Cat Breeds A–Z: Profiles of Popular and Rare Cats
Every cat breed has a different energy level, coat workload and personality. Each profile here explains what living with the breed is really like, from grooming to common health concerns.
Choosing a breed (22)
Best Cat Breeds for Apartments: Calm, Quiet and Adaptable Choices
Compare cat breeds that suit apartment life, with notes on noise, energy, size and grooming, plus tips to make a small home work for any cat.
Best Cat Breeds for Dog Owners: Dog-Like Cats Ranked by Temperament
Dog people can love cats too. Meet cat breeds that fetch, walk on leashes, greet you at the door and live well with dogs, plus tips for introducing a cat to a dog.
Best Cat Breeds for Families With Kids: Gentle, Tolerant and Sturdy
Learn which cat breeds tend to be patient with children, how to match a cat to your family and how to teach kids to handle cats gently and safely.
Best Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners: Easygoing Choices and Tips
New to cats? Learn which breeds and mixes are forgiving, what first-time owners should prepare, common beginner mistakes and how to choose a healthy cat.
Best Cat Breeds for Seniors: Calm, Affectionate and Easy to Care For
A guide to calm, low-maintenance cat breeds that suit older adults, with tips on adopting adult cats, grooming needs, safety and planning for the future.
Best Lap Cats: Breeds and Habits That Make a Cat Love Laps
Which cats love laps? Learn the breeds most likely to cuddle, why some cats avoid laps, and how to encourage a shy cat to sit with you without forcing it.
Black Cats: Myths, Genetics, Sun Fading and Why They Make Great Pets
Black cats are loved and misunderstood. Learn the genetics of black coats, why they can look rusty in the sun, the truth about superstitions and how to care for one.
Calico Cats: Why Almost All Are Female and What Makes Them Special
Calico is a coat pattern, not a breed. Learn the genetics behind the white, black and orange patches, why male calicos are rare and how to care for one.
Cat Coat Colors and Patterns: A Guide to the Genetics
A plain-language guide to cat coat genetics, from black, orange and dilution to white, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico and pointed patterns, with links to each type.
How to Choose a Cat Breed: Temperament, Coat, Energy and Lifestyle
A practical guide to picking a cat breed or mix, covering energy, affection, noise, grooming, allergies, health and whether to adopt or buy from a breeder.
Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds: What the Science Really Says
No cat is truly hypoallergenic. Learn what causes cat allergies, which breeds people with allergies report tolerating better, and practical steps to reduce symptoms.
Largest Cat Breeds: Ten Giants and What It Takes to Own One
Meet the largest domestic cat breeds, from the Maine Coon to the Savannah, with typical weights, temperaments and the extra care that big cats need.
Longhaired vs Shorthaired Cats: Grooming, Shedding, Health
Should you pick a longhaired or shorthaired cat? Compare grooming time, shedding, hairballs, health and cost, with breed examples and practical tips for both coats.
Most Affectionate Cat Breeds: Ten Lap Cats and Cuddle Champions
Looking for a cat that loves cuddles? Meet ten affectionate breeds, from Ragdolls to Burmese, and learn what makes a cat lap-friendly and how to find one.
Orange Tabby Cats: Why Most Are Male and What They Are Like
Orange tabby cats are famously friendly and food-loving. Learn the genetics of the color, why about eighty percent are male, and what to expect in care.
Quietest Cat Breeds: Calm, Soft-Voiced Cats for Peaceful Homes
Want a quieter cat? Learn which breeds are known for soft voices and calm habits, why no cat is silent, and how to reduce unwanted noise in any cat.
Rare Cat Breeds: Ten Uncommon Cats and What to Know Before Buying
Discover ten rare cat breeds, from the Lykoi to the Khao Manee, with their traits, health notes and tips on finding a responsible breeder for an uncommon cat.
Smallest Cat Breeds: Compact Cats and Their Special Care Needs
A guide to the smallest cat breeds, including the Singapura, Munchkin and Devon Rex, with typical weights, temperaments, health notes and tips for tiny cats.
