Choosing a breed is a difficult question for the future owner.
It is difficult for an inexperienced person to understand so many cat breeds. From 40 to 90 breeds are recognized by different felinological clubs.
We have compiled a guide to choosing a cat breed to help future owners. The breeds are divided according to the characteristics, care and lifestyle of the cat owner.
- Difficulty in care
- Does not require special care
- Difficult in content
- For busy people
- With an original appearance
Difficulty in care
Every cat requires grooming, but some breeds require more or less attention. Difficulty in content can both depress and delight - consider your desires and capabilities.
Cats that do not require special care
If you don’t want to spend your evenings combing wool or thinking about your pet’s menu, pay attention to the following breeds:
Abyssinian cat
Short fur and sparse shedding
Bombay cat
Cat for lovers of black clothes
Egyptian Mau
Easy to care and maintain
Cornish Rex
Enough to feed and pet
Oriental cat
Almost no shedding
Siamese cat
Suitable for even the laziest owner
This is an abbreviated list, but the easiest cats to care for are short-haired cats with no quirks in appearance.
Long-haired cats often shed and require careful grooming, while hairless cats get cold and sweat. Pets with short hair are an excellent choice for a busy owner.
Difficult breeds to keep
Are you a passionate cat lover and ready to devote a considerable amount of time to caring for your pet? Then take a closer look at these breeds:
Don Sphynx
In winter it will never leave the battery
Canadian Sphynx
Freezes in the cold, sweats in the heat
Maine Coon
A big cat has more fur
Persian cat
Thick fur sheds heavily
Ragdoll
Lazy and fluffy
Scottish lop-eared
Curled ears need to be cleaned regularly.
Sphinxes are cold cats that want constant warmth and care. The Persian cat is complex due to its record length of fur, which constantly gets tangled into tangles. In addition, Persians have a flat face, which can cause them to get sick often.
It is not easy to care for cats with unusual ears: Scottish Fold or American Curls. Also, all long-haired breeds can be considered difficult-to-care cats.
Russian blue
Cats of this breed initially gained popularity not in Russia, but abroad. Traveling through the Russian North, Englishwoman Karen Cox took a couple of kittens to Europe, where they soon gave birth to offspring. Cats were loved for their double, seemingly plush fur and original color.
The Russian Blue excels in hunting. In addition, cats are not afraid of water and can swim well. In the old days they were kept on sea trading ships and were very much valued.
For a private home, the Russian Blue cat is an excellent option. She is aristocratic, delicate and will certainly get along with the entire large family of the owner. And the spaciousness of the house is an excellent condition for the furry pet to play with children.
The nature
The breed of a cat does not guarantee that the pet will have the desired character traits. However, cases of “undesirable” nature in purebred cats are an exception to the rule.
Sociable and talkative
Communicating with your cat is a pleasant activity that talkative pets will happily share with their owner. If you want to discuss the weather with your cat every day, the following breeds are suitable:
Burmese cat
A purr that's fun to talk to
Don Sphynx
Kitchen Talk Lover
Canadian Sphynx
Warm and smooth myavlik
Oriental cat
Fan of philosophical conversations
Siamese cat
Accompanies every action with his “meow”
Thai cat
Loves to talk even to herself.
Sociable cat breeds love to have philosophical conversations with their owner. Do not choose this breed if you value silence in your home.
Silent cats
Meowing can also irritate a cat's owner. If you prefer not to hear unnecessary sounds, choose from these breeds:
American Shorthair
A cat who is too lazy to meow
Cornish Rex
Able to communicate with the owner without making sounds
Norwegian forest
Northern wisdom and silence
Siberian cat
Doesn't meow while being fed
Turkish Angora
The Snow Queen
Exotic cat
Doesn't waste energy on talking
Silent cats don't bother you, and you'll keep your home calm. Representatives of these breeds will only meow for important reasons.
Active and energetic
It’s interesting to watch active cats: today the pet wanted to explore the closet, and tomorrow he will become an astronaut! These are the cats that love activity:
Abyssinian cat
Astronaut cat with fiery color
Bengal cat
Curious entertainer
Egyptian Mau
Energetic and smart
Kurilian Bobtail
Jumper with a short tail
Ocicat
Comes up with problems and solves them
Turkish van
Lover of games and swimming
Owners of energetic cat breeds will have to constantly come up with something to keep their pet occupied. But it's worth it! They will be happy to solve your puzzles and wait for the next ones.
