Cats are creatures you either love or you want nothing to do with. People who love their cats are truly cat-obsessed, leading to terms such as “crazy cat lady.” But for those who love these adorable creatures, it’s hard to understand why anyone wouldn’t be obsessed!
Cat lovers are rarely satisfied with a single cat. The average cat owner has two cats, though there are plenty with far more than that. But each breed is unique and will give you a different experience as their owner, so even though they’re the same type of animal, it’s almost like they aren’t. If you’re ready to add a new furry feline to your family, then check out the 20 most popular cats of this year.
The 20 Most Popular Cat Breeds of 2023
1. Abyssinian Cat
Clever and curious, the Abyssinian is a cat that likes to explore and often gets into a bit of trouble. They love to be around their family, but they’re not the kind of cats that want constant attention. However, they do like to impress with their acrobatics. You’ll often find these cats climbing to the highest points in the house. They love to play, though they’re not reckless. Still, your Abyssinian is sure to keep you entertained!
2. American Bobtail Cat
These cats have an appearance that still resembles their wild cousins. They weren’t selectively bred by humans. Instead, natural selection helped make this breed strong and sturdy enough to survive feral environments. Today, they make loving and devoted pets with an intuitive nature that makes them seem like they always know what their person is feeling. They’re generally quiet cats, though they will chirp, trill, and click when they get excited.
- Learn about other American Cat Breeds here!
3. American Shorthair Cat
A medium-sized cat with heavy bones, the American Shorthair is a breed that’s completely devoted to its owner. They’re incredibly adaptable animals that do great with other pets, making them one of the best felines for households that already have pets. These cats have been around since settlers first flocked to America from Europe. Interestingly, records show that several even made it onto the Mayflower and helped take care of the ship’s rat problem en route to the new world.
4. Balinese Cat
Slender and elegant, the Balinese cat is long and lean, but muscular, yet not stocky. They’re very playful animals that are always outgoing. Balinese cats are known for being very talkative; expect yours to communicate with you about everything. These cats rarely stop being vocal, and they’re very sensitive to your speaking as well. A harsh tone can instantly hurt their feelings.
5. Bengal Cat
Bengals have unique markings that make them look very similar to a tiny leopard which tends to make them one of the most famous cat breeds. They’re orangish-brown with dark spots of brown ringed in black covering their bodies. Though they look like fierce jungle felines, Bengals are actually incredibly sweet family pets with tons of love and affection to give, which is part of why they’re so popular, and hence, expensive. Unlike many cats, Bengals are known to love water, so try taking your Bengal to the pool with you and see how they react!
- Just like the Bengal, learn about the 20 Most Expensive Cat Breeds in the World (With Pictures)
6. Birman Cat
Birmans have distinct markings that make them easily recognizable. Their feet are white and their eyes are bright blue. They’re pretty large cats that are heavily boned, giving them a stocky appearance. They have long, silky fur that’s easy to care for since it rarely mats. These cats bond very closely with a single person, so they’re best suited for individuals instead of families.
7. Bombay Cat
The pitch-black coat of a Bombay cat sets the standard for black cats everywhere. Combined with their muscular bodies, it gives them the appearance of a miniature wildcat. But these cats are entirely domestic and were created by crossing a sable Burmese cat with a black American Shorthair.
8. British Shorthair Cat
Covered in thick, plush fur with soft, round eyes, the British Shorthair is as cute as any cat could be. Adding to this is their friendly, affectionate personality. They’re playful and fun, though they also tend to be quite lazy! Your British Shorthair will spend most of its time lounging around, simply enjoying the relaxation. Though they’re very popular pets, their expensive pricing can make them unobtainable for many.
- Related Read: 10 British Cat Breeds: An Overview (With Pictures)
9. Devon Rex Cat
Devon Rex cats are known for possessing above-average levels of intelligence. They’re cable of learning and performing advanced commands and tricks, but that doesn’t mean that convincing them to do so is easy! What’s unique about this breed is that humans had nothing to do with their development. This mutation occurred naturally and was discovered in Devonshire, England, hence the name Devon Rex.
10. Domestic Longhair Cat
The Domestic Longhair isn’t an official breed. Instead, it’s the term for any domestic cats of unknown origin. They make up a large percentage of household cats worldwide, which is why they’re considered one of the most popular types of cats. They can display a wide range of traits and temperaments. Still, most of them share some things in common, such as a love for hunting and stalking.
