Little fluffballs purring and rubbing against your feet. What do you think I'm talking about now? Well, of course, about cats, the most wonderful and lovely woolen creatures. For many years, humanity has been asking the question: “Who is better than a cat or a dog?” We won't give you the answer to this question and do you know why? Because you can only answer this question yourself, it depends only on your preferences, the final choice is yours to make. Cats, dogs, and even mice - each is good in its own way.
Cats, as you know, are very freedom-loving creatures; if they show their devotion to someone, it will be only one member of the family. Cats have different personalities: some are calm, others are noisy and playful, some are affectionate and loving, while others are aggressive. In addition to their personalities, cats differ from each other in breed, size and color.
Today we will introduce you to our list of the 10 most beautiful cat breeds in the world , here you will meet completely different cats from all over the globe. Perhaps you will see breeds that you have not only never seen in person before, but that you didn’t even suspect of their existence. This is a very exciting and at the same time very cute show; you definitely won’t be disappointed after what you see.
British shorthair cat
The list of the 10 most beautiful cats in the world opens with the British Shorthair. This breed first appeared in the 19th century in Great Britain. Their descendant is considered to be the Cheshire Cat. Despite their strong build, cats are very kind, smart and patient. This breed does not require increased attention to its person and easily tolerates short separations from its owner. The beautiful colors of the British Shorthair cat can be solid, smoke, tabby, bicolor and tortoiseshell. Despite their massive structure, representatives of this breed are very fast and agile. They love to play with their owners. It should be noted that this species is very good at catching rats and mice. Cats have a very peculiar character; they do not like to be petted and carried in arms. By nature, they are very calm and will never cause disturbances in the house, for example, tearing books, hanging on curtains, etc.
In third place is the graceful Ashera
The top three is opened by the most “scandalous” cat breed. After all, there are still a lot of conversations and secrets around this breed. Some people claim that the Asherah is a fiction and that the Savannah is being sold instead. And others are simply sure that this breed exists. Despite this, Ashera is one of the ten most beautiful cats and is in third place.
Bengal cat
There is an opinion that Bengal cats are very aggressive. Actually this is not true. They are hunters by nature and love to catch birds and mice. Despite this, they can be very affectionate, perfectly combining the qualities of a domestic and wild animal. These beautiful cats require training from a very early age. If you don't work with such an animal, it can become a little wild. There is never a dull moment with a Bengal cat, she is very energetic and playful. There are no particular difficulties in care, since she is smooth-haired. Even people who are prone to allergies can get a Bengal cat, since allergies almost never occur to its fur.
Siberian cat
The Siberian cat is one of the most beautiful cat breeds. The whiskered representatives of this species have a very unique coat; it does not allow moisture to pass through and perfectly protects the animal from exposure to low temperatures. One of the hallmarks of this species is its bushy tail. The color of this breed can be very diverse. Siberian cats are very beautiful creatures thanks to their fluffy fur and cute face. They do an excellent job as a pet and hunter. Despite their rather small size, they are always in excellent physical shape.
Maine Coon
Maine Coons have a unique raccoon coloration. Representatives of this breed have become popular mainly due to their incredibly large size. The average weight of an adult Maine Coon is 10-15 kilograms. In addition, the pets have very beautiful thick fur and large, expressive eyes. Maine Coons are distinguished by their mobility and energy. They remain playful and curious until old age.
Scottish fold
For many, the Scottish Fold (or Scottish Fold) is the most beautiful cat in the world. This unusual variety of domestic animals appeared as a result of gene mutation. In addition to the Scottish Fold, there is also a straight-eared cat. If the first one has kittens, this does not mean at all that they will be of the same breed. To determine, you must correctly be able to analyze the shape of the ears. If a kitten's ears straighten up at a certain age, then it is already a Scottish straight-eared kitten; if not, then it is a fold-eared kitten. Scottish Folds have a soft, balanced character. They are very playful. One of the highlights of this breed is the ability to stand on its hind legs without much effort.
In fifth place are cats of the Allerka breed
Animals of this breed are not only beautiful, but also very rare. The main feature of this breed is that the fur, smell and other irritants of the cat do not cause any allergic reactions. There are many people in the world who love cats, but due to allergies they cannot keep them. The allerka is created for such people, but its price can reach $6,000.
5. Snowshoe
The Snowshoe is a beautiful breed of cat that arose as a result of crossing an American Shorthair cat with a Siamese. Translated from English, snowshoe means “snow shoe.” The species got its name thanks to the so-called white socks. By nature, snowshu are very kind and affectionate. These beautiful cats easily get along with children. Such pets cannot stand loneliness; they are very attached to their owners. Snowshoes do not require special care. They have a reduced sense of disgust towards water, so bathing them is a pleasure. This breed has two color types: seal point and blue point (with white markings).
