How many breeds of cats are there in the world

The unique traits of each cat are determined by a very specific set of DNA strands. The diversity of cat breeds impresses many researchers, and a few simple questions to the veterinarian will reveal a lot about your own pet. How many breeds of cats are there and how much do they differ?

The history of the origin of cat breeds

According to National Geographic, cats first began to cling to human settlements and eat rodents that threaten granaries as early as eight thousand years ago. However, the purposeful breeding of these pets for the sake of specific features of appearance or behavior began only in the nineteenth century. 

Some select breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau, still resemble their wild ancestors from the deserts of the Middle East or, in the case of the Maine Coon, from the snowy expanses of North America. The rest are the result of human efforts to improve one of the best companion animals in nature.

Unlike dogs, modern cats have changed very little genetically compared to their wild ancestors, who once first approached the ancient agricultural settlements. Since these animals have never been bred for specific hunting or grazing tasks, the differences between cats are more subtle than, say, between a Rottweiler and a Beagle.

How many cat breeds are there in the world

International cat registries and other similar organizations set a variety of requirements for the breeds they recognize. The total number is different for everyone – although there are generally far fewer recognized cat breeds than dogs. The Encyclopædia Britannica lists only fifteen cat breeds, while the International Cat Association, the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, recognizes seventy-one. The number of breeds included in their own lists by many other recognized registries and associations tends to fall somewhere in between.

For example, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the largest registry of pedigreed cats in the United States, recognized 2018 different breeds as of 44. The Fédération Internationale Féline, whose members are organizations from forty different countries, recognizes forty-eight breeds, which are divided into four categories.

There are several reasons why the classifications of breeds of different associations differ from each other. The most obvious of these is the degree of universality of the classification approach. A number of registries take into account only those purebred cats whose parents can be traced back to a certain number of generations by name and breed. Some associations group different types of cats into one class, while others separate them into their own categories.

So, how many cat breeds are there in the world? It is unlikely that you will be able to find a specific figure, and this is just another evidence that cats prefer to live by their own rules.

Are new breeds of cats recognized?

As a rule, lists of breeds accepted by registries remain unchanged. However, sometimes there are new breeds, whose breeders are trying to achieve their recognition. For example, in the 2018 season, the CFA added two new breeds to its list: Likoi and Khao Mani.

No more than two or three cats with a common genetic trait are often used to breed a breed. If this trait is poorly understood or linked to a genetic predisposition to a particular disease, breeding may be prohibited. The CFA and other organizations set strict rules for breeders to breed purebred cats to ensure that purebreds are healthy and free from hereditary diseases.

A cat may have blue eyes, five fingers, or gorgeous stripes, but even a mongrel cutie from a shelter can become a family favorite. Around the world, there are thousands of cats in such places, which may not be purebred, but are eagerly waiting for their owners. 

It is worth finding out more about the unique features of your furry friend before assigning him to a particular breed. A veterinarian can provide you with the most important information about your pet and what it needs to be healthy and happy. In addition, do not forget about cats of mixed breeds. When it comes to love for pets, the number of breeds in the world does not matter, so the best one will still be a beloved cat, whose unique features you simply cannot help but fall in love with.

See also:

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