15 Cutest Cat Breeds (with Pictures)

Most cat owners don’t know or care what breed their cat is, but there are still literally hundreds of beautiful cat breeds out there. Registered breeders around the world work hard to keep their cats healthy and beautiful, and we have to say that we admire their work. The cats on this list go from tiny to huge, fur of all colors and lengths, but we think all of them deserve to be called cute.

Top 15 Cutest Cat Breeds

1. Munchkin

Munchkin cats are unmissable with their small stature and shortened legs. Even the adults look kittenish, and they often have friendly, playful personalities to match. Walking, running, and stretching are all equally cute.

Munchkins are still a controversial breed because their shortened legs impact their mobility and because they have a higher risk of spinal problems. In fact, some cat fanciers associations still don’t recognize them as an official breed. Despite this, many Munchkin cats live happy, healthy lives—and they sure are cute!

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2. Ragdoll

If you draw a Venn diagram between ‘chill’ and ‘cute,’ Ragdolls would be right in the middle. These beautiful cats have luxurious long coats, beautiful blue eyes, and a friendly, relaxed personality that’s sure to put you at ease. The name “Ragdoll” comes from their tendency to flop down and relax wherever they are.

Ragdolls are known for their beautiful patterning as well. These cats can come in any color, but they have a few specific patterns they are known for. All Ragdoll cats have the colorpoint gene—this gives them a light-colored body with darker fur on the face, legs, and tail. Ragdolls often combine this with a bicolor patterning that gives them white face markings or paws. Adorable!

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3. Siamese

When Siamese cats came to America in the 1800s, they made such a splash that even today, any cat with a colorpoint coat pattern often gets called Siamese. And that coat is beautiful, with a smooth, light-colored body and darker markings on the face, ears, tail, and legs. But purebred Siamese cats are also distinctive for their lithe, graceful bodies, with long muzzles, triangular faces, and big ears. These cats look like the sports cars of the cat world!

Siamese cats aren’t just pretty, either. They are some of the smartest cat breeds, and they often become highly vocal, “talking” to their owners all day. They love to go outside and are comfortable in unfamiliar places. Their combination of brains and beauty means they’ll always be remembered.

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4. Snowshoe

Sure, colorpoint cats look good, but Snowshoes take it to another level. They are known for their sweet, slightly shy temperament and their deep bonds with their owners. But Snowshoes are unusual because they combine traditional colorpoints with white paws, hence the Snowshoe name. Many Snowshoes also have white markings on their chest, face, and stomach.

Snowshoes are a rare breed because the white markings are so hard to predict—two absolutely beautiful parents with perfect markings aren’t guaranteed to get a prize-worthy kitten. Snowshoes are most common in seal point and other traditional colorpoint colors, but their points can be any color. Whatever they look like, those four little white paws are sure to melt your heart.

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5. Bengal

When people say that their cat’s wild, they usually don’t mean literally, but we go wild over Bengals, the most common hybrid cat breed. Bengal cats are descended from hybrids of domestic cats and Asian leopard cats. This wild heritage gives them stunning coats. They are the only breed of cat with leopard-like rosettes, although some Bengals have marbling or other patterns. These spots are a dead giveaway that these cats are more than just domestic. Because of their wild side, Bengals are also some of the biggest shorthair cats.

Bengal owning isn’t for the faint of heart. Their coat isn’t the only thing they got from their wild ancestors—they also often have high energy and activity levels that take a lot of work to manage. Prospective owners need to be prepared for an intense and energetic cat. Luckily, you don’t need any special preparation to admire their beauty.

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6. Scottish Fold

Scottish Folds trace their history back to a farm cat in Scotland with some very special ears. When a local fell in love with her unusual folded ears, she started breeding them, and now they are one of the most recognizable—and cutest—breeds out there. Scottish Folds have thick, sturdy bodies, big round eyes, and folded down ears. Some people think they look like owls, while others call them “Puss in Boots” cats because they look like the cartoon character’s iconic begging pose.

Scottish Folds are loving, sweet-tempered cats that tend to be a calming presence around the house. Breeding Scottish Folds is controversial because two copies of the fold gene will cause stillborn kittens or severe health issues—because of this, many breeders cross them with British Shorthairs. It’s a good thing we have that workaround because we’d hate to live in a world without these adorable cats tugging at our heartstrings!

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7. Russian Blue

Russian Blue cats have an unusual mystique. With silvery-blue coats, bright green eyes, and Mona Lisa smiles, these cats stand out in a crowd. Their distinctive blue-gray color comes from a recessive gene that dilutes black down to blue, and they have a plush double coat that doesn’t shed and is soft to the touch.

Russian Blues are usually reserved cats who prefer peace and quiet. They get along well with their family, but they are often wary around strangers. Despite this, Russian Blues often have a playful and curious streak that makes them fun to be around! Whether playful or placid, these Russian Blues are a joy to watch.

