Covering The Top Ten Most Popular Breeds Of Cats In America And What You Need To Know About Them
Cats are incredible animals for a wide variety of reasons. They are cute, cuddly, affectionate, playful, and love to snuggle. Cats are the second most popular pet animal in America next to dogs. According to the World Animal Foundation, there are roughly 58.3 million pet cats in the U.S. That equals out to be about 26% of U.S. households have at least one cat. Cats are clearly a popular pet and this article will be taking a look at the ten most popular breeds of cats in the U.S.
Domestic Shorthair
The domestic shorthair cat is essentially the “mutt” breed of cats. They have mixed and unknown heritages and typically don’t have any outstanding physical traits. Generally speaking they are medium build, come in a wide variety of colors, have short & soft fur coats, and have a fairly round face. They are your typical average cat, but are just as loving and affectionate as any other breed.
Domestic Longhair
Similar to the domestic shorthair, these are also considered to be the “mutts” of the cat world, but with long hair. Domestic shorthairs come in a wide variety of colors including black, brown, white, gray, and orange. They have a solid reputation for being excellent rodent hunters and make a fine addition to any household.
American Shorthair
The American shorthair cats are typically known as “working cats” due to their more muscular build and hunting prowess. These cats are so good at hunting rodents and vermin that they were even brought aboard the Mayflower when Christopher Columbus sailed to America (according to the A.S.P.C.A. website). They are still frequently used by farmers today to help control their local rodent populations.
Bengal
One of the most noticeable and distinctive cat breeds in the U.S. is that of the Bengal cat. Bengals have a very remarkable pattern along their fur that resembles that of a leopard or jaguar. This is because the Bengal breed was supposedly created by a breeder named Jean S. Mill who bred a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard cat. These cats are agile, playful, and are the only breed in the world that can develop these unique patterns on their fur. These cats are very beautiful, but also very expensive.
Main Coon
Main coons are large, sturdy, muscular cats that have heavy fur coats. They also have large eyes, even larger paws, and high cheekbones that give them an overall regal appearance. These cats are very smart, alert, attentive, and some of them even enjoy playing in water. Although typically shy around strangers, they are very affectionate towards their owners.
Ragdoll
Another iconic cat breed, based on their appearance, is the ragdoll breed. These cats are large, fluffy, and absolutely adorable. They typically have light colored bodies with darker colored faces, ears, tails, and legs. The ragdoll is also very well known for having bright blue eyes. All that being said, ragdolls are a very sought after breed and can be very expensive.
Siamese
One of the most unique looking cat breeds is none other than the Siamese cat. Although Siamese cats can now be bred to a variety of colors, they typically have beige or cream colored fur, have cold blue eyes, and gray/brown colored paws, ears, and tails. They have very playful personalities and are often very vocal. These cats are originally from Thailand and get their name from “Siam” (the original name of Thailand before 1939).
Persian
The Persian breed is one of the fanciest looking cats you will ever see. Persians have a stocky build with flat, squished faces and come in a wide variety of colors. They have a reputation for being very relaxed and laid back animals. Persians originate from Persia (modern day Iran) and that is also where they get their name from. They are one of the oldest breeds of cat on record.
Bombay
If you’ve ever seen a house cat that looked like a mini panther, then it was probably a Bombay cat. Bombay’s have sleek black fur with deep copper colored eyes. They were created in the 1950’s by breeding a domestic shorthair with a Burmese cat. These cats are smart, playful, and have a reputation for being easy to train.
Russian Blue
Last, but not least, is the Russian Blue breed of cat. Russian Blue’s have soft, short hair that is typically a silver or gray color. They have double coats, meaning they possess two layers of fur coats. This gives them an overall plushy appearance. They have a reputation for being quiet and for hiding in strange places. As you may have guessed, Russian Blues originate from Russia.
The Cat’s Meow!
We hope you found this article informative and that you now have a better understanding of the most popular cat breeds in the U.S. If you enjoyed this article, than be sure to check out our other cat-themed articles on the official Long Island Pet Service website. Click here to be taken directly to our blog section and thanks for reading!