Lazy cats
There are cats that don't like to run around their owners' shelves. You can eat well and then sleep well! The following breeds are true sloths:
British cat
Loves to eat and sleep
Nibelung
A cat who is interested in lying with his owner
Persian cat
Real cat pillow
Russian blue
Always resting to be ready for the hunt
Siberian cat
Moves only to find a comfortable position
Exotic cat
Lazy cat with a cute face
Lazy cat breeds are a good choice for phlegmatic people. Slothful cats can be so inconspicuous that only a regularly empty bowl hints at the existence of a cat in the house.
Affectionate and kind
People get cats to pet them and love them! Affectionate breeds themselves come to hug and kiss, so they are suitable for loving owners:
Burmese cat
They follow their owner like a tail
Don Sphynx
A cat who will live on your shoulder
Manx
Ball with love for affection
Neva Masquerade
Will be happy to come pet you
Nibelung
Always remain affectionate kittens
Ragdoll
A tame cat with a submissive character.
Such breeds are reluctant to get off their owner: they don’t like to part with their beloved friend! Choose an affectionate cat breed if you are willing to give it enough attention.
Smart cat breeds
It is interesting to communicate with intelligent pets: they understand speech, easily learn commands and become a true friend. Smart cat breeds include:
American Bobtail
Easy to learn commands and rules
American Curl
Trainable and intelligent cat
Munchkin
High intelligence and innovative thinking
Oriental cat
A lively mind and good learning ability
Siamese cat
A cat that acts like a dog
Turkish Angora
They know the wisdom of human life.
Such cats can be trained: they learn to fetch a ball, perform actions, dance and walk on a leash. Cats with high intelligence are the choice of people who do not want to get a dog.
To overpay or not to overpay?
This question is asked by many future owners who decide to choose a purebred cat - why is there such a wide range in prices for kittens of the same breed? Why are some quite nice and clearly not “fence-friendly” purrs given into good hands, while others, exactly the same, are asked for 15-20 thousand rubles?
The answer depends on several factors:
- Reputation of the nursery selling the kitten. This is the same as why a gray T-shirt from Dior costs 20 times more than a similar one from the Vietnamese market - the company’s image speaks volumes! The nursery provides pedigree documents for the kitten, which provide a pass into the world of “big cat breeding.” Particularly high prices are for kittens of champion parents, winners of exhibitions - the so-called show class kittens . But if you just dream of a cute kitten, then you probably shouldn’t overpay for a “brand.”
- Compliance with breed standards. For you, perhaps, a cute spot on the back or close, surprised eyes only adds charm to the kitten, but for specialists this is a defect, a deviation from the breed standard. Such a cat will never win an exhibition, so the price for it can be several times lower than that of its “correct” brothers and sisters.
- Age. The optimal age for selling a kitten is 2-3 months . 4-5 month old kittens are already considered “grown up”, the owners try to give them a home as quickly as possible, and the price drops.
- Health status. Sometimes a kitten is sick with something that is not visible at first glance, and the owners try at all costs to “kick” it away before the disease progresses. It is sometimes difficult even for a specialist to identify such a pitfall!
But there are often cases when get a healthy cat of the chosen breed for ridiculous money - according to an advertisement, at a bird market and in other “frivolous” places: once upon a time there was a cat, kittens were born, and the owners are dreaming of how to quickly adopt them!
If you are not applying for medals and regalia, then why not?
According to your lifestyle
The situation in the house and the owner’s life principles are an important aspect when choosing a cat breed. Not all breeds will be comfortable in every family.
For busy people
If the owner is rarely at home, he needs a cat that does not require a lot of communication and care. Such a pet must have a self-sufficient character.
Check out the following cat breeds if you consider yourself a workaholic:
British cat
Biggest sleep and food fanatic
Egyptian Mau
Independent favorite of the pharaohs
Munchkin
Short legs prevent him from misbehaving
Maine Coon
A calm giant with self-esteem
Russian blue
Woman looking out the window
Scottish cat
They do not require unnecessary attention.
Such cats will happily greet their owner from work, but will not bother him if he is not in the mood. These pets do not require complex care and will always find something to do on their own.
For children
If a child asks to buy a kitten, choose from good breeds of cats. The pet must be patient so as not to get angry from pranks. Breeds that will enjoy children's play:
American Curl
Playful lover of pranks
Kurilian Bobtail
Good disposition and doggy character
Manx
Devoted entertainer
Neva Masquerade
Patient and flexible
Norwegian forest
Obedient purring beauty
Turkish van
Suitable for a child if he becomes his owner.