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8. Sphynx

Sphynx cats are sometimes called the Pugs of the cat world because no one can decide if they’re cute or ugly! These cats are known for being hairless or mostly hairless, which makes them look slightly alien. With their wrinkly skin, giant ears, and big round eyes, they definitely stand out!

Sphynxes are usually friendly, playful cats that don’t take themselves too seriously. Whether you think they are stunning beauties or ugly goblins, don’t pass up a chance to meet one—their soft, warm skin is incredible to pet.

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9. Maine Coon

Nicknamed “the Gentle Giant,” Maine Coons are some of the largest cats out there. They are known for their huge frames, their long, shaggy coats, and their massive paws and claws. As the name suggests, Maine Coons come from the northeastern United States, where their thick coats and large bodies helped them stay warm and safe in the winters. The most common color of Maine Coon is a dark brown tabby, sometimes with white, but they can come in any color or pattern.

Maine Coons are usually friendly cats, and some are even outgoing to strangers. They also tend to be much gentler and more affectionate than their giant claws suggest. Whether it’s soft snuggles or active playtime, we love to watch Maine Coons move!

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10. Persian

One of the most recognizable cat breeds is the Persian. Sometimes nicknamed “Persian Princesses” because of their refined air, these cats are descended from longhaired cats imported from Persia. They can come in any color and pattern, although some registries separate out colorpoint Persians into a separate breed called Himalayans. Along with their long fur, Persians have a distinctive round face and flattened nose. Their nose shape has been the subject of controversy, with some breeders trying to breed cats with the flattest faces possible, despite health problems related to short noses. Like the Sphynx, some people find Persians ugly, but we can see the beauty in them!

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11. Abyssinian

There are few cats that look more royal than the Abyssinian. Abyssinian cats were bred to look like the “wild-type” cats found in Ethiopia and Egypt, with slender, muscular frames and large, intelligent eyes. They are recognizable for their ticked tabby coats. In this coat type, every hair is banded with stripes, but there isn’t an overall pattern, leading to a sandy, speckled look.

Classic Abyssinians were a ruddy red color, and Silver Abyssinians have also become popular. Today, some breeders are experimenting with other colors, like fawn, lilac, and chocolate. Abyssinians are usually intelligent and extroverted, making them great choices for active families. They love to play games and solve puzzles.

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12. Toyger

The Toyger was bred to make a statement, and we have to agree! This cat has the all-too-common mackerel tabby markings, but selective breeding has increased the contrast between stripes, with the background becoming a bright pumpkin orange and the stripes dark brown or black. If the name didn’t tip you off, those are tiger colors.

The Toyger breed’s resemblance to a tiger is no accident. The original breeders wanted to call for support of tiger conservation efforts through their “toy tigers.” We know that we’d rather have a Toyger than a wild tiger in our home!

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13. Havana Brown

Black cats are a dime a dozen, but few people get to own their chocolate-colored cousin. Havana Brown cats have a rich, warm brown coat color that is striking and distinctive. They were bred from chocolate-point Siamese cats, and the breed still shows their Siamese heritage, with long, lanky bodies, big triangular ears, and chiseled faces.

Havana Browns resemble Siamese cats in personality too. They are often outgoing and friendly, chattering away to their owner or meowing to strangers. They are easily leash-trained and love accompanying owners to go out and about. Wherever they go, their brown coat is sure to get plenty of attention!

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14. Devon Rex

A close cousin of the Sphynx, Devon Rexes have a genetic variation that affects their coat, but in a totally different way. Instead of turning bald, they go curly all over! Devon Rex cats are instantly recognizable for their soft, curly fur, which is thin and wooly. Most Devon Rexes have big, rounded ears, a long, skinny frame, and a short “pixie” nose. Pixie also describes their temperament as well. Many Devon Rex cats are playful and mischievous, entertaining everyone around them with their clever antics.

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15. Selkirk Rex

If you like 1980s glam, then you’ll love the Selkirk Rex. When a kitten with fur that looked practically permed showed up on a Montana farm in 1987, she turned heads. Since then, the Selkirk Rex has become a well-established breed known for its thick, tightly curled hair. Although there are shorthaired cats with the Selkirk gene, the classic Selkirk Rex is a large, solidly built cat with long curly hair. It can come in any coat color or pattern.

This newer breed can have a wide range of personalities, from playful and friendly to shy and retiring, but most Selkirk Rexes are a little reserved but affectionate and cuddly to their owners. And with its beautiful, plush fur, who wouldn’t want to cuddle one?

Last Thoughts

There you have it—15 cute cat breeds for you to admire. Whether you prefer the sleek and skinny cats or the massively fluffy ones, this list has it all. Each of these breeds would make a fantastic pet for the right owner, but if a purebred cat isn’t in the cards for you right now, we hope that you admired these beautiful pictures just as much as we did!

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Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock