Which breed of cat is right for you?

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.

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: 

While the five least expensive breeds are:

*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 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 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

British Shorthair

*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 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 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.

Need cat insurance for your new pup? Compare pet insurance deals with MoneySuperMarket.