What’s new pussy cat: the top feline breeds and names this International Cat Day (8th August)
Cats have been worshipped all over the world, way back into our history and it's well known that Ancient Egyptians believed they were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them.
In celebration of International Cat Day (8 August), GoCompare is honouring our estimated 10.7 million feline friends in the UK by revealing which breeds, and names are the most popular.
As seen in GoCompare's Petflation Report the number one breed for cat insurance searches is the "moggie" with 12,972 searches since September 2019. A Moggie (also known as a domestic shorthair) is a non-pedigree cat of mixed or unknown ancestry. They are generally friendly, low maintenance and pretty healthy, so it's no surprise that they came top of the list.
In second place is the Ragdoll. This docile breed first appeared back in the 1960s and has since gone on to be loved across America and the UK due to its affectionate nature. Any Ragdoll owner will know how they like to follow you from room to room, and this friendly attitude has seen them searched for 704 times.
With 559 insurance searches, the Bengal cat takes third place. While it might look like a small leopard, it's much friendlier than its wild cousin, and loves nothing more than playing with people. Completing the list are:
- British shorthair – 541
- Maine coon – 529
- Persian – 351
- British Blue Shorthair – 265
- Siamese – 257
- Sphynx - 109
However, while the Moggie tops the cat insurance search list, their owners are much more modest when it comes to social media.
GoCompare found that the larger Maine Coon gained a whopping 9.6 million hashtags, followed by the British Shorthair with 8.8 million appearances. Our classic tabby cat came in third with 7.4 million hashtags.
But what do the 24% of the UK's population who own a cat, choose to call their friendly feline? According to pet insurance quote data in 2021, the top 10 cat names are:
- Luna
- Bella
- Charlie
- Simba
- Milo
- Poppy
- Lola
- Willow
- Leo
- Molly
GoCompare pet expert, Hannah Isitt said:
"Cats are such fantastic and beautiful pets and are known for their agility and intellect, so it's right that they should have a day in the calendar to celebrate everything cat.
"The myth that they have nine lives possibly comes from their ability to manoeuvre great heights and avoid injuries. However, while they're clever pets, you can't protect them from ever getting ill or injured when they are exploring outdoors, which is why cat insurance is a must for any owner, protecting you from unforeseen vet costs and ensure your feline friend gets the best care possible."