For children, you should not choose wayward cats and pets who prefer a quiet holiday. Incompatibility of interests leads to cat and child trauma.
For single people
People living alone often lack communication. Such a person should choose a cat with an affectionate character. Devoted cats will happily brighten up the evenings with their purring:
Bengal cat
Spotted weasel lover
Burmese cat
Talkative jumper
Devon Rex
Affectionate cats with hooligan paws
Laperm
Sociable cuddler
Thai cat
Curious and funny talker
Japanese Bobtail
Loyal purring friend
These cat breeds become attached to people and love attention. Such cats will create comfort in your home and will bring you extremely positive emotions.
For a private home
A person living in his own home needs a hunter cat. The pet must be able to exterminate rodents and walk in the yard on its own. If your home needs a rat catcher, take a look at the following breeds:
American Shorthair
Pied Piper from Early Settlers' Ships
Kurilian Bobtail
A small lynx with an active disposition
Manx
Experienced Pied Piper Sailor
Russian blue
Imperial Palace Worker
Siberian cat
Hunter from the Siberian taiga
Turkish van
Pied Piper from the Eastern Continent
Natural rat catchers will always stand guard over their master's house. To catch rats, it is better to choose a cat rather than a cat: they show the best hunting qualities.
For a family that already has pets
One pet in the house is never enough - there is enough love for everyone! To ensure smooth communication between your old and new pet, choose from friendly cat breeds:
American Bobtail
A cat with dog friendliness
Bombay cat
Sociable and playful purr
Norwegian forest
Friendliness with northern reserve
Peterbald
Energetic St. Petersburger with a love for get-togethers
Thai cat
Considers everyone his best friend
Japanese Bobtail
Lover of friendly games and jogging
Please note that friendships between rodents, birds, fish and a cat may not happen. Even the most phlegmatic cat remembers instincts.
Main selection criteria
When making a choice, start from your capabilities and preferences. To do this, you will need to take into account the size of your living space, your lifestyle and amount of free time, as well as preferences regarding the appearance and behavior of your future pet.
Residence and area
For a small apartment, a medium or small cat with a calm character is suitable. Large representatives with a developed hunting instinct and an awl in the butt will feel uncomfortable in it - they will be more comfortable in a private house with a fenced area.
The character of the future owner and the whole family
Lonely people in need of communication should take a closer look at talkative cats. Such pets become strongly attached to their owners and help with household chores with great enthusiasm.
It is recommended to take into account your activity. If you like frequent walks and trips out of town, then pay attention to playful breeds that quickly get used to wearing a harness.
Don't forget about other family members. If an extrovert who loves noisy parties lives with you, then the future pet should be distinguished not only by its friendliness, but also by its lack of fear of strangers. Otherwise, constant fear from loud sounds and unusual smells will negatively affect his psyche.
Length of stay of the owners of the house
Your work schedule also plays a significant role. If you often stay late at work and go on business trips, take a closer look at animals that tolerate loneliness well. Otherwise, a pet left for a long time may fall into deep depression or create a mess as a sign of revenge for inattention.
Self-sufficient cats who know what to do with themselves are suitable for workaholics. They don't need to communicate 24/7 and won't bother you if you're not in the mood. Despite their independent character, these “mustaches” are also partial to affection and love to sit in your arms.
The solution for cat lovers is to have two or more pets. They won't be bored much together.
Having small children
Not all children know how to handle animals, and some, due to their age, are not yet capable of learning. For this reason, for children under 3 years of age who cannot control their emotions, it is better to choose a patient and friendly “mustache.”
Such a cat will not only tolerate all pranks, but will also support any children's fun. If your child does cross the line, instead of being hit with a clawed paw, he will simply temporarily lose his playmate.
Presence of other pets
Friendly cats get along well not only with children, but also with other pets. Particular caution should be exercised only by owners of birds, rodents and aquarium fish. Make sure your pet has a weak hunting instinct. Otherwise, the fish birds may become prey.
Pet gender
Having decided on the breed, it is logical to move on to choosing the sex. Each has its pros and cons, so analyze which ones are more important to you.
Females are distinguished by greater cleanliness, docileness and friendliness. They only cause problems during estrus and pregnancy. In the first case, you will have sleepless nights due to loud screams and periodic attempts to escape, and in the second, you will have to find owners for newborn kittens. If there are no plans for breeding, everything can be easily solved with the help of sterilization.
