Your Complete Guide to Common Cat Breeds: The 20 Favorites Cat Lovers Adore

Cats make wonderful pets for many reasons—they’re independent yet affectionate, playful yet calm, and come in countless personalities and appearances. If you’re thinking about welcoming a feline friend into your home, understanding the different common cat breeds available can help you find the perfect match for your lifestyle. Whether you prefer a laid-back lap cat or an active climber, there’s a common cat breed suited for you. The Cat Fanciers’ Association tracks the most beloved feline companions each year, revealing which breeds capture the hearts of cat enthusiasts worldwide.

The Ultimate Common Cat Breeds People Love Most

1. Ragdoll: Affectionate Beauty

With striking blue eyes and a luxurious long coat, the Ragdoll claims the top spot on most popularity lists for good reason. These common cat breeds are celebrated for their mellow temperament, affectionate nature, and dog-like loyalty. Ragdolls are intelligent, playful, and genuinely enjoy being around people. They bond strongly with family members and typically get along beautifully with children and other pets. While their plush coats require occasional grooming during seasonal changes, they shed less than many other breeds, making maintenance more manageable for busy pet parents. If you’re seeking a cat that acts like a devoted companion, Ragdolls stand out among common cat breeds worldwide.

2. Maine Coon: The Gentle Giant

Known affectionately as “gentle giants,” Maine Coon cats are among the largest domestic felines, weighing up to 20 pounds. These common cat breeds originated in America and proudly serve as Maine’s official state cat. Their sturdy, muscular build comes wrapped in a shaggy coat designed for harsh winters. Maine Coons are friendly, intelligent, and excellent with families and children. They typically enjoy interactive play, especially near water, and their naturally tufted paws make them excellent snow walkers. Unlike their size might suggest, Maine Coons require only occasional grooming to maintain their silky appearance. Their combination of size, intelligence, and friendly disposition makes them standout common cat breeds.

3. Devon Rex: Elf-Like Charm

The Devon Rex captures attention with its oversized ears, large expressive eyes, and distinct elfin appearance. Among common cat breeds, Devon Rex cats are known for their playful, mischievous personalities and unwavering loyalty. They’re highly social, getting along well with people, other cats, dogs, and various household pets. Their soft, wavy coat is remarkably easy to maintain—simply rubbing a warm washcloth over their fur keeps it clean and groomed. These moderately active cats appreciate having plenty of toys and interactive play opportunities to satisfy their curious nature and keep them entertained.

4. Exotic Shorthair: Teddy Bear Appeal

Often described as the teddy bear of common cat breeds, Exotic Shorthairs possess that irresistible cuddly quality. They share many traits with their Persian cousins but sport a thicker, shorter coat requiring significantly less grooming effort. These quiet, gentle cats prefer relaxed activities like napping on your lap or playing soft games with their owner. Their round, flat face and dense coat come in numerous color variations. For busy families, weekly brushing is typically sufficient, making them an ideal choice for those wanting a beautiful cat without extensive grooming demands.

5. Persian: Regal and Elegant

Persians represent what many consider “the epitome of feline beauty” among common cat breeds. These distinguished cats traveled from Persia through trade routes adorned with spices and jewels, bringing with them an air of luxury. Like Exotic Shorthairs, Persians are quiet and charming, though their long, flowing coats demand daily brushing and occasional baths to prevent matting. Their coats display a stunning range of colors including white, black, blue, cream, chocolate, and red. Despite their relaxed temperament, Persians need regular exercise and mental engagement to remain happy and healthy throughout their lives.

6. British Shorthair: Classic Beauty

These stocky, plush cats represent one of England’s oldest common cat breeds, celebrated for their hunting prowess and quiet strength. Often called “British Blue” due to their dense, slate-gray coat, British Shorthairs actually come in nearly every color and pattern imaginable. They’re perfectly content entertaining themselves or spending quality time with their owners, typically maintaining a calm demeanor. During spring and fall shedding seasons, extra brushing helps manage their thick coat; otherwise weekly grooming suffices. Their easygoing nature makes them wonderful companions for both humans and other household animals.

