Domestic cats are beloved pets around the world, and their diverse breeds showcase a fascinating array of appearances and personalities. Whether you’re looking to identify a cat’s breed or simply admire the beauty of felines, exploring different cat breeds through pictures is a great way to start. At our Adelaide clinic, we encounter a wide variety of cats, from the commonly seen to the wonderfully rare. This guide provides a visual tour of many domestic cat breeds, offering a glimpse into their unique characteristics.
Common Domestic Cat Varieties
Moggie, Tabby, Domestic Shorthair, Companion Cat
A classic tabby domestic cat with green eyes
Often referred to as moggies, tabby cats, or domestic shorthairs, these are perhaps the most ubiquitous cats and not a breed in themselves, but a delightful variety. Their widespread presence is a testament to their adaptability and charm. Moggies boast a stunning spectrum of coat colors and patterns, with tabby markings being particularly striking and common. These cats are known for their resilience and make wonderful companions.
Abyssinian
A regal Abyssinian cat with ticked coat and large ears
The Abyssinian stands out with its distinctive ear tufts and ticked coat, features reminiscent of wild African feline species. These cats are athletic and muscular with an inquisitive and adventurous nature. Abyssinians are known for their intelligence and playful personalities, making them engaging pets.
Australian Mist
An Australian Mist cat with a spotted coat
The Australian Mist is a relatively new breed developed in Australia, hence its name. Known for their gentle temperament and striking spotted or marbled coats, these cats are well-suited to indoor living and are known to be friendly and good with families.
Elegant and Exotic Cat Breeds
Balinese
A graceful Balinese cat with long white fur and blue eyes
Despite their name suggesting origins in Bali, Balinese cats, like Javanese cats, were actually developed in the USA. Balinese cats share a similar body shape and personality with Siamese cats but are distinguished by their longer, flowing coats, particularly on their tails. They are intelligent, vocal, and thrive on companionship.
Bengal
A Bengal cat with leopard-like spotted coat
Bengals are a captivating breed developed by crossing domestic cats with wild Asian Leopard Cats. This breeding resulted in their spectacular, highly contrasted coats reminiscent of wild cats, while retaining a domestic cat’s affectionate nature. Bengals are energetic, playful, and often described as having an “aloof” yet engaging personality. Due to their wild ancestry, Bengals are typically recommended as indoor-only cats.
Birman
A Birman cat with blue eyes and white paws
Birmans are affectionate and gentle cats known for their striking blue eyes and distinctive white “gloves” on their paws. They possess a luxurious, silky coat and a calm, easy-going temperament. Birmans can sometimes resemble long-haired Siamese or Himalayan cats, particularly in colorpoint variations.
Bombay
A sleek black Bombay cat with striking yellow eyes
Bombay cats are known for their glossy, jet-black coats and captivating yellow or copper eyes. They have a rounded face and a muscular build. Bombays are often likened to Burmese cats in personality, being affectionate, social, and playful companions.
British Shorthair
A classic blue British Shorthair cat with a round face
Often called the “British Blue” due to the popular blue-grey coat color, British Shorthairs actually come in a wide array of colors and patterns. They have a dense, plush coat, a round face, and a generally calm and affectionate nature. Their ancestry is believed to include Persian cats, contributing to their cuddly demeanor.
Burmese
A sable Burmese cat with expressive eyes
Burmese cats are admired for their range of rich coat colors and their exceptionally friendly and people-oriented personalities. Often described as “dog-like” in their devotion, Burmese cats are gentle, affectionate, and adapt well to new environments, showing less fear compared to some other breeds.
Burmilla
A Burmilla cat with silver shaded coat
The Burmilla is a rarer breed, resulting from a cross between Burmese and Chinchilla cats. They exhibit characteristics of both parent breeds, often having the sociable personality of a Burmese and the striking shaded coat of a Chinchilla. Burmillas are known for their sparkling silver coats and gentle nature.
Chinchilla
A fluffy Chinchilla Persian cat with green eyes
While sometimes considered a color variation of the Persian, Chinchilla cats are often regarded as a distinct breed, particularly in Australia. They are recognized by their long, flowing silver coats tipped with black, giving them a sparkling appearance, along with greenish eyes and a slightly longer nose than typical Persians.
Cornish Rex
A Cornish Rex cat with wavy coat and large ears
Cornish Rex cats are known for their unique wavy or curly coat, lacking the outer guard hairs found in most breeds. Despite the hype, they are not necessarily hypoallergenic. Cornish Rex cats have a slender build, large ears, and are known for their active and playful personalities.
Devon Rex
A playful Devon Rex cat with pixie-like features
Devon Rex cats also have a wavy coat, but it’s softer and often less dense than the Cornish Rex. They are characterized by their wide faces, high cheekbones, and large, impish ears, giving them a pixie-like appearance. Devon Rex cats are extremely social, playful, and known for their affectionate nature.
Egyptian Mau
A spotted Egyptian Mau cat with striking green eyes
Egyptian Maus are a naturally spotted breed of domestic cat, known for their elegant appearance and striking spotted coats. They are active and athletic cats with a loyal and devoted personality. Their spots occur naturally and are not the result of hybridization.
