Cats Rule Everything Around Me – Your Guide to Choosing the Purrfect Feline Friend

From fluffy Maine Coons to the nearly hairless Sphynx, cats come in quite a range of sizes, colors and personalities. Choosing the right breed for you depends on where you live, who you live with and how much couch de-fluffing you can manage. Some breeds have commonalities, so that you can narrow down your search. And, just because we like you, if you want to learn more about all the breeds, read all the way to the end!

Before committing to a new furry friend, here are some important questions to ask yourself and anyone else you live with:

• Are you looking for a high or low maintenance cat?
• What level of energy can you handle?
• How often are you home to play with them?
• Will your cat stay in or can they go outdoors?
• Do you have any other pets?
• How much space do you have in your house?
• Is anyone allergic?

In general, cats are divided into two groups: shorthair and longhair. But beyond this, there are different temperaments, sizes, energy levels, and grooming needs that overlap for some of the most popular cat breeds. It’s important for you to have a pet who fits your lifestyle, so that you can both have the best experience at home.

On the go = Low maintenance cats

If you’re out of the house a lot, an independent cat breed would be a good choice. Two good examples of this kind would be American Shorthair and British Shorthair cats, who are quite self-sufficient and can amuse themselves easily. Also, they have short coats, so they don’t need a lot of grooming.

Energetic lifestyle = Playful cats

An agile cat, like a Bengal or Abyssinian, could be great fun for people who vibrate with energy. These breeds love to explore, climb, and they need a lot of mental stimulation. If you can spend time fully engaged with them, they’ll be the happiest cats around.

Full house = Family-friendly cats

A gentle and relaxed breed would be a good fit for a family. Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls are all cuddly and sweet with kids. And they learn tricks easily! That being said, even though they’re super laid back, Maine Coons are big boys (and girls), so make sure you’ve got the space! 

Frequent sneezers = Hypoallergenic cats

Most people think it’s impossible to get a cat if you have allergies. But there are some breeds that take it easy on people who are generally allergic to cats! Sphynx, Balinese, and Siberian cats have very minimal levels of dander and shedding. Even these cats aren’t 100% hypoallergenic, but many people find that they can manage with these breeds.

Abyssinian

Characteristics: Abyssinian cats have very regal posture with a thin body and long legs.

Country of origin: Egypt (most likely)

Length (not including tail): 12-15”

Weight: 8-12 lbs

Lifespan: 9-15 years

Note on health: Abyssinians can sometimes have some dental and ear problems.

Fun fact: In ancient Egypt, these cats were worshiped and considered sacred.

American Bobtail

Characteristics: American Bobtail cats are a wild-looking larger cat with a signature bobtail.

Breed group: Longhair & Shorthair

Country of origin: U.S. & Canada

Weight: 7-16 lbs

Lifespan: 11-15 years

Note on health: American Bobtails who don’t have tails may develop spine problems that can make it difficult to control how they go to the bathroom.

Fun fact: They love games and will gladly play fetch or hide & seek for hours.

American Curl

Characteristics: American Curl cats may come in a variety of colors and patterns, but they always have their signature curled down ears.

Breed group: Longhair & Shorthair

Country of origin: U.S.

Weight: 5-10 lbs

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Note on health: American Curl cats can sometimes get ear infections and develop degenerative joint disease.

Fun fact: These cats are pretty unique in personality. They’re sometimes referred to as the “dogs” of the cat world. They’re also known as “Peter Pan”, since they maintain their kitten-like snuggly qualities to adulthood.

American Shorthair

Characteristics: American shorthair cats have a strong, wider body with a thick coat of hair.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: Europe/U.S.

Length (not including tail): 12-15”

Weight: 7-12 lbs

Lifespan: 15-20 years

Note on health: Some American Shorthairs may contract urinary tract diseases and suffer from heart disease.

Fun fact: These cats made their first documented voyage from Europe to the U.S. on the Mayflower (they were brought onboard to hunt rats, not for cuddles, in case you were wondering).

