Cats are awesome with their unique looks and personalities. If you’ve ever wondered what breed your cat is, you’re not alone. I’ve asked myself that too. Some cats have clear features that indicate a specific breed, while others are a little more mysterious. Finding out your cat’s breed can be fun and also give you some insight into their behaviour and health.
Here’s how I tried to figure out my cat’s breed, and how you can do the same. From checking out physical traits to using a DNA test, there are a few ways to know what breed your cat is.
Looking at Physical Traits
When I tried to figure out my cat’s breed, I first looked at their physical traits. Cats can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colours, and these things can help you guess their breed.
- Coat Color and Pattern
The first thing I noticed was my cat’s coat. Some colours and patterns are more common in certain breeds. For example, Siamese cats have darker colours on their ears, faces, paws, and tails, called “pointed” coats. Bengal cats have spots or marbled patterns, while Egyptian Maus have natural spots. Possible breeds for different coat colours and patterns are:
- Solid colours: Russian Blue, Persian, Bombay, Siberian
- Tortoiseshell: American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail
- Bi-colour (two colours): Maine Coon, Manx, Exotic Shorthair, Turkish Van
- Calico: Persian, Scottish Fold, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex
- Points (darker shades on face, ears, paws, tail): Siamese, Birman, Balinese
However, many patterns can show up in mixed-breed cats too. My cat has orange tabby markings, but it doesn’t indicate one specific breed.
- Coat Length and Texture
The length and texture of a cat’s fur can also give you clues. For example, Maine Coons, Persians, and Ragdolls have long, thick coats, while American Shorthairs and Abyssinians have smooth, short fur. Some cats, like the Devon Rex or Cornish Rex, have curly coats. Possible breeds for different Coat Length and textures are:
- Long-haired: Persian, Maine Coon, Birman, Turkish Angora
- Short-haired: Bengal, Siamese, Russian Blue, Abyssinian
- Curly-haired: Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, LaPerm
- Hairless: Sphynx, Peterbald, Donskoy
Most mixed-breed cats are just called domestic shorthairs, medium hair, or longhair. These terms describe the type of coat but not the breed.
- Body Size and Shape
Cats also come in different sizes, which can give hints about their breed. Big, strong cats like the Maine Coon can weigh up to 20 pounds, while small breeds like the Singapura are much lighter. Cats like the Siamese have long legs and tails, while others, like the British Shorthair, are more stocky. Possible breeds for different Body size and shape are:
- Small (under 4kg): Singapura, Munchkin, Cornish Rex, Japanese Bobtail
- Medium (4-7kg): Siamese, Burmese, American Shorthair, Russian Blue
- Large (7kg and up): Maine Coon, Ragamuffin, Siberian, Norwegian Forest Cat
- Head Shape and Ears
The shape of a cat’s head and ears can help too. Persians and Himalayans have flat faces, while Siamese cats have more pointed, wedge-shaped heads. Some breeds, like the American Curl, have ears that curl backwards, and the Scottish Fold has ears that fold down. Possible breeds for different Head shape are:
- Round face: Persian, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair
- Wedge-shaped head: Siamese, Cornish Rex
- Tail Features
Some cats have unique tails that stand out. Breeds like the Japanese Bobtail and Manx have short or no tails. But if a cat is missing a tail, it could be because of an injury, so it’s important to know the cat’s history first. Possible breeds for different tail features are:
- Long and fluffy: Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat
- Bobbed (short): Manx, Japanese Bobtail, American Bobtail
- No tail: Manx (tailless gene)
- Eye Color and Shape
Eye colour isn’t always a sign of breed, but it can help. Siamese and Balinese cats are known for their striking blue eyes, and the Turkish Van is known for having one blue eye and one amber-coloured eye. However, odd-coloured eyes don’t always mean a certain breed. Possible breeds for different eye colour are:
- Blue: Siamese, Balinese
- Amber: Turkish Van
- Green/Yellow: Russian Blue, Abyssinian
- Odd-eyed (two different-coloured eyes): Turkish Van
Behavior and Personality
When I was trying to figure out my cat’s breed, I also thought about their personality. Some breeds are known for specific traits. For example, Siamese cats are talkative and social, while Persians are calm and like quiet time. Bengal cats are active and playful, while Ragdolls are gentle and love being held.
However, I realized behaviour isn’t always a perfect way to figure out a breed. My cat is a mix of playful and lazy, which doesn’t match just one breed. It made me see that every cat has their personality, no matter their breed.
Asking an Expert
If you’re still not sure about your cat’s breed, you can ask an expert. Vets and breeders know a lot about cats and can sometimes guess the breed based on looks and behaviour. I once showed my vet a picture of my cat. While they couldn’t tell me the exact breed, they gave me some guesses.
Doing a DNA Test
The most accurate way to know your cat’s breed is through a DNA test. These tests use a cheek swab to check your cat’s DNA and can tell you which breeds they are made of. Companies like Basepaws and Wisdom Panel offer detailed reports that can even tell you about health risks related to their breed.
DNA tests can be a bit expensive, but they give you fascinating details about your cat’s family history. I haven’t tried one yet, but I plan to in the future. It would be interesting to learn more about my cat’s background.
FAQs
Q1. Can I Tell My Cat’s Breed Just by Looking at Them?
Ans. Physical traits can give you a good idea, but they aren’t always accurate. Many cats are mixed-breed, and their appearance might not perfectly match a breed.
Q2. How Accurate Are DNA Tests for Cats?
Ans. DNA tests are generally good at figuring out your cat’s breed, especially recent ancestors. However, they may not be perfect for identifying rare breeds.
Q3. Does Knowing My Cat’s Breed Matter?
Ans. Knowing your cat’s breed can give you a better idea of their personality and health needs, but what matters is the bond you share with them.
Conclusion
Figuring out your cat’s breed can be a fun and interesting experience. Whether you look at their physical traits, ask an expert, or even do a DNA test, you’ll learn more about your furry friend. But the most important thing is the love and connection you have with them. No matter what breed your cat is, they are special just the way they are.