7. Abyssinian: Ancient Grace

Reminiscent of cats depicted in ancient Egyptian artwork, Abyssinians display a distinctive appearance with their long, arched necks, muscular bodies, large ears, and almond-shaped eyes. Among common cat breeds, Abyssinians rank among the oldest known varieties, featuring a unique ticked coat that catches light beautifully and appears nearly translucent. Available in multiple colors, these intelligent, athletic cats are curious adventurers who often perch at the highest point in any room. They require only minimal coat maintenance and thrive on attention and activity. Their graceful, playful nature combined with their love of being center stage makes them captivating companions.

8. Domestic Non-Pedigreed Cats: Everyday Heroes

While not officially bred like other common cat breeds, domestic non-pedigreed cats hold a special place in many homes. These felines, also called companion or household cats, trace their ancestry back to the time of the Pharaohs. Despite facing persecution during the witch hunts of the 1500s and 1600s, they survived and regained favor in human hearts. Each domestic non-pedigreed cat presents unique looks, personalities, and temperaments, creating endless variety. Remarkably, these common household cats can compete in cat shows alongside their pedigreed counterparts, celebrating their diverse beauty.

9. Scottish Fold: Adorably Unique

Scottish Fold cats are immediately recognizable by their distinctive folded ears pointing downward like a fitted cap, contributing to their endearingly round face. Possessing a short, dense coat and medium-sized frame, Scottish Folds boast a loving, quiet nature and relaxed personality. They don’t demand constant attention or fuss and require minimal grooming or exercise to remain content. Their loyalty to their human companions and low-maintenance care make them among the easiest common cat breeds to live with, perfect for apartment dwellers or busy households.

10. Sphynx: Bold and Hairless

Named after Egypt’s ancient Great Sphinx, Sphynx cats turn heads with their hairless bodies, tiny heads, huge pointed ears, and wrinkled skin. These medium-sized, sturdy cats come in various colors and patterns expressed through fine peachy down covering their skin. The Sphynx breed brings silly, sometimes clumsy energy and thrives on human attention and activity. They require regular bathing every few months to remove accumulated body oils, making grooming quite different from other common cat breeds. Their social, mischievous nature makes them endlessly entertaining companions for active households.

11. Siberian: Russian Treasure

Siberian cats hold status as a “national treasure” in Russia and have been present in the United States since 1990. These strong, alert cats sport a dense triple coat and bushy tail, coming in virtually all color and pattern combinations. They need only minimal brushing to prevent tangles, making them relatively easy to maintain. Siberians are affectionate and playful, loving interaction with people and toys. Though not scientifically proven, many people consider this breed hypoallergenic—a potential benefit for allergy sufferers. Their quiet chirps, mews, and purrs when happy create an endearing soundtrack to daily life.

12. American Shorthair: Hardy Classic

American Shorthairs earned their reputation through history—arriving with early settlers and controlling rodent populations aboard ships. This gave rise to strong, hardy common cat breeds known for impressive hunting skills. Medium to large in size with short coats often displaying tabby patterns (though available in many colors), American Shorthairs are friendly, good-natured family pets. They’re easy to train and require only basic grooming. Their adaptable nature suits both busy families and quiet homes, with an independent streak allowing them to entertain themselves when needed.

13. Bengal: Wild Beauty

Bengals showcase vivid spots or distinctive marble patterns rivaling the beauty of their wild relatives. They’re the only domestic cat breed displaying rosette markings similar to leopards and jaguars. Combining the confidence of wild ancestors with domestic companionship, Bengals are active, curious, and energetic explorers. Their plush, soft-yet-tough coat features highly contrasted markings and frames large, oval eyes that mirror their keen intelligence and adventurous spirit.

