The Most Popular Pet Cat Breeds

Meet the most popular pet cat breeds! 

Having lived for centuries with many cat breeds, people now know which cat breeds are best to keep as pets. In general, most of the cat breeds are adaptable, playful, and interactive. However, the popularity of each cat breed is dependent on multiple factors. For example, some love their coat colors, while others adore them for their spirited nature. In some parts of the world, one cat breed is the most popular. While somewhere else in the world, the other cat breed is the most popular.

Hence, it is a bit difficult to reach a consensus about the most popular pet cat breeds. We have methodically created a well-researched list of the most popular cat breeds people love. The exciting thing is that we have added pictures and fact snippets for better recognition of each cat breed.

Read on…

Domestic Shorthair Cat

The resultant combination of many different cat breeds, the domestic shorthair cat has a versatile personality and appearance with various colors, patterns, and intricate tabby markings. Due to their love for cuddling, people also call them “lap cats”. Since these cats don’t have a defined pedigree, feline breed authenticators such as The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) don’t consider them a breed.

Primarily, they are carnivores and need a specific nutritional diet consisting of protein, minerals, and other nutrients found in the flesh. The average life span of the domestic shorthair cats is 12-15 years. With an estimated population of 600 million in the world, and being highly friendly and social, this cat is a part of countless households. Besides, with their innate adaptability and affectionate nature, these cats make excellent friends for people of all ages.

The domestic shorthair cat has a short, sleek, and soft coat that requires minimal grooming. With their rounded heads and paws, pointed ears, well-shaped front features, muscular bodies, and strong pouncing legs, these cats look amazingly beautiful.
They have a strong immune system and are less prone to certain genetic disorders that can affect purebred cats. However, it doesn’t mean they don’t get sick or don’t require special treatment and care. Like other pets/ animals, they also need a healthy and nutritious diet, a safe environment, and physical activities.

In addition, the domestic shorthair cat is extremely robust, energetic, and playful and has excellent hunting and acrobatic skills. These cats are also brilliant and curious, always exploring their surroundings and seeking out new adventures.

Siamese Cat

Siamese cats have their origin in Siam, now Thailand. These cats are very social, extroverted, and thus friendly. That is why this cat is at the top among the most popular pet cat breeds. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) considers only those Siamese cats as purebred whose, at least, 8 generations’ pedigree is registered according to the standards of the association. Other cat associations may register a Siamese cat as purebred by a phenotypical registry.

Siamese are elongated, slender, and relatively tall cats. They have striking blue almond-shaped eyes and distinct color-pointed fur making them instantly recognizable. Their heads are triangular-shaped and their ears are large and pricked. The tail of a Siamese cat is long and straight while the paws are oval. One of the most distinctive features of Siamese cats is their short and low-shedding coat with color-pointed fur. Their body is lighter in color, while their extremities, such as the ears, paws, tail, and face, are darker. The color points can vary and include shades such as seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac. This unique coat pattern adds to the allure and charm of the Siamese cats.

Siamese cats are highly sociable and demanding. They love interacting with humans and other pets and forming a good bond. Being intelligent and agile, Siamese cats are always keen to take part in different mental and physical activities. These cats are very vocal and express themselves using their communicative body language. From flicking their tail to arching their back or even staring directly into your eyes, Siamese cats are masters of non-verbal communication. They love to explore their surroundings and often perch on high surfaces, observing everything that’s happening around them.

The average life span of Siamese cats is 15-20 years. They are generally healthy but like every other cat breed, they are prone to certain health issues. These include somewhat genetic health issues like Amyloidosis, Asthma, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), for example.

Persian Cat

Chubby cheeks, sweet expressions, Long and luxurious coats, affectionate and relaxed personality: This is a Persian cat- a true feline beauty. This graceful cat breed has its origin in Persia, Iran.

Persian Cats are fluffy and medium-sized with a compact build. Their heads are large and round, ears are short, eyes are large and oval-shaped, and the muzzles are a bit smaller which gives them a sturdy look. They have a silky dense double coat which requires excessive grooming to prevent matting and to keep their coat healthy and beautiful. Though the breed is mostly loved, due to its coat and excessive shedding, the Persian cat is not hypoallergenic. The Persian cat breed has comparatively short legs and large round paws. The tail of the Persian cats is furry and long.

The Persian Cats have many coat shades. Some prominent and most attractive colors include blue, smoky, silver, golden, bicolor, and tabby. No matter what coat color a Persian cat has, its beauty and attractiveness are unmatched.