11. Exotic Shorthair Cat
The Exotic Shorthair is a relatively new breed that was first developed in the 1960s. They were made to be nearly identical copies of Persians, except for their coats. These cats have a special coat that’s much shorter, softer, and plusher than a Persian’s coat. This results in Exotic Shorthairs having a rounded, soft look like a teddy bear.
12. Himalayan Cat
They may not look the same, but Himalayans are practically identical to Persian cats in every way except their coloration. Himalayans are essentially Persian cats with the colorations and markings of a Siamese. This famous cat breed makes an excellent companion because of its easy-going nature and even temper. They’re playful animals that can be easily entertained for hours with a small toy, laser pointer, or just a crumpled piece of paper.
13. Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon is the largest of all house cats, growing up to an impressive 40 inches. They’re often called “gentle giants” because they’re some of the friendliest and most affectionate of all cat breeds. For this reason, they’re highly sought after, which makes them very expensive compared to other breeds. Interestingly, one Maine Coon named Nicky was successfully cloned by scientists in 2004 and she sold for $50,000.
- Looking for an affordable breed? One of these cat breeds is just up your alley!
14. Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest cats are natural athletes with a very curious nature. They love to explore and investigate everything and particularly love climbing bookcases and other items to their peak. This causes them to be strong and muscular physically, but they’re much softer temperamentally. In fact, they’re very affectionate and loving, bonding closely with just about everyone they meet.
15. Persian Cat
Calm and even-tempered, the Persian is a perfect companion pet. They’re not the most active felines, though they do love a good play session. These cats are very smart but they’re not as curious as other breeds. They wear a sweet expression set in a round face that’s impossible to resist. Between their calm personalities and cute looks, it’s easy to see why this breed is so popular.
16. Ragdoll Cat
Ragdolls are the most popular breed of feline in America. They have deep, penetrating eyes that are captivating and cause many people to fall in love with them. They’re very gentle pets that aren’t excitable, preferring to remain calm and affectionate. While most cats are known for being somewhat prissy and stuck up, these cats are commonly compared to dogs due to their loving devotion to their people. They’ll even follow you around the house. One cool thing about these cats is that they start life pure white but will develop patterns and color after a week or two.
17. Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat still looks like a throwback to the days when felines all roamed wild through the jungles. They’re long, lean, and tall, covered in dark spots that look similar to those on wild cats. But there’s a good reason for their wild appearance. Savannah cats were created by breeding wild African Serval cats with domesticated cats, which is why the Savannah resembles the wild Serval in appearance, though Savannah cats are considerably smaller than their wild cousins.
18. Scottish Fold Cat
If you’re looking for a silent feline partner, then you might want to take a second look at the Scottish Fold. They’re known for being quiet and calm with an adorable appearance that endears many to them. In fact, many celebrities own Scottish Folds, including big names like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Kirsten Dunst, and Patrick Dempsey.
19. Siamese Cat
Siamese cats have a distinct appearance with their tan suits, black faces, ears, and paws, and bright blue eyes. But they’re known for more than just their instantly recognizable looks. These cats are so popular because they’re some of the most affectionate pets around. Moreover, these are very talkative animals that will “converse” with you all the time. Interestingly, President Rutherford Hayes once got a Siamese cat from a diplomat who was stationed in Thailand, which is how the breed became popular in the United States.
20. Sphynx Cat
Few felines have as iconic of a look as the hairless Sphynx. Truthfully, the breed isn’t even hairless! They actually have a thin layer of downy fuzz covering their bodies, though you can’t really see it. These are some of the most social cats around. They love attention and they want to be the center of yours all the time.
Related Read: Cat Breeds: Complete List from A to Z (With Pictures)
- You might also like: 10 Worst Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners (With Pictures)
- See also: Chinese Mountain Cat
Featured Image Credit: Irina_kukuts, Pixabay
Contents Overview
- The 20 Most Popular Cat Breeds of 2023
- 1. Abyssinian Cat
- 2. American Bobtail Cat
- 3. American Shorthair Cat
- 4. Balinese Cat
- 5. Bengal Cat
- 6. Birman Cat
- 7. Bombay Cat
- 8. British Shorthair Cat
- 9. Devon Rex Cat
- 10. Domestic Longhair Cat
- 11. Exotic Shorthair Cat
- 12. Himalayan Cat
- 13. Maine Coon Cat
- 14. Norwegian Forest Cat
- 15. Persian Cat
- 16. Ragdoll Cat
- 17. Savannah Cat
- 18. Scottish Fold Cat
- 19. Siamese Cat
- 20. Sphynx Cat
