Finding the right new kitten is about as great as... well, coming home with a kitten! Is there anything to compare a furry bundle of joy to?But kittens grow into cats, and what kind of cat best suits your household? One with lots of fur to brush and a penchant for napping in your lap? Or a cat who'll hardly ever need to see a comb and who prefers to use your bookshelf as a jungle gym? Perhaps you're looking for a talkative cat, or one that's known for their ability to be trained to do tricks?Take a look through our

cat breed guides

, and find out more about:

The Friendliest Cat Breeds

From the American Bobtail to the Siamese, these cats are lovers of people.

The Easiest Cats to Care For

These cats, including the American Shorthair, Russian Blue, and Scottish Fold, aren't in need of much pampering -- just a little love and they'll be happy.

Rare Cats You May Have Never Seen Before

Want to be the envy of the block? These kitties, like the Korat and Ocicat, are rare beauties -- if you can find them.

Beautiful Black Cat Breeds

Lots of different cat breeds can come in black, and some are always black. Meet the Bombay, Oriental, and more.

5 of the Sweetest Lap Cats

You'll be hard pressed for alone time if you have a Persian, Ragdoll, or another of these lap-loving cats -- but we bet you'll enjoy the company just as much as they do.

All-White Cat Breeds

Frosty cats will fit right in the winter windowsill this holiday season. Learn more about the Himalayan, White Persian, and more.   

The Rarest Breeds of Cats Existing Today!

As a cat lover, you will know how an American Curl looks like, or a Persian, a Sphynx. These cats are often discussed and recognized easily. But there are some breeds of extremely distinctive cats. Chances are, you might not have heard of some of these breeds of cats that exist today.

Burmilla

The Burmilla breed of cats originated in the United Kingdom in 1981. It was an unplanned combination of Chinchilla Persian male and a Lilac Burmese female. The accidental kittens were so beautiful that a breeding program was established. The Burmilla features glamourous silvery, shiny coat, and the markings in its eye resemble eyeliner.

Korat

The origin of Korat dates to the 14th century and this cat is believed to have lived in monasteries in the Kingdom of Siam. These cats were believed to be lucky and reserved for foreign representatives of Thailand and members of Thai government. These cats come in one color only, silver-tipped blue. 

Chartreux

The Chartreux is believed to have originated in Persia and brought to France by the knights returning from the crusades in the 16th century. They became a part of the French monasteries and were an important part of monk’s lives. These cats were named after the Carthusian monks who lived in the French monasteries and known for their unique color and coat texture.

Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is one of the most ancient breeds of cats which surprisingly love water and swimming. Originating from Eastern Turkey in the Lake Van area, these long-haired beauties have been around since the 1800s. They are recognized by the striking reds of their heads and tails.

LaPerm

The LaPerm cats are known for their curly fur and a variety of color pattern. These beautiful cats came from a humble beginning in a barn. It was a spontaneous genetic mutation in a regular litter of tabby cats. These cats were named LaPerm after their unique curls that range from tight to wavy ringlets or long corkscrew curls.

Sokoke

The origin of this gorgeous cat breed can be tracked to Kenya where Sokoke came to be from natural breeding. This breed of cat is peaceful and easy-going and known as a free-roaming feral cat by the people of Kenya. The Sokoke breed is recognized by its vibrantly striped coat.

Minskin

The Minskin breed is a cross between a Munchkin and a Sphynx. They are recognized by the short stature of the Munchkin combined with hairless body of the Sphynx. These hairless breeds of cats are known for their friendliness as well as compact size.

There are several other breeds of cats that are rare and include Ojos Azules with their distinctive blue eyes; European Burmese with solid pointed color; Turkish Angora recognized by their silky white coat; American Bobtail is known for their short tail; and American Wirehair which has a wiry coat and crimped whiskers.