Did you know that there is no official consensus on how many cat breeds there are? Or, to be more specific, there actually are several official consensuses … and none of them match. The International Cat Association has allowed 71 adorable kitties into its ranks. The Cat Fanciers Association, on the other paw, only recognizes 45. Then there’s the Federation International Feline, which has 48. One thing everyone does agree on? The fact that cats are absolutely adorable. An Oshawa, ON vet lists some interesting facts about kitty breeds below.

Oldest Kitty

The oldest cat is most likely the Egyptian Mau, who had her humans completely wrapped around her paws. Kitties were so beloved in Egypt that their humans often shaved their eyebrows in mourning when their feline friends passed. Cats were also often buried alongside pharaohs, apparently to provide comfort and companionship in the afterlife.

Loudest Kitty

Breed definitely plays a role in Fluffy’s vocalizations. The loudest cat may very well be the Siamese, who is known for having a meow that very closely resembles the cries of a human baby. The American Bobtail, Balinese-Javanese, Burmese, and Bengal are also very outspoken. As for the quietest furball, the Ragdoll would probably win that category.

Largest Kitty

The Maine Coon, an adorable, lovable ball of purrs, wins this one. These fluffy furballs, often referred to online as ‘majestic floofs’, can be as much as 42 inches long, and can weigh over 25 pounds. On the other end of the spectrum, we have the itty-bitty Munchkin, a teeny tiny cat which is almost impossibly adorable.

Popular Cat Breeds

Did you know that America’s most popular cat is the domestic short-hair? Some other beloved breeds include the Himalayan, Persian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and Siamese. We think they are all ‘pawesome.’!

Color

Many feline breed standards allow a variety of colors and patterns. Some are very specific about this, though. For instance, Bombay kitties are always black, while the Russian Blue is always grey.

Bald Kitties

Not all of our feline pals are wearing clothes. Some prefer to go au naturale. Some of the hairless breeds include the Sphynx, Bambino, Donskoy, Ukrainian Levkoy, and Peterbald. These guys may look a little unusual, but they’re still very fun and lovable pets. Contact us, your Oshawa, ON animal clinic, for all your cat’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!