You may be surprised by the number of cat breeds that come in grey (as well as the many that only come in grey). If you are interested in a gorgeous grey cat, you have many options to choose from. You will also find grey cats with all sorts of different patterns and markings.
Let’s jump into our list of grey cat breeds.
The 15 Grey Cat Breeds
1. American Shorthair
As you might guess, American Shorthair cats are a pretty common grey cat breed in America. These cats come in an array of colors and patterns, including grey. You’ll commonly find these cats in tabby patterns, as well as a range of others.
Today, the breed is extremely common in America.
2. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is one of the more popular grey cats. This breed comes exclusively in this grey coloration and is pretty popular in the UK. Of course, you can also find them available throughout the rest of the world.
These felines are known for being active and intelligent.
3. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is fairly similar to the British Shorthair. However, they’re recognizable due to their folded-over ears that were developed through very selective breeding. They can be traced back to a single cat that was born on a Highland farm.
4. Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is “blue,” which is a deep grey color. They hail from Russia, as you might have guessed from their name. They’re named after their beautiful blue/grey coat, which is the only color they come in.
5. Chartreux
The Chartreux comes exclusively in a grey color. They’re known for being quiet and calm, making them perfect for those who want a cuddly cat. They aren’t nearly as active as some other felines out there and are very suitable for apartment living.
6. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a bit of a strange feline. They have a wavy, downy coat that doesn’t resemble what you typically see on a cat. It’s often compared to silk or velvet. They also come in a grey color almost exclusively and are instantly recognizable.
7. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex comes in various colors, just like the American Shorthair. One of these is grey, which is usually paired with a tabby pattern. They have a rather short coat and are known for being good family cats thanks to their sociable demeanor.
8. Peterbald
The Peterbald is almost exclusively hairless. However, they do still have coat colors that affect the very small amount of fur they grow. Sometimes, they can come in grey, but it is not that noticeable. Rarely, these cats may have longer fur. In this case, their grey coloration is pretty obvious.
Either way, these felines are known for their playfulness and loyalty. They’re often described as being closer to dogs than cats.
9. Persian
You probably know what a Persian is, even if you haven’t seen one in person. These cats are instantly recognizable thanks to their flat face and fluffy coat. They come in various colors, including just about any shade of grey.
These cats require hours of brushing, so they are most suited for those with plenty of time on their hands.
10. Egyptian Mau
While the Egyptian Mau isn’t completely grey, you can find them with grey markings. They are one of the few domestic cats that have spots, which makes them a real show-stopper. This feline can be traced all the way back to Egypt, where it has been around for at least 3,000 years.
Sadly, today, they are rather uncommon despite their affectionate nature.
11. Korat
The Korat hails from Thailand and looks like many other Asian breeds. They are often dark grey, though they can also come in lighter colors. Traditionally, they were seen as good luck and thought to affect many scenarios, from the birth of babies to rice harvests.
In modern times, they are one of the most laidback cat breeds you can get.
12. Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental shorthair is best known for its very big ears and defined nose. They’re absolutely head-turning cats, if only because they look different than the typical feline. These cats can come in many colors, though they almost always have green eyes.
13. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest cat is a huge cat that just wants to love you. These incredibly large cats are affectionate and playful. However, they’re a lot to handle, as they can grow up to 20 pounds. They’re huge snuggle buddies. So if you’re looking for a grey, fluffy cat then this could be the breed for you!
As you might expect, they are native to Norway. They come in many different colors, but grey is one of the most common.
14. Maine Coon
Maine Coons are pretty common in America and are known as one of the largest domestic cat breeds. They can get extremely large—even larger than a Norwegian Forest Cat. Their long fur just makes them look even bigger, too.
These felines developed naturally in the northern United States from the boat cats that hitched a ride with European settlers. Because of the cold winters, they naturally developed a large coat and “snowshoe” paws.
15. Nebelung
You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Nebelung. They’re a rarer breed, after all, and were created in the 1980s. They’re exclusively grey cats with (usually) green eyes. They’re often easygoing and were made to be friendly, cuddly companions.
Final Thoughts
There are tons of grey cat breeds out there, ranging from nearly hairless cats to huge fluffy balls. Some of these breeds are easygoing and docile, while others are very active. Therefore, just about any family should be able to find a grey feline to fit into their family.
While appearance can be important when choosing a cat, be sure to consider their temperament and what you’re expecting out of a pet.
Featured Image Credit: FotoMirta, Shutterstock
The 15 Grey Cat Breeds