Exotic Shorthair
An Exotic Shorthair cat with a flat face and plush coat
Exotic Shorthairs are often described as “short-haired Persians” due to their incredibly similar appearance and temperament, aside from coat length. They possess the same flat faces and gentle, cuddly personalities as Persians, but with an easier-to-manage short, plush coat.
Maine Coon
A majestic Maine Coon cat with a shaggy coat
Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, famous for their impressive size and shaggy, water-resistant coats. Despite their size, they are known for their gentle and amiable nature, often referred to as “gentle giants.” They are intelligent, playful, and good with families.
Norwegian Forest Cat
A Norwegian Forest cat with a thick, tufted coat
Norwegian Forest Cats are a hardy breed adapted to cold climates, characterized by their thick, water-repellent double coats and tufted ears and paws. They have a distinctive triangular facial shape and a robust build. These cats are known for being independent yet affectionate and enjoy outdoor exploration.
Ocicat
An Ocicat with a wild spotted appearance
Ocicats are bred to resemble wild cats with their spotted coats, but surprisingly, they have no wild cat ancestry. They are entirely domestic cats known for their athletic build, spotted patterns, and affectionate, playful personalities.
Oriental Shorthair
A sleek Oriental Shorthair cat with large ears
Oriental Shorthairs share a similar body type to Siamese cats – slender and elegant – but come in a vast array of coat colors and patterns, and have striking green eyes (in most varieties). They are intelligent, vocal, and very social cats who bond strongly with their families.
Persian
A fluffy Persian cat with a round face and long coat
Persian cats are renowned for their luxurious long, flowing coats, round faces, and sweet, gentle personalities. They are one of the most popular breeds, known for their calm and docile nature, making them ideal lap cats. Grooming is essential to maintain their beautiful coats.
Russian Blue
A Russian Blue cat with silver-blue coat and green eyes
Russian Blue cats are prized for their striking silvery-blue coats, bright green eyes, and elegant, slender frames. They are known for being intelligent, quiet, and somewhat reserved, though affectionate with their families. Their dense coat is often described as plush and soft.
Siamese
A classic Seal Point Siamese cat with blue almond-shaped eyes
Siamese cats are one of the oldest and most recognizable breeds, known for their striking colorpoint coats, almond-shaped blue eyes, and slender, elegant bodies. They are highly intelligent, vocal, and social cats with a regal and outgoing personality.
Somali
A Somali cat with a bushy tail and ticked coat
Somali cats are essentially long-haired Abyssinians, sharing the same ticked coat pattern and energetic, intelligent personalities. They are known for their bushy tails and vibrant, agouti coats. Somalis are active, playful, and enjoy interacting with their humans.
Sphynx
A hairless Sphynx cat with wrinkled skin
Sphynx cats are famous for their lack of fur, revealing wrinkled skin and large ears. Despite being hairless, they are not hypoallergenic and require regular bathing. Sphynx cats are known for their outgoing, affectionate, and even demanding personalities, often described as “Velcro cats” due to their desire for constant human contact.
Tonkinese
A Tonkinese cat with mink coat and aqua eyes
Tonkinese cats are a hybrid breed, a cross between Siamese and Burmese. They blend traits of both parent breeds, often displaying the vocalization of a Siamese and the affectionate nature of a Burmese, with a distinctive “mink” coat and aqua-colored eyes. They are intelligent, social, and playful.
Turkish Van
A Turkish Van cat with white body and colored tail and head
Turkish Vans are a distinct breed known for their semi-longhaired coat and unique color pattern: white body with color restricted to the head and tail. They are also known for their love of water, sometimes referred to as “swimming cats.” Turkish Vans are intelligent, active, and can be quite independent.
Breeds with Unique Features
Manx
Manx cats are distinctive for their lack of a tail or having a significantly shortened tail, a genetic mutation that defines the breed. Aside from this feature, they resemble heavily built domestic cats. When considering a Manx, it’s crucial to choose a breeder who understands the potential for spinal defects associated with the tailless gene.
Ragdoll
Ragdolls are well-loved for their docile and gentle temperament, often going limp when held, hence their name. They are large and sturdy cats with semi-longhaired coats and striking blue eyes, often resembling a larger, more robust Birman in appearance. Ragdolls are known for being affectionate and laid-back companions.
Scottish Fold and Scottish Shorthair
A Scottish Fold cat with folded ears
Scottish Folds are recognized for their unique folded ears, a result of a genetic mutation affecting cartilage. While the folded ears are aesthetically appealing, this genetic condition can lead to serious health issues like chronic pain and arthritis. Ethical concerns surround breeding Scottish Folds due to these health problems.
A Scottish Shorthair cat with straight ears
Scottish Shorthairs offer an ethical alternative for those who admire the Scottish Fold’s temperament and coat type, but without the health risks associated with the folded ear mutation. They possess the same gentle personality and plush coat as Scottish Folds, but with straight, unfolded ears.
This overview offers a glimpse into the diverse world of domestic cat breeds. Each breed boasts unique characteristics and charms. Exploring pictures and learning about different breeds is a wonderful way to appreciate the fascinating variety within the feline family.