Bengal

Characteristics: Bengal cats are easy to notice with their spotted coat and shorter back legs.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 17-22”

Weight: 8-17 lbs

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Note on health: Bengals can sometimes have Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome (FCK) or chronic kidney disease.

Fun fact: This is the only domestic cat breed that can have spots, like leopards and jaguars.

Birman

Characteristics: Birman cats are known for their piercing blue eyes and light fluffy fur.

Breed group: Longhair

Country of origin: France, England, Germany & Australia

Length (not including tail): 15-18”

Weight: 6-12 lbs

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Note on health: Birmans have kidney and heart problems a bit more frequently than other breeds.

Fun fact: All Birman kittens are born white and develop their color as they grow. They can grow into a wide array of colors and patterns including: blue, cream, chocolate, lilac, red, seal, and tortie.

Bombay

Characteristics: Bombay cats are the stereotypical Halloween cat: black shiny coat with yellow eyes.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 13-20”

Weight: 8-15 lbs

Lifespan: 12-20 years

Note on health: Bombay cats may develop breathing issues and other nasal and sinus problems.

Fun fact: In the 1950s, a breeder from Louisville, Kentucky named Nikki Horner wanted to create a mini panther that could sit in your lap. She was inspired by the black leopards of India, both in the aesthetic and in the final naming of the new breed.

British Shorthair

Characteristics: British Shorthair cats come in different colors, but they all have a plush coat and chunky tail.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: England

Length (not including tail): 22-25”

Weight: 7-17 lbs

Lifespan: 14-20 years

Note on health: British Shorthairs can have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and cataracts when they’re old.

Fun fact: From humble beginnings to global fame. These English cats may have started on the street, but they’ll go down in history as the Cheshire Cat and Puss in Boots.

Burmese

Characteristics: Burmese cats are a dense breed with big, expressive eyes.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: Burma (Myanmar)

Length (not including tail): 12-18”

Weight: 6-12 lbs

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Note on health: Burmese cats can develop diabetes and arthritis in their elbows.

Fun fact: There are both American and European Burmese Cats. After some debate, it was decided that the four official colors of the American Burmese cats are: Sable (dark brown), Champagne (beige), Platinum (light gray), and Blue.

Chartreux

Characteristics: Chartreux cats are quite muscular and only come in shades of blue.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: France

Length (not including tail): 15-18”

Weight: 7-16 lbs

Lifespan: 11-15 years

Note on health: Chartreux cats can get Patellar luxation, a condition of the kneecap that causes limping and hopping.

Fun fact: This is one of the oldest recorded natural cat breeds of all time!

Cornish Rex

Characteristics: Cornish Rex cats have a very soft curly coat, large ears and come in a wide array of colors.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: England

Length (not including tail): 16-18”

Weight: 6-10 lbs

Lifespan: 11-16 years

Note on health: Some Cornish Rexes can have a genetic type of kidney disease called AD-PKD.

Fun fact: First bred in Cornwall, England, these cats were named after the Rex rabbit (because of their long, rabbit-like ears).

Devon Rex

Characteristics: Devon Rex cats have a coarser curly coat, large ears and an elf-like face.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: England

Length (not including tail): 15-18”

Weight: 5-10 lbs

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Note on health: Devon Rex can inherit a genetic muscle disorder and may suffer from fading kitten syndrome.

Fun fact: The name of the first ever Devon Rex was Kirlee. He was a street cat found by a woman named Miss Cox in Devonshire, England in the 1950s. 

Egyptian Mau

Characteristics: Egyptian Mau cats are a spotted breed that come in three colors: silver, bronze, and smoke.

Breed group: Shorthair

Country of origin: Egypt

Length (not including tail): 12-16”

Weight: 6-14 lbs

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Note on health: Egyptian Maus can get Urolithiasis, blockages in the urinary tract and kidneys.

Fun fact: They got their name from the Ancient Egyptian word “Mau”, which meant either “cat“ or “sun“.

