Humans have bred cats for their hunting skills, companionship, and striking looks for thousands of years, resulting in roughly 100 recognized breeds around the world—and even more unofficial mixes. With this many unique breeds to choose from, there’s a cat for just about everyone.
And while each person may have their breed preferences (or often in the case of cats, coat pattern and colour preferences), only a few breeds can climb to the top when it comes to overall popularity. We dug into the millions of pets in Rover’s database and uncovered the most popular cat breeds of 2024.
Here’s what we learned about the most popular cat breeds and how to determine your cat’s breed.
Domestic Shorthair
Not to be confused with the American Shorthair, the Domestic Shorthair is often considered to be the “mutt” of cat breeds due to their mixed and unknown heritages. Because of this, Domestic Shorthairs can present a variety of physical attributes, but they are generally medium-sized with round faces, sleek and soft short coats, and can be any mix of colours.
It’s believed that after being domesticated in Egypt in around 2000 BC, cats like the Domestic Shorthair made their way around the globe, including to North America (likely aboard the Mayflower and other ships). These cats were favoured as mousers, hunting rodents, and other small pests, and were considered to be hard-working. Domestic Shorthair cats live an average of 12-14 years but have been known to live much longer as well.
American Shorthair
Though American Shorthair cats would love to snuggle up on a couch with you, they’re also known as working cats: hearty, muscular, and alert. They typically adapt well to humans and animals alike and are generally well-rounded in temperament.
All cat personalities are different, but an American Shorthair is likely to be sociable while still independent. These cats are selectively bred for specific traits that must meet the breed standard, unlike the Domestic Shorthair, which is a mix of unknown breeds.
Similar to the Domestic Shorthair, American Shorthair cats came to North America from Europe and were often used by pilgrims to keep the local rodent population under control.
Domestic Longhair
Like Domestic Shorthair cats, Domestic Longhair cats are simply cats that have long hair and are of unknown ancestry. They’re especially common for this reason—most cats aren’t purebreds! Also, like their shorthaired friends, they were brought to North America from Europe via ships.
These cats come in a full spectrum of colours, from orange to white and black to grey. Their coat is typically a few inches long, and they have distinct tufts around their ears and on the bottoms of their paws. Domestic Longhair cats benefit from regular grooming to help maintain their lovely coats.
Their exact history is a mystery, but some speculate that the recessive gene for long hair was pruned specifically by people with cats in colder climates like Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Domestic Longhair cats have a reputation for being great hunters, making them particularly attractive to humans looking for help controlling rodents.
Ragdoll
Large and fluffy, Ragdoll cats are a pointed breed. Cats of pointed breeds have lighter-coloured bodies with darker faces, legs, tails, and ears. While their colouring can vary slightly, their blue eyes are distinctive.
One of the more affectionate breeds, Ragdolls will often follow their humans around, greet them at the door, and hope for a spot in bed. They’re known for being easy-going and not excessively active.
Ragdolls were largely free-roaming cats until the 1960s, when Ann Baker, a breeder in California, developed what we know to be today’s Ragdolls.
Siamese
Perhaps one of the most distinctive breeds, Siamese cats are most often cream-coloured, with grey-brown paws and icy blue eyes. Everything about Siamese is a bit pointier than other breeds, from the large, triangular ears to their delicate paws. They’ll often have the same grey-brown colouring on their ears and faces. Siamese cats are now bred to come in different colours and patterns.
Their personalities are often busy and talkative, making them excellent companions for equally active people. They prefer to not be left alone for long periods and may need more play time than your average cat. Siamese cats are also known for being highly intelligent.
Siamese get their name from their origin country: Thailand. Before Thailand was renamed in 1939, the country was called Siam. Siamese cats eventually made their way to Europe, most notably in the late 1800s and later to North America, where Rutherford B. Hayes had a Siamese cat during his presidency, from 1877-1881.
Bengal
A Bengal’s marbled coat is their most distinctive feature, but it’s also impossibly soft and possesses a muscular physique. Though all cats within the breed have different personalities, Bengals are generally active and playful in a kitten-like way, even at an older age. They need pet parents who are willing to keep them busy and entertained and who are tolerant of a cat who may need a more stimulating, enriched home to thrive.
This is because Bengals are actually considered to be a hybrid species, having been bred with non-domesticated animals. The Bengal cat breed can be traced back to Jean S. Mill, who bred a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat to get a cat with a mild, affectionate temperament with the show-stopping look of a leopard. According to The Cat Fanciers’ Association, “The Bengal is the only domestic cat breed that can have rosettes like the markings on leopards, jaguars, and ocelots.”
Maine Coon
Maine Coons have relatively large bodies and sport lush, heavy coats. They’re muscular, sturdy, and simultaneously regal in stature. Their large eyes, significant paws, and high cheekbones distinguish them from other cat breeds.
When it comes to personality, these cats toe a line of wanting to be near their humans and needing their own space. They have a reputation for being undeniably attentive and may follow family members around, but like many cats, they can be cautious around new people. Unlike most other cat breeds, though, Maine Coons have a dense, water-resistant coat—they may enjoy a water fountain or even play in water!
