With their big eyes, cuddly fur, and overall adorable factor, cats are among the most popular pets in the world.
But just like dogs, many different types of exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight, more than 60 other cat breeds and sub-breeds, to be exact.
As with dogs, cat breeds range from the big to the small, the longhaired to the shorthaired, and the hairless to the fuzzy.
When looking for an exotic cat breed that will make you purr with delight, keep these 20 exotic cat breeds in mind.
1. Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized cat native to South and Southeast Asia. As its name suggests, this kitty loves water and can often be found near streams, ponds, and wetlands stalking prey.
These beautiful felines have webbed toes that help them swim, and their coat is waterproof, protecting them from getting wet.
If you’re looking for exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight and love the water, the Fishing Cat is a perfect choice!
2. Asian Leopard Cat
The Asian Leopard Cat is a small wild cat native to much of eastern and southern Asia. Despite its name, the Asian Leopard Cat is not closely related to the big cats in the Panthera genus but is a member of the Felidae family, including domestic cats.
These kitties are known for their beautiful spotted coats, which have earned them a place on many people’s lists of exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight.
While they may be small, don’t let their size fool you – these cats are fierce predators that can take down prey much more significantly than themselves.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and deadly exotic cat, the Asian Leopard Cat is perfect!
3. American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a medium-sized, short-haired cat breed. They are one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States, known for their affectionate nature and intelligence.
American Shorthairs are also known for being very good at hunting rodents. For this reason, these exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight can be an excellent choice for people with problems with mice or rats.
One potential drawback to owning an American Shorthair is that they tend to be reserved around strangers or new pets. However, once they become accustomed to someone or something, they can become devoted companions.
4. Bengal Cat
The Bengal is a domestic cat breed created from hybrids of the Asian leopard cat and the domestic housecat. The Bengal was first recognized as a distinct breed in 1971 when The International Cat Association (TICA) gave them official status.
Bengals are known for their beautiful leopard-like spots and outgoing, friendly personalities. The Bengal might be the perfect breed if you’re looking for a fun-loving feline friend!
5. Chartreux Cat
The Chartreux is a rare French breed of domestic cat. They are large cats with blue-grey fur and copper eyes. These exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight are known for being quiet, gentle, and affectionate cats.
They make great companions for families with children and other pets. They are sweet and playful as they grow up but become quieter and more introverted as they age. Chartreux Cats were initially bred to kill rats in France’s wheat fields.
They have an excellent sense of smell, which helps them catch prey. In ancient times, Chartreux Cat’s wool was used to stuff mattresses because it was believed that the cats had healing powers!
6. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a domesticated cat breed originating from England. The first recorded mention of the British Shorthair was in 1871, and The International Cat Association formally recognized the species in 1979. British Shorthairs are muscular cats with thick fur and rounded bodies.
They are known for their easy-going personality and affectionate nature. These exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight come in various colors, but the most popular are blue and white.
These beautiful kitties have long, dense coats that require regular grooming to maintain their glossy look. They need plenty of attention and should not be left alone for too long, or they may become stressed or depressed.
7. Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a shorthaired version of the Persian. They have a round head, short muzzle, large eyes, and small ears.
These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight and come in various colors and patterns, including solids, bi-colors, tri-colors, pointed patterns, and tabby patterns.
The Exotic Shorthair is a gentle breed that loves to cuddle and be around people. They are also one of the quietest cat breeds. While they don’t require as much grooming as other long-haired cats, their coats still need occasional brushing or combing.
Exotics need at least an hour per day of playtime so they do not become bored or overweight. However, these beautiful cats are not suited for every home.
Their hair can mat easily, and they’re prone to shedding, leading to allergies in humans suffering from animal dander sensitivity.
8. Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a gorgeous breed of cat that is also very intelligent and playful. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight, and they are relatively easy to care for and get along well with other pets and children.
Abyssinians are active and curious, and they love to explore their surroundings. These cats come in various colors: blue, chocolate, lilac, red, silver, and tortoiseshell.
Abyssinians are medium-sized cats weighing between 6 and 10 pounds and have short, fine fur that is easy to groom.
9. Geoffroy’s Cat
The Geoffroy’s Cat is a small wild cat native to the forests of South America. The Geoffroy’s Cat has a long body and short legs covered in spotted or striped fur. The Geoffroy’s Cat is an excellent climber and can often be found in trees.
These cats are nocturnal hunters, and their diet consists mainly of small mammals and birds. The Geoffroy’s Cat is named after French naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
10. Pixie-bob
The Pixie-bob is a domestic cat breed developed in the United States during the 1980s. They are a cross between a bobcat and a domestic housecat, and they can come in both short-haired and long-haired varieties.
These exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight are known for their unique appearance, including large, pointed ears, almond-shaped eyes, and stocky bodies.
