How Many Different Types of Cats Exist?

The answer depends on what “types” means. If you’re asking about cat breeds—the Persians, Siamese, and Maine Coons recognized by breeding organizations—there are between 45 and 75, depending on which registry you consult. If you mean wild cat species in the Felidae family, there are 41 species total, including 40 wild cats and the domestic cat.

Understanding the Three Levels of Cat “Types”

The confusion around how many cat types exist stems from the word “types” itself, which can refer to three distinct classification levels.

At the species level, the Felidae family contains 41 species split into two subfamilies. Pantherinae includes the seven big cats: lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, snow leopards, and the two clouded leopard species. Felinae encompasses 34 smaller wild cats plus the domestic cat, ranging from bobcats and lynxes to the African wildcat that gave rise to our house pets.

The breed level applies only to domestic cats. Here’s where numbers get murky. The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes 73 breeds, while the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes 45, and Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) lists 50. These discrepancies aren’t errors—they reflect different classification philosophies.

TICA treats long and short-haired versions of the same cat as separate breeds. The CFA groups them together. Some organizations recognize controversial breeds like the Munchkin with its short legs, while others reject them over health concerns. The Himalayan is considered its own breed by some, but just a color variation of the Persian by others.

Below the breed level sits the appearance type—how most people actually identify cats. “Orange tabby,” “black cat,” “longhaired” aren’t breeds but descriptive categories. About 95% of cats in the United States fall into the catch-all categories of Domestic Shorthair or Domestic Longhair. These aren’t breeds but rather terms for mixed-ancestry cats that don’t fit pedigree standards.

Why Cat Breed Numbers Vary Between Organizations

The shifting numbers across registries reveal deeper disagreements about what constitutes a distinct breed.

Registration requirements differ substantially. Some organizations demand lineage documentation tracing back five generations. Others accept three. This gatekeeping alone filters which cats qualify for breed status. New breeds must prove their distinctiveness through specific numbers of breeders, show participants, and documented breeding programs spanning several years.

Classification systems diverge on fundamental questions. When a breeder crosses a Siamese with a Persian to create a Himalayan, is that a new breed or merely a Persian with Siamese coloring? The CFA says the latter; TICA disagrees. These aren’t arbitrary choices but reflect different philosophies about genetic distinction versus phenotypic appearance.

Health and ethics play roles too. Breeds with genetic quirks that might compromise welfare face scrutiny. The Scottish Fold’s adorable folded ears result from cartilage abnormalities that can cause arthritis. The Munchkin’s short legs stem from a dwarfism gene. Organizations differ on whether aesthetic appeal justifies potential health risks, leading some to exclude breeds others embrace.

The process of adding new breeds moves slowly by design. The Lykoi, sometimes called the “werewolf cat” for its sparse coat, took years to gain recognition after its 2010 discovery. The Khao Manee, an ancient breed from Thailand, only joined the CFA registry in 2018 despite centuries of history. Registries demand proof that new breeds breed true—that offspring consistently display the defining traits—and maintain genetic diversity to avoid inbreeding problems.

The Domestic Cat’s Limited Genetic Diversity

Unlike dogs, which humans have bred for thousands of years to perform specialized tasks, cats retained remarkable genetic similarity to their wild ancestors.

Dogs were deliberately shaped into forms as different as Chihuahuas and Great Danes because humans needed them for hunting, herding, guarding, and companionship roles. This intensive selection pressure over millennia created dramatic variation. Cats, by contrast, were never bred for specific jobs beyond their natural talent for killing rodents. They essentially domesticated themselves by hanging around human grain stores where prey was abundant.

The domestic cat diverged from the African wildcat only about 10,000 years ago, and most cat breeds were developed in the past 150 years—with the majority emerging in just the last 50 to 75 years. This recent timeframe explains why breeds remain genetically similar. A house cat shares 95.6% of its DNA with a tiger. Compare that to dogs, which diverged from wolves much earlier and bear less genetic resemblance to their wild cousins.

Most breed differences rest on surprisingly simple genetic changes. The long coat that defines Persians versus the short coat of Exotic Shorthairs comes down to a single gene. The Siamese’s distinctive color points result from a temperature-sensitive enzyme that produces color only on cooler body extremities. These are mostly cosmetic variations on a relatively uniform template.

Wild Cats: The Broader Felidae Family

The 40 species of wild cats span every continent except Antarctica and Australia, though even Australia has feral domestic cats now.

