Top 10 Most Popular Cat Breeds 2022

Many of our companion cats are considered mixed breeds or sometimes classified as either domestic shorthairs or domestic longhairs. However, besides these faithful felines, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association in the United States, there are forty-five pedigreed cat breeds today. These are sometimes referred to as purebred cats, and to be listed as such, they must have a lineage that can be traced back multiple generations. Here we will discuss which of these pedigreed cats made it into the top ten list of most popular cats in 2022.

Ragdoll

Holding on to the number one spot is the Ragdoll. The Ragdoll is a beautiful, large, and affectionate cat, often most recognized by its striking blue eyes. The Ragdoll is considered to be a pointed breed of cat, meaning that the coat is lighter on its body but darker on its points, meaning its face, legs, tail, and ears.

There are four possible patterns that a Ragdoll can have, including bi-color, van, mitted, and colorpoint. And these patterns can be made up of any of six colors, including blue, seal, lilac, chocolate, red, and cream.

Ragdolls don't mature very quickly and only reach full maturity at about two years old for coat color and can even keep growing in size and weight until age four. Fully grown males will weigh somewhere between 15 and 20 pounds, and females will weigh about 10 to 15 pounds.

Ragdolls are a relatively new breed of cat as they were first developed in 1960 by a woman in California by the name of Ann Baker. Ann would use her own cats as well as take in cats off the street to become a part of her family and breeding program. Much of the Ragdoll's features are attributed to a neighborhood female white, longhaired domestic cat. This cat's kittens had endearing qualities like their friendliness, good looks, and easygoing personalities that would continue to be passed down to this day.

Funnily enough, they are called Ragdolls because of the way they act when picked up! They are known for being docile and easygoing, and when they are picked up, they become even more relaxed and often go limp, just like soft dolls.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a large, fluffy breed of cat considered to be the gentle giant of the cat world. They have a strong, rugged appearance with a friendly and outgoing personality. They are very sociable and do well with people and other pets. They can also adapt well to any living situation, whether it be a crowded apartment or a large house.

Maine Coons often weigh between 15 and 25 pounds and stand at about 9 to 10 inches tall. They are also known for having quite long bodies that can measure between 20 inches to as much as 40 inches in length.

As mentioned, Maine Coons are very friendly cats and love to be the center of attention and spend as much time as they possibly can with their family. They will often seek out attention and affection from their owners if they feel that their needs aren't being met. They are also quite family-friendly and will love to spend time with the little ones in the family.

Moreover, Maine Coons are incredibly intelligent cats. Most owners report that their Maine Coon is easy to train and catches on quickly. Like any cat, they can learn or develop bad behaviors like scratching the couch up or knocking things off the counter or table. But thankfully, because they are quite smart and eager to please, they will quickly learn what is and isn't acceptable with your guidance.

One of the best ways to ensure that these intelligent cats are having their needs met is to make sure they have plenty of enriching activities to fill their day with. Things like cat towers to explore, scratching posts to scratch, battery-powered mice that scurry across the floor for them to chase, and interactive treat puzzles are all great options for enriching activities.

Exotic Shorthair

The cat breed known simply as the Exotic, or sometimes the Exotic Shorthair, is actually quite similar in looks and personality to the Persian. However, the Exotic is said to be lower maintenance since they have a much shorter and thicker coat that doesn't require nearly as much brushing. They are an easygoing breed that is happy for attention but is also just as happy to curl up next to you on the couch in quiet companionship.

Exotics tend to be on the smaller side and usually only weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. They can be white, blue, black, red, cream, chocolate, or lilac and most often have brilliant copper-colored eyes but may sometimes have deep blue eyes. They can also have various combinations of colors and patterns like blue shaded silver, shell chocolate tortoiseshell, or a tabby or calico pattern, for example.

The Exotics' history can be traced back to the 1950s. During this time, American Shorthair breeders began to breed their cats with Persian cats in an effort to improve their cats' body structure and to introduce some new colors, like the Persian's silver coat, into the American Shorthair bloodline. However, a rift formed between the different camps of breeders because some didn't want the heaviness, the more rounded head, and the dense coat to become more deeply ingrained into the American Shorthair.

During this time, the two camps split, and American Shorthairs mixed with Persians were no longer allowed to be classified as American Shorthairs. Instead, the AFC allowed the formation of the Exotic Shorthair classification, now often just referred to as Exotic. Their popularity quickly began to grow, and by 1971, an Exotic had been named grand champion for the first time!

