Find the right cat for you and insure your pet
Many people assume that, because cats are all basically the same size, the breed you choose is less important than it is for dogs, which come in a much wider variety of shapes and sizes.
Find your next cat
Inquisitive and independent, cats are one of the UK’s favourite domestic pets. Each breed presents its own set of unique demands, making it important for you to choose the right one for your household. With MoneySuperMarket’s in-depth guide, you can learn more about the costs, behaviours and surprises that the UK’s top breeds have to offer.
UK's top ten cat breeds
The most popular cat breed in the UK is the Moggie, here is the UK's top ten:
According to Stickee data, accurate as of July 2020
Things to consider before you buy
Although cats display many similar characteristics, there are subtle differences between breeds that are important to factor into your decision:
Energy. While Persians prefer to relax in style, Bengals are live-wires who are always looking to play. Make sure that you’re comfortable with the energy level your new cat is going to bring to your household
Child-friendliness. Some cats, like Birmans, were bred specifically for their tolerant, easy-going nature, making them perfect playmates for youngsters. Other breeds are much more aloof
Grooming. While this isn’t as significant an issue as it is with dogs, grooming should still come into your decision when choosing which breed of cat to get. Persians – with their long, flowing coats – require more maintenance than Siamese cats, for example.
Which breeds are most expensive?
Munchkin cats are by far the UK’s most expensive breed, with average costs of just over £900. Because this type of cat can develop health problems if bred incorrectly, there are a wide variety of expenses throughout the breeding process, which increases the amount that you can expect to pay.
According to Stickee data, correct as of March 2020
Shorthair White is the UK’s most affordable cat. Since they’re mixed breeds, they’re much more common and therefore far less expensive than pedigree breeds.
According to Stickee data, correct as of March 2020
What’s the most affordable breed in my location?
Shorthair cats are the most affordable breed in many areas of the country, although there are some notable regional variations when it comes to cost. They are most affordable in Scotland – costing just £96 for a Shorthair White.
According to Stickee data, correct as of March 2020
How much will I have to pay for cat insurance?
Another important cost to consider is cat insurance. The five most expensive breeds to insure are:
No. | Breed | Annual Insurance Premium* |
|---|---|---|
1 | Singapura | £1091.42 |
2 | Longhair Tortoiseshell and White | £868.09 |
3 | Tiffany (Tiffanie) | £794.91 |
4 | Persian Pewter | £666.59 |
5 | Persian Tri-Colour | £665.94 |
While the five least expensive breeds are:
No. | Breed | Annual Insurance Premium* |
|---|---|---|
1 | Longhair Chocolate and Black | £102.63 |
2 | Longhair Grey | £117.89 |
3 | Shorthair Grey and White | £137.78 |
4 | Wirehair Cat | £143.12 |
5 | Burmese Chocolate Tortoiseshell | £158.37 |
*According to Stickee data, correct as of March 2020
However, it’s important to remember that breed isn’t the only thing that influences the cost of your insurance. While age and health is important, it’s also good to remember that your premiums canvary from place to place because of different vet costs. This means that Londoners will generally pay more for annual pet insurance premiums than people from Northern Ireland or Scotland, for example.
Guide to the UK’s top six cat breeds
When choosing your new cat, it’s important that you pick a breed which suits your lifestyle. We’ll take you through the crucial information you need to know about the UK’s top breeds.
Moggie / Domestic Shorthair
Average cost | Moggie: £54* | Domestic Shorthair: £52* |
|---|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | Moggie: £231* | Domestic Shorthair: £232* |
Grooming | As most Moggies have short coats, grooming is relatively easy. Brush their hair every week, and make sure that their claws are also clipped regularly. | |
Diet | A combination of canned and dry food is perfect for keeping your Moggie healthy. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
Moggies are the UK’s most popular breed and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Due to their genetic variation, Moggies are often reported to be healthier and live longer than pedigree cats, while many people claim that they’re also more intelligent. They’re often outgoing, although not particularly vocal, and make for excellent outdoor cats. In addition, they adapt well to living indoors, making them fantastic domestic pets.
