Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

What is the difference between cat breeds? Here’s what to know about different types of felines

Breeds aren't just for dogs. There are many different types of cats, too

BethAnn Mayer
By

In the pet world, there’s a decent amount of focus on dog breeds. There are so many distinct breeds with different physical and social characteristics. Cats just get grouped into one bucket: cats. Sometimes, people consider them as “short-haired” and “long-haired” cats, but that’s it.

However, there are several different types of cats, too, and you’ll want to consider their preferred lifestyles before making them a part of yours. Finding the right fit for your home is essential. It helps ensure you and your feline build a lifelong friendship.

Recommended Videos

These five different cat breeds are super popular. Learn more about them to see if they’re the perfect feline for you.

Related

Silver Persian cat

5 different cat breeds to consider

There are many different types of cats, but these five are some of the most common. Here’s what to know about their health and behavior.

Persian

  • Life span: 12-17 years
  • Size: 7-12 pounds, 14-18 inches
  • Physical: Long face, short muzzle, long coat with many permissible colors (white, silver, golden, bicolor, chocolate, and more).
  • Social: Quiet and sweet, but a bit standoffish
  • Get if: You want a cat that loves you but doesn’t need constant attention
  • Avoid if: You can’t stand tons of shedding.

American shorthair

  • Life span: 15-20 years
  • Size: 8-12 pounds, 8-10 inches
  • Physical: Short coat with many colors, including white, brown, black, and orange
  • Social: Gentle, generally good with children and other pets
  • Get if: You want an all-American cat with minimal shedding (relatively speaking) or have small children and other pets.
  • Avoid if: You’re looking for a truly unique feline

Abyssinian  

  • Life span: 9-13 years
  • Size: 8-12 pounds, 8-12 inches
  • Physical: Short, silky coats coat, low shedding, triangular head, and large ears
  • Social: Playful, curious, active, and loving
  • Get if: You want a cat that could double as a dog personality-wise
  • Avoid if: You’re looking for an aloof, laid-back cat

Siamese

  • Life span: 12-15 years
  • Size: 5-8 pounds, up to 14 inches
  • Physical: Short coat, triangular head, and piercing blue eyes
  • Social: Affectionate, active, and often bonds with a specific person
  • Get if: You’re looking for a new best friend with gorgeous eyes
  • Avoid if: You want a cat that bonds with the whole family or one with fewer health challenges – Siamese cats are prone to GI issues, tumors, and eye issues

Maine Coon

  • Life span: 12-15 years
  • Size: 8 20 pounds, up to 16 inches
  • Physical: Large or medium coats that are smooth and silky
  • Social: Playful, active, and loving
  • Get if: You’re looking for a giant, active kitty
  • Avoid if: You’re looking for a small, short-haired cat and don’t want a high monthly kitty grocery bill; generally, Maine Coons can eat the same diet as other cats, but their large size often requires more kibble — a vet can give the best insights on portioning

A small silver, short-haired cat

Resources to research different types of cats

These resources can help you learn more about many different cat breeds.

  • Vets see cats all day, every day. They can provide insights into common health conditions specific breeds are prone to and social characteristics.
  • Like vets, local shelters and rescues are dedicated to caring for animals. They also want to help homeless cats find forever families. Speaking to the shelter staff about specific breeds can help narrow down your choices.
  • Spend time with loved ones’ cats, and ask them about the kitty’s personality and needs. Getting first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to raise a certain breed on a long-term basis is useful.

Also, no two cats are alike, even in the same breed. Some kitties go against the grain. For example, one Persian may not be aloof, and a specific Abyssinian may not be as playful as most in the breed. Meeting a cat and speaking with the shelter staff or a reputable breeder can help you make the most informed decision.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
BethAnn Mayer
BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Is your cat biting when you pet them? This is what they’re trying to tell you
Cats can't tell us when they want us to leave them alone, so you need to watch out for other signs
Gray cat biting a person's hand

If you're lucky enough to live with a beloved feline, you know how quick cats can be. They leap from counter to counter, zoom around the apartment, and occasionally grab you and bite your hand. This behavior can be surprising and startling, and if you don't understand what it's about, you might be upset and frustrated.
Your cat biting your hand or arm seemingly randomly doesn't mean that they don't love you, and it also doesn't mean they're doing this just because. Instead, there are important messages behind your cat's behavior. If you're wondering, "Why does my cat bite me when I pet them," -- there are a few potential causes that you need to understand.

Why does my cat grab my hand and bite me?
If your cat bites you when you're patting her, you're witnessing something called petting-induced aggression. These bites are generally gentle and don't draw blood, but they can still be painful and upsetting. Your cat might lick at your hand first before using their teeth. (If you see signs of aggression, your cat is telling you in no uncertain terms to back off and give them some space.)

Read more
Can cats have autism? Here’s what to know about unusual behavior in cats
Learn about special needs and autism in cats
Cat with blue eyes staring into the distance

Can cats have autism? This is a question that might have crossed your mind as you try to decipher your cat's behavior patterns. Even though the diagnosis is centered on human behavior, many pet lovers and experts have discovered similarities between special-needs cats and people with autism. Still, cats are typically only labeled as special needs if they have a diagnosed physical or mental disability.

There are several behaviors in cats that are similar to those found in humans on the autism spectrum. These include:

Read more
Why do cats stick out their tongues? Here are several surprising (and mostly harmless) reasons
Health concerns to harmless changes: Reasons cats stick out their tongues
Side view of a cat sticking out its tongue

Have you ever wondered why cats stick out their tongues? Maybe you've noticed your cat doing it and wondered if something might be wrong with them. Try not to worry about it. Most cats stick their tongues out occasionally, leading to this behavior being called a "blep" in internet slang. (Search for cat bleps online when you're feeling down; the adorable images are the perfect pick-me-up.)
What causes cats to blep? We'll explore a few potential reasons behind this strangely adorable behavior.

Why do cats stick out their tongues? Do you need to worry or not?
Your cat is exploring with their tongue
One of the most common reasons for an exposed tongue is that your cat is quite literally exploring their surroundings. When your cat leaves their mouth open and tongue out, they're collecting pheromones on their tongue -- this is called the Flehmen response. Those pheromones give your cat important information about other cats around, including whether they're in heat. Your cat may be assuming this strange posture simply to get additional information about the surrounding cats.

Read more