Sacred Burma
A strong cat with powerful bones, a large rounded head, soft thin fur, relatively short on the body, but a lush “collar”, “pants” and a voluminous tail. Burmese have a very stylish and unusual color: Siamese, but with white “socks” worn on dark “stockings”. The look is completed with expressive bright blue eyes. The Burmese are intelligent, inquisitive and sociable.
The origin of the breed's ancestors is unknown. According to legend, the Burmese are the descendants of amazing cats who once saved a Buddhist monastery in Burma from invaders. The selection of Burmese began in the first half of the last century; they are recognized by absolutely all felinological systems.
6. Toyger
The Toyger cat breed appeared relatively recently. In their coloring, its representatives resemble a tiger. In addition to the fact that the Toyger is one of the most beautiful cats in the world, they are also distinguished by their friendly and flexible character. This cat is perfect for families with children, as it is not at all aggressive and is not capable of scratching anyone, much less biting. They love to play and sit in your arms. Toygers are very smart and easily learn new skills. Cats of this variety love water. Some representatives of this species can even dive into the water for their favorite toys.
Beauty criteria
There are no uniform criteria for assessing cat beauty, as they differ depending on the standards of a particular breed. For example, when assessing the appearance of a Maine Coon and a Scottish Fold cat, these parameters will vary greatly, since representatives of these breeds differ in body type, hair length, head structure, and shape of eyes and ears.
Beauty is different for everyone
Generally speaking, the beauty of furry pets is most often assessed according to the following criteria:
- physique - a real cat should be graceful, muscular, athletic and quite flexible;
- thickness and length of fur;
- head shape, height and position of ears. Also at exhibitions, the height of the forehead, the expression of the chin, and the structure of the cheeks are assessed;
- size, shape, color and placement of eyes;
- structure and length of the tail.
At professional exhibitions, the assessment of the beauty of an animal is also carried out taking into account the following parameters:
- the pet must have clean and shiny fur without tangles;
- absence of hairless areas on the skin;
- the pet should not have parasites;
- the cat must have a correct bite and good teeth;
- claws should be trimmed short;
- eyes should be clean and clear;
- weight of the animal.
Another important parameter by which beauty is assessed is calm behavior. If a pet behaves restlessly, does not allow itself to be combed, scratches or bites, it may even be disqualified, regardless of appearance.
As for the most beautiful cat breeds, this list includes:
- Maine Coon. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by their large size (weight can reach 12-15 kg) and resemble a lynx in appearance. Their second name is “raccoon cat,” which was received for their unusual color. These pets have long hair, a fluffy tail and ears with tufts at the end. Despite their “wild” appearance, Maine Coons are affectionate and friendly cats. They are curious and very active. These cats get along well with children and other pets. Since Maine Coons love active pastime and require a lot of space, they are recommended for families who live in private homes.
Maine Coon
- Ragdoll. The name of the breed literally translates as “rag doll.” These cats received this name because of their reduced muscle tone and ability to completely relax in the hands of a person. Representatives of the breed are known for their fluffy soft coat, blue eyes and large size. Ragdoll is a very affectionate and kind cat that loves and becomes so attached to its owner that it will never let its claws out on him. Such pets have a “dog” character. They will meet their owner at the door and follow him everywhere like guard dogs.
Ragdoll
- Scottish lop-eared. This cat breed was officially recognized in 1961. Its distinctive feature is its short ears, which are pressed tightly against the skull. Such cats have a fairly strong build, a wide back and a large head. The average weight of Scots is 7 kg. Because Scotchfolds have large eyes and a slightly flattened face, they have a cartoonish appearance and are considered one of the cutest cats. Representatives of this breed are active and playful, they behave friendly towards all family members.
Scottish lop-eared
- Neva Masquerade. A cross between a Siamese cat and a Siberian cat. Masquerade cats are considered one of the fluffiest in the world. They have thick and long hair, large blue or dark blue eyes, a large build and an unusual color. Their muzzle, ears, paws and tail are always darker than the main color. These animals have fairly large ears directed forward, at the end of which there may be tassels. The head and limbs are proportional to the body. The character of masquerade cats fully corresponds to their species: they are affectionate, kind and devoted animals.
Neva Masquerade
- Somalia. An artificially bred breed of cats with semi-long hair. The ancestors of the Somali cat were the Abyssinians and the Turkish Angora. Cats of this breed most often have a red color and a fluffy long tail, so their appearance is very similar to foxes. They have a small but well-developed body with flexible muscles, a wedge-shaped head with large green or amber eyes. Despite its playfulness and active character, in the evenings the Somali cat will happily lie in the arms of its owner and enjoy stroking. Another feature of such cats is that they meow very rarely.
