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Figuring out your cat’s breed can be relatively easy by looking at their appearance and comparing physical characteristics to other cat breeds. If it’s a little too difficult or your cat is a mixed breed, you can definitely try a cat DNA test to be sure.
Knowing what your cat’s breed is helpful because doing so:
When you identify what breed your cat is, you equip yourself to take better care of it.
Is your cat a mixed breed? Or is it purebred? Here are a few of the ways you can tell:
You can learn a lot about your cat based on appearance. However, it is important to remember that your cat’s looks do not automatically dictate personality traits.
Take size and shape, for example. Some breeds must be within a certain size range to officially be considered purebred.
However, even if your cat isn’t purebred, if he’s noticeably smaller or larger than average, there’s a possibility one of your cat’s ancestors may have been.
For instance, a Norwegian forest cat tends to be long and large. Bengals are bigger than most, athletic, and muscular. Burmese cats are on the petite side.
Size alone won’t give you a definitive answer regarding the breed of your cat, but it will help you narrow down possible breeds.
Your cat’s fur is a major indicator of its breed. Some have long, fluffy coats, while others have short hair. Certain patterns are distinct to certain breeds. If your cat has a tortoise, calico, or tabby pattern, you’ll know that at least one relative is that breed.
It’s also possible for particular combinations to create new patterns, so if you see a blend of two patterns, you can narrow down the breed of your cat even more precisely. Combined with other breed-specific traits, your cat’s coat is a major identifying factor.
Anyone even vaguely familiar with a Siamese cat’s small, slanted eyes knows how important eye shape is for determining breed. Head shape is equally important. Siamese cats tend to have triangular-shaped ears and heads.
Your cat’s eye color also offers insight into its breed. Many cats have yellow or green eyes, but this isn’t always the case. If your cat’s eyes are blue or gold, it almost certainly means there is a Turkish Van in its ancestry.
Are you curious about your cat’s ancestry and health predispositions?
If you still aren’t sure of your cat’s breed after observing the traits already listed, you have the option of using a DNA test to determine your cat’s ancestry.
Cat DNA tests are non-invasive and fairly affordable. They can help you determine:
There are two ways to collect your cat’s DNA:
The swab is a bit more of a challenge to gather, but it tends to be more accurate. Neither of the options is painful or messy. Once you’ve collected the sample, you mail it to the testing company, and you’ll get your results in a few weeks.
Some cats have unique characteristics that are a result of genetic mutations. A DNA test can help identify and solve the mystery behind this.
Additionally, some cat breeds are more prone to developing certain diseases. Persian cats, for example, are found to have a higher risk for health problems. A DNA test can help in prevention and early diagnosis.
Know Your DNA Reviews
Are you curious about your cat's ancestry and health predispositions?
The majority of cats in American households are domestic. Very few people have purebred cats, but they are out there.
If your cat’s ancestors were all the same breed or if there was controlled cross-breeding according to certain standards, your cat is considered purebred.
Domestic cats can be short, medium, or long-haired. Domestic cats are made up of a variety of different breeds. They can be fat, thin, large, petite, have different coats, and have vastly different personalities.
These are the most common types of cats in the world. Domestic cats have a variety of different coat patterns and characteristics, including:
Tabby is the most common type of domestic cat. They have coats in all colors: blue, brown, cream, silver, red, and black. Their patterns include swirls, dots, dashes, stripes, and more. Many have an “M” pattern on the center of their forehead above their eyes.
Calico cats come in various colors, including orange, blue-gray, white, flax, and black and white. Calicos tend to be female. Many purebred cats also have calico coats.
Tortoiseshell cats have coats that are made up of two colors. These combinations can include different degrees of black, brown, blue, gray, and red. The color combinations are patched or brindled. Sometimes, their patches are tabby-patterned.
It is difficult in some cases to tell the difference between a calico and a tortoiseshell, but one of the most obvious indicators is that white fur means your cat is calico. Tortoiseshell cats have no white fur. Some of the purebreds that make up tortoiseshells include the Japanese Bobtail and Cornish Rex.
Tuxedo cats, as you might guess from the name, are black and white. Most of their white markings are on their face, feet, legs, and chest.
Tuxedos can be domestic breeds but are also in some of the purebred families, including Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Persian, Maine Coon, and Manx.
Most domestic cats have a similar look and lack the truly distinctive features of many purebreds. For example, most domestics don’t have smashed faces or lack fur, as specific breeds of cats do. But they might have a hint of some of these purebred features if a parent or grandparent was a purebred cat.
The bottom line when it comes to identifying your cat breed?
You can only tell for certain what kind of cat you have if your cat is domestic by conducting a DNA test. This way, you’ll see genetic evidence of the breeds that make up your pet.
The International Cat Association (TICA) has officially recognized 71 cat breeds, while the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes 45 pedigree cat breeds. There’s a long list of cat breeds, including:
Cat lovers will go to great lengths for their cats, not because cats are pets but because they’re family. Properly identifying a cat’s breed is one of the ways to make sure they get to live long, happy lives.
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What could be more fun than learning everything there is to know about your feline friend?
