Brown Cats That Will Steal Your Heart with Their Irresistible Looks
Brown cats come in all shapes and sizes, from sleek shorthairs to fluffy longhairs. They can also be found with an array of eye colors ranging from bright green to deep golden yellow. Not only are they gorgeous, but some of these cats are also known for their sweet personalities and intelligence. Though their color probably has nothing to do with this!
In this post, we will explore some of the most popular brown cat breeds as well as interesting facts about them that make them so special!
13 Of The Most Attractive Brown Cat Breeds
Havana Brown
The Havana Brown is a rare breed that has a unique coloration of dark brown with rich chocolate undertones. Their sleek, medium-length coat blends shades of dark brown, black, and tan to create a mink-like appearance.
In the early 1950s in Britain, a cross between a seal point Siamese and a black domestic shorthaired cat with Siamese heritage led to the foundation stock for the Havana Brown. It is an affectionate, sociable breed that loves spending time with its family.
This is an intelligent cat breed that often uses its paws both to examine objects, and to communicate with its owners. The most likely explanation of the breed’s name is that its coat color is very similar to that of Havana cigars.
American Wirehair
The American Wirehair is a breed of domestic cat that originated in upstate New York. The first wirehair cat appeared as a random coat mutation among a litter of six born to two barn cats.
It is a unique breed of cat known for its wiry coat that often looks almost like steel wool. These cats have short, sturdy bodies and are typically quite muscular. They have large eyes and round faces, giving them a very distinctive look.
Despite its wiry coat, the American Wirehair is a low-maintenance breed that does not require frequent grooming. Its coat naturally repels dirt and debris, so only occasional brushing is necessary to maintain its glossy appearance.
As of 2003, though the breed is well known, they are ranked as the most rare of the 41 CFA breeds, with only 22 registered, down from 39 in 2002.
Somali cat
The Somali cat is a longhaired breed that was developed from the Abyssinian cat. They have a solid coat of medium to dark brown fur with black tipped hairs, giving them a tawny coloration.
This cat has some of the nicest colorings you will see on any of the domestic fluffy cat breeds. The fur is known for being ‘agouti’ which means by definition, that each individual hair has each has alternate dark and light bands.
The Somali’s face has an elegant taper and a full ruff around the neck, giving it a regal appearance.
The Somali is an active and high-spirited breed that loves to play and explore. They are intelligent cats with an independent nature and can be quite mischievous at times. They enjoy learning tricks and playing games; they also like to climb and jump.
Burmese Cat
The Burmese is a breed of domesticated cats descended from a specific cat, Wong Mau, who was found in Burma in 1930 by Dr. Joseph G. Thompson.
This striking breed has a short, glossy coat in shades of sable, chocolate, or seal-brown, but does come in other colors too. Its eyes are bright yellow or gold and its body is long and sturdy with strong legs for jumping and climbing. They are heavier than they look, as they are very muscular.
The Burmese cat is an affectionate, playful breed that loves to cuddle and spend time with its family. They are sociable cats who enjoy being the center of attention but can also be quite independent.
These cats have a curious nature and will often investigate anything new in their environment. They learn quickly and respond well to training.
European Burmese
The European Burmese is a unique breed of brown cat that has its origins in the United Kingdom. It was developed from the original Burmese cat but with a shorter coat and different coloring. This breed’s short, glossy coat comes in shades of sable, chocolate-brown, or blue-black. Its eyes are large and bright, usually in shades of yellow or gold.
They are social cats who enjoy being around their people and prefer to have another cat as a companion. They learn quickly and respond well to training; they also have a curious nature and like to investigate their surroundings. These cats make wonderful family pets and can be quite affectionate with their humans. They are loyal companions who love to cuddle and snuggle when given the chance.
York Chocolate
The York Chocolate is an unusual and unique brown cat breed. It has a short, glossy coat that ranges in color from milk chocolate to dark chocolate. It is a relatively new longhair cat breed that not only sounds luxurious but feels it too.
The breed gets it name from New York, the state where it was first bred, and the luxurious brown color of it’s fur, that resembles chocolate.
They have an overall stronger build, similar to farm cats. They have long bodies with shorter necks, their muzzles are rounded, and their heads become wedge-shaped as they grow up.
They are known to be very playful, full of energy and super curious and intelligent. They love life and love a good hunt. They are expert mouse killers, so if you have a mice problem then this is the cat for you! With a Chocolate cat in your home, rodents don’t stand a chance!
