Different Types of Cats

Cats have lived with humans for the past 10,000 years. You can find proof of cats existing along humans even in ancient Egypt. They were considered to be sacred begins and guardians of the afterworld. Judging by the attitude they have for mere mortals, I think this legend of the ancient Egyptians might be true. Cats are associated with many myths and legends. Some say that the presence of a cat signifies evil in the surroundings. A cat is supposed to have nine lives. It is even said that a cat can see the dead and are therefore always associated with ghosts. However, I choose to differ. I find cats very intriguing and smart creatures. I have observed my cat closely. And everyday I tend to learn something new from him. I am sure all cat lovers will agree to one thing. Once you bring home a cat, you tend to become their slaves. A cat won't shower you with affection like dogs. But when they do give you some of the precious attention, your happiness will know no bounds. There are many different types of cats in the world. Some cats are domesticated and a few chose to remain wild. Let us try to list some of the different types of cat breeds, in the following paragraphs.

Different Types of Cats in the World

There are different types of cats and breeds that are kept as pets all over the world. As man took fancy of these slender looking felines, different types of house cats came into existence. These different types of house cats were a result of hybridization, selective breeding, and country specific characteristics. There are about 70 different types of cat breeds. Of these, only 40 can be termed as recognized in the cat breed list. Cat pedigrees are divided into two major categories: long-haired cats and short-haired cats. Different types of cats in the world have different types of color patterns, coat patterns, head shape, ear folds, bobbed tails, length of hair, and a few are hairless and tailless cats too. You can read about white cat breeds to get an idea of a different type.

For example, Calico cats or the tortoise-shell and white cats are basically tri-color cats. These cats have different coloration pattern and therefore not considered a cat breed. The Manx, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Persian, Siamese, and Turkish Van are cats that are considered to have calico coloration. In a similar fashion, tabby cats those felines with a particular dot, stripe or swirling patter. Most of these cats have a distinct 'M' pattern on their forehead. They are assumed to be one of the different types of cats breeds. But, this is an incorrect assumption, as tabby cat refers to a coat pattern and not breed. The tuxedo cat is a feline with a bicolor coat pattern like the Turkish Van. Let us have look at the long list of different types of cats with pictures.


Other different types of cats in the shorthair group include:

• Brazilian Shorthair
• Dragon Li (or Li Hua Mau)
• Egyptian Mau
• European Shorthair
• Exotic Cat
• Sokoke
• Tonkinese
• Ukrainian Levkoy

Other different types of house cats in the longhair group include Nebelung and Siberian cats.


There are many other hybrid cat breeds that include:

• American Bobtail
• American Curl
• American Ringtail
• American Polydactyl
• American Wirehair
• Cymric
• Don Sphynx
• German Rex
• Japanese Bobtail
• Kuril Bobtail
• LaPerm
• Munchkin Cats
• Ojos Azules
• Peterbald
• Pixie-bob
• Savannah cat breed
• Selkirk Rex
• Scottish Fold
• Sphynx
• Urals Rex

Different Types of Siamese Cats

Siamese cats are a very popular breed in the world. They are not only very popular, but also the oldest breed of domestic cats around. They have said to have originated in Southeast Asia. This is one of the different type of cat breeds that is said to have descended from the sacred temples of cats in Siam (Thailand). They were the native breeds of the then Siam and therefore are known as Siamese cats. There are basically three different types of Siamese cats. Let us have a look at these different types of Siamese cats breed, in short.

The Traditional Siamese
The traditional Siamese cats are the first cats that were exported from Siam to Europe. These cats have round faces and a more muscular, heavy and rounded body type. They are very intelligent and loyal cats with a talkative personality.

The Classic Siamese
This a big-boned cat with a slightly elongated and slimmer body type. It is also called the old style Siamese cats that were popular in from the 50s to the 70s. They have a more triangular face, but not as wedged shaped like in the Modern Siamese cat.

The Modern Siamese Cat
The modern Siamese cats are fine boned as compared to the other Siamese cats. They have longer, thinner neck, tails and bodies. These cats have a sharp triangular face with longer muzzles and straight noses. They show cats and have a very elegant personality.

There are many different types of cats breeds that have been derived from the Siamese cats. The following list of different types of cats breeds are derived from the Siamese.

• Balinese Cat
• Burmese Cat
• Bombalese
• Blue Point
• Colorpoint Shorthair
• Himalayan Cats
• Javanese
• Ocicat
• Oriental Shorthair
• Oriental Longhair
• Snowshoe
• Thai Cat
• Tonkinese

Different Types of Cats in the Wild

When we talk about different types of domestic cats, it is important to mention the big cats. There are different types of wild cats. The minute you mention a wild cat, one pictures a fearsome predator and a majestic looking feline. Most of the different types of wild cats are pushed to extinction or are in the endangered animals list. This is because of the apathetic outlook of man, who for his selfish needs is killing these poor wild cats. Extensive farming, encroachment of human population on forest land, poaching for skin and illegal wild cat trading has all resulted in bringing them on the brink of extinction. The list of different types of cats in the wild is as follows:

• Amur Leopard
• African Golden Cat
• Asian Golden Cat
• African Golden Cat
• Asian Lion
• African Lion
• Bay Cat
• Bengal Tiger
• Black-footed Cat
• Bobcat
• Canadian Lynx Cats
• Caracal
• Cheetah
• King Cheetah
• Chinese Desert Cat
• Clouded Leopard
• Cougar/ Mountain Lion/Puma
• Desert Cat
• Fishing Cat
• Flat-headed Cat
• Geoffroy's Cat
• Indian Lions
• Iriomote cat
• Jaguars
• Jagarundi
• Jungle Cat
• Kodkod
• Leopard Cat
• Leopard-spotted Cat (Tiger Cat)
• Leopards
• Marbled Cat
• Margay
• Mountain Cat
• Ocelot
• Pallas's cat
• Pampas Cat
• Panther
• Rusty-spotted Cat Sand Cat
• Serval
• Siberian Tiger
• Snow Leopard
• Spanish Lynx
• Tigers
• Tshushima cat
• White Bengal Tiger
• White Lions

These were some of the different types of cat breeds found in the world. Cats belong to the family Felidae. You must have understood that cats can be as small as the one sitting in your lap to the large tiger surveying his territory in the wild. It is a well-known lion fact, that they are said to be the king of the jungle. As this family of Felidae belongs to a royal background, you can understand the reason behind the gracious aristocratic look on your cat. This is where I end my article on different types of cats in the world. Enjoy having a cat around.