Tabby Cats: Stripes, Swirls, Spots and the M on the Forehead
Tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed. Learn the five tabby types, the meaning of the M mark, why tabbies are everywhere and what to expect from a tabby cat.
Tortoiseshell Cats: Tortie Genetics and the Truth About Tortitude
Tortoiseshell cats have a mottled blend of black and orange. Learn how the pattern forms, why nearly all torties are female and what tortitude means.
Tuxedo Cats: Black and White Cats, Their Genes and Personality
Tuxedo describes a black and white coat pattern, not a breed. Learn how the white spotting gene works, what owners say about personality and how to care for one.
White Cats and Deafness: The Gene, the Test and Daily Care
White cats, especially blue-eyed ones, have a higher risk of congenital deafness. Learn why, how hearing is tested and how to keep a deaf cat safe.
Longhaired breeds (16)
Balinese Cat: Longhaired Siamese Type, Voice, Care and Health
Balinese cats are the longhaired version of the Siamese: sleek, silky, talkative and people-focused. Learn about temperament, coat care and breed health topics.
Semi-longhairedBirman Cat: Sacred Cat of Burma, Temperament and Care
Birmans are gentle, blue-eyed, white-gloved cats with silky coats that rarely mat. Learn about temperament, grooming, health concerns and fit.
LonghairedCymric Cat: The Longhaired Manx, Personality and Health
The Cymric is the semi-longhaired version of the tailless Manx. Learn about its plush coat, playful temperament, spinal health risks and what grooming involves.
LonghairedDomestic Longhair Cat: The Fluffy Everyday Cat and How to Care for It
The domestic longhair is a mixed-breed cat with a medium to long coat. Learn what to expect from its personality, grooming needs and health.
LonghairedHimalayan Cat: Persian Elegance With Siamese Colorpoints
The Himalayan combines the Persian's plush coat with Siamese-style colorpoints and blue eyes. Learn about grooming demands, temperament, health risks and care.
LonghairedJavanese Cat: The Longhaired Siamese-Type With a Silky Coat
The Javanese is a slim, vocal, longhaired Siamese-type cat with a silky single coat and colorpoints. Learn about its personality, grooming, health and who it suits.
LonghairedMaine Coon Cat: Size, Temperament, Care and Health
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cats, known for a gentle, social nature and shaggy coat. Learn about size, grooming, health risks and fit.
LonghairedNebelung: The Longhaired Blue Cat Called the Creature of the Mist
Nebelungs are shy, devoted longhaired blue cats with green eyes. Learn about their origin, grooming, temperament, health and whether they fit your home.
LonghairedNorwegian Forest Cat: Coat, Personality, Care and Health
Norwegian Forest Cats are large, water-resistant, tree-climbing cats with a thick double coat. Learn about temperament, seasonal shedding, health and what they need.
LonghairedPersian Cat: Coat Care, Health Issues and Personality
Persians are calm, sweet cats with long, luxurious coats and flat faces. Learn about daily grooming, breathing and eye concerns, temperament and who suits the breed.
Semi-longhairedRagamuffin Cat: Gentle Giant, Temperament, Grooming and Health
Ragamuffins are large, plush, docile cats that love laps and attention. Learn how they differ from Ragdolls, plus grooming, weight, health and who they suit.
Semi-longhairedRagdoll Cat: Temperament, Coat Care, Health and Facts
Ragdolls are large, blue-eyed, docile cats that often go limp when held. Learn about their personality, grooming, health concerns and whether they suit your home.
LonghairedSiberian Cat: Triple Coat, Personality, Allergies and Care
Siberians are sturdy, playful longhaired cats with a thick triple coat. Learn about temperament, grooming, the allergy question, health screening and fit.
Semi-longhairedSomali Cat: The Fox-Tailed Longhaired Abyssinian
Somalis are the longhaired Abyssinian: ticked coats, bushy fox tails, boundless energy and curiosity. Learn about temperament, grooming, health and who suits them.