Persian

Coming in right behind the Exotic at number four in the list of top ten most popular cat breeds in 2022 is the Persian. This breed is ancient, as its history goes back hundreds of years. It's mostly agreed upon that the cat originated in the regions of Persia, now known or referred to as Iran. Hieroglyphics dating to 1684 BC reference a cat that was quite similar to the Persian.

The modern Persian cat started to come into being around the 17th century. At this time, historical records show that Pietro della Valle brought a cat from Persia back home to Italy. A hundred years later or so, Nicolas de Pereisc brought some longhaired cats home to France from Turkey. It is believed that he then bred these longhaired cats with the Persian cats that had been brought to Italy some hundred years earlier to create what we now consider the modern-day Persian.

Eventually, this stunning breed caught the eye of Queen Victoria of England. A leading force, people from England and the United States alike followed in Queen Victoria's footsteps, and the cat's popularity soon soared.

Persians are generally classified as medium-sized cats. They typically weigh somewhere between 7 and 13 pounds and stand at about 10 to 15 inches at the shoulder. They have broad bodies, short legs, round faces, and short noses. Both their coats and eye colors can be any of a wide variety of colors. They can be white, blue, black, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, silver, golden, and more. They can have various patterns as well, including tortoiseshell, shell, shaded, tabby, and more. Depending on their coat color and classification, their eyes can be green, hazel, brilliant copper, or blue-green.

Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is no doubt a unique-looking breed of cat, which is only one of the many reasons for their popularity. They have long skinny necks, football-shaped heads, and oversized ears, and their coat comes in a variety of textures, including soft and sued-like or curly. It is important to note that while their coat may sometimes be curly in texture, they do still shed, so regular grooming will be important. They are considered to be a small to medium size of cat and typically only weigh somewhere between 6 and 9 pounds and only stand at 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their history can be followed all the way back to Devonshire, England, in the late 1950s. Here a woman by the name of Miss Coz took in a stray cat who went on to give birth to a very unique-looking kitten with curly fur. She named the kitten Kirlee, and he would go on to become the founding father of the Devon Rex breed. This kitten was the result of a rare but naturally occurring mutation. With careful breeding, the genetic mutation was able to survive and be passed on.

The Devon Rex is said to have loyal and affectionate qualities that are quite dog-like. They will want to constantly be by your side or sitting at your feet. They love to play and snuggle and will even make trilling, cooing, and chirping noises to communicate with their owners. As friendly as they often are, they also are notorious for being food fiends. They are well known for sneakily snatching some food off their owners' plates. So be careful if you leave your snack sitting on the couch because it may not be there when you get back!

British Shorthair

The sixth most popular cat, the British Shorthair, is a regal medium to large-sized cat who can trace its roots all the way back to the cats of ancient Rome. As the empire expanded, so too did these ancient cats' territory. They eventually found themselves in England, living on the streets. Dedicated breeders saw the potential in these cats and took them in to create this popular breed.

The British Shorthair is said to be an easygoing, affectionate, friendly cat who gets along well with just about anyone or any pet. In fact, some owners have said that their British Shorthairs even get along well with their pet rabbits or birds! They are playful but not hyperactive or destructive and like to spend time with you but don't demand attention either. They are quite quiet cats, too, in that they aren't known to loudly meow to demand food or attention. In fact, many of them often make just tiny, quiet squeaking sounds. However, they are considered to be very loud when they purr! They are often considered to be great cats for apartment life. 

British Shorthairs are a sturdy-looking breed thanks to their broad chest and short, dense coat. They have a round head with large, round eyes and a short, wide nose profile, and short, rounded ears. As mentioned, they are considered to be a medium to large cat, standing between 12 and 14 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 7 to 17 pounds.  They are most easily recognized for their blue coat, but they also can have white, black, blue, red, cream, and silver. Their eyes are often gold, hazel, or copper in color but can also be green or blue-green.

Abyssinian

These elegant-looking beauties are the seventh most popular cat in the United States. The Abyssinian is a small to medium-sized breed weighing between 6 and 12 pounds and standing at 8 to 10 inches in height. These cats have a muscular body, an elongated neck, almond eyes, and oversized pointed ears. They are sometimes called the runway model of the cat world because of their model-like looks.

Their history is a bit shrouded, but it is likely that the breeds' ancestors were the cats that lived some 4,000 years ago that the Egyptians were so fond of. Mummified cats found alongside their owners in Egyptian tombs are said to bear quite a resemblance to today's Abyssinian.

But why are they called Abyssinian, then? Well, in 1868, the UK was at war with Abyssinia, which is now known as Ethiopia. After the war, a British soldier brought back a kitten named Zula. Zula and her ancestors likely made their way to Ethiopia from Egypt. After reaching the UK, it is believed that Zula went on to create kittens that would eventually become the modern-day Abyssinian breed.

