Figuring out the breed of your cat can be tricky, especially if they are adopted from a shelter or found as a stray. While some breed traits are obvious, cats can display a mix of characteristics. The most accurate way to identify the breed is through DNA testing, but there are other clues you can use including appearance, personality, health issues, and more. Here is a guide to help you make an educated guess about your cat’s breed.
Look at Physical Features
A cat’s physical appearance can provide hints about its breed ancestry. Look for the following distinguishing traits:
- Body type – Stocky and muscular like a Maine Coon or Oriental Shorthair? Long and flexible like a Siamese? Sturdy and compact like a British Shorthair?
- Coat length – Short hair, long hair, or somewhere in between?
- Coat colors and patterns – Solid, tabby, tuxedo, calico, tortoiseshell, pointed, bicolored?
- Facial features – Ear shape and placement, eye shape and color, muzzle length and shape.
- Tail – Long, plumed tail indicates breeds like Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat. Short tail suggests Manx heritage.
Compare your cat’s features to photos of pedigree cats from cat breed websites or books. See if any distinct characteristics match up. For example, a slender cat with striking blue eyes, triangular head, and very large ears probably has some Oriental Shorthair ancestry. However, most mixed breed cats will not have such obvious giveaways. You’ll likely just get a general sense of body type and coat length/texture.
Consider Personality and Behavior
Certain breeds are known for distinctive personality traits that may help you make an educated guess about your cat’s heritage:
| Breed | Personality Traits |
|---|---|
| Siamese | Vocal, affectionate, social, bonded strongly to owner |
| Maine Coon | Intelligent, playful, loves water, enjoys being held |
| Ragdoll | Extremely relaxed and laid-back, floppy like a ragdoll |
| Bengal | Curious, energetic, enjoys playing fetch |
| Persian | Calm, gentle, sweet |
Of course, any cat can have their own unique personality that deviates from the breed norm. Environment and upbringing also play a big role. So use behavior clues as helpful hints, not definitive proof.
Look for Health Issues Associated with Specific Breeds
Some breeds are prone to inheritable health conditions that could indicate your cat’s ancestry. For example:
- Chronic renal failure in Persians
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons
- Progressive retinal atrophy in Abyssinians
- Polycystic kidney disease in Persians
- Asthma and skin conditions in Siamese cats
If your cat suffers from a breed-related illness, there’s a good chance it has some of that breed in its genetic makeup. Ask your veterinarian if any health issues raise red flags about your cat’s origins.
Consider Geographic Origin
Where you live can provide clues about prevalent breeds in the general population. For example:
- Siamese cats are popular in North America
- British Shorthairs are common in the UK
- Russian Blues originated in Russia
- Korat cats come from Thailand
If you adopted your cat locally, think about which breeds are embraced in your region. The probabilities point to your cat having some ancestry from those popular regional breeds. Of course, this method isn’t foolproof since cats can end up anywhere through adoption.
Examine the Cat’s History
Your cat’s origins can provide breed clues if you know the details:
- Obtained locally – Likely has ancestry from breeds commonly found in the area
- Imported – Possibly a purebred from another country
- Found as stray – Unknown, but medium hair length suggests a random-bred mixed cat
- Born in shelter – Probably a mixed breed domestic shorthair or longhair
- From breed-specific rescue – Likely purebred or a cross of that breed
- From hoarding case – Possibly inbred from limited gene pool
Ask the shelter, rescue group, or previous owner what they know about your cat’s background. This context can help you make an informed guess.
Research Cat Breed Popularity
The most common pedigreed cats are more likely to be represented in the general mixed breed population. Here are the 10 most popular cat breeds according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association:
| Breed | 2020 Registration Rank |
|---|---|
| Persian | 1 |
| Maine Coon | 2 |
| Exotic | 3 |
| Ragdoll | 4 |
| British Shorthair | 5 |
| Bengal | 6 |
| Siamese | 7 |
| Sphynx | 8 |
| Abyssinian | 9 |
| Scottish Fold | 10 |
The most popular breeds have larger populations and greater odds of contributing to the general mixed breed cat gene pool. If your cat has physical or behavioral similarities with these breeds, that may strengthen the likelihood of related ancestry.
Research Cat Breed History
Some cat breeds have distinctive origin stories that provide context. For example:
- Turkish Angora cats have existed for centuries in Ankara, Turkey.
- Russian Blues were introduced to the UK from Russian sailors in the 1860s.
- The Bengal breed was developed in the 1970s by crossing Asian leopard cats with domestic cats.
- The hairless Sphynx breed originated in Toronto in the 1960s from a natural mutation.
- Maine Coons are considered America’s native longhaired breed.
If you know your cat comes from a particular region or time period, look into breed histories and see if any coincide. This provides clues about cats potentially in your cat’s ancestral mix.
Consider a DNA Test for the Most Reliable Breed Identification
While the above methods can provide hints about possible breed ancestry, the only way to know for sure is through DNA analysis. Cat DNA tests are available from companies like Basepaws, Wisdom Panel, and CatsDNA.
These tests use your cat’s saliva or cheek swab sample to screen for DNA markers of different breeds. Results identify any purebred heritage going back 3-5 generations or show percentage of various breeds in mixed cats.
DNA tests have limitations and may not detect every breed accurately, especially in cats that are highly mixed. But they provide much more definitive breed information than guessing based on appearance and circumstantial evidence. If you really want to unlock your cat’s genetic history, a cat DNA test is the most reliable option.
Enjoy Your Unique Cat!
While breeds may dictate general tendencies, each cat is an individual with quirks all their own. Love and appreciate your feline friend for their distinctive personality, regardless of their genetic background. The breed makeup is merely an interesting artifact, not the essence of what makes your cat special!
