Cat Breed Identifier

Most cats aren't a specific breed - and that's normal

The vast majority of pet cats are non-pedigree cats, known as domestic shorthairs, domestic medium hairs and domestic longhairs. They're not a breed but a wonderfully varied population. If your cat looks like a typical house cat, that's what our identifier will tell you, along with its coat pattern, instead of forcing a breed label.

Tabby, calico and tuxedo are patterns, not breeds

These popular names describe coats, and they show up in all kinds of cats:

• Tabby - stripes, swirls or spots, usually with an M-shaped marking on the forehead
• Calico - white with patches of orange and black, and almost always female
• Tortoiseshell - orange and black mottled together, with little or no white
• Tuxedo - black and white, like a little suit
• Colorpoint - a light body with darker ears, face, paws and tail, as in Siamese cats

Clues that point to a pedigree breed

Some features are strong hints of a specific breed:

• Folded-down ears - Scottish fold
• Ears that curl backward - American curl
• No tail or a short stub - Manx
• Very large, shaggy, with tufted ears - Maine coon or Norwegian forest cat
• A flat face - Persian, or Exotic shorthair if the coat is short
• Blue eyes with colorpoint markings - Siamese, ragdoll, Birman or Himalayan
• Hairless or nearly hairless - Sphynx

Why it matters for care

Longhaired cats need regular brushing to prevent painful mats, flat-faced breeds can have breathing and eye problems, and some breeds, like Bengals and Abyssinians, are especially active and need more play. Knowing what you have helps you plan grooming, enrichment and the right questions for your vet.

Want to know for sure?

Only pedigree papers or a cat DNA test can confirm a cat's ancestry, and some DNA tests also screen for inherited health conditions. For most owners, a photo ID is a fun way to learn more about their cat's looks and likely personality.