Cat lovers will attest, being a cat parent is an exercise in consent. The only reliable way to earn a cat’s love, apart from providing free meals, is to bond with them emotionally. Once achieved, a feline can be a loyal and loving family member. We looked to our sources to learn about the top five most beautiful cat breeds that rise above others in the looks category.
It takes the average American four months and 20 days of searching to find “the one” — that is, their four-legged soulmate. That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 American cat and dog owners, which delves into the process of finding the right addition to the family once they decide to get a new furry friend. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an easy task. Half of respondents said they visited three or more shelters while looking for a pet. During their search, the average respondent added they spent six hours and 24 minutes per week scrolling through pet adoption websites.
Once the right animal companion is found, many pet parents experience a deep sense of bonding with their pets. If you’ve got a juicy secret to tell, the best secret-keeper may be your furry, four-legged friend. A new survey of 2,000 American pet owners delving into how crucial furry companions have been to peoples’ lives finds 62 percent would rather tell all their secrets to their pets than another human. What respondents love most about their pets is their loyalty, which is why 88 percent believe having them by their side makes their life feel more complete. For a quarter, they have never gone a day without a pet by their side and 72 percent feel depressed without them around.
Look out for these cats if you’re a sucker for a pretty face. Our list of the top five most beautiful cat breeds is a fun look at which breeds our sources deem to be the fairest of them all. Let us know your favorite felines in the comments below!
The List: Most Beautiful Cat Breeds, According to Experts
1. Abyssinian Cat
Vibrant coats and striking features give Abyssinians an iconic look. “The Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat that comes in a wide variety of beautiful colors. They are agile cats with strong bodies and slender legs, with round, wedge-shaped heads and distinctive tufts on the tips of their ears. They love to be around humans and tend to get rather attached to their owners. They are extremely intelligent animals that are exceedingly curious about their surroundings,” details Pet Keen.
“Abyssinian are among the oldest known breeds. They are popular for their distinctive features. The breed’s distinctive appearance include, seeming long, lean, and finely colored compared to other cats, has been analogized to that of human fashion models. Personality-wise, the cats traditionally display active, curious attitudes in which they frequently follow owners around and encourage play. In 2016, the Abyssinian breed was ranked among the top five most popular breeds by the Cat Fancier Association and the International Cat Association,” states Discover Walks Blog.
“One of the oldest breeds, the stunning Abyssinian wears a silky, textured coat, huge expressive eyes and lovely coloring accented by ‘ticking,’ not stripes or tabby markings… The energetic Aby is lean and muscular, and closely resembles the felines in paintings and sculptures of ancient Egypt’s cats. A cat that loves people, the Aby is not content to sit on laps and be admired; he wants to be in on the action,” claims be chewy.
2. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a regal breed known for their large size and broad features. “Maine Coons are sometimes called ‘gentle giants’ due to their large size but loving and affectionate personalities. On top of their already big bodies, Maine Coons have a fluffy coat and an even fluffier tail. Maine Coons are loved for their easy-going nature and intelligence. With a bit of effort, you can even train Maine Coons to respond to their names just like dogs. If that’s not weird enough, Maine Coons sometimes enjoy being in the water!” exclaims Hepper Blog.
“Cute looks and affectionate, Maine Coons are like a good package. With a long, shaggy coat that lays close to the body, a bushy long tail, tufted paw pads and large ears, they are a perfect choice for families with children. These are affectionate, playful and have a tendency to follow commands as well,” adds Spot Pet Insurance.
“The Maine Coon is solid, rugged, and can endure a harsh climate. A distinctive characteristic of this cat is the smooth, shaggy coat. This breed is well-proportioned, has a balanced appearance, and has adapted to varied environments,” offers Pet Finder.
3. Ragdoll
With a name like Ragdoll, how could these kitties be anything other than adorable? “The Ragdoll was created in California in the 1960s and, by 2019, was ranked as one of the most affectionate cats in the feline world. The breed is referred to as a ragdoll due to its ability to go completely limp when picked up,” explains Always Pets.
“The Ragdoll is a huge and robust cat with gorgeous fur. They are amiable and loyal, and they can be taught to play games and do tricks. They get along nicely with youngsters and are typically good with other pets. They do, however, shed and aren’t especially simple to groom,” according to South Mesa Veterinary Hospital.
