Editor: Amy Davis
#1: Siamese Cat
Though there are many different breeds of cats, they are really unimportant to a great number of cat owners. Most of the time, owners look for personality and appearance over a specific breed. However, one breed of cat, the Siamese, has remained a very popular and much sought after breed of cat for many feline lovers.
The Siamese Cat is known as being a very regal cat throughout history. Even today, it maintains an elegant and sleek form, and remains the most popular of all pedigreed cats. The Siamese Cat comes in a variety of different colors. Most of the time, the body is one color while the outer “points” are another color. Because of this variation, the colors of a Siamese Cat are commonly referred to as Red Point, Blue Point, and so on. The Siamese Cat is most commonly a light color, often just a few shades darker than white, with darker points.
Siamese Cats have a very distinct head, with unique features. Traditionally, the head was very angular, and triangle in shape. The breed maintains that head shape even today. Additionally, the ears are very large, and also pointed like a triangle. In the past, Siamese Cats were known for their crossed eyes. Luckily, selective breeding has essentially prevented that trait from affecting today’s Siamese Cats. Nevertheless, the Siamese Cat still has very distinct eyes, always in a bright shade of blue.
Today, the Siamese Cat is loved as being one of the more social breeds of cats. While many cats are quite content to spend a great deal of their time in solitude, the Siamese Cat typically appreciates spending time with its family, as well as other people. The Siamese Cat also has a very distinct meow, and they are more vocal than many cats. The meow of a Siamese Cat becomes very intense if it is distressed, or desires attention. Additionally, the Siamese Cat often lives for over twenty years, truly becoming a valued member of any family.
#2: Persian Cat
The Persian cat is thought to be the oldest breed of cat in the world. You might sometimes hear it referred to as the longhair cat, due to its appearance and popularity. As the name suggests, the Persian cat originated in the country of Persia. However many people thought it to great of a cat to be contained in one country. Today the Persian cat is known for being the mascot figure of a popular brand of cat food, and is one of the most commonly sought after pet cats in the world.
Some people also believe that these cats originated from Turkey, as well as England. The Persian Cat held a very special spot within the hearts of England’s royal families as well as to the king of Persia. Persian Cats were considered to be a valued possession.
Persian cats are known for their beautiful coats. The coats are very long and come in any cat color. Because of the long coat, owners must ensure that they stay on top of their Persian cat’s grooming. Otherwise, the Persian cat’s coat will become matted and tangled. Owners may also wish to bathe their Persian cat more often than the average short haired cat.
The Persian cat has a shorter, almost stubby body and a very round head. Additionally it is known for its flat face and muzzle. Most Persian cats live to be at least ten years old, but many end up living much, much longer. A healthy Persian cat may live to be twenty years old, so they are definitely a commitment.
Along with their physical beauty, the Persian cat is known for its inner beauty. You will often find that owners praise the cat for its easy-going nature. The British are especially known for their love of the Persian cat. They are social and laid back, perfect for lounging around their home with their owners. With all of their gorgeous qualities, it makes sense that they are one of the most admired cats in the world. Persian cats have set the standard for long haired cats everywhere.
Persian Cat Care
Persian cats require the same kind of care that you would give to any other species of domesticated cat. Such as providing your cat with the best kind of food and making sure that fresh water is always available to them. Remember to not let your cat’s food spoil because if they eat this they can become quite ill.
Always keep your cat’s litter box clean and well maintained. Persian cats require a special type of litter due to their long hair.
Persian cats also have a very short face and are prone to breathing problems. So be sure to have your Persian cat checked regularly by your vet. Also take your Persian in to see the vet as soon as you notice something out of the ordinary with your cat. Only you will be able to spot when something’s not right.
Also make sure that you keep up to date with your Persian cat’s vaccinations and dental cleanings as well. You should try to spend as much quality time with your cat as possible.
Caring for a Persian Cat is a unique and rewarding experience. And as soon as you get the hang of it you and your Persian will be able to become used to the care routine.
#3: The Snowshoe Cat
The Snowshoe cat is a medium sized cat with a distinct coat pattern. It is the coat pattern that gives this cat its name. Along with its breed specific coat, the Snowshoe cat has a great personality that has won it many fans within the cat world. Nevertheless, the Snowshoe cat is one of the more rare cats around today.
As mentioned above, the Snowshoe cat gets his name from a pattern on his coat. By looking at the name of this breed of cat, it would make sense that the pattern occurs on the feet, which is exactly the case. The Snowshoe cat has four white paws, exactly symmetrical in size and shape, as though he has just walked through snow.
Despite the uniform paws, the Snowshoe cat can actually come in a variety of different colors. He has short hair, which eliminates the need for frequent grooming. Excluding the paw pattern, the Snowshoe cats are varied in terms of coat pattern as well. They are also known for their blue eyes.
The Snowshoe cat tends to be quite vocal. Nevertheless, most owners agree that they have a quiet and even pleasant meow. The Snowshoe cat is known for being very loyal to his owner. Due to his loyalty and love of people, he needs more attention than many other breeds of cat. However his social personality makes him quite the lovable and fun cat.
Despite all of his great attributes, the Snowshoe cat is not one of the most common cats. He traces his ancestry back to the Siamese. However due to difficulty in achieving the coat pattern through breeding, the Snowshoe cat is rather rare compared to most pet cats.
The lucky cat owners who do have a Snowshoe cat to call their own are usually quite pleased with their cat. The low maintenance coat, physical uniqueness, and great personality make the Snowshoe cat a fantastic pet to own and love.
#4: Russian Blue Cat
The Russian Blue cat is arguably one of the most beautiful and coveted cats in the world. One of its biggest selling points is its impeccable appearance. Few cats rival the Russian Blue in beauty. However, it is not all beauty and no brains. The Russian Blue is loved equally for its pleasant personality, making it a much adored pet worldwide.
