How Many Cat Breeds Are There?

The honest answer: it depends on who is counting. Here is why, plus an A to Z list of the breeds we cover.

There is no single official number. The main cat registries, which keep the family trees of pedigree cats and decide which breeds they accept, each recognise somewhere between about 40 and 75 breeds, and their lists do not match. A breed one registry accepts may be an “experimental” breed, or not recognised at all, somewhere else.

It also depends on how you count. Some registries treat a long-haired version of a breed, such as the Somali next to the Abyssinian, as a separate breed, while others call it a coat variety.

And the vast majority of pet cats are not pedigrees at all. They are moggies, and just as lovable. Still unsure what suits you? Try the breed finder.

53 cat breeds, A to Z

Questions people ask

How many cat breeds are there?

It depends on who you ask. The big cat registries recognise somewhere between about 40 and 75 pedigree breeds each, and the lists do not match exactly. Most pet cats are not pedigrees at all but domestic moggies.

Why do different registries list different numbers?

Each registry decides for itself which breeds meet its standards, and some treat varieties, such as long-haired versions, as separate breeds while others do not.

What is a pedigree cat?

A cat whose parents are the same breed and whose family tree is recorded by a registry.

What is the most common type of cat?

The domestic shorthair, or moggy, is by far the most common pet cat in the UK.

How many breeds are on this site?

We have friendly guides to 53 popular breeds, and we are adding more.