LonghairedTurkish Angora Cat: Graceful, Silky and Intelligent
Turkish Angoras are elegant, silky-coated, athletic cats with sharp minds. Learn about temperament, grooming, deafness in white cats, ataxia and who suits them.
Semi-longhairedTurkish Van: The Swimming Cat With a Distinctive Pattern
Turkish Vans are athletic, semi-longhaired cats known for the van pattern and a love of water. Learn about their history, temperament, grooming, health and care.
Shorthaired breeds (35)
Abyssinian Cat: Energy, Personality, Care and Health
Abyssinians are lean, ticked-coat, endlessly curious cats that climb and demand attention. Learn about their energy, enrichment needs and health.
Shorthaired or longhairedAmerican Bobtail: The Wild-Looking Cat With a Short Tail
American Bobtails are sturdy, intelligent cats with a short tail and a wild look. Learn about their history, personality, health and care in both coat lengths.
ShorthairedAmerican Shorthair Cat: Temperament, Health and Care
American Shorthairs are sturdy, adaptable, good-natured cats with a long history as working mousers. Learn about temperament, grooming, weight and health.
ShorthairedAmerican Wirehair Cat: The Crimped Coat, Temperament and Care
The American Wirehair is a rare, easygoing cat with a springy, crimped coat from a farm cat mutation. Learn about its history, grooming, health and who it suits.
ShorthairedAustralian Mist Cat: A Calm, Spotted Indoor Companion
The Australian Mist is a gentle, spotted or marbled cat bred for indoor life in Australia. Learn about temperament, care, health and whether one fits your family.
ShorthairedBengal Cat: Energy, Personality, Care and Health
Bengals are athletic, wild-looking cats with spotted coats and high energy. Learn about their temperament, exercise needs, health concerns and who can handle one.
ShorthairedBombay Cat: The Little Black Panther's Personality and Care
Bombays are sleek black shorthaired cats with copper eyes and a people-loving nature. Learn about temperament, grooming, health and whether one suits your home.
ShorthairedBritish Shorthair Cat: Temperament, Size, Care and Health
British Shorthairs are sturdy, round-faced, easygoing cats. Learn about their calm personality, dense coat, weight management, health risks and who they suit.
ShorthairedBurmese Cat: Affectionate Companion, Care and Health
Burmese cats are muscular, glossy, people-loving cats that stay playful for life. Learn about their personality, grooming, diabetes risk and other health topics.
ShorthairedBurmilla Cat: Shimmering Silver Coat, Personality and Care
The Burmilla is a playful, affectionate cat with a shimmering silver shaded coat and green eyes, born from an accidental Burmese and Chinchilla Persian pairing.
ShorthairedChartreux Cat: French Blue Cat, Temperament and Care
Chartreux are sturdy, smiling blue-gray cats with woolly coats, copper eyes and quiet personalities. Learn about temperament, grooming, health and fit.
ShorthairedChausie Cat: Wild-Looking, Athletic and Not for Everyone
The Chausie is a tall, athletic breed with jungle cat ancestry. Learn about its energy needs, legality, diet, health and whether a Chausie suits your home.
ShorthairedColorpoint Shorthair: The Siamese in Red, Cream and Lynx
The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese-type cat with red, cream, tortie and lynx points. Learn about its personality, care and how it differs from the Siamese.
ShorthairedDomestic Shorthair Cat: The Everyday Cat Explained
The domestic shorthair is not a breed but the most common US cat, with every color and personality. Learn what to expect and how to care for one.
ShorthairedEgyptian Mau: Naturally Spotted, Fast and Loyal
Egyptian Maus are spotted, athletic, loyal cats and among the fastest domestic breeds. Learn about their energy, shyness with strangers, care and health.
ShorthairedEuropean Shorthair Cat: A Hardy, Natural Breed From Europe
The European Shorthair is a sturdy, adaptable breed descended from Europe's working cats, with a calm temperament and easy care. Learn about its history and health.
