From Ear Tufts to Fluffy Tails: How to Identify Your Pet Cat's Breed

Each cat breed is unique in its own way, with special features and habits. If you are a cat owner or want to own a cat, you should definitely be able to distinguish the differences between breeds. Knowing the breed of your pet will provide you with the necessary information to take the best care of your feline companion for many years.

Visual Cues to Determine a Cat's Breed

A cat's breed can be recognized by analyzing these three categories:

1. Facial features
2. Color and texture of the coat
3. Body shape and size

The main difference between cat breeds is the variation of color and texture of the coat. This is also the easiest to spot.

Using the following sections and corresponding shorthair/longhair breed graphs, you'll be equipped with everything you need to find your pet's lineage.

• The History of Cat Domestication
• Family Classification
• Ancestry of Different Breeds
• Longhair Cats
• Shorthair Cats
• Common House Cats

Comparing the variables included, such as family classification and ancestry factoids, you can feel confident that you are providing the best life for your current or soon-to-be pet.

Commercial cat breeding is very difficult because mating can be controlled only when the male and the Queen (breeding female) are confined. Cats are genetically rigid, therefore there are few opportunities for commercial breeders. Data regarding characteristics and features inherited by breeding is scarce, as there has been little scientific breeding performed.

Most cat breeds can be grouped into two different categories:

• Longhair
• Shorthair

Note: Aside from coat length, there are no major distinctions between these two categories.

Based on the color of the coat, both longhair and shorthairs have different breed subcategories. Some colors and patterns can be genetically linked with the sex or condition of the cat. These visual traits are also used to identify potential birth defects and genetic quirks in cats.

Domestication and religious cat cults evolved in ancient Egypt. In the 5th and 6th Pharaoh dynasties (2465–2150 BCE), cats were proclaimed as sacred animals; however, Egyptians did not begin to domesticate cats until 1500 BCE.

Civilizations That Owned Domesticated Cats

• China: Religious art from the 5^th century BCE depicts domesticated cats.
• Greece: In the 1^st century BCE, they appeared in plays for comic effect.
• India: Sanskrit texts written around the 1^st century BCE mention domestic cats.
• Japan: They were considered guardians in the 7^th century CE.
• Britain: Cat protection laws existed in 936 CE.

Cats were domesticated because they were sacred animals that were very useful in protecting granaries and crops from rodents. These days, this purpose is no longer as relevant for most, so owning cats is mainly for companionship and show.

• Family Felidae: There are 37 species in 18 genera belonging to 3 subfamilies; found worldwide, excluding Antarctica. They evolved in the Late Eocene Era— about 37 million years ago.
• Subfamily Felinae: There are 29 species found worldwide; excluding Antarctica. They evolved about 10 million years ago.
• Genus Felis (Small Cats): There are six old species, including the wildcat and domestic cat; found worldwide. They evolved in the Pliocene Era—about 5.3 to 3.6 million years ago.

About 40 distinct cat breeds have been recognized. Ancestry of some of these breeds goes back to the time of antiquity. The ancestry of individual cat breeds can be traced to cat mummies, as well as ancient statues and drawings available in different cultures.

The Origins of Well-Known Breeds

• The Tabby and Abyssinian are the descendants of the sacred Egyptian cat. The present-day tabby and Abyssinian look similar to the cat mummies, statues, and drawings in Egypt.
• The Persian, whose exact origin is unknown (with Iran being the best guess), is believed to be a mixed-breed cat.
• The tailless Manx, the hairless Sphynx, and the curly-coated Devon Rex all have mutant genes. The ancestors of all Egyptian cats come from Africa.
• The Siamese cat is believed to have Asian ancestry, even though no living species of Asian cats have been found.
• The history of the Japanese Bobtail goes back more than 1,000 years. This cat breed, which was very common in medieval Japan, is quite rare these days.

Longhair cats are distinguished by their long, flowing coat. Their coat colors can be solid or bicolored, in addition to various patterns.