14. Russian Blue: Graceful Elegance

The Russian Blue’s striking appearance features a beautiful silver-blue coat and vibrant green eyes, standing out distinctly among common cat breeds. These intelligent, playful yet gentle cats enjoy perching near their owners and show deep affection toward those they love. Their short, silky coat requires only occasional brushing, as they don’t shed excessively. Medium-sized and somewhat vocal, Russian Blues are observant creatures who appreciate routine and need mental stimulation. They adapt well to children and other pets when given sufficient enrichment and activity.

15. Norwegian Forest Cat: Majestic Nordic

The large, semi-long-haired Norwegian Forest Cat possesses a waterproof double coat featuring coarse guard hairs and dense undercoat—perfectly engineered for Scandinavian winters. Their coats typically showcase tabby patterns in brown and white, though any color is possible. With large, almond-shaped eyes set in a triangular head, they exude wild majesty. These active common cat breeds require scratching posts and toys for mental stimulation but remain adaptable and social when they choose to engage. Though gentle and calm, they’re not typically “lap cats,” preferring to maintain their independence.

16. Oriental Shorthair: Elegant Sophistication

Elegant and svelte, Oriental Shorthairs feature long, slender legs and distinctive flared ears. Their short coats come in numerous colors, including tabby and tortoiseshell patterns. Part of the Siamese family, they’re playful, curious, and intelligent—often nudging their owners affectionately or claiming a lap spot. These active, receptive-to-training cats demand considerable attention and can become destructive if left alone for extended periods. Their fine coat requires just a good combing every week or two, making grooming straightforward for dedicated owners.

17. Siamese: Vocal Companion

The Siamese stands as one of the most instantly recognizable common cat breeds, distinguished by their distinctive light coats contrasting dramatically with dark legs, tail, and facial markings. Deep blue almond-shaped eyes and prominent ears complete their elegant appearance. Siamese cats are intelligent, curious, and genuinely social—they’ll follow you around seeking constant companionship and will “talk” to you with their distinctive voice. They thrive on mental stimulation through puzzles and interactive games. Weekly brushing maintains their sleek coat beautifully, and they require the emotional engagement of an attentive owner to stay happy.

18. Cornish Rex: Curly Cutie

With their super-soft, curly coat and large expressive ears, Cornish Rex cats bring playful energy to any home. This active breed enjoys fetch games, tossing objects, and interactive play with their humans. Their distinctive egg-shaped head, high cheekbones, and Roman nose contrast sharply with their tiny waist and long legs. They have high activity levels and crave attention but maintain enough independence to entertain themselves creatively. Remarkably low-maintenance regarding grooming, they actually suffer if over-groomed, making care quite straightforward for this fun-loving breed.

19. Selkirk Rex: Plush and Curly

The naturally curly Selkirk Rex showcases plush, loose curls in either short or long-haired varieties. Their round heads and large eyes contribute to their sweet appeal. These social common cat breeds enjoy spending quality time with humans, children, and other animals alike. Their characteristically messy coats need just weekly or twice-weekly combing to maintain their charming, tousled appearance—perfect for those wanting personality without extensive grooming commitments.

20. Birman: Striking Beauty

Birmans captivate with their striking blue eyes, round faces, and distinctive white paws set against colored coats. Born entirely white, they gradually develop coloring in seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, cream, or tortoiseshell as they mature. Among common cat breeds, Birmans are renowned for their gentle, affectionate, and friendly temperament. Their soft, chirping voices and patient nature make them wonderful with children and other pets. Requiring minimal grooming to keep their single coat shiny and healthy, Birmans are easy-going companions that love sitting in your lap and following you throughout your home.

Choosing Your Perfect Feline Companion

Finding your ideal match among these twenty common cat breeds depends on your lifestyle, living situation, and what qualities you value most. Consider whether you prefer an active explorer or a relaxed homebody, how much grooming you’re willing to commit to, and whether you want a social butterfly or an independent spirit. Each of these common cat breeds brings unique characteristics and charm to a household. Before bringing your new cat home, consider investing in pet insurance to help manage veterinary costs as your feline friend grows through the years. Your perfect companion is waiting—whether they’re a royal Persian, a spirited Bengal, or any of these wonderful common cat breeds that have captured hearts worldwide.