All About Spotted Cat Breeds

There are a few domesticated cat breeds with beautiful spotted markings almost resembling a mini-cheetah. Spotted cats are not as common as other colors of house cats.  

Spotted cat breeds are often sought after for their beautiful marking and wild appearance. Here are some spotted cat breeds you may have come across:

Bengal Cat

A Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed from a hybrid of the Asian leopard cat and domestic cats, particularly the Egyptian Mau.

Bengal cats can be traced back to the early 1900s when breeders first cross domestic felines with Asian leopard cats. 

Aside from their markings, Bengals are known for their loyal, caring attitudes and intelligent minds. 

Egyptian Mau

Once revered as a deity by pharaohs, the Egyptian Mau has a distinct spotted coat. These cats have smaller, cheetah-like spots on their coats (whereas Bengals have leopard-like, larger spots).

This breed is one of the few naturally spotted breeds of domestic cats and is considered a rare breed to encounter. 

Ocicat

The Ocicat breed is a breed that originated from a cross between a Siamese cat with an Abyssinian cat. 

These cats have small spots along their coats and rings around their tails, resulting in a wild appearance. They are often affectionate and loyal pets. 

Serengeti

The Serengeti cat was bred in the 1990s to resemble the African Serval cat. However, this breed does not actually have Serval ancestry. 

Serengeti's are a cross between Bengal and the Oriental Shorthair breeds. This breed is athletic, intelligent, and can be quite vocal. 

Savannah

Unlike the Serengeti cat, a Savannah cat actually does have Serval blood. This large and lanky breed has Serval and domestic cat ancestors. They have vibrant spotted coats and a tall build. 

There are various generations of Savannah cats, some with much less Serval influence in their genetics. While more distant generations make great house pets, F1 and F2 first-generation Savannahs are not for beginner cat owners. 

Pixiebob

The Pixiebob is a spotted cat breed resembling a Coastal Red bobcat. This breed originated in Washington state as a cross between various spotted cats and short-tail cats. 

Pixiebobs are stocky and have short, stubby tails. Their coats are typically very similar to a standard brown tabby. 

Interested in learning more about cat markings? Find out if all calico cats are female here. Check out the top female cat names for some inspiration if you’re adopting a new female cat.