Short-haired cats can be a good fit if you like a neat coat and want less extensive brushing than many long-haired cats need. But “short-haired” covers very different textures and personalities: a British Shorthair’s plush coat and calm manner are a world apart from the fine coat and high activity of a Savannah. Here are 11 breeds to compare, with the reminder that breed descriptions are tendencies—not a guarantee of what an individual cat will be like.
How to choose among short-haired cat breeds
Start with more than coat length. Compare the coat’s feel and pattern, the cat’s expected activity, how social or vocal the breed is described as being, and how much time your household can give to interaction. Short coats can mean less extensive grooming, not no grooming; a brush for short-haired cats is one general tool, but no single brush or schedule is established for every breed.
Breed profiles are useful for narrowing a shortlist, not predicting an individual pet. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) puts it plainly: “Not all cats look exactly the same, nor do they act the same.” Meet the cat when possible and consider its individual behavior and your household’s needs.
11 short-haired cat breeds to know
1. American Shorthair
Developed in the United States, the American Shorthair has a close-lying, even-length coat that comes in many colors and patterns. The CFA describes a sturdy, working-cat build and an even-tempered nature. It is often characterized as friendly, adaptable, and laid-back—a possible starting point for someone seeking a comparatively quiet companion.
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2. Burmese
The Burmese developed in the United States from a foundation cat named Wong Mau and Siamese breeding. Its short, fine, glossy coat has little undercoat. Breed descriptions emphasize an affectionate, people-oriented cat that enjoys engaging with its household.
3. Savannah
The Savannah is a domestic-cat/serval hybrid breed accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 2001. It is commonly described as curious and highly active. Some may prefer to stay close to people without being especially cuddly, so an active household should still assess the particular cat’s social style and needs.
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Because Savannahs have hybrid ancestry, research the circumstances of your household and the requirements where you live before pursuing one. Rules can vary by location; no current jurisdiction-specific requirements are established here.
4. Bengal
Bengals were developed through domestic-cat and Asian leopard-cat crosses. Their short coat is commonly close-lying, soft, and silky, often with spotted or marbled patterning. Breed descriptions portray them as athletic, curious, active, and engaging, so consider whether your household has time for interaction and activity.
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5. Singapura
The Singapura is petite but muscular, with a short, fine, close coat described as sepia agouti. The CFA describes its coat as warm beige and ticked. Breed profiles characterize the cat as curious, playful, affectionate, and interested in interaction.
6. Bombay
Developed in the United States from American Shorthair and Burmese lines, the Bombay has a short, satin-like, glossy black coat. It is generally described as sociable, playful, and affectionate.
7. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a sturdy cat with a dense, plush coat. Its usual breed description is calm and mellow: affectionate without necessarily being demanding of attention. That makes it a useful contrast to the more active breeds on this list, though any individual cat may differ.
8. Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a naturally spotted domestic breed, with coat colors described as silver, bronze, and smoke. It is often characterized as active and playful, devoted to its family, and sometimes shy with strangers. The breed’s origin should not be reduced to a simple settled claim; the available overview does not establish one definitive account.
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The Oriental Shorthair has a long, lean body, large ears, and a very short, fine coat. Unlike the pointed Siamese pattern, Orientals are described in many other colors and patterns. Breed descriptions emphasize an outgoing, affectionate, vocal, and active personality.
10. Siamese
The Siamese has a short, fine, glossy pointed coat. It is widely described as vocal, active, playful, affectionate, and strongly attached to people. If you prefer a quieter cat or have limited time for interaction, weigh that broad description against the needs of your household and the individual cat.
11. Ocicat
The Ocicat’s spotted, wild-cat-like appearance can be misleading: it was developed from Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair lines and is described as having no wild blood. Its coat is close, dense, and fine. Breed profiles describe an athletic, muscular, playful, outgoing, and social cat.
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| Breed | Coat or pattern | Broadly described temperament |
|---|---|---|
| American Shorthair | Close-lying, even-length; many colors and patterns | Friendly, adaptable, laid-back, even-tempered |
| Burmese | Short, fine, glossy; little undercoat | Affectionate and people-oriented |
| Savannah | Short coat; pattern not specified here | Curious and highly active; may prefer proximity over cuddling |
| Bengal | Commonly short, close-lying, soft, and silky; spotted or marbled | Active, athletic, curious, engaging |
| Singapura | Short, fine, close; sepia agouti, warm beige and ticked | Curious, playful, affectionate, interactive |
| Bombay | Short, satin-like, glossy black | Sociable, playful, affectionate |
| British Shorthair | Short, dense, plush | Calm, mellow, quiet |
| Egyptian Mau | Spotted; silver, bronze, or smoke | Active and playful; devoted to family, sometimes shy with strangers |
| Oriental Shorthair | Very short and fine; many non-pointed colors and patterns | Outgoing, affectionate, vocal, active |
| Siamese | Short, fine, glossy, pointed | Vocal, active, playful, affectionate, people-attached |
| Ocicat | Close, dense, fine; spotted | Playful, outgoing, social, athletic |
These are broad breed-level descriptions drawn from Cats.com, CFA, and TICA. They are comparison aids, not guarantees of behavior, grooming needs, or fit with children, other pets, or time alone.
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