ShorthairedExotic Shorthair Cat: The Short-Haired Persian, Care and Health
Exotic Shorthairs are plush, flat-faced, calm cats with a Persian look and an easier coat. Learn about temperament, grooming, breathing, eye and kidney health.
ShorthairedHavana Brown Cat: A Rare, Chocolate-Colored Companion
The Havana Brown is a rare, rich chocolate-colored cat with green eyes and a curious, people-focused nature. Learn about its history, personality, care and health.
Shorthaired or longhairedJapanese Bobtail: The Pom-Pom-Tailed Lucky Cat
Japanese Bobtails have a short pom-pom tail, a lively personality and a long history in Japan. Learn about their appearance, care, health and ideal home.
ShorthairedKhao Manee Cat: The Rare White Thai Cat With Jewel Eyes
The Khao Manee is a rare, pure white Thai cat famed for odd-colored or blue and gold eyes. Learn about its history, deafness risk, personality, grooming and care.
ShorthairedKorat Cat: Thailand's Silver-Blue Good Luck Cat
The Korat is an ancient Thai breed with a silver-tipped blue coat, heart-shaped face and green eyes. Learn about its bonded personality, care and health.
ShorthairedManx Cat: Tailless Breed, Temperament and Spinal Health
Manx cats are round, sturdy and often tailless, with a dog-like personality. Learn about the Manx gene, spinal and bowel health concerns, care and temperament.
ShorthairedMunchkin Cat: Short-Legged Breed, Welfare Concerns and Care
Munchkins are short-legged, playful cats, and the dwarfism gene behind them is controversial. Learn about temperament, health concerns, welfare debates and options.
ShorthairedOcicat: The Spotted Cat With a Wild Look and a Tame Heart
Ocicats look like small wildcats but are fully domestic, social and trainable. Learn about their spotted coat, energy, health, grooming and who they suit.
ShorthairedOriental Shorthair Cat: Colors, Voice, Energy and Health
Oriental Shorthairs are slender, large-eared, talkative cats in hundreds of colors and patterns. Learn about temperament, care, health topics and who they suit.
Shorthaired or longhairedPixiebob: The Bobcat-Look Cat With a Dog-Like Devotion
Pixiebobs are large, rugged-looking cats with a short tail, often extra toes and a loyal, dog-like personality. Learn about their origin, care, health and fit.
ShorthairedRussian Blue Cat: Personality, Coat, Care and Health
Russian Blues are quiet, shy-with-strangers cats with a silvery blue double coat and green eyes. Learn about temperament, grooming, health and who they suit.
ShorthairedSavannah Cat: Facts, Generations, Legal Issues and Care
Savannah cats are tall, spotted hybrids of domestic cats and servals. Learn about generations, temperament, legal limits, costs and care.
ShorthairedScottish Fold Cat: Folded Ears, Health Concerns and Ethics
Scottish Folds have folded ears and round faces, but the gene is linked to painful joint disease. Learn about temperament, care, welfare concerns and alternatives.
ShorthairedSiamese Cat: Personality, Voice, Care and Health
Siamese cats are vocal, intelligent and deeply attached to their people. Learn about the breed's history, talkative nature, health issues and who should own one.
ShorthairedSingapura: The Smallest Cat Breed, Big on Personality
Singapuras are tiny, curious cats with a ticked sepia coat and huge eyes. Learn about their history, size, health, care and suitability for different homes.
ShorthairedSnowshoe Cat: White Paws, Blue Eyes and a Sociable Nature
Snowshoes are colorpoint cats with white feet, blue eyes and affectionate, talkative personalities. Learn about temperament, care, health and who suits them.
ShorthairedThai Cat: The Traditional Siamese With an Old-Style Look
The Thai cat is the traditional, rounder-faced Siamese type, also called the Wichienmaat. Learn how it differs from the modern Siamese and how to care for it.
ShorthairedTonkinese Cat: Sociable, Playful Siamese-Burmese Mix of Traits
Tonkinese cats combine Siamese and Burmese traits: social, talkative, athletic and attached to their people. Learn about temperament, coat, care and health.
ShorthairedToyger Cat: The Toy Tiger With a Friendly Nature
The Toyger is a domestic cat bred to look like a small tiger, with bold stripes. Learn about its history, trainable personality, care and health.
Rex, hairless and curly breeds (10)
American Curl: The Cat With the Backward-Curving Ears
American Curls have distinctive ears that curve back, and a friendly, playful nature. Learn about their history, ear care, grooming, health and who they suit.
CurlyCornish Rex Cat: Wavy Coat, High Energy and Care Needs
Cornish Rex cats have fine, wavy coats, slender bodies and sprinter energy. Learn about their warmth needs, playfulness, grooming, health and fit.
CurlyDevon Rex Cat: Pixie Looks, Big Personality and Care
Devon Rex cats have wavy, fine coats, huge ears and clownish, people-loving personalities. Learn about grooming, health, warmth needs and fit.
Hairless to shortDonskoy Cat: The Don Sphynx, a Wrinkled, Affectionate Hairless Cat
The Donskoy, or Don Sphynx, is a hairless Russian breed with a dominant gene, wrinkled skin and a friendly, dog-like temperament. Learn about care and health.
CurlyLaPerm Cat: Curly, Affectionate and Always at Your Side
LaPerms are curly-coated, people-focused cats with a soft, wavy look. Learn about their origin, grooming, health, personality and whether they fit your home.
Short, sparseLykoi Cat: The Werewolf Cat's Unusual Coat, Temperament and Care
The Lykoi, or werewolf cat, has a roan coat with patchy hair loss, a natural mutation first found in the US. Learn about its look, personality, care and health.
Fine, sparseMinskin Cat: The Short-Legged, Velvety Cat Explained
The Minskin is a rare, short-legged cat with fine fur and a velvety body. Learn about its origins, personality, care and the health questions around short legs.
Hairless to shortPeterbald Cat: Slender, Social and Sometimes Hairless
The Peterbald is a slender, elegant Russian cat whose coat ranges from bald to brush. Learn about its sociable personality, skin care, health and who it suits.
CurlySelkirk Rex: The Curly-Coated Teddy Bear Cat
Selkirk Rexes have plush curly coats and a calm, affectionate nature. Learn about their history, grooming, health, temperament and whether they suit your family.
HairlessSphynx Cat: Skin Care, Health and Temperament
Sphynx cats are hairless, warm and affectionate. Learn about skin and ear care, bathing, heart and dental health, temperature needs and who suits the breed.
Breed comparisons (7)
Bengal vs Savannah Cat: Size, Energy, Cost and Legality Compared
Comparing the Bengal and the Savannah cat on origins, size, temperament, exercise, cost and legal rules, to help you decide between two wild-looking breeds.
British Shorthair vs Scottish Fold: Which Cat Is Right for You?
Compare British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats on looks, temperament, grooming and health, including serious welfare concerns around the Fold gene.
Maine Coon vs Ragdoll: Size, Personality, Grooming and Health Compared
Compare Maine Coons and Ragdolls on size, temperament, coat care, health screening and cost, to decide which gentle giant suits your home.
Persian vs Exotic Shorthair: Differences in Coat, Care and Health
Compare Persian and Exotic Shorthair cats on coat, grooming, personality, health risks and cost to decide which flat-faced breed suits your home.
Ragdoll vs Birman: Which Gentle Pointed Cat Fits Your Home?
Ragdolls and Birmans are both calm, pointed, semi-longhaired cats. Compare size, coat, personality, health and cost to decide which gentle companion suits you.
Siamese vs Oriental Shorthair: Same Body, Different Coats
Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats share a sleek body and talkative nature but differ in color and pattern. Compare looks, personality, health and fit.
Sphynx vs Devon Rex: Hairless or Curly, Which Quirky Cat Suits You?
Compare the Sphynx and the Devon Rex on coat, skin care, allergies, personality, health and cost, and learn which unusual breed suits your household.
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