Geographic distribution shaped wild cat evolution through isolated populations adapting to local conditions. Africa hosts both massive lions that hunt in coordinated prides and tiny black-footed cats weighing less than 5 pounds. Asia contains the world’s largest cat, the Siberian tiger, which can weigh 650 pounds in the wild. South America is home to jaguars with bite force strong enough to pierce turtle shells and margays that hunt primarily in trees.

The eight evolutionary lineages trace back to a common ancestor about 10 to 15 million years ago, with the major split between Pantherinae and Felinae occurring around 10.8 million years ago. Within Felinae, additional splits created the Bay Cat, Caracal, Ocelot, Lynx, Puma, Leopard Cat, and Domestic Cat lineages. Each lineage adapted to specific ecological niches, resulting in the diversity we see today.

Conservation status varies dramatically across species. Five wild cats are classified as endangered: tigers, Iberian lynx, Borneo bay cats, fishing cats, and flat-headed cats. Many more are vulnerable or near threatened due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. The most endangered, the Amur leopard, has fewer than 100 individuals surviving in the wild.

Wild cats demonstrate remarkable adaptations. Fishing cats have partially webbed paws and hunt in water. Snow leopards possess massive paws that function as snowshoes and tails nearly as long as their bodies for balance on steep terrain. Cheetahs, the only big cats that purr rather than roar, evolved specifically for speed with lightweight builds and non-retractable claws that act like cleats.

How Cat Breeds Actually Develop

The creation of new cat breeds follows patterns distinct from other domesticated species.

Natural breeds emerged from geographically isolated populations that developed unique characteristics over centuries. The Turkish Angora, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Siberian evolved naturally in their respective regions before humans formalized them as breeds. These cats represent population isolates that breeding programs now maintain.

Crossbreeds result from intentional mixing of established breeds. The Himalayan emerged from crossing Persians with Siamese to combine the Persian’s long coat with the Siamese’s color points. The Ocicat was created by crossing Abyssinians with Siamese, though ironically it contains no ocelot genes despite its wild appearance. These hybrids must demonstrate consistent traits across generations before registries accept them.

Mutation breeds arise from random genetic changes. A Scottish farm cat born with folded ears in 1961 became the foundation for the Scottish Fold breed. The hairless Sphynx traces to a 1966 kitten in Toronto. The Munchkin originated from a short-legged cat found in Louisiana in 1983. Breeders who notice unusual traits sometimes develop them into breeds, though this practice raises ethical questions when the mutations affect health.

Hybrid breeds cross domestic cats with wild species. Bengals mix domestic cats with Asian leopard cats to create spotted coats resembling wild felines. Savannahs cross domestic cats with African servals. These hybrids can take generations to stabilize temperament suitable for homes, and many countries restrict their ownership due to unpredictable behavior.

What the Average Cat Owner Has

The vast majority of cat owners don’t have a purebred cat at all.

Approximately 95% of pet cats in the United States are Domestic Shorthairs or Domestic Longhairs—mixed-breed cats with unknown or varied ancestry. These aren’t breeds but descriptive terms for the typical house cats found in shelters and neighborhoods worldwide. They exhibit endless variation in color, pattern, size, and personality because they result from random breeding rather than controlled programs.

The distinction matters for several reasons. Purebred cats come with predictable traits. Persian owners know to expect grooming challenges with that long coat. Maine Coon owners can anticipate a large, sociable cat. Mixed-breed owners get a genetic grab bag, which often works in their favor—mixed-breed cats typically enjoy better health than purebreds because they avoid the problems that come from limited gene pools.

Identifying your cat’s breed without documentation proves nearly impossible. Unlike dogs, where breeds like Huskies, German Shepherds, and Bulldogs have unmistakable features, cat breeds can be remarkably subtle. Many people assume their orange cat is a specific breed when “orange tabby” just describes a common coat color found across numerous breeds and mixed cats.

DNA testing for cats has emerged as an option for curious owners. Companies like Basepaws offer genetic analysis that can identify breed markers in mixed-breed cats, though results should be taken with a grain of salt. These tests compare your cat’s DNA to reference populations, but since most cats are mixed breeds, finding traces of specific breeds only reveals part of the picture.

The Relationship Between Domestic and Wild Cats

House cats remain far closer to their wild origins than most people realize.

All domestic cats descend from Felis silvestris lybica, the African wildcat, which still exists in the wild today. Genetic studies confirm domestication began around 7,500 BCE in the Near East, probably in the Fertile Crescent where agriculture first developed. Wildcats were attracted to rodents infesting grain stores, and humans tolerated them because they solved a pest problem.

This mutualistic relationship differed from how we domesticated dogs, which we actively selected and trained for specific purposes. Cats essentially invited themselves to live alongside humans, and we accepted the arrangement. As a result, cats never underwent the intensive selective breeding that radically altered other domestic animals.

