The A to Z Guide to Cats for kids of all ages

CATS beginning with A

Abyssinian Cat.

The Abyssinian cat is quite an old established breed having been known in Britain for around 100 years. It has a ticked coat and quite large pointed ears and is recognised in 28 different colours, although may of these colours are quite rare.

They are not well known for being a typical lap cat, preferring instead to play.

They are quite an energetic breed.

American Bobtail Cat.

This feline is another energetic, playful breed of cat.

This breed originated in the 1960's and it is said that this breed comes from a crossing of a Bobcat and and a domesticated tabby cat. This breed comes in all colours and patterns.

American Curl Cat.

This cat is characterised by it ears which curl back from its face.

American Curl kittens are born with ears just like any other cat, but around 1 week after birth, the ears start to plump up and curl.

American Shorthair Cat.

This cat is recognised in more 80 different colors and patterns.

Originally called a Domestic Shorthair it was renamed the American Shorthair in 1966.

American Longhair Cat.

This breed of cat is becoming ever more popular. The same breed of cat as the American Shorthair, just with longer hair.

American Wirehair Cat.

The coat on this cat is dense and coarse.

They are well known for being people cats, craving affection. They are agile and fun loving cats.

A rare breed of cat.

Australian Mist Cat.

Developed in Australia in 1973. The coat on this cat is marbled.

It comes in a colour range of brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold and peach.

American Polydactyl Cat.

This cat has a number of nicknames due to the extra toe that usually occurs on one or more of its paws for example "mitten cat".

Did you know that a female cat is called a "Queen" or a "Molly".

CATS beginning with B

Balinese Cat.

A Balinese Cat is a siamese cat with a flowing coat.

The Balinese is renowned for being among the most graceful of all cat breeds.

This cat has 4 colours - seal, blue, lilac and chocolate.

Bengal Cat.

The Bengal cat was first bred in the USA. It was a created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat.

This cats pelt has a smooth or satin like feel.

Birman Cat.

The Birman cat should not be confused with the Burmese, although they do look quite similar.

This cat has quite small ears and usually has white "gloves" on each paw.

Bombay Cat.

Originally bred in America in 1958 with the aim of creating a black cat that resembled a wild panther.

They tend to have orange eyes, a round head and a short muzzle. The Bombay is well known for being an intelligent and sensitive cat.

Brazilian Shorthair Cat.

A medium sized cat with a muscular body. Overall the cat remains elegant. Well known for being a very agile cat. Its coat is short and comes in many colours.

A unique breed of cat.

British Longhair Cat.

The British Longhair originates from the 1870's.

This breed of cat has a broad square head and is considered an affectionate and friendly cat.

It is said that they can become prone to obesity if kept purely as an indoors cat.

British Shorthair Cat.

This cat is descended from cats brought to Britain by the Romans. They have dense, plush coats and quite a muscular frame. Their eyes tend to be large and round.

A very distinctive and popular cat.

Burmese Cat.

A medium sized cat which is quite muscular. The Burmese is a popular show cat and is well known for being affectionate and friendly.

Burmilla Cat.

This cat originated in the United Kingdom in 1981.

It was bred from a cross between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian.

The Burmilla cat usually has green eyes.

Did you know that a cats heart beats twice as fast as human heart.

CATS beginning with C

California Spangled Cat.

This cat was bred to resemble spotted wildcats. The cat looks like a miniature leopard.

This breed is well known for being affectionate, social and devoted to their owners.

Chartreux Cat.

This cat was bred in France. It looks quite like the British Blue Shorthair cat.

This breed is well known for being quiet, observant and intelligent.

Chausie Cat.

This cat is quite large and needs a reasonable amount of space.

Well known for their speed and ability to leap some 6 feet high in a single bound.

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat.

An intelligent , people friendly and playful cat. Well known for being vocal and attention seeking.

This cat requires grooming and is often selected by people who have mild allergies to other cat breeds.

Cornish Rex Cat.

This cat has no hair, just down and as a result is best suited to living in warm conditions.

The breed have long toes. A breed of cat with origins in the 1950's.

