How Many Cat Breeds Are There?

Your cat is unique, but her characteristics are derived from very precise strands of kitty DNA. Her tufted ears, golden eyes, and loud meow could all be traced back to a purebred progenitor. But, really, how many cat breeds are there? While merely asking your veterinarian about your individual cat would provide answers, there is a lot more to learn about cat breeds in general.

Cat Breeds Through The Ages

​Cats originally began staying around human settlements and eating the rodents that threatened our food supplies as early as eight thousand years ago, according to National Geographic. Cat fanciers didn't start intentionally breeding cats for a specific appearance or disposition until the nineteenth century. Only a few cats, such as the Egyptian Mau, retain their wild forebears from the Middle Eastern deserts (or in the case of the Maine Coon, snowy North America). The rest is the consequence of human experimentation on one of nature's purr-fect animal partners.

​Cats, unlike dogs, haven't changed much genetically since the wildcats that first roamed our ancient farms. Because cats were never developed for specific hunting or herding jobs like dogs, the differences between them are more subtle than, instance, the difference between a Rottweiler and a beagle.

Cat Bed Furniture Color Dark Walnut - $189.00 If you are a cat lover or cat owner, you definitely know how much your cat needs entertainment right inside the house. We are cat owners and we KNOW! Wooden Cat House be a perfect gift idea for your friends, who are cat lovers or cat owners. It is perfect for Housewarming, Christmas, Birthday of owner or cat itself.

What Is The Number Of  Cat Breeds?

The number of cat breeds in the world is determined on where you seek for information. International cat registries and other organizations all have various requirements for the breeds they accept, and the overall number of breeds accepted varies by organization—though there are considerably fewer recognized cat breeds than dog breeds. The International Cat Association, the world's biggest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, recognizes seventy-one different breeds, but Encyclopedia Britannica only mentions fifteen. Many more well-known registers and groups fall somewhere in between those two figures.

As of 2018, The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), the largest American cat registration organization, recognizes forty-four breeds. With member organizations in forty countries, the Fédération Internationale Féline recognizes 48 breeds divided into four categories.

There are a few reasons why cat breeds are classified differently by different organizations. The most basic reason is because of the general classification. Non-pedigreed cats that do not have their parents' identities and breeds traced back a specific number of generations will be rejected by some registries. Furthermore, some associations group different types of cats together in one category, while others segregate them into several groups. For instance, the

So, how many different kinds of cats are there? There's no one-size-fits-all answer — just more proof that cats like to play by their own rules.

Is It Possible For New Cat Breeds To Be Accepted?

The breed lists that registries accept are frequently the same. New breeds, on the other hand, are occasionally created with the goal of gaining renown. For the 2018 season, the CFA added two additional breeds to their recognized list:  the Khao Manee and the Lykoi.

Cat breeds are frequently created from a group of cats that share a genetic feature. Breeding can become contentious if a trait is poorly understood or linked to a hereditary susceptibility for a certain disease. Breeders must follow strict guidelines set forth by the CFA and other organizations to ensure that purebred cats are healthy and not inclined to genetic illnesses.

The best kind of cat is one who wants to come home with you, whether she has blue eyes, five toes, or a stunning set of stripes! Thousands of cats in shelters are waiting for you to offer them a forever home, even if they aren't purebred. If you want to learn more about your own cat's breed or are thinking about adopting a new kitten, spend some time learning about her distinct characteristics before you label her with a breed. Your veterinarian will be able to give you the most accurate information about your pet and what she requires to be healthy and happy. Don't forget to look at mixed-breed cats as well.  Every year in the United States, thousands of these cats are available for adoption, many of whom share the genetic features of the pedigreed cats from which they descended. It doesn't matter how many breeds there are when it comes to loving a cat since the best cat for you will have its own distinct characteristics that you can't help but fall for.