The bright white cat: white cat breeds and fur facts

When was the last time you saw an all white cat? In several Western cultures, the sighting of a pure white cat is thought to be good luck, as well as a representation of spirituality and innocence (but as all car carers know, most moggies are far from having clean paws). But where do white cat breeds appear in the world of purr?

We’ve pawed through large cat breeds, short-haired, and long-haired to find out where in the kitty kingdom you can find all white cats…

White cat breeds

• British Shorthair
• Japanese Bobtail
• Siamese
• American Shorthairs
• Turkish Angora
• Persian
• Turkish Van
• Maine Coon
• Devon Rex
• Oriental Shorthair
• Russian White
• American Curl

British Shorthair

Also called the European Shorthair, the British Shorthair is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated feline and can be found as all-white cats. However, the white fur is actually a rarity, with only 5% of the world’s British Shorthair cats having pure white fluff. 

Often considered to be the ideal family feline, the British Shorthair is a chilled, calm, and collective cat who is always happy to hang out with their humans. Their distinctive round faces help accentuate their striking eyes and homely demeanor. 

Japanese Bobtail

Considered to be one of the friendliest feline breeds around, the Japanese Bobtail is affectionate, curious, and quirky. Although they are a relatively rare breed, they are usually covered in mostly white fur if not pure white. These cute and sweet-natured cats are keen to win over all family members, including other pets and children.

Siamese

White Siamese cats are a very distinctive cat breed. Deemed to be the pets of royalty in South-East Asia, these blue-eyed beauties hold an air of aristocracy about them. However, this does not make them aloof or stand-offish, in fact, quite the opposite! These regal royals love attention, cuddles, and general human time. Playtime is essential for these fine-tuned felines, whether it be a game of fetch or wrestling other fur babies.

American Shorthairs

Like its similar counterpart the British Shorthair, American Shorthairs are a common domesticated breed found across the United States. They are smaller in size than their European cousins but have the same friendly, intelligent, and homely personality. 

Like the British Shorthair, these everyday cats are difficult to find with pure white fur. If you’re lucky enough to find a white short-haired cat of this breed, they can be found with wonderful mismatching eye colors.

Turkish Angora

As the first long-haired white cat on our list, these felines love to make an entrance. Originating from Turkey (duh!), they are most commonly found in all-white coats. As well as being a particularly fluffy cat breed, James Bond movie fans may recognize this breed as the evil sidekick of Dr No! 

As their purr-sonalities go, they are loyal to their pet parents and enjoy doting on humans as lap cats. They are very bright cats, so regular mental stimulation is a must if you would like to keep your favorite chairs intact.

Persian

The Persian is another white long-haired cat with its own claim to fame. Because of their docile nature, they are often used on the big and silver screen to portray family cats. As one of the most recognizable all-white cat breeds, their flat faces and almond-shaped eyes make them look like the movie stars they are! 

Like all fluffy white cats, their fur requires daily brushing and possible professional grooming to keep that beautiful bright white color. 

Siberian

A large but elegant fluffy feline, the Siberian cat will always make an entrance whenever it can. As luxurious all-white cat breeds go, these kitties need to be the center of attention all the time. Although weary of strangers, the Siberian cat will adore its humans and form a deep, loving relationship with everyone in its family.

Maine Coon

By far the largest of the white fluffy cat breeds, the Maine Coon with all-white fur can look like miniature polar bears once fully grown. However, despite their size, they are incredibly calm and good-natured, often being compared to being more dog-like than feline-esque!

Like the Persian and Turkish Angora cat, it is not uncommon to find Maine Coon’s with all white coats. If you’re looking for white cats with blue eyes, this will not be hard to come by with the gentle giant.

Devon Rex

With their huge, elf-like ears, large eyes, and heart-shaped faces, the Devon Rex is commonly found as a solid white cat. Unlike the other purr-babies on our list, these feisty felines have very short wavy coats that require little maintenance. As much as they look like they’ve jumped out of an Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph, they are very playful and affectionate cats, albeit rather mischievous if left to their own devices. 

Oriental Shorthair

One of the most striking white cat breeds, the Oriental Shorthair is also the most chatty of our all-white cats. Sleek and graceful with an angular-shaped head, these kitties form strong bonds with their humans and, oh boy, do they love to talk about how much they love you! If you’re looking for a quiet and reserved cat, the Oriental Shorthair may not be for you. However, any fellow chatterboxes out there will appreciate their incredibly social nature.

Russian White

Yes, these are related to Russian Blue cats, however they are much harder to find. This breed came about from mating Russian Blue cats with white Siberian cats. Unlike their Blue cousins, they are shy of strangers but are purr-fect for quiet, cozy family homes. Active and playful, these furballs can often be found having zoomie sessions throughout the day.

American Curl

Ever seen a cat with the ears of a mouse? No? Well let’s introduce you to the American Curl! Their striking colored eyes, soft fluffy white coats, and high cheekbones make them hard to miss. These kitties are not the most affectionate or vocal, however they love to observe the day-to-day lives of their humans and companions.

If you’re cat curious about cat sitting, check out the latest house sitting opportunities with cute cat companions to join your next adventure. Already a member? Great! Head to our Community Forum to let us know if we missed any white cat breeds or to discuss feline furry life with other cat-crazy members.