The 8 Most Popular Types of Cats in the UK

The UK is a nation of cat lovers, with the 2023 PDSA Paw Report finding that 24% of UK adults own a cat. The British Shorthair is the most popular cat breed in the UK, with just under 10,000 kittens registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). However, plenty of other types of cats are popular in the UK.

But if you’re preparing to become a pet parent for the first time, how do you choose which breed will suit you best?

Rather than focusing on things like colour or appearance, vet Dr Daisy May recommends considering factors like “activity preferences, shedding tendencies, size, vocalisation, independence vs. cuddliness, and grooming needs.” Using these as a guide, you can choose a breed that matches your home and lifestyle.

To make things even easier — we’ve rounded up the eight most popular breeds in the UK.

The Origins of the Domestic Cat

Our adorable house cats might enjoy spending much of their time napping in a pool of sunshine, but their wild roots aren’t far beneath the surface.

All domestic cats are descended from the African wildcat Felis sylvestris lybica. It’s thought that cats essentially domesticated themselves by congregating around grain stores and hunting rodents gathered there. It’s difficult to pin down exactly when this process happened, but research suggests it could be up to 12,000 years ago.

Domestic cats started to spread throughout the world as people travelled trade routes. Distinct breeds then developed in different regions. Unlike dogs, there isn’t a huge amount of variation in the size of domestic cats. Instead, breed differences tend to centre on their appearance and personality.

The first cat show was held in Winchester in 1958, but cats were judged on their ability to hunt rather than their appearance. It wasn’t until 1871 that the first modern-day cat show was held at Crystal Palace in London. This show featured a range of breeds, including the British Shorthair, Persian, and Abyssinian.

Since then, more cat breeds have developed, including modern variants like the Lykoi, Bengal, and Snowshoe.

The Most Popular Cat Breeds in the UK

Around 86% of cats in the UK are moggies, also known as domestic shorthair or longhair. So, even though they’re not an official breed, the mixed-breed moggie is the most popular type of cat in the UK.

In addition to moggies, 11% of cat owners in the UK report that their cats are pedigrees, or pure-bred types of cats. Within this category, we’ve listed and explained the 8 most popular breeds below.

1. British Shorthair

Weight: 3-7.7 kilograms (kg)

Lifespan: 12-17 years

Colours: Seen in most solid and tabby colours, sometimes with white markings

Good with: Families and multi-pet households looking for a laid-back cat

A quarter of all kittens registered with the GCCF are British Shorthair, making them the most popular UK breed by a wide margin. This is due to their relaxed attitude to life, which makes them the perfect companion for families, busy households, or those with other pets.

While British Shorthairs are fairly quiet, they are inquisitive and love exploring. They’re prone to short bursts of activity, often with a nap afterwards to recover. Some cats may need encouragement to exercise, otherwise they can quickly become overweight.

This compact breed has a dense and plush coat. Their grooming requirements are minimal, with a quick brush once a week. British Shorthairs are usually healthy, but Dr May notes they can be prone to polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

2. Ragdoll

Weight: 4.5-9 kg

Lifespan: 12-17 years

Colours: Four colours and three coat patterns

Good with: First-time cat owners looking for a laid-back and affectionate breed

The Ragdoll is a man-made breed created in the 1960s. Their calm demeanour makes them a great choice for first-time cat owners. Whether you’re home all day or out at work, a Ragdoll will be happy to chill in company or alone. Their long, dense coat needs daily grooming, and they shed annually.

While Ragdolls are a relaxed breed, they still enjoy plenty of playtime and interaction, plus space to roam in an enclosed catio. Their relaxed attitude means they get on well with other pets, making them a great choice for multi-pet households.

A generally healthy breed, Dr. May points out that they do have a higher cancer risk than some other breeds. They can also suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease.

3. Maine Coon

Weight: 4.8-8.2 kg

Lifespan: 9-15 years

Colours: Wide range of colours and markings

Good with: This adaptable breed can suit busy households with plenty of outdoor space

One of the largest domestic types of cats, the Maine Coon is known for their athletic, active nature and affectionate, playful personality. This breed loves companionship, whether that’s from family members or other pets.

Maine Coons are intelligent and enjoy plenty of opportunities for physical and mental stimulation. They enjoy training sessions and can be taught a range of tricks. Their large size means they also enjoy spending plenty of time outdoors, so they aren’t best suited to life as an indoor cat.

Their long coat needs regular grooming, and while this is a generally healthy breed, Dr May notes that they can be at risk for spinal muscular atrophy and some heart defects. As a larger cat, they also need more cat food than most other types of cats.

4. Siamese

Weight: 5-6.5 kg

Lifespan: 8-15 years

Colours: Many coat colours, all with darker points across the ears, paws, tail, and face

Good with: Attentive owners who are home a lot of the time

Siamese cats are instantly recognisable thanks to their pointed coats, elegant bodies, and outgoing personalities. These intelligent cats form strong bonds with their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

Their sociable nature also means they prefer homes with other cats, preferably another Siamese! This breed can be loud, so owners are never in doubt about their cat’s opinions. Their grooming needs are minimal — a quick brush once a week is enough to keep their coat in good condition.

