The cat is one of the most popular pets in the world. It is believed that cats have been domesticated since prehistoric times. Cats are found in almost every part of the world. With their long, slender bodies and small, rounded heads, cats are slender and graceful.

They first appeared in the archaeological record in Egypt, about 3,100 BC, and in ancient Egypt, cats were mummified and placed in tombs.

Cat lovers are often hard to please, but they have plenty of options, even when it comes to their four-legged companions. Domestic shorthairs, Maine coons, pumas, and Persians—these breeds might seem exclusive, but you can buy almost any of them from a shelter or rescue group.

In fact, there are more than 100 breeds of cats, and a significant number of those aren’t even cat-specific—they just look like felines. But currently, 73 breeds of cats are recognized by TICA. 48 breeds of cat are recognized by FIFe, and 45 breeds of cat are recognized by CFA which supervises a number of cat registries in the world. In this article, we have compiled the top 10 best cat breeds in America.

List of the Top 10 Cat Breeds in the United States

1. Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair cat breed is part of the category of Persian cats that originated from the cat breeds of the United States. These cats can be identified by their short coarse hair. They are known for their distinctive sweet flat nose and face, large and round eyes.

As they have a short dense coat, they do not shed their coats, even when the weather changes. This coat is not only attractive but also helps to protect the Exotic Shorthair cat from the cold and heat. Exotic Shorthair breed of cat is recognized by TICA, CFA, and FIFe.

The medium-sized, Exotic Shorthairs female cats are smaller than male cats. Its weight can be 3.5 kg to 6 kg. Exotic Shorthairs breeds come up in a difference of colors and patterns. Auch as white, black, red, brown, etc. colors’ cat, and shaded, smoke, tricolor, etc. patterns’ cat. This is one of the top 10 cat breeds in the US that lives 8 to 11 years.

2. American Bobtail

The American Bobtail is a very sturdy, uncommon breed that was developed in the USA by American breeders. It was first recognized by The International Cat Association in 1989. It is a relatively rare cat breed.

American Bobtail is also a naturally occurring breed, which means that the breeders who developed the breed did not intentionally create the cat breed. This breed is developed by cross-breeding between a wild bobcat and a domestic tabby cat.

American Bobtail cats are a relatively new breed, and they are unique due to their stubby Bobbed tails. The bobbed tail is a common trait across a wide variety of cat species, but it is especially noticeable in the American Bobtail cat breed. This cat breed is so named because of the bobbed tail they were born with.

Easygoing, medium-sized Bobtail cat can be both with longhair and shorthair. The weight of an adult female cat is between 7 to 11 pounds, and an adult male cat can be 12 to 16 pounds weight. The American Bobtail breed comes in various colors and patterns, like white, black, red, chocolate, etc. This is one of the top 10 top cat breeds which live 11 to more than 15 years with appropriate care.

3. Maine Coon

The Maine Coon breed of cat is the largest of the domestic cat breeds and is known for its large size. This is the oldest natural breed, developed over time by selective breeding of the American cats, native to the North America. Despite their size and looks, they’re a fairly expensive breed of cat, dating back to the 19th century.

Gentle and friendly-tempered breed, Maine Coon is obtainable in different colors and patterns; mainly brown and red, or silver tabbies. It is healthy and larger than the average weight of a cat. The weight of an adult female Maine Coon breed of cat is between 12 to 15 pounds, and an adult male Maine Coon breed of cat can be 18 to 22 pounds weight. One of the top 10 cat breeds in America, the Maine Coon breed of cat lives more than 12.5 years with proper care.

4. Siamese Cat

Siamese Cat

When you think of Siamese cats, the first thing that pops into your head is probably not a normal cat. These modern-style cats are known for their extreme-feature, distinctive “blue almond-shaped” eyes, large ears, and the triangular shape of the head. The Siamese breed of cat is more independent and high-spirited than most and can be intelligent and affectionate temperament.

The word “Siamese” is derived from the name of Siam back in the 19th century. Siamese cats were originally bred as companions to royalty in Thailand and were kept in a royal court as well. The original Siamese breed is one of the most popular breeds in North America and Europe.

Affectionate, Talkative, and Intelligent-tempered breed, medium-sized Siamese breed cat has short hair. An adult female Siamese breed cat is small, its weight between 5 to 8 pounds, and an adult male Siamese cat can be 8 to 12 pounds weight. With accurate care, the Siamese breed of cat lives longer than the average cat. The life expectancy of one of the top ten most popular cat breeds, the Siamese breed can be 20+ years.

5. Bengal Cat

The Bengal cat is a domestic feline that’s best known for its wild-like appearance. The Bengal cat is a 4-generation cross between the Asian leopard cat and different breeds of domestic cats, mainly the spotted Egyptian Mau. It’s a cat that’s recognized by The International Cat Association and The American Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Bengal breed is a cat native to Asia, which is the most common cat breed in the world. But it developed in the United States. This is because it is highly adaptable to local climates and is, therefore, able to live in most places on the planet. This makes it a popular breed for cat lovers because it is so versatile, and it is also easy to have in the home, as it requires much less grooming than other cat breeds.

