Cats come in various colors and patterns, but the most attractive of them all are white cats. They are considered good luck in certain cultures and are often associated with purity. While all cats are special, white cats have a certain je ne sais quoi about them that makes them stand out.

If you're considering adding a white cat to your family, this article lists 26 of the best white cat breeds to choose from. But, first, you should know what to look for in white cats.

Precautions in Owning A White Cat Breed

Although white cat breeds make beautiful pets, there are some things you should keep in mind before bringing one home.

First, white cats are more prone to full or partial deafness due to the genetic factors that make them white. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, more than 17 to 22 percent of white cats can be born deaf. If the cat has one blue eye, the percentage rises to 40%. Deafness affects 65 to 85 percent of white cats with both blue eyes.

However, most cat owners do not find out that their cat is deaf until they've had them for a while. Deaf cats can still lead happy and healthy lives, but you should take some extra precautions. For example, extra care for these cats is needed as they may get injured or killed more easily since they cannot hear approaching traffic or other dangers.

Second, while white cats are breathtakingly beautiful, they require a bit more upkeep than other colored cats. Because they're so light-colored, they are more susceptible to staining and soiling. You'll have to be vigilant about wiping their paws after they've been outside and brushing their fur regularly to avoid knots and mats.

Another thing to note is that white cats are more prone to skin cancer, according to an article about Squamous Cell Cancer published at the Cornell Feline Health Center. They are also prone to other types of cancer, such as lymphoma.

Thus, if you live in an area with a lot of sun exposure, you should keep your white cat indoors or at least apply sunscreen to its exposed skin.

Another thing to consider is their aggression. According to a study published at NLM, black-and-white and gray-and-white cats can be more aggressive toward humans in certain situations. Therefore, if you have small children, another color might better fit your family.

Now that you know what to look out for, here are 26 of the best white cat breeds.

Best White Cat Breeds

Persian Cat

Persian Cat

The Persian Cat is one of the world's oldest cat breeds. They are quiet and gentle cats who prefer a calm, consistent home environment where they can be the center of attention. Persians make great lap cats and love to be petted and groomed.

PRO

Intelligent

Easy to Train

Playful

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CONS

Needs lots of grooming

Picky with food

Prone to diseases

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x

Did You Know? Persian cats snore while they sleep, and it's totally normal if they don't show any other odd signs and symptoms. Check out more Reasons for Cat Snoring and What You Can Do About It.

Siamese Cat

Siamese Cat

The Siamese Cat is one of the world's most popular and recognizable cat breeds. These beautiful cats are known for their striking blue eyes and distinctive pointed coat. All Siamese kittens are born white and develop their points of color as they mature. They are curious, playful, and energetic and make great companions.

PRO

Social

Loyal and affectionate

Easy to Groom

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x

CONS

Needs lots of attention

Vocal

Needs lots of exercise

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x

Birman Cat

Birman Cat

The Birman Cat, aka "The Sacred Cat of Burma," is a beautiful longhaired cat breed with a distinctive pointed coat. Birmans are known for their blue eyes and gentle, loving personality. They are very social cats who love to be around people and other animals.

PRO

Affectionate

Playful

Docile

Easy to train

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CONS

Needs lots of grooming

Gets overweight easily

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x

x

Sphynx Cat

Sphynx Cat

These cute kitties are great for people who want something different than traditional house cats but still need some friendliness in their lives! The Sphynx Cat is a hairless cat breed known for its unique appearance. They are curious and affectionate cats. However, sphynx cats require special care to prevent sunburn and skin irritation, and you should brush them regularly to remove dead skin cells.

PRO

Highly intelligent

Need less grooming

Healthy

Friendly and affectionate

x

CONS

Very expensive

Needs clothing

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x

x

Peterbald Cat

Peterbald Cat

The Peterbald Cat is a hairless cat breed known for its affectionate and social personality. However, peterbalds require special care to prevent sunburn and skin irritation, and you should brush them regularly to remove dead skin cells.

PRO

Loyal and affectionate

Less grooming required

Intelligent

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x

CONS

Vocal

Need weekly baths

Sensitive to climate changes

x

x

Devon Rex Cat

Coat Type: Short coat or Rexed

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Active and Intelligent
• Easy to groom
• Social

Cons

• Needs lots of attention
• Expensive

Rating: 9/10

The Devon Rex Cat is a short-haired or Rexed cat breed known for its playful and friendly personality. Devon Rexes are very active, intelligent and love to play. However, devon Rexes require special care to prevent sunburn and skin irritation.