Japanese Bobtail

Characteristics: Japanese Bobtail cats have a triangular head and a short, little pom-pom for a tail.

Breed group: Longhair & Shorthair

Country of origin: Japan, China & Korea

Length (not including tail): 12-15”

Weight: 5-10 lbs

Lifespan: 15-18 years

Note on health: Japanese Bobtail cats don’t have any hereditary diseases, but like other breeds they can get Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Fun fact: As legend goes, between 600-700 A.D., Buddhist monks started to keep these cats in temples to make sure rats didn’t eat the rice paper scrolls. 

Maine Coon

Characteristics: Maine Coon cats are on the larger side of domestic cats and come in a range of colors.

Breed group: Longhair

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 30-40”

Weight: 9-18 lbs

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Note on health: They need weekly grooming in order to keep their hair under control. And they are prone to have hip dysplasia or heart disease.

Fun fact: This cat got its name from where it originated – the state of Maine. Not only was the breed founded there, it’s the state’s official cat! Incidentally, Maryland and Massachusetts are the only other two states with an official state cat.

Manx

Characteristics: Manx cats are one of the few cats that are born without a hanging tail!

Breed group: Longhair & Shorthair

Country of origin: Isle of Man

Length (not including tail): 14-16”

Weight: 8-12 lbs

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Note on health: Because of their short or non-existent tails, Manx can have issues with their lower back, nerves, and spinal cord.

Fun fact: When breeding Manx cats, you can get a litter with all different tail lengths. Manx cats carry one tailless gene and one tail gene, so their kittens can come in quite a range depending on who they mate with.

Nebelung

Characteristics: Nebelung cats are an exclusively blue breed, with little pointed ears and tufts of hair between their paws.

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 9-13”

Weight: 7-15 lbs

Lifespan: 15-18 years

Note on health: Nebelung cats suffer from the same issues many other breeds do like vomiting, asthma and kidney problems.

Fun fact: Their blue-gray coloring helped them get their name. “Nebel” in German means mist or fog.

Norwegian Forest

Characteristics: Norwegian Forest cats are a double-coated breed that come in a range of shades.

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: Norway

Length (not including tail): 12-18”

Weight: 8-20 lbs

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Note on health: Norwegian Forest cats can sometimes have Pyruvate kinase deficiency or Glycogen storage disease type IV.

Fun fact: In Norse mythology, this was the goddess Freya’s favorite cat.

Ocicat

Characteristics: Ocicat cats usually have a cream base coat with different colored spots.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 16-18”

Weight: 6-15 lbs

Lifespan: 12-18 years

Note on health: Ocicats can inherit a genetic heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and they could also have retina degeneration in their eyes.

Fun fact: The Ocicat was bred from a combination of Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair in an attempt to give them spots usually only found in wildcats.

Oriental Shorthair

Characteristics: Oriental Shorthair cats are known for their very thin bodies, little heads, and piercing colorful eyes.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: England & U.S.

Length (not including tail): 11-14”

Weight: 6-12 lbs

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Note on health: Oriental Shorthairs can suffer from Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or Flat-chested kitten syndrome.

Fun fact: There are over 150 different patterns and colors you can find on Oriental Shorthair cats!

Persian

Characteristics: Persian cats are best known for their squished noses, wide faces and extra fluff.

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: Iran

Length (not including tail): 14-18”

Weight: 7-12 lbs

Lifespan: 12-17 years

Note on health: Their flat noses can cause eating issues, difficulty breathing, eye and teeth problems. Some of them may also develop heart or kidney problems.

Fun fact: Probably because of their extra cute faces, these are one of the most popular cat breeds worldwide!

Ragamuffin

Characteristics: Ragamuffin cats come in all colors, but are famous for going limp in your arms (like Ragdolls).

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 12-18”

Weight: 10-20 lbs

Lifespan: 12-18 years

Note on health: Ragamuffins can have polycystic kidney disease (PKD) or cardiomyopathy.

Fun fact: As kittens, Ragamuffins are completely white. As they grow up, they start to develop their unique color.