Cymric Cat.

This cat has large eyes and widely spaced ears. A fun loving cat that seems to get on well with other pets.

Cymric cats are well known for being powerful jumpers. They also seem to have a fascination with water - without actually getting in it.

Did you know that a cat can jump about 5 times its own height in a single bound.

CATS beginning with D

Devon Rex Cat.

A cat well known for its slender body, large ears and wavy coat.

It is considered to be an intelligent and playful cat.

Donskoy Cat.

A hairless breed of cat from Russia.

Not all Donskoy kittens are born hairless, some born with hair will eventually go bald, while others will always remain with hair.

Dragon Li Cat.

This cat breed originates from China and was introduced as recently as 2003

This cat is unique, with its large luminescent yellow - green eyes and golden brown coat.

It is a medium sized cat with muscular legs.

They are regarded as affectionate and loyal felines

Did you know that a group of cats are called a "clowder".

CATS beginning with E

Egyptian Mau Cat.

This cat is well known for being an exceptionally fast cat, perhaps the fastest of all domesticated cats.

European Shorthair Cat originates from Sweden. Its coat is short, soft and glossy.

This breed of cat is well known for being active, independent and curious.

They are also known for getting on well with other pets.

Exotic Shorthair Kitten.

Bred as a short haired version of a Persian cat.

Did you know that a cat has between 1 and 8 kittens per litter, and can have 2 or 3 litters per year.

CATS beginning with G

German Rex Kitten.

The first two of this breed were born in 1957. The German Rex is well known for its rounded head and large strong chin.

The oldest breed of curly coated cat.

Did you know that cats are born with blue eyes, they can change at about 12 weeks of age.

CATS beginning with H

Havana Brown Cat.

This breed originated in Great Britain. It is well known for its warm chocolate brown colouring.

It is the result of a cross between a British Seal Point Siamese and a Black Shorthair cat.

Himalayan Persian Cat.

This cat looks identical to a Persian cat except for the blue eyes and its point colouration (point colouration refers to the different colouring around the cats ears, legs, tail and face).

Did you know that killing a cat in ancient Egypt was punishable by death.

CATS beginning with J

The Japanese Bobtail Cat has an unusual tail which looks more the tail of a rabbit than a cat.

This cat is native to Japan and Southeast Asia.

Javanese Cat.

This cat is more commonly referred to as "Oriental with points." Well known for being quite a vocal cat.

Did you know that Ailurophobia is the name given to the fear of cats.

CATS beginning with K

Korat Cat.

The Korat originates from Thailand and is a slate blue-grey shorthair cat.

They have distinctive green eyes and a heart shaped head.

Kurilian Bobtail Cat.

Little known outside of Russia, this breed is the third most popular cat breed in Russia.

The Kurilian cat is a cat with a wild appearance. They have a tendency to find a high point from which to survey all around them.

Did you know that when a cat hunts its prey, it keeps its head level. Dogs heads bob up and down when hunting.

CATS beginning with L

LaPerm Cat.

This breed originated in the United States. An outgoing cat with a curly coat.

Any kittens born with straight hair, generally stay straight haired into adulthood.

Did you know that the most popular pedigree cat is the Persian.

CATS beginning with M

Maine Cat.

One of the oldest natural cat breeds in America. This cat is the state official State cat of Maine.

The Maine Cat has a long shaggy, yet silky coat. A distinctive looking cat which is noted for its rectangular body and long flowing coat,

One of the largest cat breeds.

The cat has all the classic points of a hunter, larges ears, large eyes, and a large muscular body.

Manx Cat.
The Manx cat originated from the Isle of Man in the 18th century.

Folklore suggests that the cat came from ships of the Spanish Armada.

The Manx cat has front legs which are shorter than the back legs which gives it a "rounded" appearance. It is known for being a skilled hunter.

This breed has shorter front legs than the back legs,

Munchkin Cat.

A short legged c at.

Known for its gentle nature and responsiveness to being handled.
A breed of cat with unusually short legs.

The Munchkin cat is well known fro being a friendly, outgoing and people orientated cat.

