hints of Silver, Gold, And Other Shades |
| Maine Coon | 8-20 pounds | About 16 Inches | 12-15 Years | Long & Double Coat (75+ Color Combinations) With Copper, Gold, Or Green Eyes |
| Ragdoll Cats | 15-20 pounds | 11-13 Inches | 15-25 Years | Medium-Length, Silky Coat (Multiple-Colors & Patterns) And Blue Eyes |
| Bengal Cats | 6-12 pounds | 13-16 Inches | 12-15 Years | Shorthaired, Marbled, or Spotted Coat (Chocolate, Black, Silver/Gray Color) With Gold or Green Eyes |
| Abyssinian Cats | 8-10 pounds | 8-10 Inches | 12-15 Years | Short Hair (Orange/Red Agouti Coat + Bands of Dark & Light Color) (Also Found In Other Colors That Include Fawn, Cinnamon, & Blue) |
| Birman | 6-15 pounds | 8-10 Inches | 15-20 Years | Long & Silky Coat (Red, Blue, Seal, Cream, Chocolate, & Tortie) Along With Standard/Lynx Patterns & Deep-Blue Colored Eyes |
| Oriental Shorthair | 7-12 pounds | 9-11 Inches | 15-20 Years | Smooth, Short Coat (Several Color Possibilities) With Shaded, Solid, Smoke, or Tabby Patterns. It Has Gold, Blue, Green, & Yellow Eyes |
| Sphynx | 8-10 pounds | 8-10 Inches | 15-20 Years | Hairless (Black, White, Chocolate, Red, Tabby, Lavender, Tortoiseshell, Pointed, Calico, & Mink) |
| Devon Rex | 7-12 pounds | 10-12 Inches | 15-20 Years | Fine, Short, Wavy Coat (Tabby, Solid, & Shaded Varieties) |
Apart from these unique and popular breeds, you can also go with the gorgeous Himalayan breed with beautiful eyes or opt for the classic American Shorthair that is seen in almost every household in America. While you are at it, there are certain breeds that you might want to avoid. If you are going for a rare or scarce breed such as Egyptian Maus or Scottish Folds, be ready to pay a lump sum to obtain them from your local pet store. They might also require a lot of general care in terms of health and coat maintenance as opposed to regular cat breeds that are easy to find.
Conclusion
When selecting a cat breed, always opt for the ones that are friendly and gel well with the humans. This would help their transition from a store-bought or rescued pet to a house pet easier for both. Regardless of the breed you choose, bringing home a pet is a big responsibility. So, make sure you are
