Cats Breeds 101: Knowing Your Feline Friends

Hello to all our cat loving family and friends, this one’s for you! Last month we covered 5 Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Feline Friend, which focused on practical considerations to keep in mind before introducing a new four-legged member to your household.

This month, we turn our attention to the wonderful world of cat breeds, giving you an overview of some of the most common moggies amongst us. Just like humans, no two cats are exactly the same, although common behaviours and physical traits have developed over time, allowing them to be reliably grouped.

As professional cat lovers and carers ourselves, The Pets Hotel team know that no matter the breed, all felines will respond well to your time and attention, gentle socialisation, litter training and a healthy, delicious diet high in essential nutrition! : )

Burmese Cat

One of Australia’s most popular breeds and for a very good reason! Burmese Cats are social, spirited and highly intelligent creatures, characterised by their smooth, silky coat that requires weekly grooming. They love human company, warm cuddles and make great lap warmers, just don’t leave them alone for long periods of time!

• Personality: Known for being the most “dog like” of feline breeds, Burmese Cats have a friendly and highly social personality, making them perfect for families with children and other household pets.
• Energy Levels: Moderate
• Human dependency: High
• Size: Males 5kg | Females 4-5kg
• Life Expectancy: 18-20 years

Domestic Shorthair Cat

Perhaps the most common cat breed of all, Domestic Shorthair Cats are your garden variety feline friend. They’re that cute cat you’ll see climbing your neighbours’ fence or hanging out in the alleyway with their other furry pals. Given that this breed has mixed ancestry over thousands of years, it’s difficult to pinpoint specific personality traits, although we can safely say Domestic Shorthairs are very playful and as their name suggests – the ultimate household cats!

• Personality: As varied as their ancestry! Domestic Shorthair Cats however are reliably social and love to spend time around their human parents.
• Energy Levels: Varied – from docile to highly active
• Human dependency: Varied
• Size: 3-5.5kg
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Persian Cat

A very distinctive looking breed, Persian Cats are defined by their lush flowing fur – which requires regular daily grooming to maintain its fine form. They also have a flat face that makes them prone to breathing problems if left unchecked. Having said that, they’re excellent lap warmers for those who prefer a quiet and loyal feline friend that won't make too much of a fuss.

• Personality: Quiet and docile, Persian Cats are sometimes considered quite aloof. Yet they’re also very loyal to humans who prove their worth.
• Energy Levels: Low
• Human dependency: Moderate
• Size: 3-6kg
• Life Expectancy: 15-20 years

Ragdoll Cat

Soft and furry, the Ragdoll Cat gets its name from their tendency to go limp and all relaxed when picked up by its owner. They’re a highly calm and affectionate breed, happy for human company but without being quite as clingy as their Burmese counterparts. Being one of the larger breeds, it’s worth keeping in mind that they do have very big appetites and can be prone to heart conditions.

• Personality: Their calm and affectionate nature makes Ragdolls an ideal household cat for those with children and other pets, keeping in mind their energy levels tend to be expressed in a few intense bursts per day.
• Energy Levels: Moderate
• Human dependency: Moderate
• Size: 4-8kg
• Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Siamese Cat

Sleek and slender in appearance, very vocal, highly social and with big reserves of energy, Siamese Cats are arguably the most athletic amongst the feline kingdom. They also have very short coats making them a low maintenance option popular amongst busy people or those with cat hair allergies. Unlike many other common cat breeds, they’re also equally suited for an outdoors lifestyle.

• Personality: Highly intelligent and social, Siamese Cats enjoy being the centre of attention and their owner’s affection. On the same note, they’ll certainly let you know if they’re feeling ignored!
• Energy Levels: High
• Human dependency: High
• Size: 4-6kg
• Life Expectancy: 16-20 years

Considering finding yourself a new feline friend? We recommend checking out the excellent websites below. All have handy, interactive quizzes and resources to help you select the cat breed that’s just right for you.

• Optimum – Cat Breed Selector
• PetBarn – Cat Breeds Guide
• Whiskas – Breed Selector

Keen to find out more about The Pets Hotel and our friendly team of professional cat and dog carers? Contact us at The Pets Hotel (Port Melbourne) on (03) 9646 3696 or The Pets Hotel Country Club (Lara) on (03) 5282 1286.