Do you wonder what breed your cat is? Could it be because of the long tail, the blue eyes, or the funny-looking face, or perhaps it’s the peculiar tail? If you notice that your cat is similar to any of the existing breeds, then it is good for you to know its origin. The truth is that cats can be very different and determining the breed can be quite a challenge. Most cats are crossbreeds, and there can be a wide variation of breeds. There are certain traits that can help identify the breed; however, you should also consider other traits like coat, build, facial features, ears, and tail. Here are 5 visual characteristics that can show why your cat is special.
Look at the animal’s fur.Start by inspecting the animal’s fur.
The first thing people look at when they’re trying to identify breed of cat is the coat. The length, texture, density and pattern of the fur can provide some clues to possible ancestry.Long haired cats can look like the Persian, the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest Cat; very short coats are characteristic of breeds like the British Shorthair, American Shorthair and Siamese.Coat length alone does not insure a breed, however. Coat length is not a factor in inheriting this trait, so long or short coat cats can pass this trait on to their offspring, who are not registered.
The colour and pattern will also provide some clues. Pay attention to characteristics like:
- Solid colors
- Tabby stripes
- Color-point markings
- Tortoiseshell patterns
- Calico patches
- White markings
Coats that are spotted or shaded.Spotted or shaded coats.
But Siamese Cats, and some of their related breeds, have definite color-point patterns. But tabby markings are common in many cats and do not necessarily indicate “old school.Keep in mind it’s the ALL OVER COAT and not one colour or one marking.
Find out details about the shape of your cat’s body.
Your cat’s appearance can reveal much more than the color of her fur. The shape is determined by breed; some breeds have a distinct shape that can be used to help determine possible matches.Other cats are long, narrow and have rather narrow chest and thin legs. A typical example of this type of body is the Siamese cat. Other breeds are much more robust and muscular.For instance, the British Shorthair has a stout body, broad chest and an imposing size. Maine Coon cats are known for their large size, long bodies and robust legs.
In checking your cat, ask yourself the following questions:
- Overall body length
- Chest width
- Leg length
- Muscle development
- Paw size
- The general weight and weight proportions.
Keep in mind how large and what color a cat might be due to age, diet and wellness. A kitten could also grow up to become a completely different animal from the one he/she is born into.
Focus on the shape of the face and head
When considering a cat it’s also a good idea to take note of the cat’s face shape. Some breeds have very distinctive head shapes and others have more generic.Persian Cats are associated with a wide head and relatively short face, for example. The Siamese cat breed has a long, straight face in general, with a wedge-shaped head.Other breeds have round heads, bony cheeks and odd muzzles.
Examine your cat with his face and body. Notice the shape of its forehead, cheeks, nose and muzzle. Consider if the face looks:
- Round and broad
- Long and narrow
- Wedge-shaped
- Short and flat
- Balanced and medium-sized
Facial characteristics may be beneficial when taken in conjunction with coat type and body structure. There is no single characteristic that determines a breed, but there are multiple characteristics that can assist in the identification of a breed.
Check the Ears and Eyes
Your cat’s ears and eyes may give other hints that you might miss.
The size and shape of the ears can vary significantly among cat breeds. Some cats have large, pointed ears, while others have small, rounded ears. For instance, Maine Coon cats are known for their large ears with visible tufts, which add to their unique appearance. If you are trying to identify these distinctive features, Furriq can help you explore possible cat breed characteristics based on your cat’s appearance.
Some breeds may also have some odd ear shapes. Known for their folded ears, which are the result of a genetic mutation and not a characteristic of the breed.Eyes can also be intriguing. Eye color can be green and gold, blue, copper or a mixture of colors. Color-point cats often also have blue eyes and some breeds are known for specific and striking eye colour.Nevertheless, the color of the eyes must be considered as evidence and not a fact. Many Mixed-breed cats can be purebred with the same colours of eyes.
5. Study the Tail and Overall Proportions
One of the most-missed clues in identifying cat is the tail. Some physical types can be distinguished by its length, thickness, shape and fur.Cats with exceptionally long and fluffy tails might be part of breeds like the Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat. There are naturally short-tailed individuals and individuals with odd shapes of their tails that are linked to particular genes and markers.For instance the Manx breed is renowned for its short or missing tail, and Japanese Bobtails often have tails that are short and have unique forms.
Examine the cat’s tail from the base to the tip. Think about if it is:
- Long and thin
- Long and plump with a large amount of feathers.
- Thick and bushy
- Short or bobbed
- Curved or unusually shaped
The tail should not be looked at by itself again. When used in conjunction with your cat’s body shape, coat, ears and face, this observation can help you form a fuller picture.
Why Appearance Doesn’t Always Tell the Whole Story
One of the most common misconceptions of cat ID is that any cat that has a certain look has to be a certain breed.In fact, the majority of household cats are a combination of two or more cat breeds. It may resemble specific breeds, but not all of them originate from established lines. For instance, while a Maine Coon can look like a fluffy cat, it can merely be a Domestic Longhair with the same appearance. A blue cat with a pointy coat may be a Siamese cat, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be.Therefore, visual identification should be considered as a best estimation, rather than a definitive answer.
Use a Cat Breed Identifier for Additional Help
If you’ve looked at your cat’s body shape and still can’t determine which breeds your cat looks like, technology can give you another clue!An online cat breed identifier can be used to analyze visible traits and make breed matches suggestions from a photo uploaded from the user. However, for cat owners interested in learning more about the characteristics of certain breeds, there are tools out there that make the process easier, like Furriq.It is important to remember that these are tools for education and not official documentation of pedigree. A picture can show you helpful visual patterns,but it cannot establish a cat’s ancestry with complete certainty.
When You Need More Than Visual Clues
A DNA test might provide a cat owner with more than just a look and tell the breed of his cat. Sometimes, genetic testing can provide information that can’t be determined by the cat’s appearance.One other helpful tip that you should take into account when purchasing or adopting a cat from a registered cat breeder is pedigree documentation. In those instances it will be possible to provide information from the records of the cat’s parents and the proven pedigree.But, it might be more essential for many pet owners to know the personality, needs and behaviors of the cat than to know what cat its breed is.
Final Thoughts
If you know which breed your cat belongs to, you can find out more about your cat. The most helpful visual indicators are the type of coat, body shape, face, ears and eyes and tail shape. When considering a number of features combined it is much more reliable than considering a single feature.Meanwhile, keep in mind that looks aren’t everything! The appearance of mixed-breed cats is often very similar to that of the known breeds, and identification is a educated guess.When you’re wondering what your cat might be, take all these five physical clues seriously and use a cat breed identifier to delve into the possible breed matches. Your cat could come out a wild cat or maybe a well-known domestic feline breed—either way, those unique traits make him special.
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