Determining your cat’s breed can be tricky, especially if your cat is a mixed breed. There are over 70 recognized cat breeds worldwide, and many more possible mixes. While pedigree and purebred cats will have distinct features and conform to breed standards, mixed breed cats can display a combination of traits. There are several steps you can take to make your best guess at your cat’s genetic background.
First, examine your cat’s physical features closely and do research to see which breeds they match. Talk to your vet, as they may be able to provide insight based on your cat’s health and behavior. Look at your cat’s coat length, pattern, and color for clues. Consider body type and face shape as well. If applicable, knowing your cat’s ancestry or background can shed light on possible breeds. DNA tests are now available to definitively identify breeds in your cat’s makeup if you want confirmation.
Look at Physical Features
Your cat’s physical appearance can provide many clues to help you hazard an educated guess at possible breeds that may have contributed to your cat’s genetic mix. Here are some of the key physical features to look at:
Coat Length:
– Short hair – Many breeds have short coats, including Siamese, Russian Blue, Bombay. Short coats are a dominant trait.
– Medium hair – Some examples are American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Burmese.
– Long hair – Long hair is a recessive trait seen in breeds like Persian, Himalayan, Birman. Kittens need to inherit the long hair gene from both parents to have long fur.
Coat Texture:
– Smooth, glossy – Indicates breeds like the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair.
– Thick, double coat – Seen in breeds with Northern heritage like Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat. The thick undercoat keeps them warm.
– Cashmere soft, silky – A feature of Asian breeds like the Birman. Their fur lacks the thicker undercoat.
Coat Color and Patterns:
– Solid – Many possible colors and breeds. Siamese are pointed (pale body with darker face/ears/tail/legs).
– Tabby – Mackerel, classic, spotted patterns. Very common in mixed breeds.
– Tuxedo – Black body with white paws, chest, and face. May indicate American Shorthair.
– Calico – White with distinct black & orange patches. Nearly always female.
– Tortoiseshell – Mix of black & orange/red. Usually female.
– Bicolor – Mainly white with large patches of color like black or orange. Often seen in Turkish Vans.
Body Type:
– Cobby, muscular – Stocky build seen in Persians and British Shorthairs.
– Slim, tubular body – Typical of Siamese and Oriental breeds. Flexible with long tapering tail.
– Medium/moderate build – The American Shorthair and other shorthaired breeds often have this shape.
– Large, long body – Associated with Maine Coons and other Northern/Forest cat breeds.
Head Shape:
– Round head – Persians/Exotics have a round head with full cheeks.
– Wedge-shaped head – Pointed triangle shape, like a Siamese.
– Square, boxy muzzle – Seen in British Shorthairs.
Ear Shape:
– Large, pointed ears – Scottish Folds have distinctive folded ears.
– Medium, wide-based ears – Common in many breeds.
– Small, tufted ears – Tufted tips are seen in some examples like the American Curl.
| Breed | Coat Length | Coat Texture | Coat Color/Pattern | Body Type | Head Shape | Ear Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siamese | Short | Smooth, glossy | Pointed | Tubular | Wedge-shaped | Wide-based |
| Persian | Long | Thick, cashmere soft | Many colors | Cobby | Round | Small |
| Maine Coon | Medium-Long | Thick, double coat | Tabby, bicolor | Large, long | Square muzzle | Wide-based |
This table summarizes some distinctive physical traits for a few common cat breeds. Comparing your cat’s features can give you clues about possible ancestry. Of course, mixed breeds may combine attributes from multiple breeds.
Examine Behavior and Personality
Your cat’s temperament and behavior can also point to breeds known for certain qualities:
Active, Energetic:
– Abyssinian – Agile, playful, intelligent. Needs lots of stimulation.
– Bengal – Loves to play, climb, jump. Very athletic and energetic.
– Turkish Van – Swims, fetches, explores. Active and social.
Lap Cats, Companions:
– Ragdoll – Affectionate, relaxed. Enjoys being held.
– Birman – Forms close bonds with people. Sweet and loyal.
– Persian – Gentle, calm. Content in quiet environments.
Vocal:
– Siamese – Known for being very vocal and communicative.
– Oriental Shorthair – Chatty, with a wide range of vocalizations.
– Maine Coon – Often uses chirps and trills.
Aloof, Independent:
– Russian Blue – Tends to bond with a few people. Not needy.
– British Shorthair – Can be reserved but enjoys quiet companionship.
– Turkish Angora – Selective about relationships. Intelligent and willful.
Of course, an individual cat’s personality is also shaped by experiences, not just genetics. But breed tendencies can shed light on behaviors your cat is prone to exhibit. An outgoing and talkative mixed breed may have some Siamese or Oriental Shorthair ancestry, for example.
Learn Your Cat’s History and Ancestry
If you adopted your cat from a shelter or rescue group, staff may have insight about possible breeds in your cat’s background, especially if the cat was surrendered by an owner. Medical records may provide clues as well.
For cats acquired from informal sources like friends or the street, consider asking around to find out anything about your cat’s parents, littermates, or origins. Location can also be telling – street cats in a port city, for instance, often have more varied heritage than in remote areas.
If you obtained your cat from a breeder, they should provide registration paperwork detailing your cat’s pedigree over several generations. Reputable breeders focus on purebred cats and will not sell mixed breed cats as pedigreed. But if you specifically sought a mixed breed cat from a breeder, they may still have insight into the parents’ or grandparents’ breeds. This is valuable information for piecing together your cat’s genotype.
Get a DNA Test
Cat DNA tests are now available to identify breeds in your cat’s genetic makeup and provide a breed background profile. These tests use analysis of your cat’s genome to detect DNA markers associated with different breeds. Some things to know:
– Results identify percentages of various breeds in your cat’s ancestry over past 5 generations or so.
– Tests generally detect only purebred ancestry, not specific crosses.
– For best results, use tests offered by independent labs rather than direct-to-consumer DNA kits. Vet offices can assist with testing.
– Tests can cost $60-150 or more. More expensive tests claim to check against more breed databases for greater accuracy.
– Tests require a cheek swab or blood sample. Blood samples may provide more complete DNA.
– Results are usually available within a few weeks after the lab receives your cat’s sample.
– Reliability varies between tests. No test is 100% accurate, especially for mixed breed cats. But they can provide useful insight.
If you are very curious about your cat’s breed makeup or want to confirm a suspected pedigree, a cat DNA test can be worth trying. Just go in with reasonable expectations. The tests detect statistical probabilities of breed ancestry rather than providing definitive proof. For mixed breed cats especially, view the results as a general guideline that may have limitations. Physical traits and personality are also key factors in determining breed heritage.
Conclusion
Identifying cat breeds, especially in mixed breed cats, involves detective work and educated guesswork. Look closely at your cat’s physical features and personality traits for clues. Consider your cat’s background and ancestry if possible. Or use a cat DNA test for breed analysis from a genetic perspective, keeping in mind limitations. A mixed breed cat may display attributes from multiple breeds in varying degrees. But paying attention to characteristic traits your cat exhibits can help you make a reasonable determination of possible breeds that exist in your cat’s genetic makeup.