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a unique and rare brown cat breed that was discovered in England in the 1960s. This breed has a short yet wavy coat of soft curls, which can range in brown colors from dark sable to pale cinnamon or beige. Its eyes are large and almond-shaped, and its ears have an elf-like shape.
They are medium sized cats, often called “pixie cats” or “alien cats” because of their unique appearance. Their uncommonly large ears are set low on the sides of their wide heads.
The typical Devon is active, mischievous, playful, and very people-oriented. They have been described as a cross between a cat, a dog and a monkey. They are high-jumpers and will try to occupy any space large enough to admit them.
Persian Cat
The Persian cat is one of the oldest breeds of cat and one of the most popular breeds of brown cats, known for their long luxurious fur and sweet personality. The breed has a short-bodied frame with round face, short muzzle and snub nose. Those that have a brown coat, come in shades of mahogany, chocolate, truffle or seal-brown with white accents.
Because their fur is too long and dense for them to maintain themselves, Persian cats need regular grooming. To keep their fur in its best condition, they must be bathed regularly, dried carefully afterwards, and brushed thoroughly every day.
They are easy-going cats who enjoy being petted and cuddled; they also like playing games and exploring their environment.
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair is a brown cat breed with a sleek, short coat that can range from shades of chocolate to rich mahogany. It has a striking face with large ears and almond-shaped eyes in green or amber.
This breed can trace its origins back to the UK. English cat breeders in the 1950s crafted the Oriental Shorthair by crossing several different breeds with their Siamese stock. They crossed Abyssinians, British Shorthairs, Russian Blues and even mixed bred cats as parent stock successfully produced litters that were then further crossed back to Siamese; resulting in an entirely new feline family.
As an independent breed, they are not overly needy but still enjoy spending time with their families.
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat is a gentle, laid-back breed with a thick, plush coat that can range from light beige to deep mahogany or dark chocolate. They have round heads, large eyes, and short snouts that give them an adorable expression. British Shorthairs also tend to be quite stocky and muscular with strong hind legs.
They make great companions, not overly demanding of attention but happy to play when you have the time.
This breed does not require a lot of grooming because the fur does not tangle or mat easily. However, the coat should be brushed weekly to remove loose hair and minimize shedding.
Maine Coon
Maine Coon cats are known for their lush coats, and many of them have a brown coloration. This breed can come in shades from light beige to deep mahogany. They are the world’s biggest purebred cat and, excluding the Savannah, the world’s largest domesticated cat. They can weigh up to 20 pounds, with some individuals growing even larger than that.
The brown Maine Coon Cat typically has a distinctive tabby pattern to their coats with shades of light to dark brown.
Despite their large size, Maine Coon Cats are incredibly agile and love to explore new environments and play. They also tend to be quite active during the day, often needing regular exercise in order to stay healthy.
Munchkin
The munchkin is a relatively new breed created by a mutation that causes achondroplasia, or possibly hypochondroplasia, resulting in cats with abnormally short legs.
They have relatively broad heads compared to their small size, along with large ears and almond shaped eyes. As mentioned above, the most distinctive feature of the Munchkin Cat is its short legs, which can be attributed to a genetic mutation that this breed of cat carries.
The coat of the Munchkin Cat varies in color and texture depending on the individual, but they typically have medium-short fur that may be either straight or slightly wavy. Common colors include black, blue, brown, and red. The coat may also feature a combination of any of these colors, along with other variations in pattern or markings.
In terms of personality, the Munchkin Cat is an outgoing and playful breed that loves to explore its environment. They are highly social cats who enjoy spending time with their owners.
Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin Cats are known for their sweet and gentle nature, as well as their soft, woolly coats that come in shades of red and brown. These cats have medium-length legs and thick tails and can weigh up to 15 pounds or more when fully grown.
Ragamuffins are friendly cats that get along well with other animals and people. They are also very affectionate, often preferring to cuddle up on a lap than jump around or play.
Ragamuffin cats take longer to mature than most other cats, approximately 4 years to reach adulthood. They typically have long life spans in comparison to other domestic cats.
Facts About Brown Cat Breeds
- The color brown in cats is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the gene responsible for producing black fur.
- The brown shades of ‘cinnamon’ and ‘smoke’ are two of the rarest colors for cats.
- Despite brown cats being relatively rare, there are many purebreds, as mentioned above, where brown is a legitimately recognised color.