Somali
- American Curl. This North American breed is descended from common domestic cats and is distinguished by its ears turned outward. The American Curl has a long, strong body, a large head and a long bushy tail. The coat can be either long or short. The most common colors are striped, spotted, gray, and tricolor. These cats have a cheerful and mischievous character, while they love all family members and are endlessly devoted to their owner.
American Curl
- Bengal. It is considered not only one of the most beautiful, but also one of the more expensive breeds. The Bengal cat has an unusual appearance and has an unusual color, like a leopard. Bengals have an elegant and slender body with long limbs and a tail. The bright orange eyes, which emit an unusual glow at night, deserve special attention. Bengal cats are self-sufficient and aristocratic. These pets do not like loud noise and intrusiveness, so they are not recommended for families with children.
Bengal
- Turkish Angora. It is considered one of the oldest long-haired cat breeds, whose homeland is Türkiye. Angoras are very lively and agile cats, distinguished by their intelligent and sociable character. These animals love to play and spend time in the yard, but if necessary, they can calmly lie at the feet of the owner, watching what is happening. The advantage of these pets is that they easily adapt to any conditions.
Turkish Angora
- Bombay. Considered one of the cats with the most beautiful eyes. Outwardly, the Bombay resembles a small panther - the cat has smooth black fur and large amber eyes. A distinctive feature of these pets is their completely black color with a metallic sheen, without stripes, spots or other inclusions. Bombays are distinguished by their flexibility, plasticity and peculiar character, which gives them an unusual resemblance to a wild animal.
Bombay
- Siberian. Long and thick fur with a fluffy collar is the pride of Siberians. Representatives of this breed are large in size (their weight can reach 10 kg) and have a dense undercoat, thanks to which they can easily withstand severe frosts. Siberian cats have good health, developed intelligence and excellent hunting skills.
Siberian
Attention! The average cost of purebred pedigreed cats varies from $800 to $1,500.
Siamese cat
Siamese cats are very active and sociable. They cannot stand loneliness and become very attached to their owner. In addition, they love to be the center of attention. Despite the fact that the Siamese cat is one of the most beautiful in the world, it has two negative traits, such as jealousy and revenge. Remember, if a person dared to offend this pet, he will never forgive this and will definitely take revenge at the right moment. Siamese cats are very easy to train and that is why they often perform in the circus.
American shorthair cat
American Shorthair cats have a unique tabby coloration. They have a muscular body structure and are quite large in themselves, their weight can reach 8 kilograms. This breed has a wide variety of colors, such as white, cream, black and smoky, blue and bicolor. American Shorthairs are easy to care for. Despite the fact that these beautiful cats are real mousecatchers by nature, they can also be wonderful pets. In order for a cat to feel good, it is necessary to play with it and force it to move as much as possible, since this breed is predisposed to obesity. Also, this species does not require special attention to its person. While the owner is busy, the animal can easily find something to do to keep itself busy.
Second place – St. Petersburg Sphynx
This is a relatively young cat breed, but despite this, it has already become extremely popular. The St. Petersburg Sphynx is a hairless cat; it is incredibly beautiful and unique. Thanks to its amazing body structure, this breed is very different from other Sphynxes. Animals of this breed have incredible blue eyes and surprising characteristic webbed paws. The average price of a St. Petersburg Sphynx is $2,000.
Abyssinian cat
The top 10 most beautiful cats in the world are completed by the Abyssinian. For the first time this species came to Europe from African countries. As a rule, Abyssinian cats have a beautiful golden-brown color, which is complemented by black ticking. Today there are many new varieties of colors. Abyssinian cats are very intelligent and extremely temperamental. They can easily get along with other cats and even dogs, and are very fond of their owners.
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The most beautiful cats with short hair
These pet varieties are the closest to naturally occurring breeds. This is the largest category in all feline systems, characterized by a wide variety of species, types and colors. Among them are the brightest and most beautiful.
Khao Mani
This small cat, weighing no more than three and a half kilograms, amazes with its amazing beauty. The snow-white short coat combined with huge, usually different colors (blue and green or blue and yellow) eyes is simply mesmerizing. This ancestor of the oldest natural breed is very rare, sometimes its price reaches 20 thousand dollars.
Khao-maniRead about Kao-mani.
Snow-Shoo
It’s not for nothing that Snow Shoe received the poetic name “Snow Shoe”. Despite the variety of colors, there will definitely be white “socks” or “socks” on all four legs. The beauty's eyes are an amazing blue shade, the most expressive are bright sapphire.
These animals are very rare, as it is very difficult to get a kitten with the correct color. There is only one nursery in Russia, and even a pet-class animal cannot be bought here for less than sixty thousand rubles. Purebred pets from the few breeders in America are much more expensive.
Read about Snow-Shoe cats.
Korat
Korat is one of the oldest natural breeds. The small cat always has a solid blue color. The original Thai name "si-sawat" means "bestower of happiness." The cost of this cheerful but silent smoky pet starts at four hundred dollars.
More about Korats.
Siamese cat
Siam is the birthplace of this ancient breed, the favorite of kings. The characteristic color-point coloring, combined with bright blue eyes and a cheerful character, are highly valued throughout the world. By crossing the Siamese with other representatives of cats, many new varieties were obtained: Australian, Burmese, Balinese, Himalayan, Ocicat, Snow-Shoe, Neva Masquerade, Tonkinese, Javanese.
This breed is widespread and loved throughout the world. The price of a kitten is from two hundred to eight hundred dollars, some exhibition and breeding specimens are much more expensive.
Read about the extraordinary Siamese.
Havanna
The Havana is an amazingly beautiful chocolate or lilac cat with bright emerald eyes. The breed appeared in England in the 50s of the 20th century from the crossing of two varieties - the Siamese and the American Shorthair. These friendly, sociable and talkative pets are very rare; a kitten will cost at least $1000, even for a pet class.
Read about Havanas.
Laperm
The breed appeared due to an accidental mutation. This unusual kitten with fur similar to sheep was first born in the US state of Oregon in the litter of an ordinary female. Wavy coats come in a variety of colors and require special care. Adorable white cat “alpacas” are rare and expensive, starting from five hundred dollars for a pet-class kitten.
More about Laperm.
Manx
The oldest cat species of natural origin. Tailless cats have been known in Maine in the Irish Sea since the late 16th century, but the breed only gained recognition in the 20th century. Based on the length of the tail, they are divided into rampies, stumpies and tails. The color of the short coat can be any color.
It is noteworthy that if one of the parents has the tailless gene, then the kitten will be born without a tail and will be viable.
If both partners are Manx, the offspring usually die. Therefore, a pair should always have an individual with a normal tail length. Calm and friendly, excellent hunters and fishermen are highly prized for their unusual appearance and character. The cost of a kitten starts from a thousand dollars per pet class.
Manx and Cymric (semi-longhaired variety):
Read articles about Manx and Cymric.
Russian blue
As the name implies, this breed comes from Russia, and more precisely from the Arkhangelsk province. Known since the 16th century, it has long been loved all over the world. Her beauty is extraordinary. The coat color is only blue (smoky gray), the eyes are transparent and bright emerald. Owners of a chic fur coat and a wonderful character are highly valued, widely distributed in Russia, the price starts from twenty-five thousand rubles.
Russian blueMore interesting information about Russian Blue on the Mister Cat portal.
Chartreuse
This breed, which historically developed on the territory of ancient France, was named after the town of Chartres.
It is believed that the ancestors of these cats came to the shores of the mainland in the 17th century from Africa along the sea trade route. They have a solid silver color and bright green eyes. The animals are very large in size, are famous for their balanced and docile nature and in their habits are more reminiscent of domestic dogs. In demand and highly valued. The cost of a kitten is from eight hundred to one and a half thousand dollars. There are no nurseries in Russia.
ChartreuseMore about Chartreuse.
Exotic Shorthair
This breed was purposefully bred by American breeders as a specimen of the shorthaired Persian cat.
The exotic was registered in the 60s of the 20th century in the international TICA system. Apart from the length of the coat, the breed standard is no different from the Persian. This is an unusual variety for Russia, which is highly valued throughout the world for its beauty and wonderful character. A pet-class kitten can be purchased from fifty thousand rubles.
More about Exots.
Japanese Bobtail
Historical cat species of Japan. The main distinguishing feature is the short tail. According to legend, this genetic mutation is artificial in nature - in ancient times, cats’ tails were cut off, as it was believed that they contained “evil.” Colors come in a variety of colors, including bicolor and tabby.
Funny pets with a pompom instead of a tail are distinguished by their beauty and wonderful character, and are popular everywhere. In our country you can buy a kitten for a price of thirty thousand rubles.
More about Japanese Bobtails.
British Shorthair
This cat is a breed of natural origin, known in Europe since 1880. The British dog comes in various colors and patterns, the most common and beloved is the blue coat color. The fold-eared version of the British is also widely known - the Scottish Fold.
By temperament, these pets are real phlegmatic, but they are sincerely attached to their owner, patient and calm. Printed wool with a thick undercoat requires careful grooming. The price for a pet is from 15 thousand rubles. Breeding animals are much more expensive.
Photo gallery of British and Scottish cats:
Read about British Shorthairs and Longhairs, Scottish Folds and Straights, as well as Highland Folds. And also about the non-existent breed of British Fold.