Persian cats are very lazy but friendly. They are indoor cats by default and love cuddles, lap-napping, and bed snuggling. With early socialization, they form good bonds with other pets and even with dogs. Though with their facial expressions, especially due to their snub nose, Persian cats look stubborn, they are not. In fact, they are the most popular pet cat breeds due to their amicable nature. They are intelligent and good observers but prefer a more sedentary lifestyle and are content with short play sessions and lounging around. However, it’s important to encourage some physical activity to prevent obesity and keep them mentally stimulated. When it comes to vocalization, you can expect mild meowing.

The average life span of Persian cats is 12-15 years. Due to their lazy lifestyle and genetics, Persian cats are subject to some health issues. These include Hydrocephalus, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, among others.

Ragdoll Cat

I bet you’ll fall in love with the Ragdoll Cat when they go limp when picked up – just like a doll. The attributive name “Ragdoll” is due to this behavioral tendency. This peculiarity is due to the relaxation reflex. This friendly breed has its origin in California.

Ragdoll Cats are large, extremely friendly by nature, and highly social in their lifestyle. They have irresistible luxurious fur coats. Their hair is silky and medium to long. Being silky, hair doesn’t require much grooming. Though the Ragdoll cat sheds mildly, it still isn’t a hypoallergenic cat breed. The head of the Ragdoll cat is broad and flat, ears are medium, eyes are stunning blue, truly mesmerizing and oval-shaped, and the muzzle is medium and wide which gives them a cute selfie look. The overall body structure of the Ragdoll cat is muscular. The chest is broad and elegant, the legs are strong and well-made, and the tail is long and furry which adds points to the Ragdoll cat’s beauty.

The Ragdoll Cats have many possible coat color variations and patterns. The most common colors include chocolate, cream, lilac, blue, and seal, among others. The most famous patterns include bicolor, color pointed, mitted, and lynx.

Ragdoll cats are very energetic and incredibly social and can easily adapt to different environments and lifestyles. However, it is always best to keep them indoors. They rarely show aggression, even in the most stressful situations. But it’s not just their temperament that makes Ragdolls so lovable. Ragdolls love snuggling and therefore are truly “lap cats.” They love and enjoy being part of a family. Regarding vocalization, Ragdoll cats are a bit vocal and talkative. They will gaze at you as if they are listening carefully and will respond with throaty purrs and other body language signs.

The average life span of Ragdoll Cats is 12-18 years. Though they have an active lifestyle and their general health is good, they have some health issues as well. These include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Bladder Stones, Obesity, and Arthritis, among others.

Maine Coon Cat

Athletic, muscular, intelligent, and affectionate – these words best describe the Maine Coon Cat breed. Due to its impressively large size and associated cool disposition, cat lovers often call the Maine Coon cat the “gentle giant”. This large domestic pet cat breed has its origin in Maine – a state in the U.S.

With rectangular and muscular bodies, Maine Coon cats are pretty impressive in size. They have thick double-layered medium to long silky and soft coats which are thick on the stomach. The outer fur is water-resistant and comes in different shade variations. The Maine Coon cat breed isn’t hypoallergenic because it sheds a lot and requires excessive grooming. The head of the Maine Coon cat is square, ears are pointed and large with tuft, eyes are wide oval-shaped, and the muzzle is square in shape and medium in size. The overall structure is well-built. The broad furry chest, well-proportioned strong legs with wide flat tufted paws, and long busy tail make the Maine Coon cat even more impressive.

The Maine Coon cats have several coat colors and patterns. The most common colors include white, black, silver, brown, cream, and red, among others. While the most seen patterns are stripes, spots, and whirls.

Despite their size, due to their gentle nature, the Maine Coon cats are highly social, friendly, and enjoy being part of a family. They are indoor cats and because of their sweet temperament, they don’t show aggression. These cats are intelligent and can learn tricks and commands. The Maine Coon cats are very vocal. The signature vocalization tunes of these cats are trilling and chirping which are not much annoying.

The average life span of the Maine Coon cats is 10-15 years. This big cat is hardy and thrives in an active lifestyle but still has some health concerns. These include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Hip Dysplasia, and Chronic Gingivitis, among others.

Let’s Wrap it Up!

From appearance and temperament to health issues, you are now better equipped with information about the top five most popular pet cat breeds. Though one can’t make a decisive list of the most popular pet cat breeds, I have tried to add only which ranks at the top by popularity due to their exclusive traits. Any or all questions or explanations in this regard are welcomed. Feel free to contact me via “contact us”. I shall happily answer all queries. Thank you for your time… Enjoy reading our next post about the top dog-friendly cats.