Their litters often contain both short legged and long legged kittens.

In spite of their short legs, they are extremely good jumpers.

They come in all colours.

Did you know that a cats jaw cannot move sideways, only up and down.

CATS beginning with N

Nebelung Cat.

A cat with a long graceful neck and long coat with a long tail.

Norwegian Forest Cat.

A cat adapted to living in a cold climate.

This cat has a woolly undercoat with glossy, water shedding hairs on top.

Did you know that a cat lover is called a Ailurophillia - which is Greek for cat - lover.

CATS beginning with O

Ocicat.

Ocicats are a very outgoing breed of cat.

In some ways they have the character of dogs and can be trained to walk on a leash, sit on command and fetch.

Oriental Bicolor Cat

A cat with a long slender body and a whip like tail.

Oriental Shorthair Cat.

A member of the Siamese family of cats. A very social cat.

Did you know that a cat is believed to be able to make about 100 different sounds.

CATS beginning with P

Persain Cat.

A cat with a shortened muzzle and a round face.

The Persian cat has been the favourite cat in the United States for many years.

Peterbald Cat

A cat with a narrow and long head with almond shaped eyes.

Pixie Bob Cat.

These are quite large cats reaching 8 kg in weight.

Did you know that the average cat can sleep between 12 and 14 hours a day.

CATS beginning with R

Ragamuffin Cat.

A cat with rabbit like hair. Generally very gentle natured.

Ragdoll Cat.

A large cat breed. The name Ragdoll comes from the tendency of these cats to go limp when held.

Russian Blue Cat.

This cat sometimes gets confused with the British Blue cat.

A naturally bred cat from Russia.

Did you know that a female a cats lifespan is usually between 15 and 20 years.

CATS beginning with S

Savannah Cat.

This cat is the result of a cross between a domestic cat and a Serval (a large-eared wild African cat).

They are considered to be one of the largest breeds of domesticated cats. They are sometimes likened to dog in the way that they display loyalty to their owners.

Scottish Fold Cat.

The ears on this cat fold forward. This is due to a mutation. The Scottish Fold Cat is sometimes said to be owl like in appearance.

Selkirk Rex Cat.

This cat has very curly hair.

The breed originated in Montana, America in 1987.

The Selkirk Rex Cat is said to be loving and tolerant cat.

Serengetie Cat.

The result of a cross between a Bengal Cat and a Oriental Shorthair cat.

Siamese Cat.

The true origins of the Siamese cat is unknown. It recent years it has become one of the most popular cat breeds in Europe and North America.

Siberian Cat.

The full and proper name for this cat is "Siberian Forest Cat"

This cat is said to have a fascination with water.

Singapura Cat

One of the smallest breeds of cat.

Snowshoe Cat.

A rare breed of cat, mainly due to the difficulty in breeding cats with the correct markings.

Sokoke Cat.

Discovered in Kenya in 1978. This breed of cat is believed yo have been around for hundreds of years.

Somali Kitten.

This breed of cat appeared in the 1950's.

They have a distinctive bushy tail.

Sphynx Kitten.

Also known as the Canadian Hairless.

This breed of cat has a wedge shaped head.

Did you know that a cats have 230 bones in their body - 24 more than human.

CATS beginning with T

Tonkinese Cat.

A lively, friendly and talkative cat.

The Tonkinese cat originates from Canada and was developed from crossing a Seal-point Siamese and a Sable Burmese.

They tend to make great pets.

Toyger Cat.

The result of breeding domestic, shorthaired tabby's to look like a "toy tiger".

Turkish Angora Cat.

An ancient and naturally occurring cat breed from Turkey.

Turkish Van Cat.

Well known for its unusual love of water and swimming.

Did you know that the print of a cats nose is unique, just like that of a human fingerprint.

CATS beginning with U

Ukrainian Levkoy Cat.

A hairless cat with folded ears.

The skin is elastic and wrinkled.

Did you know that cats have a top speed of about 30 miles per hour.

CATS beginning with Y

York Chocolate Cat.

An American breed of cat. A medium to large cat with a rounded head.

Well known for being content as a lapcat.