How Many Breeds of Cats Are There? 2025 Update

Have you ever wondered how many cat breeds there are in the world? While we wish we could give you a definitive answer to this question, the truth is it depends on who you are using as a source. Cat registries worldwide list different qualifications for the breeds they accept, and the total number varies from association to association.

For example, The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes 73 distinct breeds, while The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) only recognizes 45. However, that doesn’t mean there are only 45 or 73 cat breeds worldwide. Just because an association doesn’t officially recognize a breed doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Read on to learn more about the cat breeds, including the five most common and the five rarest ones you’ve probably never seen before.

The 5 Most Common Cat Breeds in the World

1. Domestic Shorthairs

Domestic Shorthairs are cats with short fur that aren’t a recognized breed. They are distinct from other breeds with “shorthair” in the title, like the British Shorthair or American Shorthair. This is the most common cat owned in America, accounting for around 95% of all U.S. cats.

2. Domestic Longhairs

Domestic Longhairs, like their shorthaired counterparts, do not belong to any recognized cat breed. They have semi-long or long coats and are distinct from others with “longhair” in the title, such as British Longhairs and American Longhairs.

3. Ragdolls

Ragdolls are the most popular cat breed in the world. These beautiful cats are known for their large size, plush, long-haired coats, and piercing blue eyes. They are a docile, peaceful, and affectionate breed, making them the ideal lap cat and perfect companion. However, they can be a little needy as they spend much of their day seeking out your affection.

4. Persians

Persians are the most popular pedigreed cat breed in the United States and the fourth most popular globally. Their incredibly gentle nature and relaxed personality are just part of what makes them highly sought after. Their beautiful, long, soft coats and large, expressive eyes set them apart from other cat breeds.

5. Maine Coons

Main Coons are the second most popular cat breed in the world. Weighing up to 20 pounds or more, these giant giants are known for their shaggy coats and tufted ears, but it’s not just their appearance that makes them popular. The Maine Coons are a friendly, intelligent, loyal, and affectionate breed that loves following their humans from room to room.

The 5 Rarest Cat Breeds in the World

1. Sokoke

The Sokoke is a natural breed that developed without human interference. They were not created from specific breeds but are descendants of free-roaming feral cats in Kenya. These cats typically have blotched tabby coats in colors similar to the Bengal and Ocicat. The centers of their spots are usually hollow, giving their coats a beautiful, ticked look.

Sokokes are the rarest cat breed in the world, with some estimates putting their numbers at less than 100.

2. Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a lean, athletic cat with a long, storied history. They are regal, intelligent, and one of the few naturally-spotted breeds of domesticated cats. Around 7,000 Egyptian Maus are registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association, making them relatively rare by today’s standards.

3. Kurilian Bobtail

The Kurilian Bobtail is a rare breed originating on the Russian Kuril Islands. They can be either short or long-haired, and, as the name suggests, they have a distinct short and fluffy tail. Don’t be fooled by this breed’s slightly wild look; they’re incredibly gentle, friendly, and domesticated. While this breed is rather popular in the USSR, they’re rare in North America.

The CFA does not recognize the Kurilian Bobtail as a breed.

4. Tonkinese

The Tonkinese are just as visually striking as their parent breeds: the Burmese and the Siamese. This rare breed doesn’t just share their appearance with their parents but many personality traits, too. They get their playful and lively personality from their Burmese side and their excessive meowing from the Siamese side. Despite the Tonkinese cat’s famous progenitors, they are a relatively rare breed that’s difficult for fanciers to find.

5. Korat

Korats are an ancient breed hailing from the Korat province in Thailand. Despite their long history, this breed is likely the one that most closely resembles their original ancestors. These silvery-blue cats have a unique personality. They’re highly intelligent and have a fantastic memory.

A Korat can be taken to a place they’ve never been before and find their way home. If they live in a big group together, a clear hierarchical system is in place, with the group’s sergeant eating first and the others following behind him. The Korat is a rare breed in America due to their small gene pool.

The Remaining Officially-Recognized Cat Breeds

As we mentioned in the introduction, the CFA recognizes just 45 pedigreed cat breeds, while TICA recognizes over 70. Below is a list of all the cat breeds recognized by the two associations.

Those marked with an asterisk (*) are recognized by TICA but not by the CFA. Those marked with a plus (+) are recognized by the CFA but not TICA. We also did not include the 10 breeds mentioned above in this list.

Note: TICA and CFA are not the only cat registries in the world. Others, like the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) and the World Cat Federation (WCF), may recognize other breeds than those listed above. The FIFe recognizes 48 official breeds, while the WCF creates standards for the 68 pedigreed cats they recognize.

Are There Other Breeds Than Those Listed Above?

If you can believe it, there are even more cat breeds out there. Just because the TICA or CFA does not recognize them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. These breeds generally fall into one of three types: natural, mutation, or crossbreed.

Natural types originated naturally without the help of breeders. Mutation types exist due to various genetic mutations. Crossbreed types result from breeding two separate breeds together to create a new breed altogether.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many cat breeds worldwide, but just how many, exactly, will depend entirely on what association you use as a source. Not all associations recognize all breeds, and some breeds aren’t even officially recognized by any association at all.

Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock