The 5 Most Popular Cat Breeds in the UK
For some, the cat is a bit of a marmite pet. You either love them or hate them. Funny little characters one moment, awkward pests the next. Wandering the streets, filling your bed or hiding in the most bizarre space in the house. Cats certainly provide us with entertainment and a little frustration at the best of times!
At PBS Pet travel though, we love them! Our feline favourites are some of the most common pets that we receive enquiries about. Cat travel has increased exponentially over the past few years through a mix of permanent relocation and long holidays. So attached to cats do we become, we don’t want to sell them or put them in a cat boarding house, so we bring them with us, wherever we are in the world!
So, whether you are considering a cat as a new companion, or just love cats and want to know more, check out our top 5 of the most popular breeds in the UK.
Bengal
This cat currently ranks as the most popular in the UK and with its striking colours that could be part of the allure. In a recent poll, it showed that not only is it popular in terms of ownership, but it is also the most well-known type of cat with 77% of people having heard of them. Just 10% of people said they didn’t particularly like them whilst only 21% said they had no opinion.
Full of energy, full of confidence and always alert, a Bengal will provide lots of fun for its owners if it is interacted with. Fast learners too mean you could teach them a trick or two as well!
British Shorthair
This cat comes second in the list of the most popular cats in the UK but is disliked by fewer people than the Bengal. Only 68% of the population are aware of it and only 8% said that they were not a fan.
Most popular with millennials, this could be a cat to take the top spot soon! The Shorthair is the pedigree version of the traditional British domestic cat and is currently the most popular pedigree in Great Britain.
Easy-going and dignified, they remain active but are perhaps not as playful as other breeds you may introduce to your family. Their diet needs to be watched as they gain weight fast and with them being comfortable as stay-at-home cats, this becomes more of a concern.
Siberian
Agile jumpers and extraordinarily strong, the Siberian are a cat breed that has risen to prominence over the last 30 years. It has a stockier build than many other cat breeds but thanks to its large eyes exhibit a sweet and cute-looking face. Siberians rated high in the poll with just 8% of cat owners saying they were not fond of this breed. 42% said they loved the cat and either had one or would consider having one. Due to their nature, Siberian cats are better in pairs than on their own.
Ragdoll
Docile, placid and affectionate, the Ragdoll is a breed that could be the ideal first cat for a family. They are large and as a result, heavy. Taking their name from the fact they go limp when picked up, the Ragdoll is a cat that originated in the USA thanks to cat breeder Ann Baker. She put in place strict standards on the breeding and sale of the Ragdoll cat which meant other cat breed associations could not register Ragdolls.
They began to appear in the UK in the 1960s and have grown in popularity. Currently, 61% of people surveyed knew of the breed and only 10% said they didn’t rank them as cats they would prefer to have. Ragdolls can live for approximately 12-15 years.
Most popular with millennials but known more by those from Gen X, it was the baby boomer demographic that had less interest or knowledge of this breed.
European Shorthair
The European Shorthair is a cat breed originally from Sweden but is commonly mistaken for the Celtic Shorthair that resembles its Nordic relative. Strong and active, these cats, on the whole are friendly around people and if kept as indoor pets, can live for up to 14 years. They are a highly intelligent breed and can be playful when the mood suits. They get on well with dogs and are adept at hunting unwanted visitors to the garden such as mice or rats.
They are seen as very adaptable to change, making them popular with families with young children.
The survey ranked them as the 5th most popular cat in the UK with just 6% of people saying they did not like them. Only 57% knew of the breed though but that could be due to the confusion between the Celtic and European variations.
So that is the top 5 cat breeds in the UK as per the data currently held by YouGov. Do you agree? Let us know! Maybe you have a meowing mog that we need to know about or a purring puss that deserves more recognition!
Whatever cat you have, you never want to be apart from it for too long, thankfully, at PBS Pet Travel we are experts in shipping your furry friend around the world. If you are heading abroad, for work or a long-term break, contact us and get a free quote so you won’t be apart from your pet for long!