Khao Manee Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Pure white

Pros

• Active and very intelligent
• Affectionate
• Easy to groom

Cons

• Very expensive
• Vocal

Rating: 9/10

Probably the whitest of all white cat breeds, the Khao Manee has striking blue eyes and a pure white coat. This beautiful cat is native to Thailand and is known for its loving and affectionate personality. Khao Manee cats are very active and intelligent. However, this is a rare breed that can be difficult to find.

Scottish Fold Cat

Coat Type: Short coat or Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Gentle and Friendly
• Intelligent
• Docile

Cons

• Relatively poor health
• Expensive

Rating: 8/10

The Scottish Fold Cat is a short-haired or longhaired cat breed known for its folded ears. These cute cats are very social and love to be around people and other animals. Scottish Folds are also very intelligent and can be trained to do tricks. Scottish Fold cats, however, are a bit more expensive than other common cat breeds because of their high demand.

American Curl Cat

Coat Type: Short coat or Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Playful and Affectionate
• Social
• Playful

Cons

• Sheds a lot

Rating: 7/10

The American Curl Cat is a short-haired or longhaired cat breed known for its distinctive curled ears. These playful and curious cats make great companions for families with children and other pets. American Curls require special care to prevent ear injuries and should be brushed regularly to remove dead skin cells.

Exotic Shorthair Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Friendly
• Docile
• Long lifespan

Cons

• Easily get overweight
• Health issues due to flat face

Rating: 7/10

The Exotic Shorthair Cat is a short-haired cat breed known for its laid-back personality. They are similar to Persians in appearance but have shorter hair. Exotic Shorthairs are very affectionate and make great companions for families with children and other pets. Exotic Shorthairs require special care due to their short noses, and they should be brushed regularly to remove dead skin cells.

Note: Due to the laid-back personality, these cats may sleep a lot more than other breeds. Find out Why Do Cats Sleep So Much.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Coat Type: Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Affectionate
• Docile
• Friendly
• Quite

Cons

• Sheds a lot
• Too indipendant
• Expensive

Rating: 9/10

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a longhaired cat breed known for its ability to climb and jump. They are very active and love to play. Norwegian Forest Cats are very affectionate and undemanding, but they require special care to prevent matting, and they should be brushed regularly.

Maine Coon Cat

Coat Type: Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Social
• Quite
• Affectionate
• Intelligent

Cons

• Expensive
• Health Issues
• Size

Rating: 8/10

The Maine Coon Cat is a longhaired cat breed known for its large size and striking appearance. These gentle giants are very social and love to be around people and other animals. Maine Coon is one of the most sought-after cat breeds because of their friendly personalities and beautiful coats.

Did You Know? Maine Coons are among the most playful cat breeds that always love to play. So, it is wise to give them things to play with. For this, we recommend buying one of The Top Scratching Posts For Indoor Cats.

Cornish Rex Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Intelligent
• Easy to groom
• Affectionate

Cons

• Highly energetic
• Need lots of attention

Rating: 8/10

The Cornish Rex Cat is a short-haired cat breed known for its wavy coat. It's a small-to-medium-sized cat with an egg-shaped head. The Cornish Rex is a cheerful and lively breed that gets along well with other dogs. They are also quite clever, making them trainable.

Tip: Feeding your cat with high-quality cat food is the best way to keep your cat healthy. For this, we recommend Buy The Best Pet Food Express Cat Food.

Siberian Cat

Coat Type: Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Gentle
• Affectionate
• Playful

Cons

• Needs grooming
• Genetic diseases

Rating: 7/10

The Siberian Cat is a semi-long-haired cat breed known for its thick coat. These beautiful cats have three layers of dense fur and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Siberian cats are very social and love to be around people and other animals. They are also one of the most trainable cat breeds, making them great companions for families with children and other pets.

American Shorthair Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Affectionate
• Docile
• Friendly
• Easy grooming

Cons

• Can get overweight easily
• Need regular brushing

Rating: 8/10

The American Shorthair Cat is a short-haired cat breed distinguished by its muscular physique and dense coat. American shorthair cats make adorable and faithful pets with their affectionate attitudes, compact bodies, round cheeks, and short ears.

British Shorthair Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Affectionate
• Low maintenance
• Intelligent

Cons

• Shed a lot
• Relatively bad health

Rating: 7/10

The British Shorthair Cat is a short-haired cat breed known for its large size and round head. It is one of the oldest known cat breeds, believed to have been imported from Rome by the Romans. British shorthairs are prized for their soft, fuzzy coats and rounded forms. British shorthair cats might almost be mistaken for teddy bears due to their lovely smooth fur and cuddly appearance.

Japanese Bobtail Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Outgoing
• Friendly
• Highly intelligent

Cons

• Expensive
• Vocal

Rating: 8/10

The Japanese Bobtail Cat is a short-haired cat breed known for its tail and silky coat. Their bobtail closely resembles that of a rabbit and is the result of a natural mutation. Japanese bobtails are affectionate and loving cats. They are also known for being intelligent, making them one of the most trainable cat breeds.

