There are many different breeds of cats that can have dark brown fur. When trying to identify a dark brown cat breed, it’s important to look at other distinguishing characteristics besides just the coat color. Some features to note are the cat’s build, tail shape, ear shape, patterns in the fur, eye color, etc. Knowing the cat’s ancestry can also help pinpoint the breed. While coat color alone doesn’t determine breed, it can be a useful clue when combined with other traits. Some of the most common cat breeds that display dark brown fur include the Havana Brown, Oriental Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, British Shorthair, Russian Blue, Korat, Bombay, and the Chausie.
Physical Traits of Dark Brown Cats
Here are some of the physical traits commonly seen in dark brown cat breeds:
- Medium to large sized cats
- Muscular, stocky builds
- Round heads with wide-set eyes
- Perked, wide ears
- Short to medium length coats
- Solid, dark brown fur
- No distinctive patterns or markings
- Green, gold, copper, or hazel eye colors
- Thick, plushy tails
Of course, individuals vary, but these are some general physical hallmarks of purebred dark brown cat breeds. Crossbred cats with brown coats may exhibit a mix of traits. The specific breed ancestry impacts the cat’s ultimate size, build, fur length, and other features.
Common Dark Brown Cat Breeds
Here is an overview of some of the most popular pedigreed cats that are known for their solid, rich brown coats:
Havana Brown
One of the best known brown cat breeds, the Havana Brown originated in England in the 1950s. They have a medium-sized muscular build and green or brown-green eyes. Their coat is a warm brown with no markings. They have a playful, social personality.
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair has a Siamese-style body that is long, slender, and elegant. Its coat can come in many colors including dark brown. Orientals have large ears, blue-green eyes, and energetic, vocal personalities.
Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a compact, sturdy cat sharing similarities with the Persian breed. It has a round head, short nose, and thickset body. The coat is plush and dense and comes in over 100 color variations including deep brown tones.
British Shorthair
This mild-mannered breed has a broad face, chunky body, and dense fur. British Shorthairs come in a spectrum of colors with rich solid brown being one possibility. Their eyes are typically copper or gold.
Russian Blue
Though commonly known for their distinctive gray coats, Russian Blues can also have dark brown fur while maintaining their signature green eyes and elegant build. Their coats have a silvery sheen to them.
Korat
The Korat originates from Thailand and is recognized by its blue-grey coat with a silver tipping that creates a shimmering effect. However, Korats can also produce a deep brown coat while keeping their signature luminous green eyes.
Bombay
Named after the Indian city, the Bombay breed was intended to resemble a miniature black panther. Bombays always have black fur, but brown-coated offspring can result from breeding. These brown Bombays exhibit the sleek, muscular build of the breed.
Chausie
This active, athletic breed is a hybrid of jungle cats and domestic cats. Solid brown coats are common among Chausies. They have long, leggy bodies reminiscent of their jungle cat ancestors. The eyes are typically yellow, green or brown.
Identifying Mixed Breed Brown Cats
Brown cats of unknown ancestry are difficult to classify into a specific breed. However, some clues of possible pedigree mixes include:
- Large, muscular build – may signal some Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat
- Blue or odd-colored eyes – could indicate Siamese or Persian heritage
- Long, lanky build – suggests Oriental ancestry
- Thick, plushy fur – may come from a Persian, Himalayan, or Exotic Shorthair
- Webbed feet – indicates possible Turkish Van or Turkish Angora lineage
- Spotted paws – suggests Birman lineage
There are many possibilities, so a mixed breed cat’s origins can be challenging to pin down. The breed makeup likely includes at least one breed prone to brown coats like those described earlier. Personality traits may also offer hints about ancestry in mixed cats.
Personality Traits
While individual personality varies, some general breed traits influence temperament:
- Havana Browns – Playful, adventurous, loyal
- Orientals – Energetic, vocal, intelligent
- Exotics – Relaxed, gentle, enjoys human interaction
- British Shorthairs – Calm, easygoing, quietly affectionate
- Russians – Reserved, devoted, don’t like loud noises
- Korats – Active, social, bonds very closely with humans
- Bombays – Affectionate, attached, playful, likes routines
- Chausies – Highly intelligent, needs environmental enrichment
Mixed breeds tend to have modified temperaments based on the combination of parent breeds. But a brown cat likely inherits some personality influence from the breeds prone to brown coats.
Care and Health
Proper care for a brown cat involves:
- High quality diet specific to cat life stage
- Annual veterinary wellness exams
- Vaccinations as recommended by veterinarian
- Parasite control and prevention
- Litter box maintenance
- Grooming once or twice a week
- Safe, stimulating toys and accessories
- Cat tree, scratching posts, window perches
- Positive behavior reinforcement
- Watching for any changes in health, behavior, eating, or litter box habits
Certain breeds may be prone to some congenital health conditions to be aware of:
| Breed | Health Issues to Monitor |
|---|---|
| Havana Brown | Heart disease, kidney disease, dental issues |
| Oriental Shorthair | Dental malocclusion, eye conditions, diabetes |
| Exotic Shorthair | Breathing issues, polycystic kidney disease, heart conditions |
| British Shorthair | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dental malocclusion, patellar luxation |
| Russian Blue | Progressive retinal atrophy, plaque, tartar buildup |
| Korat | Hypothyroidism, GM2 gangliosidosis |
| Bombay | Obesity, diabetes, asthma |
| Chausie | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, food allergies |
Regular vet care allows early detection and treatment of any potential genetic problems. With proper care and attention, a brown cat can live a long, healthy, and happy life.
Is a Brown Cat Right for You?
Before adopting a brown cat, make sure the breed traits and needs will fit your lifestyle and expectations:
- Activity level – are you able to exercise an energetic breed like the Oriental or Chausie sufficiently?
- Grooming needs – do you have time to comb a longhaired breed regularly?
- Vocal tendencies – can you tolerate a chatty cat breed like the Oriental?
- Veterinary costs – are you financially prepared for potential health issues?
- Personality – do you want a social lap cat or more independent feline?
- Interaction needs – can you provide adequate love, play, and environmental enrichment?
- Travel frequency – will the cat adjust to being alone or need pet sitters?
As long as your lifestyle, expectations and environment match up well with the traits and needs of a brown cat breed, you’ll likely enjoy a wonderful companion!
Finding a Brown Cat
Some tips for locating a brown-coated cat:
- Check with breed-specific rescues for the breed you’re interested in
- Contact reputable local breeders that focus on your desired breeds
- Search adoption sites like Petfinder for brown cats available near you
- Let local shelters know you’re looking for a brown cat to adopt
- Talk to your veterinarian for breeder referrals
- Attend cat shows to meet cats and breeders in person
- Check Instagram hashtags like #browncatsofinstagram for adoptable cats
Patience and persistence are key, as it may take time for the perfect brown cat companion to come along. But the wait is well worth it!
Conclusion
Brown cats span a variety of breeds from the compact Exotic Shorthair to the long-bodied Oriental. Breed ancestry provides clues about a mixed cat’s origins when combined with physical and personality traits. Proper care, health monitoring, and lifestyle matchups ensure a rewarding relationship with a brown feline friend. From the playful Havana Brown to the easygoing British Shorthair, brown coats can be found across many pedigrees and mixes. Do your homework to determine if a brown cat is the right fit before bringing one home. The right brown cat will make a delightful, lifelong furry family member.
