How to Tell the Breed of a Cat

• Weight variations in breed are strong determinants for their identification. So, record the weight of your kitty during birth and also when he grows into an adult cat. Take into consideration the gender of the animal while making calculations.
• Next, take a note of the average height of the animal till the withers. Also measure the entire body length. The average height and weight of cats are also breed specific. Keep in mind that there are certain variations between the males and females of the same breed.
• Next, feel the fur of your cat. Is it single or double layered? Certain breeds of cats have close lying single coats that are waxy and water resistant. While others may have a very thick, furry and protective coat with distinctive layers (double layered).
• You can also measure the fur of the animal to distinguish the breed. The furs can be long (DLH- Domestic Long Hair)), medium (DMH- Domestic Medium Length Hair) or short (DSH- Domestic Short Hair). However, some breeds have both the long-haired and the short-haired versions.
• Now carefully note the various markings, patterns and colors in the body of your cat. Determine if it is a tabby (marked with stripes, whorls and spots), calico (solid blocks of red, black and white), tortoiseshell (interweaving of red, black and white) or is plain solid colored.
• Then, carefully note the shape and color of your cat's eyes. Normally, the outline of the eyes and the eye color/ various ranges of eye colors are specific to certain breeds. For e.g. Siamese have medium and almond-shaped eyes that slightly slant towards the nose. The eye color may range from ice to deep cobalt blue.