Many types of cats live around the world, from wild species like lions and tigers to common domestic breeds such as Siamese and Persian. These cats differ in size, color, and behavior, but all belong to the feline family.
This post lists their names with pictures. You’ll learn the most known cat species and breeds, grouped clearly for easy vocabulary learning.
List of Types of Cats
Below is a list of different cat types to help you learn their names in English vocabulary.
- Persian
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Bengal
- British Shorthair
- Sphynx
- Scottish Fold
- Abyssinian
- American Shorthair
- Burmese
- Russian Blue
- Birman
- Turkish Angora
- Norwegian Forest
- Savannah
- Exotic Shorthair
- Oriental Shorthair
- Tonkinese
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Balinese
- Manx
- Chartreux
- Himalayan
- Selkirk Rex
- Turkish Van
- Singapura
- American Curl
- Munchkin
Types of Domestic Cats
Domestic cats are the breeds that live in homes and are raised as pets. Below is a list of different kinds based on fur type and origin.
Short-Haired
These cats have short, smooth fur that needs less grooming. Below is a list of common short-haired cats:
- Persian: Some have shorter fur. Calm and quiet with a loving, relaxed personality.
- Bengal: Wild look, short coat. Very active and playful, always full of energy.
- Siamese: Sleek body and blue eyes. Talkative and enjoys being around people.
- British Shorthair: Round face, thick coat. Calm and prefers peaceful indoor spaces.
- American Shorthair: Strong and friendly. Great for families and easy to maintain.
- Abyssinian: Always moving and exploring. Short, soft, and shiny coat.
- Burmese: Playful and loyal. Loves staying close to people.
- Russian Blue: Quiet with blue-grey fur. Shy at first, but very loyal.
- Oriental Shorthair: Big ears, smooth fur. Social and curious.
- Exotic Shorthair: Like a short-haired Persian. Sweet and easier to groom.
- Chartreux: Blue coat and copper eyes. Gentle and quiet.
- Egyptian Mau: Spotted coat. Fast, alert, and graceful.
- Singapura: Small in size but bold and playful.
- Tonkinese: Cuddly and cheerful. Loves attention and play.
- Cornish Rex: Wavy fur and fast moves. Always active.
- Devon Rex: Big ears, curly coat. Friendly and fun.
- Manx: No tail, strong body. Great jumper.
- American Curl: Curled ears. Playful and gentle.
Long-Haired
Long-haired cats have thicker, fluffier coats and often need daily brushing. Below is a list of long-haired cat types:
- Maine Coon: Large, gentle, and playful. Loves cool weather and fits well in family homes.
- Ragdoll: Relaxed when held. Soft fur and calm nature make it a favorite lap cat.
- Himalayan: Persian-Siamese mix. Fluffy coat, blue eyes, and prefers a quiet indoor life.
- Norwegian Forest: Thick coat and strong build. Enjoys climbing and colder temperatures.
- Turkish Angora: Long silky coat. Smart and curious, but gentle and graceful.
- Turkish Van: Water-loving cat with soft fur. Has color mostly on the head and tail.
- Birman: Blue eyes and white paws. Friendly and calm with people.
- Balinese: Long-haired Siamese. Very social and talkative with graceful movement.
- Selkirk Rex: Curly fur and round face. Calm and cuddly, often compared to a teddy bear.
Mixed Breeds
Mixed breeds do not belong to a single breed group. They often combine traits from two or more breeds. Common examples include:
- Domestic Shorthair: Common house cat. Short fur, low maintenance, and friendly in many colors.
- Domestic Longhair: Long fluffy coat. Needs brushing and comes in lots of color patterns.
- Tuxedo Cats: Black and white coat. Looks fancy and often has a bold, friendly personality.
- Tabby Mix: Striped or swirled pattern. Usually playful, alert, and very social.
- Calico Mix: Orange, black, and white. Mostly female, often independent but sweet.
- Orange and White Cats: Gentle nature with bright or soft orange patches. Easygoing and affectionate.