While Siamese cats are usually very healthy, the breed can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, feline asthma, and certain types of cancer. They can also experience pica, which is the eating of non-food items.

5. Burmese

Weight: 3.6-5.4 kg

Lifespan: 10-16 years

Colours: Blue, champagne, sable, and platinum

Good with: First-time cat owners looking for an energetic and sociable cat

The curious, easy-going and charismatic personality of the Burmese breed makes them the perfect choice for first-time cat owners. These playful cats love interacting with family members and other pets and can be just as outgoing when visitors arrive, too.

Their short coat only needs minimal grooming once a week, but Burmese cats can be high-maintenance in other ways. They’re always looking for someone to play with, so they need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They enjoy short training sessions and can be taught to fetch, high-five, sit, and more!

Burmese cats are usually healthy, and while they can be left alone for a few hours each day, they prefer spending time with their owners or other pets. This breed is also active, so needs plenty of space indoors and out.

6. Persian

Weight: 3.2-5.4 kg

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Colours: Black, cream, cameo, blue, tortoiseshell smoke, and blue-cream smoke

Good with: Quiet, calm homes with experienced owners

With their large eyes, short muzzles, and long coats, Persian cats have an unmistakable look. They are sociable and enjoy the company of their owners but prefer a peaceful home without too many people or other pets.

Their long coat needs daily grooming, especially as Persian cats can have trouble grooming themselves efficiently due to their flat faces. Their muzzle and eyes need extra attention to avoid soreness or infection developing on the skin folds of their faces.

Due to their flat face shape, Persian cats are at high risk of certain health conditions, including brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome and eye ulcers. They can also be prone to other health problems, such as skin infections, polycystic kidney disease, and hip dysplasia.

7. Oriental Shorthair

Weight: 2.3-4.5 kg

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Colours: All colours, patterns, and eye colours

Good with: Experienced owners who spend a lot of time at home

Descended from the Siamese, this breed has the intelligence and energy of their ancestors! Oriental Shorthairs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, or they’re likely to look for ways to make their own fun. Cat trees, platforms, puzzle toys and more can help keep these intelligent, active cats occupied.

This breed is best suited to experienced cat owners who have the time to devise games and spend a lot of time each day interacting with their cat. They can spend time outdoors, but their curious nature means an enclosed catio is often the best way to allow them time outside without worrying about them exploring too far from home.

Their short coat only needs grooming once a week, but if you own an Oriental Shorthair, your time will likely be spent devising games to keep them entertained!

8. British Longhair

Weight: 3-7.7 kg

Lifespan: 12-17 years

Colours: Seen in most solid and tabby colours, sometimes with white markings

Good with: Families, other cats, dogs, children

The British Longhair is the ‘cousin’ of the British Shorthair and shares many of the same characteristics. This breed is sociable and loves company but is also happy to be left on its own for a few hours each day.

These large cats tend to be quiet and calm but are sometimes prone to short bursts of activity and playtime, especially when they’re younger. Their long, dense coats need daily grooming to keep them free from mats and tangles.

British Longhaired cats form strong bonds with their owners, and their adaptable nature means they’re well suited to a range of homes. This breed loves to eat, which means care needs to be taken to help them maintain a healthy weight.

What are the Best Types of Cats for You?

Now that you know which cat breeds in the UK are the most popular, how do you choose the right one for you? We’ve created this handy checklist to help you out. 

Personality

Are you looking for an independent cat, like a British Shorthair, that can be left alone while you’re at work? Or would you prefer a vocal cat, like a Siamese, that craves companionship? It’s important to consider the type of cat that will suit your lifestyle and then choose a breed based on those characteristics.

Size

Some cat breeds, like Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, grow significantly larger than others. These breeds may need more space to roam and tend to eat a lot more than smaller breeds! If you have a small house or apartment, it can be harder to accommodate the needs of larger cats.

Pet and family-friendly

If you have children or other pets, it’s important to choose a relaxed breed, like an Abyssinian,  that gets along well with everyone. Other breeds, like the Sphynx, prefer a quiet home and may become anxious if they can’t escape from all the noise.

Shedding

Some longhaired breeds, like the Ragamuffin, shed a lot and need daily grooming. Other shorthaired cats only need a quick brush-over every week or so. If you or other family members have allergies, you might be looking at hypoallergenic cat breeds.

But bear in mind that no cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic, so you’ll need to focus your search on breeds that produce fewer allergens and shed less fur, like the Siberian or Oriental Shorthair. A good breeder will be able to advise you if their kittens are suitable and let you meet them to gauge whether they trigger your allergies.

Health issues

“Purebred cats can be more prone to some inherited conditions,” explained Dr. May. Make sure you ask breeders about conditions affecting the breed you’re interested in and whether they offer any health testing.

Getting pet insurance can help cover the costs of any medical treatment required in the future.

Dr May also noted that mixed-breed cats “tend to demonstrate ‘hybrid vigour’ with a wider gene pool.” This may mean they’re sometimes healthier overall than their purebred counterparts.

If considering a mixed-breed cat, Dr. May recommends “speaking to an ethical rescue that can help you find the right cat companion.”