Unusual cat breeds
For you, is a cat not only a pet, but also a way of self-expression? Take a closer look at unusual cat breeds. This is where you should choose to suit your taste!
Cats with original appearance
There are people who want to be unique even in choosing a pet. If you want your friends to admire your cat, take a closer look at these breeds:
American Curl
Curly curled ears
Devon Rex
A cat with the appearance of an alien
Cornish Rex
Curly fur and graceful posture
Laperm
Pet with large curls
Munchkin
Cute cat with short legs
Peterbald
An elegant cat with smooth skin.
Cats with an unusual appearance will also delight you with a wonderful character. Some of these breeds are not cheap - but you can overpay for such pleasure!
Resembling wild cats
Some people want to bring something exotic into their normal lives: bring home a real leopard! However, a leopard is a dangerous undertaking. Then choose a domestic cat breed in a wild shell:
Bengal cat
Domestic inquisitive leopard
Bombay cat
Black panther with a homely disposition
Ocicat
A mischievous fidget with the appearance of a wild cat
Savannah
An African animal for your home
With such cats you feel like you are in the jungle: their unusual appearance contributes to this. All breeds, except the Bombay, truly have wild roots.
Maine Coon
The breed originated from wild cats originally living in Maine (USA). Thick hair, especially long on the sides, belly and hind legs, indicates that the animal, thanks to its distant ancestors, is not afraid of cold weather. Their skin also has water-repellent properties.
Maine Coons are one of the largest cats on the planet. Males often reach 1 m in length, and the weight of the stronger sex is more than 8 kg. Females are noticeably smaller.
Having a Maine Coon in a private home, where the animal can go out for walks and return on its own, is an ideal solution for both the owner and the pet. In winter, the cat will not fall into deep snow; Representatives of this unique breed have long hair growing between their paws, increasing the area of their feet. And cats' ears are protected by tufts and fur growing inside.
Maine Coons are unpretentious when it comes to food, but the owner should make sure that the food contains a lot of protein and essential vitamins.
Source
Top 10 Popular Cat Breeds
Every year, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) publishes a ranking of the most popular cat breeds in the world. The top is compiled by the number of cats registered in this organization.
Based on the results for the previous year 2021, the list is as follows:
Exotic cat
Plush cat with a charming face
Ragdoll
Fluffy lazy phlegmatic
British cat
Soft plush with thick cheeks
Persian cat
Fluffy honey with a regal article
Maine Coon
Muscular giant with a gentle character
American Shorthair
Intelligent and obedient hunter
Scottish cat
Modest cutie with round eyes
Canadian Sphynx
The first hairless breed
Devon Rex
Alien cat with dog affection
European Shorthair
The breed was developed from an ordinary European domestic cat in the middle of the 20th century in several countries: Germany, France and England. Breeders have noticed that these cats have excellent hunting qualities.
The muscles of the European Shorthair are well developed, the head is round, the ears are straight. The color can be different: golden and silver with stripes and even marble. The coat, short and close, will not bother the owners much, because cats hardly shed.
Representatives of this breed, who lived for decades in the suburbs and villages of Western Europe, have settled down well here. European Shorthairs have a playful and outgoing personality, eat well and do not require much grooming.
Sacred Burma is the kindest
This is a medium cat breed. The fur on the head is quite short, longer on the chest and neck area. Their fur type is called semi-longhair.
The Sacred Burmese cat can weigh up to approximately 6 kg, with adult males usually weighing more. According to the breed standard, the light base coat color can have different shades. There are dark areas of fur on the face, ears, paws, and tail. The unusual coloring of the Sacred Burma is due to the partial albino (acromelanism) present in the breed. Due to partial albinism, the breed also has bright blue eyes.
The breed is very trusting and people-oriented. They tend to be calm and their desire for freedom is usually limited. Therefore, they are very suitable as house cats. Its peculiarity is its strong “desire to please” its “own” person and it is not as stubborn as many other cat breeds.
Cats that are easy to care for
It is easiest to care for medium-sized cats, which are not very active and at the same time are silent. It is better to avoid purchasing large animals such as a Maine Coon or a Bengal cat for urban living space. These cats will feel like they are in a cramped cage, which can negatively affect the character and even the health of their four-legged friend.
Experts do not recommend keeping overly active cats – Abyssinians or Kurilian bobtails – in modern apartments.
For a small room, it is better to select the most passive animals, the most popular of which according to the rating are: British cat, Peterbald, Scottish Straight, Scottish Fold, Burmese cat, exotic shorthair cat.