The term ‘Domestic Shorthair’ is often used interchangeably with ‘Moggie.’ In fact, Domestic Shorthair is a specific type of Moggie which, as its name suggests, has short hair. In terms of their health and temperament, there is virtually no difference between the two.
Moggies are generally free from genetic or hereditary diseases. However, they can be affected by overeating, which in turn can cause kidney, joint, liver and back problems.
Ragdoll
Average cost | £415* |
|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | £272* |
Grooming | Once or twice weekly combing sessions will keep your Ragdoll’s coat sleek and soft. |
Diet | High-quality dry or wet food is perfect for Ragdolls, while the occasional treat of tinned fish or raw minced beef will go down well. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
For a sweet and relaxed breed that loves attention, Ragdolls are a solid choice. Because of their docile and tolerant nature, they’re ideal for families with small children – they’ll put up with quite a lot and would rather leave the room than scratch or bite. While they don’t have especially high energy levels, they enjoy playing games now and again, although they tend to get the most enjoyment from following their owners around the house.
Ragdolls can suffer from a range of health problems:
Hypertropic cardiomyopathy
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseas
Bengal
Average cost | £434* |
|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | £331* |
Grooming | A Bengal’s soft coat can be easily maintained by weekly grooming sessions. |
Diet | Bengals enjoy a mix of dry and wet food, while raw meats such as fresh turkey can be a great supplement to their everyday diet. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
Displaying a friendliness that belies their wild appearance, Bengals are an inquisitive, cheeky breed with bags of energy. They are often said to be more like dogs than cats because of the affectionate attitude that they display towards their owners, and most of the time they’ll want to be exactly where you are! Bengals love exploring their home environment, both high and low, and while they’re happy to curl up on your lap, playtime is their main passion.
Bengals can suffer from hereditary health issues such as:
Flat Chested Kitten Syndrome
Patellar luxation
Hip dysplasia
Pyruvate kinase deficiency
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
In some cases, cataracts can be treated surgically, while PRA – which causes progressive blindness – does not yet have a treatment.
British Shorthair
Average cost | £423* |
|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | £265* |
Grooming | By brushing once a week, you can keep your British Shorthair’s coat free of dead fur and tangles. |
Diet | Because of their relatively sedate nature, it’s important that you don’t let them gain too much weight. They aren’t fussy eaters and are happy to eat both wet and dry food. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
Easy-going and attentive, the British Shorthair is one breed that’s perfect for family life. They’re not particularly loud, but their friendly, playful disposition makes them one of the most affectionate cats around. They’re happy to follow you and settle down for a cuddle, and, as long as they’re treated with respect, they’ll get along well with children.
British Shorthairs are one of the healthiest types of cat, although they are still affected by a couple of different health issues, including:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Maine Coon
Average cost | £542* |
|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | £349* |
Grooming | Their long, rugged coats are probably their most distinctive feature. It requires a couple of grooming sessions every week to keep it looking fresh, and they shed relatively heavily during the spring. |
Diet | Maine Coons are very energetic, so they need lots of high-quality dry food, mixed with wet food a couple of times a week. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
Large, affectionate and people-orientated, Maine Coons are wonderful companions that can often seem more like dogs than cats. They are happiest when they’re hanging out with their owners, but they aren’t the type of cat to pester you for attention. They get along with everybody, from kids to dogs, and have a kittenish disposition that means that they’re lots of fun to have around the house.
Like other pedigree cat breeds, Maine Coons can be affected by feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, while they’re also prone to hip dysplasia.
British Blue
Average cost | £447* |
|---|---|
Annual insurance premiums | £271* |
Grooming | British Blues have a beautiful, bluish-grey coat that’s relatively easy to maintain, since it doesn’t tangle. They need to be brushed a couple of times a week. |
Diet | British Blues are happy to eat dry or wet meat, and thrive from a diet of high protein and low fat. |
*Average breed cost and premium data from Stickee, June 2020.
The British Blue is the most common British Shorthair variant. They’re just as friendly and affectionate as other variants of the breed, and while they love human interaction, they’re more than capable of amusing themselves while they wait for you to get home.
Since they’re a type of British Shorthair, the British Blue can suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, while Haemophilia B – a type of bleeding disorder – has also been known to affect the breed.
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