The genetic similarity between house cats and wild cats allows them to interbreed freely, producing viable offspring. Feral domestic cats sometimes mate with African wildcats or European wildcats where their ranges overlap. This gene flow blurs the lines between wild and domestic, unlike with dogs, where breeds are so specialized they rarely successfully breed with wolves.

Behaviorally, domestic cats retain many wild cat traits. The hunting drive remains strong even in well-fed pets, explaining why cats bring home prey. Their independent nature stems from the solitary hunting lifestyle of their wildcat ancestors. Even their communication patterns—scent marking, body language, vocalizations—mirror those of wild cats.

Why More Breeds May Emerge

The cat fancy continues to evolve, suggesting the number of recognized breeds will keep shifting.

Interest in exotic appearances drives ongoing breed development. Breeders experiment with crossing different breeds or introducing genes from wild cats to create novel looks. The Toyger aims to resemble a miniature tiger. The Chausie mixes domestic cats with jungle cats. These projects can take decades to produce stable, healthy populations worthy of breed recognition.

Some traditional cat populations are gaining formal breed status. The Sokoke from Kenya, the Aegean from Greece, and the Suphalak from Thailand represent naturally occurring populations now recognized by some registries. As genetic research reveals distinct populations previously lumped with other breeds, numbers may rise.

At the same time, breed numbers could decline. Organizations increasingly scrutinize breeds with health problems. If evidence mounts that certain breeds suffer from genetic disorders or reduced lifespan, registries might delist them. The tension between aesthetic preferences and animal welfare will shape which breeds persist.

Genetic technology may change how breeds are defined entirely. As DNA testing becomes more sophisticated, breed classification might shift from appearance-based categories to genetic clusters. This could consolidate some current breeds while splitting others, dramatically changing the count in unpredictable ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the rarest cat breed?

The Sokoke, according to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, ranks as one of the rarest domestic breeds. Originating from Kenya, only a small number exist globally. The Egyptian Mau and Turkish Van also appear on rare breed lists, with just hundreds of registrations annually despite their long histories.

Can you identify a cat breed just by looking?

Identifying breeds visually proves difficult for most cats because breed differences tend to be subtle. A few breeds like Persians, Siamese, and Sphynx cats have distinctive enough features for recognition, but many breeds look similar to mixed-breed cats. Without pedigree documentation, definitive identification is rarely possible.

Are more cat breeds being created?

Yes, new breeds continue to develop. The Lykoi gained recognition in the 2010s. The Selkirk Rex, with its curly coat, emerged in the 1980s. However, the process takes years of breeding to establish consistent traits and prove the breed reproduces reliably before registries grant recognition.

Why do some people say there are only 15 cat breeds?

Encyclopedia Britannica historically listed just 15 breeds, focusing on the oldest and most established varieties. This conservative count reflects a stricter definition of what constitutes a distinct breed, emphasizing only cats with centuries of documented history rather than recently developed varieties.

Practical Implications for Cat Owners

Understanding cat types matters less than finding the right individual cat for your home.

Breed characteristics provide general guidelines, but individual variation within breeds often exceeds differences between breeds. A laid-back Persian and a high-energy Persian might differ more than cats from supposedly different breeds. How you raise and socialize your cat shapes their behavior more powerfully than breed identity.

For potential cat owners, this actually simplifies decisions. Rather than fixating on breed traits, consider factors like activity level, grooming needs, and compatibility with your household. Shelter cats and rescues—the overwhelming majority of available cats—display the full range of personalities found in purebreds, often with fewer health problems.

The mixed-breed versus purebred question often comes down to predictability versus health. Purebreds offer more certainty about adult size, coat type, and temperament. Mixed breeds generally have fewer genetic disorders because they benefit from greater genetic diversity, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives.

If you do want a specific breed, work with reputable breeders who health-test their cats, provide documentation, and prioritize welfare over appearance. Many breed-specific rescues exist too, so purebred cats sometimes end up needing homes without the cost or ethical concerns of supporting breeding operations.

Knowing the answer to “how many types of cats exist” turns out to be less important than appreciating the incredible diversity within the cat family—from 5-pound domestics purring on your lap to 600-pound tigers prowling Asian forests. All 41 Felidae species share the same elegant design refined over millions of years of evolution.

Whether you’re curious about the formal count of breeds or simply wondering what kind of cat just adopted you, remember that cats have always defied our attempts to categorize them too neatly. They remain just domesticated enough to tolerate our presence while retaining enough wildness to keep us fascinated.