The Bengal breed cat is an intelligent, active, playful-tempered breed. The weight of an adult female Bengal breed cat is between 6 to 12 pounds, and an adult male Bengal breed cat can be 9 to 15 pounds weight. With correct care, this breed of cat lives 12 to 20 years.

6. American Shorthair

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is the breed of a domesticated cat. In 2012, this breed was the 7th most popular pedigreed cat in America according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Easygoing, curious, and friendly-tempered breed, medium-sized American Shorthair breed of cat lives longer than 15 years. Male cats are larger than female cats. The weight of an adult female American Shorthair cat is between 6 to 12 pounds, and an adult male can be 11 to 15 pounds weight. The American Shorthair cats are tabby or tabby with white.

7. The Minuet (Napoleon) Cat

The Minuet was formerly known as the Napoleon. The International Cat Association (TICA) board of directors decided to change the name of the Napoleon to the Minuet in January 2015.

Minuet is a hybrid mix of cat breeds. An American Kennel Club (AKC) judge, Joseph B. Smith has created this mix of Persian and Munchkin cat breeds. Which was featured on 12 June 1995.

Playful, curious-tempered breed, medium-sized with short legs Minuet breed of cat lives longer than 15 years with the correct care. The weight of an adult male and female Minuet can be average 7 to 8 pounds. This one of the top 10 most popular cat breeds in the US can be obtained in both the longhair and shorthair varieties.

8. Oriental Shorthair

Oriental Shorthair

Oriental Shorthair developed in the United States and the United Kingdom from the Siamese cat. Oriental Shorthairs are a uniquely beautiful breed of cat, it is more familiar to the Siamese cats. They are said to be more cat-like in their personality, more playful nature, more affectionate, and more intelligent.

The medium-sized, intelligent, affectionate-tempered breed Oriental Shorthair cat lives 10+ years. But with the proper care, its life expectancy can reach more than 20 years. The weight of an adult female Oriental Shorthair cat is between 5 to 8 pounds, and an adult male can be 8 to 12 pounds.

9. American Curl

American Curls are a type of curly cat that originated in the United States. The American Curl coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It is well known for its distinctively unusual-shaped ears. The first American Curls come in Lakewood, California in June 1981.

The playful, social, and intelligent-tempered small to medium-sized breed, American Curl lives 10 to 20 years with the perfect care. The American Curl coat is medium-long, soft, and silky. The weight of an adult female American Curl breed cat is between 5 to 8 pounds, and an adult male American Curl can be 7 to 10 pounds. Both longhair and shorthair American Curl are available.

10. American Wirehair

American Wirehair

The American Wirehair breed of cat is a domestic cat, originated in New York. Though it is a relatively new breed, the American Wirehair has found a home in homes across the nation as it grows in popularity. According to Cat Fanciers’ Association, it is one of the rarest cat breeds.

American Wirehair breed of cat is a medium-sized feline with a springy, wiry coat, and a calm, easygoing, friendly temperament. The male Wirehair cats are larger than female cats. The most common color of American Wirehair is tabby or tabby with white.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Popular Cat Breeds

How many breeds of cats are there worldwide?

The answer to the question of how many cat breeds are there in the world is – according to Wikipedia’s list of cat breeds there are 100 cat breeds worldwide. Among them, 73 cat breeds are recognized by TICA.

How many recognized cat breeds are there?

As of 2021, there are 73 breeds of cats recognized by TICA, the International Cat Association. 48 breeds are recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), and 45 breeds are recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) which oversees a number of cat registries worldwide.

Are there 51 cat breeds?

No, there are more than 100 different cat breeds in the world, but only 48 are recognized by the FIFe.

What is the rarest cat breed?

The Sokoke is one of the rarest cat breeds in the world. In 2001, only two female cats were caught for breeding from the forest.

What is the newest cat breed?

The newest cat breed is the Selkirk Rex, a cat that has a curly coat that looks like it has a mohawk.

Which is not a breed of cat?

Domestic long-haired and short-haired cats are not a breed of cats.

What breed of cat looks like a tiger?

The Toyger breed of cat looks like a tiger.

What breed of cat looks like a leopard?

The Bengal breed of cat looks like a leopard.

In conclusion, any cat lover can attest to the fact that the best cat breed is the one that is the cutest. In my opinion, that is the Exotic Shorthair, Maine Coon, Siamese, and Bengal. They are beautiful, and a Siamese, Bengal is a great pet for a cat lover with a busy lifestyle. 

However, the best cat breed is a subjective topic. There is a lot of variety available for cat people in the United States. While some people may think that the American people exclusively own Siamese cats, it is much more diverse than that. Also, while some people may think that all the breeds that are native to America are exclusively American, that is not the case either. Some people may like larger cats while others prefer smaller ones. A single cat can be a great pet for some, while it’s a challenge for others. Next, check out the list of intelligent dog breeds.