Solid Coats

• White
• Black
• Red
• Blue
• Cream

Patterned Coats

• White with black streaks
• Silver and black
• Tabby
• Calico
• Silver blotches
• Blue-gray and cream
• Blue-cream
• Tortoiseshell
• Cream, red, and black

Shorthair breeds consist of British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Bombay (pitch-black colored) Bengal (gray-white stripes), Manx (tailless), Sphynx (hairless), etc. A shorthair cat has a round head, round eyes, ears rounded at the tips, a sturdy build, and strong-boned legs.

The coats of shorthair cats are often similar to those of longhair breeds. However, the most common coat colors include those found in tabbies:

• Brown
• Silver
• Blue
• Red

Note: The blue-cream color is rare in Shorthairs. Cream is simply the diluted version of red, and is rather rare to encounter. To be mixed with blue is even rarer.

To help you with your identification journey, I have outlined the specifications and characteristics of three of the most easily recognized house cats that you may encounter:

• The Siamese
• The Persian
• The Tabby

The Siamese cat is small and agile. It is regarded as the most intelligent house cat. It is affectionate and loyal, but can be destructive sometimes. The Siamese cat is highly vocal.

Breed Origins

Even though Siamese cats are named after Siam (the old name of Thailand), its origin as a breed is unknown. The Siamese cat is a popular breed of cats. They have been domesticated in Thailand and some parts of Asia for a long time; however, they did not reach Europe until the late 19^th century.

The British took Siamese cats as gifts to England. From England, these cats made their way to America. According to a widely held belief in Thailand, Siamese cats protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits. This exotic feline creature is believed to bring good fortune to its owner.

A Partly Albino Breed

The Siamese cat is partially albino. When kittens are born, they are white or cream colored, but later develop dark points such as dark brown (seal point), blue-gray (blue point), milk-chocolate brown (chocolate point), pinkish gray (lilac point), or reddish orange (red point) on ears, face, legs, and tail.

Characteristics of Siamese Cats

• Light color in the body and dark color around the feet, tail, legs, and face
• Slanted blue eyes
• Muscular
• Round head
• Flexible, long body
• Slim, long tail
• Slim legs
• Color points
• Social, communicative, noisy, playful
• Attention seeking
• Emotionally high maintenance
• Short hair
• Weighs between 6–16 pounds
• Has a lifespan of 15–20 years

Based on the color of their coat, Persian cats are grouped in seven categories, including solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. The Persian cat is identifiable by its long, flowing coat.

A Delicate, Indoor Animal

Persian cats are loving companions. They don’t climb and jump much, they are not destructive, they love to hang with humans, and they really love to bask in the sun. Persian cats are indoor cats, which mean they are prone to coat damage and disease when they roam outside. They can live up to 20 years.

The Persian cat has long and dense fur. In order to protect the coat, frequent bathing and combing is necessary for a Persian cat. They also must be kept indoors so their majestic coat is preserved.

Characteristics of Persian Cats

• Gentle and sweet
• Long hair
• Great companion
• Not very demanding
• Big eyes
• Pleasant voice
• Communicative
• Passive
• Easy to keep
• Needs too much grooming
• Expensive
• Playful, affectionate, defensive, languid

Contrary to popular belief, tabbies are not categorized as a breed. Cats with grey or tawny (a light brown to brownish orange color) streaks, patterns, or patchy coloring can be considered a tabby.

Tabbies can also be identified by the signature "M" shape found on their forehead.

Tabby is one of the most common cat coat colors. It is seen in pure-breed cats as well as mixed-breed cats.

Characteristics of Tabby Cats

• Friendly
• Loving
• Cuddly
• Intelligent
• Playful
• Love to be the center of attention
• Thrive as indoor/outdoor cats
• "M" mark on the forehead
• Common patterns include: swirls, mackerel, ticked, and spotted

Now that you know all there is about cat breeds and their characteristics, you are more than prepared to go identify some cats on your own! Regardless of whether you wanted to get to know your own companion a little better, do some research before adopting a pet, or just learn something new about the species, I hope that using this guide as a reference served you well.