- Grey Domestic Cats: Calm with soft grey fur. Often loyal and peaceful pets.
- Black and White Cats: Smart, curious, and playful. They stand out with their bold coat colors.
Cat Coat Patterns
Coat patterns refer to the colors and markings on a cat’s fur. Below is a list of common patterns seen in cat breeds.
- Tabby: Striped or swirled fur with patterns that look like an “M” on the forehead. Found in breeds like the American Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian.
- Calico: Patches of white, orange, and black. Usually female and can appear in breeds like the Japanese Bobtail or Manx.
- Solid: Cats with just one color all over. These include black, white, grey, or cream. Found in breeds like Russian Blue and British Shorthair.
Cat Sizes
Cats come in different sizes depending on the breed. Below is a list grouped by general body size.
Small
These cats are small in size with compact bodies.
- Singapura: Very small and playful. Loves people and stays alert.
- Munchkin: Short legs, fast runner. Always active and fun to watch.
- Cornish Rex: Curly coat and slim body. Energetic and playful.
- Devon Rex: Big ears and soft curls. Always moving and loves attention.
- American Curl: Curled ears, small build. Gentle and kitten-like even as an adult.
- Oriental Shorthair: Slim, light, and very curious. Loves to follow people.
Medium
These cats are average in size and body structure:
- Persian: Medium body, flat face. Calm and gentle with long, thick fur.
- Siamese: Slim but medium in size. Very talkative and people-loving.
- Abyssinian: Sleek and graceful. Always moving, curious, and playful.
- Burmese: Compact and muscular. Loyal, cuddly, and loves human company.
- Birman: Soft fur, blue eyes. Calm, social, and easygoing.
- Russian Blue: Medium build, soft blue coat. Quiet and loyal once it trusts you.
Large
Large breeds are muscular and tall, often weighing over 15 pounds:
- Maine Coon: Very large and fluffy. Friendly, smart, and great with families.
- Ragdoll: Big, soft, and gentle. Loves being held and staying close.
- Norwegian Forest: Strong with thick fur. Climbs well and loves cool spaces.
- Savannah: Tall and athletic. Active, curious, and needs space to move.
- Turkish Van: Large and muscular. Known for enjoying water and being playful.
- British Shorthair: Heavy and round. Calm, loyal, and prefers a quiet home.
Rare Cats
Rare cats are not commonly found and may have unique appearances or special traits. Below is a list of rare and exotic cats.
- Sphynx: Hairless and known for its wrinkled skin.
- Scottish Fold: Ears fold forward, giving a rounded look.
- Savannah: Cross between domestic cat and wild African serval.
- Munchkin: Very short legs, often described as kitten-sized even in adulthood.
- Turkish Van: Likes water and has color only on head and tail.
- Chartreux: A French breed with blue-grey fur and copper eyes.
- Selkirk Rex: Curly fur and rounded features.
- American Curl: Ears curl back in a unique shape.
- Singapura: One of the smallest and rarest breeds worldwide.
Conclusion on Types of Cats
Learning the types of cats helps you understand how they look, act, and differ in size or fur. From small, active breeds to large, calm ones, each cat has special traits. Whether you like playful short-haired cats or gentle long-haired ones, knowing their types makes it easier to describe and remember them. Use the pictures and lists to help you learn, recognize, and name cats in English.
FAQs About Types of Cats
Large domestic breeds include:
Maine Coon: Known as the “gentle giant.”
Ragdoll, Savannah, Norwegian Forest, Siberian, and Ragamuffin all range between 15–25 lb. They look wild but remain gentle.
Yes some breeds enjoy water. The Turkish Van is known as the “swimming cat,” and some Bengals or Maine Coons may play with water or swim occasionally.
Calico: Tri-color patches (white, orange, black), usually female.
Solid: One uniform color like black, white, grey, or blue.
A Domestic Shorthair is any short-haired house cat without a pedigree. In contrast, an American Shorthair has a documented, selective breeding history and meets specific standards. Domestic Shorthairs have mixed ancestry and varied traits, while purebreds are consistent in appearance and temperament .
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