Family Cat Breed Guide
Compare 27 cat breeds with sourced living references: coat length, weight, lifespan, grooming, shedding and chattiness, each with source and review date.
Data last maintained
Family Cat Breed Guide
Compare 27 cat breeds with sourced living references: coat length, weight, lifespan, grooming, shedding and chattiness, each with source and review date.
Data last maintained
These are breed-level classifications and scores from the sources, not guarantees for an individual cat. Confirm separately according to age, health and individual circumstances.
27 breeds
Siberian
Size · Large (source weight above 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
Balinese
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Devon Rex
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Sphynx
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Cornish Rex
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Russian Blue
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Scottish Fold
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Moderate
Care & enrichment
American Shorthair
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Moderate
Care & enrichment
Singapura
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Burmese
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Tonkinese
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Munchkin
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Care & enrichment
Siamese
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Abyssinian
Size · Small (source weight up to 10 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Bengal
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Turkish Van
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Somali
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · None / Minimal
Care & enrichment
Maine Coon
Size · Large (source weight above 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
Norwegian Forest Cat
Size · Large (source weight above 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
Oriental Shorthair
Size · Source gives no weight range
Care & enrichment
Ragdoll
Size · Large (source weight above 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
British Shorthair
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Moderate
Care & enrichment
Persian
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
Birman
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Low
Care & enrichment
Exotic Shorthair
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Moderate
Care & enrichment
Chartreux
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
Himalayan
Size · Medium (source weight up to 15 lb)
Shedding · Heavy
Care & enrichment
About the cat breed comparison table
Compare everyday living needs
Each breed has sourced references for coat length and the personality line from the CFA breed overview, plus VCA breed-profile weight, lifespan and 1–5 scores for grooming, shedding, chattiness and lap-cat tendency. Use these categories to identify what to confirm, not to rank household suitability.
Search breeds and daily needs
Search breed names and coat or grooming references. Size follows the upper end of the source weight range and shedding follows the source score; both are explained next to each entry. There is no energy filter because the sources do not score activity level. Breeds without a VCA profile show coat and grooming from TICA only.
Reference only, not a placement decision
This guide is not veterinary advice, allergy diagnosis, a breeder or adoption endorsement, or a guarantee of temperament, health, low-allergen traits, lifespan, legality, or suitability. No cat is guaranteed hypoallergenic. Confirm individual behavior, allergy response, health history, and local rules before choosing a cat.
FAQ
Common questions and answers about this topic.
What is Family Cat Breed Guide?
A sourced reference for 27 cat breeds with size and shedding filters, coat length, grooming, chattiness, lap-cat tendency, weight, lifespan and source review dates. It does not score family suitability, allergy safety or an individual cat's health.
Is Family Cat Breed Guide free to use?
Yes, Family Cat Breed Guide is completely free to use.
Data Sources
This tool's data is compiled from the authoritative sources below.
- CFA - Breeds(opens in a new tab)
- VCA Animal Hospitals - Cat Breeds(opens in a new tab)
- TICA - Browse All Breeds(opens in a new tab)
Data last maintained