The list of the most popular cat breeds in the US changes every year. Trends are as evident with cats and dogs as they are with everything else and just like everything else they can be triggered by films, TV shows, social media celebrities and even memes. In this guide to the most popular breeds of cat in the United States, we’ll focus on the ones that are consistently popular and have been featured on popularity top-lists for at least a decade.
You may also want to take a look at our Popular Cat Breeds in the UK article, if that’s closer to your patch. The following list, which is not in any particular order, includes American breeds, but many of these cats originate from overseas.
Maine Coon
A beautiful, bushy and super fluffy cat, it’s no surprise that this feline is so popular. Somewhat similar to the Norwegian Forest Cat, albeit smaller, the Maine Coon also featured on our list of the Fluffiest Cats, for reasons that should be obvious!
Common folklore says that this cat came into existence after a domestic cat was bred with a raccoon. That’s just not true. There are some strange breeds out there and we covered some of the weirdest and wildest crosses in our Wild Cat Breeds guide, but the Maine Coon is 100% cat.
The reason this cat breed is so popular is because it’s big on families and makes a great companion for children and for other animals. It’s a big cat, but it has a sweet nature and that’s why it has consistently been one of the most popular cat breeds in the US.
British Shorthair
This cat is, as you might expect, one of the most popular in the UK, where it was bred into existence. It is also popular around the world though and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and elegant cat breeds around.
Their fur is short, but super-soft and their grayish blue hue is unique and instantly recognizable. However, while this color is the most popular (they are often known as “British Blues”), there are actually several other colors of British Shorthair.
They are active cats, but they are also great house cats. Just make sure you give them plenty of toys and things to call their own (as with all cats). They also tend to play nicely with the pets, providing they are introduced at a young age.
American Shorthair
Initially known as a “Domestic Shorthair” this American breed of cat was one of the first to be recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. They are thought to be the descendants of European cats first brought over by settlers from Northern Europe, before becoming one of the most popular cat breeds in the US.
A regular feature on a list of the most popular US cat breeds, this is a solidly-built cat. It is not the most athletic, but it is strong and it’s a good hunter. In fact, the Europeans who first introduced this cat to the US are said to have used them to keep the population of mice and rats down on ships like the Mayflower.
So, in that sense the American Shorthair is as much a part of the history of the United States as the pilgrims, as much a part of its foundation as the very men and women who built this nation.
Siamese
This pure breed of cat has been popular for some time now. It was probably a little more popular in the past than it is now, but it remains a fixture in the homes of many cat lovers across the United States. There are several different types of Siamese cats, each with their own tendencies and personality traits, but all with a very demure, sophisticated aesthetic.
It is from this pure breed of cat that we get many other breeds, including the Javanese and the Balinese. Their colors are often two-tone, with the most well known color of Siamese cat being the ones with a black face and gradient body, going from cream to black.
As the name suggests, this is an Asian breed that originated in Thailand, once known as Siam. They were first introduced to Europe over 200 years ago and have since become popular with cat lovers in all corners of the world.
Ragdoll
Not only is this one of the most popular cat breeds in the US, but it also populates lists like this in countless other countries. The Ragdoll cat is sweet, soft, cuddly and perfect as a house pet. In fact, its complete lack of street smarts means that it is actually better kept indoors.
We personally believe that all cats should be indoor cats, providing they get the attention, the exercise and the diet they require. We understand that many people have different opinions, but we can surely come together in agreement that this particular breed needs to be indoors.
These cats are great companions and will follow humans around the house, never wanting to be out of their sight. If your Ragdoll chooses you as their favorite human then you have a friend for life and you just can’t beat that feeling. The cats are also easy to pickup and cuddle and they typically don’t mind it when you do that.
Sphynx
Not always a popular US cat breed, this one has began to sneak on a list of the top 10 American cat breeds in last decade and is quite high up the list at the time of writing. This is a distinctive cat breed, with large eyes and eyes and no fur whatsoever.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s fair to say, but these cats have become popular with owners who seek a low maintenance pet. After all, no fur means no shedding, which in turn means there is no hair around the house. They are also intelligent pets and they can be very friendly. They are also considered to be beautiful and majestic cats by many feline fanciers, which makes them a big hit at shows.