“The Ragdoll is an affectionate yet undemanding breed. They are large, muscular, and long-haired cats with soft and luxurious fur and large blue eyes. Their name comes from their tendency to go limp and relaxed when being held, like a ragdoll. While they are certainly beautiful to look at, their main claim to fame is their docile, placid temperament and affectionate nature,” says Pet Keen.
4. Norwegian Forest
This majestic breed is also popular with many pet owners. “The prettiest cat in the world is likely the Skogkatt, called the Norwegian Forest in English-speaking countries. This large, rugged-looking breed is highly social, doing best inside a home and close to its human owners and other companion pets. The joke among many owners is that the cat wants to be close, but not necessarily touch its people. Instead, the Norwegian Forest Cat likes to perch nearby and people-watch, only occasionally venturing onto a warm lap on its own terms,” writes AZ Animals.
“This gorgeous cat breed is known for its regal looks and long, thick coat. They tend to be quite large, with adults weighing in at roughly 12-16 pounds and standing at around 9-12 inches tall,” adds Cats.com.
“The Norwegian Forest is a lot like a Maine Coon but has slightly more delicate features. The cat is absolutely gorgeous and has been around since 900 AD. Norwegian Forest cats get very close to humans and are highly social. However, most owners note that the Norwegian Forest is unique in that it loves to be around people, but it does not like being touched. Instead, you can expect the companionship of the Norwegian Forest, but not necessarily cuddles,” says Hepper Blog.
5. Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is an exceptionally soft breed that is also beautiful. “The long-haired cats from both Persia and Armenia (Eastern Turkey) came to 16th century Europe. An illustration of the breed appeared in Buffon’s ‘Histoure Naturell’ in 1756, looking much as it does today, and the breed came to the U.S. in the late 1700s. Initially, Persians and Angoras were bred together. In the 1900s, the Turkish government established a breeding program at the Ankara Zoo to preserve the pure white Angoras. Americans bought cats directly from the zoo in the 1960s, and the breed’s popularity grew in this country,” explains be chewy.
“The Turkish Angora is a silky-coated, long-tailed creature worthy of being on the list of contenders for the title of ‘prettiest cat in the world.’ This longhaired domestic cat has a full neck ruff that provides a lion-like elegance. Besides its physical beauty and status as one of the most beautiful cat breeds, the Turkish Angora also has an interesting history. The breed hails from Persia and Armenia. In the 1500s, the cat was transported into Europe. This was followed by its move into the United States,” writes AZ Animals.
“If luxury was turned into a cat, the Turkish Angora would be the result! The cat has a long, luxurious coat that is soft to the touch. All the while, they are patient, good-natured, and curious about the household. At times, Turkish Angoras can be playful, making them a good choice for children. Even if you have children, this breed still needs its own toys to stay entertained while the family is away,” posits Hepper Blog.
You might also be interested in:
Sources
- be chewy
- Pet Keen
- AZ Animals
- Cats.com
- Hepper Blog
- Always Pets
- Spot Pet Insurance
- Discover Walks Blog
- Pet Finder
- South Mesa Veterinary Hospital
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
I have been guardian to a Norwegian Forest Cat, a Turkish Angora, and a Somali (gorgeous longhaired variant of the Abyssinian). The article is generally accurate about all of them except Turkish Angoras now come in many colors other than white (mine was a black smoke) and are lighter-framed and generally don’t look much like the TA in the picture. If you want to know more check out the Cat Fanciers Association website, where you can look up about individual breeds and see pictures of the top-ranked show cats in each breed.
If you go to Ankara Turkey, you’ll find that they are still bred as pure white cats. That’s their distinction. I personally have trouble calling the other varieties Turkish angoras simply because some organization has decided to allow it.
Thank you telling the true history of the Turkish Angora. It is an Armenian cat just like the Turkish Van cat. The Turks have appropriated everything they can and tried to remove the Armenian history which is the root of most things “Turkish” since historic Armenia is Turkey. Armenian history goes back almost 7,000 yrs vs the ottoman empire a mere 500. I wish that there was a way to change the name of these cats but Turkey is has too much influence vs Armenia being ignored.
Finally! The Turkish Angora made it onto one of these lists. The one in the pic looks like it might have some persian in it. Turkish angora’s features are delicate and angular, not at all flattened like the persian. I’ve owned 2 and in my opininion, they should’ve been included on the other cat lists: friendliest, smartest, most loyal….just sayin.
I found a cat exactly like this cat at 7 eleven and fed her and kept her. I’d love to show everyone a picture