Ragdoll

Characteristics: Ragdoll cats have a powerful build and clear blue eyes.

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 17-21”

Weight: 10-20 lbs

Lifespan: 12-17 years

Note on health: Ragdoll cats can develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Fun fact: These cats got their name because of how they act when they’re picked up. They go limp, just like a ragdoll. The most famous Ragdoll at the moment is probably Taylor Swift’s cat named Benjamin Button (so famous, he’s been on the cover of Time magazine).

Russian Blue

Characteristics: Russian Blue cats have a silvery-blue coat and bright green eyes.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: Russia

Length (not including tail): 15-18”

Weight: 7-12 lbs

Lifespan: 15-20 years

Note on health: Russian Blue cats can get kidney and thyroid disease.

Fun fact: The Russian Blue is one of the few hypoallergenic cat breeds!

Scottish Fold

Characteristics: Scottish Fold cats usually have folded ears with a short padded body.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: Scotland

Length (not including tail): 10-12”

Weight: 6-13 lbs

Lifespan: 11-14 years

Note on health: This breed can suffer from osteochondrodysplasia, also known as Scottish Fold disease.

Fun fact: Taylor Swift made this breed extremely popular with her pets Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson.

Selkirk Rex

Characteristics: Selkirk Rex cats are a very curly breed with big faces and big eyes to match.

Breed group: Short-haired & Long-haired

Country of origin: U.S.

Length (not including tail): 12-15”

Weight: 6-16 lbs

Lifespan: 15-20 years

Note on health: Selkirk Rex may develop Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).

Fun fact: This breed is born with curly whiskers!

Siamese

Characteristics: Siamese cats are known for their lean bodies and iconic blue eyes.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: Thailand

Length (not including tail): 15-20”

Weight: 6-14 lbs

Lifespan: 8-15 years

Note on health: Some Siamese lines may be predisposed to lymphoma and other forms of cancer.

Fun fact: These cats have a super unique sound and they love to talk.

Siberian

Characteristics: Siberian cats are a medium to large breed that are quite balanced (except for the occasional cat with two different colored eyes).

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: Russia

Length (not including tail): 17-25”

Weight: 8-17 lbs

Lifespan: 11-18 years

Note on health: Siberian cats can have pyruvate kinase deficiency and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Fun fact: These are Russia’s national cat and they’re very proud. You’ll see them starring in Russian children’s stories, TV shows, and all throughout pop culture.

Sphynx

Characteristics: Sphynx cats have large ears and are as hairless as cats get.

Breed group: Hairless

Country of origin: Canada

Length: 13-15”

Weight: 6-12 lbs

Lifespan: 9-15 years

Note on health: Because of their minimal hair, Sphynx cats are more prone to skin problems than many other breeds.

Fun fact: Because of their lack of hair, they’re as sensitive to temperature as we are. So if you’re cold, they probably need a jacket or a cuddle too!

Tonkinese

Characteristics: Tonkinese cats are a medium sized breed with aqua eyes.

Breed group: Short-haired

Country of origin: Burma, Thailand, U.S. & Canada

Length (not including tail): 12-15”

Weight: 6-12 lbs

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Note on health: Tonkinese cats can develop dental diseases like gingivitis.

Fun fact: This breed was created by mixing Siamese and Burmese cats.

Turkish Angora

Characteristics: Turkish Angora cats have silky soft coats, large pointy ears, and long, sweeping tails.

Breed group: Long-haired

Country of origin: Turkey

Length (not including tail): 14-17”

Weight: 5-10 lbs

Lifespan: 12-18 years

Note on health: Turkish Angora cats may suffer from hereditary deafness or hereditary ataxia.

Fun fact: These were one of the first long-haired cats in Europe!

Cat breeds sure are different from one another, huh? But still, they all have one thing in common. Whether you have a Persian or a Ragamuffin, there’s one thing every cat needs – Animalia Pet Insurance, offering you to take the financial component out when it comes to deciding on your cat’s care.