But these breeds will actually do more than just sleep and eat all day. They love to play and socialize, and are moderately active.
They won’t run around every room all day, knocking over everything in their path. It is extremely rare for them to show aggression; they will treat children and other animals living here very calmly.
Sometimes they are too noisy, and sometimes they are passive, sometimes capricious, but they will not cause unnecessary problems to their owners with such mischievous behavior. Living in an apartment means the pet's life is strictly confined to the premises. It turns out that you will not always have the opportunity to walk your animal, and therefore everything that is directly related to the pet will always be in your home.
And these are not always pleasant “aromas” and wool is everywhere. They can be considered the usual evidence of the presence of a representative of the cat family in the house. In addition, any pet can begin to behave in a way that is not entirely predictable. You should be prepared for such surprises and not be too upset: our four-legged friends cannot always behave as well-mannered as their owners.
However, there are breeds of cats that are the easiest to care for. These include:
- all breeds of sphinxes (they have no hair, they have low activity, cats will not “mark” corners, females have no problems when in heat);
- Scottish Fold (she has a short coat, so she can rarely be brushed, she easily gets used to the cat litter, she is very clean);
- Cornish Rex (occasionally sheds, losing a small amount of hair).
Many cats easily get accustomed to the difficult living conditions in a modern apartment. By purchasing a scratching post for your cat, you will avoid scratches on your wallpaper and pieces of furniture, and sterilizing your cat will relieve you of unpleasant odors in your home.
It should not be forgotten that sterilization of a four-legged animal will necessarily affect its character. Neutered cats may become slower and gain weight.
Peculiarities
When deciding which breed is best to have in your apartment, you need to present several specific requirements to the desired pet:
- the ability to quickly adapt to everything new and unknown;
- the cat should not make so much noise that the neighbors complain about it;
- the ability to endure prolonged loneliness;
- agreeableness and sociability.
When purchasing a pet, you should also take into account your own lifestyle, because some cats cannot stand noise and the constant presence of guests in their home.
Also, when searching for a pet, you should consider some nuances.
- A certain level of activity for your four-legged friend. You should not opt for an overly active and spoiled animal.
- Many cat breeds are very calm and have a positive attitude towards their owners. If you have a child, this characteristic should be given special importance.
- Eagerness in care . A cat with long hair will be more troublesome to keep than a cat with short hair. At the same time, the length of the coat is not the main aspect of care, because some cats will need frequent ear cleaning, they will need to trim their claws, and monitor the condition of their skin.
Much will depend on the habits of the owner of the home. If you like to have guests in your home, a pet that likes privacy is definitely not for you. And if there is also a dog living in your home, then the overly pampered cat will experience discomfort in the house.
Once upon a time there was a black cat
Black cats have always seemed like mystical creatures to people. Many myths, superstitions and legends have been created about them. In fact, these are very graceful, affectionate and playful animals that are not particularly different from cats of any other color.
A house cat is necessary not only to catch mice and rid the owners of their invasion. Possessing the strongest energy, it is able to influence people’s health, improve well-being, relieve pain, stress, normalize blood pressure, etc. And the black cat is especially distinguished by this. In a house where such an animal lives, the energy supply is much better. It is believed that a black cat brings prosperity and good luck to its owners.
Turkish Van from Armenia
The Turkish Van cat is an exquisite descendant of domestic cats native to Lake Van. It was accidentally discovered by two British tourists in the middle of the last century on this lake in south-eastern Turkey (formerly the Armenian Highlands) and imported to England. This is how the first pair of Van cats left their homeland and laid the foundation for worldwide breeding.
The breed is distinguished by its talent for fishing because in its native country its food source was one type of fish. This doesn't mean she loves water, but at least she isn't afraid of it. A characteristic feature of this rare cat is the “butterfly” between the large erect ears, which is separated by a vertical white spot. Another feature is a fluffy tail with red rings. Contrary to the standard, some also have small, unevenly distributed rust-colored spots on the coat.
They have a strong, medium-sized body supported by medium-length legs with graceful paws. The triangular head is equipped with large oval eyes that range from amber to orange. Van cats have blue eyes or two different ones. Unfortunately, the latter carries the risk that the cat will lose its hearing.
She is a stubborn, active and adventurous cat who desperately needs a lot of space to move around. The cat combines beauty, charm and temperament like no other and charms its human companions with a fair amount of curiosity and playfulness. She loves to be played with in mind games and talked to a lot, and does not tolerate being left without attention.