As the name implies, the Russian Blue cat originated in the country of Russia. In fact, the Russian Blue is sometimes referred to as the Archangel Cat, in a nod to its presumed origin in the Archangel Isles. It is thought to have moved out of Russia and into other European countries like England by boat in the 19th century. Upon moving around the continent of Europe, the Russian Blue cat began to travel with their owners to other corners of the world as well.
In appearance Russian Blue cat is lean and finely proportioned. However despite its slender physique, the Russian Blue cat is actually quite strong and muscular. A gorgeous coat covers its body. The Russian Blue cat has a double coat that is short and quite soft to the touch. The coat is primarily a rich and dusky blue, however it is silver at the tips, giving the Russian Blue cat a very regal appearance. In addition to the striking coat, the cat has intensely large, green eyes that add further mystique to its appearance.
In personality, the Russian Blue is thought to be very pleasant and friendly. They are shy in the beginning but warm up to their owners and become loving companions. Additionally, they are known for being very intelligent, and easily get along with kids and pets.
The Russian Blue cat’s personality should not be taken for granted however. It does not take kindly to loud environments or a lack of stability. But in a kind and loving household, the Russian Blue cat makes a great pet.
#5: Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon is the oldest North American-based cat. Because of its heritage and distinct characteristics, it is also one of the most popular cats in the world. In fact, it has garnered so much respect in the New England area that it was named the state cat of Maine. Find out what makes the Maine Coon so special worldwide, not just in America.
The Maine Coon is known for being a very large cat. The cats typically weigh anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds, with the females significantly smaller than the males. Despite the females smaller size, she is often the most demanding of respect, and male Maine Coons tend to be the more playful gender. Both the male and female Maine Coon cats have a very muscular frame and are large not only in weight but also overall structure.
Due to their New England origin, the Maine Coon has developed a great number of characteristics ideal for braving cold conditions. For example, they have very large paws, perfect for traversing through snowy conditions. Maine Coons also have long coats that keep them warm and dry in wet conditions. Despite the long coats, the Maine Coon requires little coat maintenance, but do best with weekly brushing . Their tails are particularly bushy and serve as an extra means of warmth in the winter months. Though the most common coat is tabby, either all brown or brown and white, the Maine Coon can be found in almost any color.
The Maine Coon cat is very adaptable, which makes it an excellent pet cat. They are known for being intelligent, and thus easy to train. The Maine Coons are also of a pretty relaxed disposition, lending them well to households with children and even other pets. Additionally, you can expect the Maine Coon to remain playful throughout most of its life. Though they are not clingy, they are friendly and generally appreciative of attention from their owners.
#6: American Bobtail Cat
Though relatively new on the purebred cat scene, the American Bobtail is quickly growing in popularity. Its distinct physical characteristics combined with its affectionate personality make the American Bobtail a favorite among many cat lovers.
The breed of the American Bobtail began in the 1960’s in America, making it a relatively new breed of feline. In the 1980’s the American Bobtail was finally recognized as a breed worldwide, not just exclusively in the United States. Though many people may believe that it is related to the Japanese Bobtail, in truth there is no relation between the two breeds of cat.
The American Bobtail resembles a tabby in color. Its coat is usually slightly spotted or marbled. The American Bobtail also has a non-matting coat, which makes it a great, low-maintenance house pet. The defining characteristic of the American Bobtail is its short tail. This breed of cat has its trademark tail due to genetics, not through owners docking the tail. In the American Bobtail’s genes, mutant genes cause the tail to remain short instead of growing to the typical cat tail length. The American Bobtail’s tail is typically one to four inches in length. The body of the American Bobtail is of a medium sized frame.
The American Bobtail is known for being a sensitive cat, very attuned to people and other animals. This sensitivity lends it well to animal therapy programs, as the American Bobtail naturally seeks out people in need. It also does extremely well in family homes and around children. The American Bobtail should even fit into households with other pets, provided that the other pets are friendly and accepting. The American Bobtail is becoming more and more favored due to its friendly and easy-going nature.
#7: Scottish Fold Cat
This unusual breed of cat originated in Scotland in the 1960’s. The first known Scottish Fold cat was named Susie. She was a white barn cat whose ears were not upright like a normal cat. Instead they were tucked down and forward on her head. Susie also had big wide eyes and soft plush fur, and so become the first cat to be bred to create the Scottish Fold breed.
When these cats are bred properly, they should have a rounded head with tightly folded ears, large wide eyes and a constant look of either surprise or terror. They are usually seen as quite stocky and with a definite muscular pattern showing in their front legs and chest area. However, it is interesting to note the larger the cat’s jowls are, the tighter their ears are, as well as the wider their eyes are. This all amounts to a beautiful cat that proves to be a champion in the show ring.
However, Scottish Fold cats that are born with straight ears instead of folded ears are not allowed to be shown. These cats usually have a coat that is not as dense as a regular Scottish Fold; their legs are also a bit longer, and they have very large, straight ears. But they do have the same wonderful disposition as a regular Scottish Fold cat does and they make excellent pets.
The Scottish Fold is not a vocal cat, unless they are a female cat in heat! The temperament of a Scottish Fold cat is extremely mellow and laid back. They also love to be held and cuddled close to their owner’s chest. This is not a bad thing, considering that their coat is so soft, almost like a rabbit’s fur in both density and silkiness, that every Scottish Fold owner will want to constantly cuddle with their cat.
Most Scottish Fold cats that have been properly bred have an average lifespan of approximately 15 years. However, they can live much longer than that as long as they are given good health care.
No matter what cat breed you decide on, make sure to have some fun toys when they arrive in their new home!