The Abyssinian is a friendly and active cat who loves to run, jump, climb, and play. They are also highly intelligent and curious, which can sometimes get them into a bit of trouble! They often find ways to open cabinet doors and turn light switches on and off, so some baby-proofing or cat-proofing may be necessary for this breed. They can become easily bored, so plenty of interactive toys and activities like places to climb and scratching posts will be a must. They are also known to enjoy learning new things and can be trained to do many things.

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is a charming breed known for being both adaptable and sociable. They are considered to be a medium-sized cat, typically weighing somewhere between 8 and 15 pounds and standing at about 8 to 10 inches in height. They are solidly built cats and quite muscular. They have a full face with kind, expressive eyes. Their coats are short and thick and can be various shades and patterns of colors like white, black, blue, red, cream, and silver. They can also be tortoiseshell, calico, tabby, and different variations of patterns.

The American Shorthair is said to have originally been a working cat who came to North America during the time that settlers were coming over from Europe. Working cats were often used for the valuable mice-hunting skills that helped keep rodents and disease at bay. In fact, records from the Mayflower, a ship carrying settlers that came over in 1620, had several cats on their ship for rodent control. Cats from ships like these would go on to make the modern-day American Shorthair.

In today's time, these cats certainly don't have to work as hard for their food and often live lives of luxury compared to their origins. They are often considered to be a perfect "medium" cat. Medium in size and medium in temperament, meaning they aren't too lazy that all they want to do is lay around and sunbathe, but they aren't so hyperactive that they keep you up at all hours of the night with their antics. They like to be with their humans, but many don't feel that they have to be constantly in your face and, as such, enjoy their quiet time as well as their time with you.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold is a unique breed of cat with a unique, almost owl-like appearance. This is largely in part because of the distinct ears that look as though they have been folded over. They are a sturdy medium-sized breed that usually weighs somewhere between 6 and 12 pounds and stands at 8 to 10 inches in height. They have a rounded head, large expressive eyes, and of course, the folded ears.

However, it is important to note that not it is not a requirement for all Scottish Folds to have rounded ears. It is something that occurs because of a genetic mutation, and if a cat isn't born with the incomplete dominant gene that causes the mutation, it may look just like its true Scottish Fold parents but may never have folded ears.

The Scottish Fold is a newer breed that can trace its lineage all the way back to one particular cat in Scotland in the 1960s. In 1961, a white barn cat named Susie was born. A shepherd named William Ross took an interest in her and adopted her from the farm. Susie was unique because her ears folded in a forward and downward direction, making her look like a teddy bear or an owl.

As mentioned, Susie's unique look was due to a genetic mutation. With breeding, the Fold was able to be replicated in her kittens. Interestingly, Scottish Fold kittens are always born with straight ears! At around the age of three to four weeks, the kittens' ears will fold over like Susie's ears. However, some, of course, will never fold over, so potential adopters and breeds have to wait to find out which kittens' ears will fold and which won't.

Sphynx

Coming in at number ten is the Sphynx. The Sphynx is probably one of the most recognizable and unique breeds of cat around. The Sphynx is a hairless breed of cat known for its lack of fur and its characteristically wrinkled skin. Their skin is soft to the touch and often feels like a fuzzy soft peach or a nectarine. Their head is wedge-shaped with prominent cheekbones that define their lemon-shaped eyes.

Interestingly, because the Sphynx traces its origins to a domestic cat and partly because they don't have any hair, there really is no breed standard as far as color and patterns go. All colors and all patterns in any combination are acceptable for the breed. Additionally, Sphynx cats usually have a very small amount of soft short, fine hair that is barely identifiable but may be present on the ears, tails, feet, and the bridge of the nose.

The Sphynx breed is the result of a genetic mutation. Their history goes back to 1966 in Toronto, Canada, where a hairless kitten was born to a domestic cat. It is entirely naturally occurring, and there have been other such cases around the world. Breeders started a breeding program with these naturally hairless cats and began breeding them with normal coated domestic cats and back to hairless cats so that the mutation could continue to survive but that there would be a large enough gene pool to create a genetically sound cat. Sphynx are well-loved because of their unique looks as well as their loyal and affectionate personalities.

Final Takeaways

The top ten most popular cat breeds of 2022 are a diverse and highly adored group of cats. These cats offer a wide range of qualities and characteristics, like the hairless Sphynx or the teddy bear face of the Scottish Fold. With care and attention, any of these breeds can make for a joyful addition to your family.