Maine Coons are believed to be native to North America, having been put on the map during the colonial era. Some even tell a tale of Marie Antoinette having several Maine Coon-like cats, which were first brought to the continent during an expedition to save the queen from beheading. The cats made it, but she didn’t. Whether or not this story is true, Maine Coons rose to popularity for their attentive yet rugged personalities.
With the introduction of Persian cats and other long-haired breeds to North America, the Maine Coon was incorrectly declared extinct in the 1950s. Since then, Maine Coons have clawed their way back to the top, becoming the fourth most popular cat breed in Canada.
British Shorthair
Originally prized for their strength and hunting abilities, the British Shorthair is likely the oldest British cat breed. Today, they’re beloved for their round faces, big eyes, and mild temperaments.
Sturdy and densely coated, these purring teddy bears are medium to large in size and slow to mature, not reaching their full size until they’re about three years old. While most often thought of as blue in colour, British Shorthairs can come in a variety of colours and patterns.
In terms of temperament, this breed is relatively calm and quiet, not vocalizing much or loudly. However, they can be quite clumsy and don’t often enjoy being picked up. British Shorthairs are also very affectionate, get along well with other animals, and tend to form strong bonds with their favourite people.
Persian
Persian cats have stocky bodies with flat, slightly scrunched-looking faces. This is one of the qualities people are often so drawn to, but it can lead to the need for additional medical care. They sport long, soft coats that range in a variety of colours, including white and black. Though they share some physical characteristics with Maine Coons, they’re often smaller and range between 7-12 pounds.
Despite being sweet with their humans, Persian cats have a reputation for being slightly standoffish with new people and are considered generally less likely than other breeds to demand attention. They can be laid back and mellow relative to other breeds.
The Persian is one of the oldest-known breeds and was first spotted in Iran, known at the time as Persia. The breed made its debut to a wider audience in the 1871 Crystal Palace cat show and is also known as having been a favourite of Queen Victoria’s.
Russian Blue
Russian Blue cats have short, soft coats in variations of dark grey and silver. They might show faint stripes but are otherwise patternless. Russian Blues have double coats, adding a plush look to their otherwise more delicate frames. They often have yellow-green eyes and a distinct “smile” on their face.
Russian Blues are often described as mostly quiet and will find a cozy place to sleep but are social with their family. They may be the type to hide away during large gatherings of other people.
Cat origin stories are heavily rumored, but some believe the Russian Blue descended from cats kept by Russian Czars. Eventually, these cats were imported to North America in the early 1900s, slowly gaining popularity over time .
What is Your Cat’s Breed? Find Out Here
Biggest Cat Myths, Debunked:
Cats purr when they are happy: Not true!
- Did you think this? Us too! Many cat parents believe that cats only purr when they are happy, even though it isn’t true.
- Purring originates when kittens are nursing on their mom; mom purrs too, and it’s thought that purring might enhance their bond.
- Purring primarily happens during positive experiences, when your cat is feeling relaxed, happy, or excited.
- But some cats will purr when they are scared, stressed, or in pain.
- Use cues from the environment to tell you if your cat is happy! If she’s on your lap and purring, she is likely happy! If she’s at the vet and purring, it may be a “nervous purr.”
Cats can’t be trained: Actually, they can!
- Just like dogs and other animals, cats can be trained!
- Cats respond best to positive reinforcement training methods, where they receive treats for behaviours you like.
- You can train cats to do practical things, like go into their carrier, or sit quietly.
- You can also train cats to do cute tricks, like jumping through a hoop or rolling over.
- Some behaviours, such as using a litter box or scratching a post, don’t require training! They are instinctive behaviours that just require that you set up litter boxes or scratch posts that they like!
Cats can see in the dark: Not true!
- Did you wonder this about as well? Many cat parents believe that cats can see in the dark, even though they cannot.
- Cats can see in low light conditions, but they can’t see in total darkness.
- Cats see so well in low light because their senses are highly tuned to be able to hunt when their prey is active: at dawn and dusk.
- Cats’ eyes have more rods and few cones in them than human eyes. Rods are special cells for light detection, and cones are for detecting colours.
- Cats can see much more than we can when the lights are low, but they don’t see colours as brightly as we do.
- Cats also have a special layer of cells in the back of their eyes, called the lucidum tapetum, that also help “boost” the light signal. These cells are what often makes their eyes “glow” when you take a flash photo of your cat.
About our Expert
Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist and Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant who has been working with cats for over 20 years. She offers cat behaviour consulting through Feline Minds and is currently the Standards & Research Lead at Good Dog. She completed her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis where she researched the health and behaviour of orphaned neonatal kittens and cats in multi-cat households. Mikel is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist (Animal Behaviour Society), a Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants), and an Affiliate Member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour. She now lives in Sacramento, California, with her boyfriend Scott (a cat-loving CPA) and their three rescue cats.
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