They are also among the few cat breeds in tabby and non-tabby colors. The Pixie-bob has become increasingly popular as an internet meme due to its distinctive looks in recent years.
It may be hard to find at your local shelter or pet store because these cats aren’t adopted often!
11. Ocicat
The Ocicat is a domestic cat resembling a wild ocelot, though it is unrelated to the ocelot. It is a large-boned, muscular cat with medium-length fur in various colors and patterns. The most common colors are black, brown, and silver.
The Ocicat is an intelligent, active breed that loves to play and explore. They are also very affectionate and bond well with their human families.
These exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight are an excellent choice if you’re looking for an exotic-looking domestic cat!
12. Nebelung
The Nebelung is a Russian blue breed that is medium in size and has a silvery-blue coat. They are known for being gentle, loving, and social cats, and they are relatively quiet compared to other breeds.
The Nebelung is an excellent choice for families with children and other pets. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight, have minimal shedding, and are hypoallergenic, so they can be suitable for people who suffer from allergies.
Many of these cats sleep more than the average housecat, so it may be best to want an animal companion who won’t disrupt your sleeping schedule too much.
Nebelung’s lifespan ranges from 12 to 14 years. They enjoy playing interactive games such as stalking toys or chasing laser lights!
13. Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a beautiful, big-boned cat with a luxurious coat in various colors. They are an active breed known for their love of water and the only breed of cat that enjoys swimming!
Turkish Vans are also very affectionate and make great companions. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight and are the perfect choice if you’re looking for a unique and loving exotic breed. You may not be able to find one at your local pet store, but many are available online.
14. Toyger
The Toyger is a hybrid breed of domestic tiger (Panthera tigris) and Bengal cat (Panthera tigris bengalensis).
The Toyger was developed in the 1980s by Judy Frank of New Jersey, who crossbred Bengals and other domestic cats to create a tiger-like appearance.
These exotic cat breeds that will make you purr with delight are medium to large-sized cats, with males typically weighing between 15 and 20 pounds and females usually weighing between 10 and 15 pounds.
They are muscular cats with short legs, thick tails, and round heads. Their coat is orange or brown with black stripes, and their eyes are green or gold. Toygers are intelligent, playful, and affectionate cats who enjoy being around people.
15. Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a beautiful spotted breed of domestic cat. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight. They are the only naturally occurring spotted cat breed and are believed to be the oldest breed of domesticated cats. Egyptian Maus are very active and playful and love to jump and run.
They are also very loving and affectionate cats and make great companions. If you’re looking for an exotic breed of cat that is both beautiful and loving, the Egyptian Mau is a perfect choice!
16. Canadian Lynx
The Canadian Lynx is a wild cat in North America and is the largest lynx species. They are shy but curious by nature and love to play. They are also very vocal, making various sounds, including meows, growls, hisses, and screams.
Canadian Lynx can live up to 20 years in captivity and reach weights of up to 40 pounds. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight. They have pointed ears and long legs for stalking prey like snowshoe hares. Their fur ranges from pale yellow-brown to deep reddish brown, and their tail has a distinctive black tip.
Unlike other lynxes, they have notches on their ear tips rather than tufts of hair on their ears. The Canadian Lynx was one of the first wild cats to be recognized as endangered in Canada due to habitat destruction.
17. Sphynx
The Sphynx is a hairless cat breed characterized by its wrinkled skin and lack of fur. Although the Sphynx appears nude, it is not bald – it has a fine layer of down on its skin. The Sphynx is a medium-sized cat with long legs and a slender body.
Its head is wedge-shaped, and its ears are large and pointy. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight. They are an intelligent cat breed known for being very affectionate and loving towards its owner.
18. Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American wildcat from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The bobcat is a small to medium-sized cat with a short tail and characteristic black spots on its fur.
These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight with an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, semi-desert, urban edges, forest edges, and swampland environments.
While the bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will also hunt rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, and even deer. Generally solitary, except for mothers with kittens or male bobcats, may fight viciously over territory when mating.
Bobcats are not considered a threatened species, but their numbers have declined in recent years due to habitat loss and hunting by humans, who fear them because they can carry rabies.
19. Ocelot
The ocelot is a medium-sized wild cat found throughout Central and South America. These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight. They are marked with distinctive black spots, rosettes, and stripes, making them one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable cats worldwide.
Though they are naturally shy, ocelots can be playful and affectionate pets. The ocelot is perfect if you’re looking for a beautiful and loving exotic cat!
20. Caracal
The ocelot is a spotted cat native to the tropical forests of South and Central America. Although its coat resembles a leopard, the ocelot is more closely related to the domestic.
These exotic cat breeds will make you purr with delight. They can grow to be about three feet long and weigh 35 pounds.
Unfortunately, these beautiful cats are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. If you’re looking for an exotic pet, consider adopting an ocelot from a local sanctuary!