Turkish Angora Cat

Coat Type: Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Intelligent
• Funny
• Cuddly
• Playful and active

Cons

• Need a lot of grooming
• Expensive

Rating: 8/10

The Turkish Angora Cat is a longhaired cat breed known for its slender body and beautiful coat. Turkish angoras are very social and highly intelligent. Hence they are considered a national treasure in their native Turkey.

Munchkin Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Cuddly
• Playful
• Friendly
• Social

Cons

• Shed moderately
• Vocal

Rating: 8/10

The Munchkin Cat is a short-legged cat breed known for its small stature and loving nature. Munchkins are the result of a natural mutation, and their short legs are due to a genetic defect. Despite their small size, Munchkin cats are active, social and love playing.

British Longhair Cat

Coat Type: Longhair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Good health
• Friendly and affectionate
• Docile

Cons

• Need regular grooming
• Too shy
• Need lots of attention

Rating: 7/10

The British Longhair Cat is a longhaired cat breed known for its large size and round head. The British longhair cat is a devoted and kind companion with a beautiful face and calm demeanor. It is believed to be a cross between the British Shorthair and the Persian, which shares many of the same features as both breeds.

Oriental Shorthair Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Friendly and affectionate
• Easy to groom
• Loyal and intelligent

Cons

• Need lots of attention
• Vocal
• Energetic

Rating: 8/10

The Oriental Shorthair cat is a small to medium cat breed known for its short coat and elegant appearance. The Oriental shorthair is an intelligent, friendly, inquisitive cat that loves to play and explore. They make excellent pets for households with children and other pets.

Himalayan Cat

Coat Type: Long coat

Eye Color: Blue

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Loyal and affectionate
• Easy to Train
• Beautiful and cuddly

Cons

• Needs lots of grooming
• Need a special diet
• Have health issues
• Expensive

Rating: 6/10

The Himalayan cat is a longhaired medium-sized cat breed known for its beautiful thick coat and blue eyes. Himalayan cats are loving and loyal companions that enjoy being around people and other animals. These cats also have flat faces, which makes them prone to respiratory problems.

Snow Bengal Cat

Coat Type: Short coat

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Affectionate
• Docile
• Inquisitive and Intelligent

Cons

• Love to scratch a lot
• Get bored easily

Rating: 6/10

The Snow Bengal Cat is a short-haired cat breed known for its beautiful coat and loving nature. Snow Bengal cats are mischievous, attention-seeking, but also very loving companions. They make great family pets and are especially fond of children.

Russian White Cat

Coat Type: Short hair

Eye Color: Blue, green, or copper

Pure White Or Not? Yes

Pros

• Calm and laid back
• Intelligent

Cons

• Hard to train
• Too shy
• Expensive

Rating: 7/10

The Russian white cats are solid white cats with blue or green eyes. They are a very rare breed and are not well known outside of Russia. Not only are they very loving and affectionate, but they are also very intelligent.

Turkish Van Cat

Coat Type: Van pattern (white with colored patches)

Eye Color: Blue

Pure White Or Not? No

Pros

• Active and playful
• Affectionate
• Intelligent

Cons

• Energetic
• Vocal
• Need lots of grooming

Rating: 7/10

The Turkish Van Cat is a medium-sized cat breed known for its unique van pattern coat and love of water. Turkish Van cats are active and playful and love exploring their surroundings. They make great companions for families with children and other pets.

Ragdoll Cat

Coat Type: Long coat

Eye Color: Blue

Pure White Or Not? Can be pure white

Pros

• Gentle and smart
• Active
• Affectionate
• Docile

Cons

• Expensive
• Sheds a lot
• Vocal

Rating: 8/10

The Ragdoll Cat is a large, longhaired cat breed known for its gentle and loving nature. Ragdoll cats are very social creatures that love being around people and other animals. They make excellent family pets and are especially fond of children.

Conclusion

There you have it, 26 of the best white cat breeds! As you can see, there is a lot of variety among these beautiful cats. Whether you are looking for a short-haired or longhaired cat, a pure white cat, or one with colored patches, there is sure to be a breed that is perfect for you and your family. Do you have a favorite white cat breed? Let us know in the comments below!

FAQ

What Cat Breeds Are Black And White?

British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and American Bobtail are some black and white cat breeds.

What White Cat Breeds Have Blue Eyes?

Russian blue, British Shorthair, and Turkish Angora are some white cat breeds with blue eyes.

What Is The Rarest White Cat Breed?

The Khao-Manee is the rarest white cat breed. It is a Thai cat that is all white with green eyes. This cat breed is very rare and is not well known outside of Thailand.