9 Spotted Cat Breeds (with Pictures)

All of our cats are gorgeous creatures, but the spotted cat is a much rarer sight to behold. Some only come in a spotted pattern, while others have a variety of patterns that also happen to include spots. If you’re curious about which cat breeds tend to be polka-dotted, we’ve compiled a list of nine spotted cats just for you.

The 9 Spotted Cat Breeds Are:

1. American Bobtail

The American Bobtail comes in almost all colors and patterns, which does include a spotted tabby pattern. However, these cats are more well known for their tail (or lack thereof). The Bobtail has gotten her name because of her unique shortened tail, which can wag or is held erect to express her many moods.

The Bobtail isn’t known for being chatty, but you’ll hear her trilling and chirping in addition to the occasional meowing. They are very intelligent cats and get along well with everyone in the family, including the dog. Bobtails are active on occasion, but they enjoy couch potato moments as well.

2. Bengal

Bengals come in a number of colors but are well known for their leopard/jaguar style spotting. Some Bengals also have distinctive marbling. Once upon a time, the crossing of domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat gave us the Bengal we see today. However, today’s domestic Bengal is only bred with other Bengals, with nary a wild cat in sight.

Bengals are loyal, inquisitive, and affectionate cats that are family-oriented. They are lap cats but also enjoy a good playing session and really enjoy climbing up to high places. They do best with company, so if you are out a lot, you should ensure your Bengal has a companion in the form of a small dog or another cat.

3. California Spangled

The California Spangled cat was bred in California in the 1980s with a mix of breeds, including the Manx, Siamese, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, British Shorthair, Angora, and street cats from Egypt and Malaysia. They were specifically bred to look like spotted wild cats as a way to make people think twice before purchasing fur coats made from exotic cats like the leopard.

California Spangled cats might resemble miniature wild cats, but they are actually very gentle, affectionate, and devoted pets. They are also very playful and active but would prefer not to be left alone for long periods.

4. Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is an elegant-looking cat that sports a spotted coat that is naturally occurring. Their hind legs are lengthier than their front legs, which gives them a very graceful look. Those hind legs also allow them to leap and run at rapid bursts of speed, faster than most other cats.

Regardless of their athletic abilities, they are quite affectionate and gentle cats that tend to be wary of anyone not a part of their family. They get along well with children and other pets but are a little skittish around sudden loud noises and events.

5. Ocicat

The Ocicat is a gorgeous spotted cat that comes in colors that range from chocolate to blue. While their spots might make them look exotic, they are actually very sweet and domesticated cats through and through.

They are lap cats that are also very athletic and enjoy lots of play and even enjoy a good game of fetch. Ocicats are very intelligent and will demand as much of your attention as they can get. They get along quite well with everyone, even strangers and dogs as well as other cats.

6. Oriental Shorthair

The Oriental Shorthair is a part of the Siamese Breed Group and comes in a multitude of patterns and colors, which includes spots. Their large ears and long necks and bodies give them a graceful and elegant appearance.

The Oriental Shorthair is talkative like her Siamese relative and forms a strong bond with her family. They love lots of affection and attention and will enjoy a good snuggle on your lap. But they become rather naughty if left alone for long periods of time.

7. Pixie Bob

The Pixie Bob (or Pixie-bob) is usually brown in color but ranges from a tawny brown to a reddish-brown with spots. They are typically polydactyl (they have 5 toes on their front paws and 4 on their back), and their tails are generally shorter than 2 inches. They can be either shorthair or longhair and have double coats and lynx-tufts on the tips of their ears.

Pixie Bobs have been compared to dogs because of how strongly devoted they are to their families, which includes children and other pets. They are active but are also usually laid back and calm in nature and essentially want to spend lots of time with you.

8. Savannah

The Savannah comes in the standard colors of silver, brown, black, and black smoke, all with spots, and does resemble her African serval ancestor. They tend to be very elegant with long legs and lean bodies.

Be prepared for a ton of energy and activity if you opt for the Savannah, as they can be quite mischievous thanks to their curiosity and intelligence. Savannahs are not lap cats, for as much as they love their families and being close to them, they prefer their own space.

9. Serengeti

The Serengeti cat comes in several colors and can be striped like a tabby, but she is commonly spotted. They are similar to the Savannah in that they were bred to resemble the African serval, but the Savannah and Serval are not related in any way. The Serengeti was actually created by crossing the Bengal with Oriental Shorthairs.

These cats are very friendly and get along with just about everyone, including other pets. They also are very energetic, and thanks to the Oriental Shorthair background, they can be quite talkative. The Serengeti will require lots of playtime and exercise and are very devoted to their families.

Final Thoughts

Now you know a little more about these nine gorgeous breeds of spotted cats. It’s interesting to note that many of them have similar traits—devotion to their families, intelligence, high energy, and they all seem to get along very well with other pets. These spotted cats seem like a wonderful ball of mischief, beauty, and affection for the right family.

See Also: 

• 14 Most Beautiful Cat Breeds You’ll Love (with Pictures)
• 130 Most Popular Blonde Cat Names: Trendy & Beloved Ideas for Your Kitty

Featured Image: MDavidova, Shutterstock