The chief veterinarian at Petco, Whitney Miller, DVM, notes that some cultures see gray and white cats as guides or protectors to the spiritual realm. Some people think that gray cats represent virtues like self-reliance, intuition, and equilibrium. And then there are those, like Miller, who are simply drawn to a stylish cat sporting a gray and white tuxedo.
These 12 breeds of gray and white cats are worth getting to know, regardless of your motivation for loving them.
Advice
The greatest method to understand a cat’s personality is to spend time engaging and playing with them, regardless of the color of the cat. Make sure you are a good fit by having a meet and greet before bringing the cat home, advises Miller.
The Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian forest cats, also known as “Wegies,” are amiable animals that enjoy climbing and exploring. Give your cats plenty of scratching posts, sturdy cat trees, and high-up cat shelving to protect your furniture from these feline acrobats. Nevertheless, they are kind cats that are wonderful companions for kids, other animals, and first-time pet owners. Their thick coat is available in a range of colors, such as bicolor, tabby gray and white, and others. They need to be groomed every day.
Overview of Breeds
- INCHES: 9–12 inches
- 12 to 16 pounds in weight
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, loving
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COAT COLOR: lavender/silver, red/orange, cream/beige/tan, blue/gray, black/ebony, and white
- 14–16 years is the life span.
Sphynx
Sphynx cats have pigmented skin despite having very little fur. Their colors, of which they have a wide variety, are thus as vivid as their personalities. A veterinarian at Chewy Health named Jennifer Fryer, DVM, says of them: “They’re bright, friendly, outgoing, and playful.” They can usually be found curled up in a warm lap or cuddling with a furry friend when they’re not running laps. What could be more ideal than a Sphynx in gray and white? Secondly, they dislike being by themselves. Sphynx cats have fur that resembles a layer of peach fuzz, so they need extra skin care, such as baths every now and then and sunscreen protection.
Overview of Breeds
- LEVEL: 8 to 10 in.
- MEASUREMENT: 6–14 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, loving
- POWER STATE: Extreme
- LENGTH OF COAT: Hairless
- COAT COLOR: fawn, cream/beige/tan, cinnamon, black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, lavender/silver, lilac, red/orange, and white
- EXTENSIONS: 9–15 YEARS
Mau the Egyptian
The amazing green eyes and glossy, spotted coat of the Egyptian mau are not nearly as impressive as the breed’s natural appearance. Rather than being selectively bred, they are actually the only spotted cats that exist naturally. If you’ve been accepted as one of “their people,” they’re a part-time talkative Kathy and a part-time serene lap cat. They may be bashful in social situations, but they never cease to amaze. Fryer remarks, “They are breathtakingly beautiful.” Their sleek coats have bronze spots in addition to their silvery white fur with dark gray to black spots.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 7–11 inches
- MEASUREMENT: 8–12 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Warm and outgoing
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Short
- COAT COLOR: lavender/silver, chocolate/brown/sable, blue/gray, and black/ebony
- AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 9–13 years
Coon, Maine
Maine coons are well known for their magnificent size and smooth, thick fur. They can have bicolor or tabby gray and white manes, with the longest fur growing on the stomach, chest, and tail. Their massive ears with fur tufts at the tips give them a majestic appearance. “But what really appeals to me about them is their gregarious, friendly demeanor,” Fryer states. It should come as no surprise that Maine coons consistently rank highest among cat enthusiasts’ preferred breeds.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 16 to 18 inches
- 18 to 18 pounds in weight
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Warm and outgoing
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COAT COLOR: Cream/beige/tan, red/orange, chocolate/brown/sable, black/ebony, blue/gray, and white
- AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 10–13 years
Turkish Van
The Turkish van, a lively breed from Turkey’s mountains, is almost as big as a Maine coon. Their coat is the most distinguishing physical characteristic. It is, in actuality, their namesake. The “van pattern” is an all-white body with darker spots on the head, tail, and occasionally the nape of the neck. The spots can be any color. Their coats may get thicker and longer in the winter, and tufts of fur may show through between their toes. This white and gray cat is also referred to as “the swimming cat” because of their love of the water.
Overview of Breeds
- HIGHT: Between 10 and 14 in.
- 10 to 20 pounds in weight
- CHARACTER/TEMPERAMENT: gregarious
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COLOR OF COAT: White or bicolor
- 12–17 years is the life span.
Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is intelligent and has a people-loving disposition. They make the most of their intelligence by charming their way to the front of any pack or clowder and taking on the role of leader. The most common color combination for Turkish Angoras is a white coat and blue eyes, but Fryer notes that pure white cats with blue eyes are more likely to be born deaf. In addition, they are available in tabby, pure black, and bicolor gray and white coat colors. They are best suited for prospective parents who have some experience with cats, according to Fryer, and they benefit from mental stimulation activities like clicker training and feeder puzzles.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 11–14 inches
- EIGHT TO FIFTY PULLS
- CHARACTER/TEMPERAMENT: gregarious
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COAT COLOR: lavender/silver, red/orange, black/ebony, blue/gray, and white
- AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 9–14 years
Devon-Rex
Have you given any thought to a white and gray cat with curly hair? Introducing the eye-catching Devon rex, a cat with a curly coat that comes in a multitude of colors and patterns. Their curls are the result of a random genetic mutation that was initially identified in Kirlee, an English cat. Use a moist cloth to gently wipe their fur and skin to take care of their curly mane. Their delicate hair will be damaged by excessive grooming. These inquisitive felines can be black, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, or tortoiseshell, with patterns ranging from calico to pointed, though they look especially beautiful in gray and white.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 10–12 inches
- PACKAGES: 6–9 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, neurotic, loving
- POWER STATE: Extreme
- LENGTH OF COAT: Short
- COAT COLOR: fawn, lavender/silver, red/orange, white, cinnamon, chocolate/brown/sable, blue/gray, cream/beige/tan, and black/ebony.
- EXTENSIONS: 9–15 YEARS
Wirehair in America
Another gray and white cat with an unusual coat is the American wirehair. Their short hair resembles the coats of wirehaired dog breeds in that it feels coarse to the touch. American wirehairs are a low-maintenance cat breed, aside from daily play. As with the Devon rex, American wirehairs can get brittle coat damage from frequent brushing. This easygoing breed is good for households with children, other cats, and amiable puppy dogs.
Overbreeding
- INCHES: 9–11 INCHES
- MEASUREMENT: 8–12 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, loving
- ENERGY LEVEL: tranquil
- LENGTH OF COAT: Short
- COAT COLOR: fawn, lavender/silver, red/orange, cream/beige/tan, blue/gray, black/ebony, and white
- AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 10–16 years
Furious
There are several distinct variations of the gray-and-white ragdoll cat, such as colorpoint, bicolor, tortie points, and lynx points. As beautiful as the next, the colorpoint pattern—which has a lighter body color and darker coloration around the eyes, ears, tail, and limbs—might be the most frequently observed pattern. According to Fryer, “many breeds with darker points are typically born all one color.” This is due to an enzyme1 that only produces color at lower body temperatures, which is present in ragdolls and other pointy-haired cats. Thus, a lot of ragdoll kittens are creamy white at birth, and as they get older, their extremities get darker. Whatever their outward appearance, ragdolls are widely regarded as one of the friendliest cat breeds available. Fryer continues, “They love cuddles and purr easily.”
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 10–20 inches
- 13 to 18 pounds in weight
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, loving
- ENERGY LEVEL: tranquil
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COAT COLOR: lilac, red/orange, cream, beige/tan, chocolate, brown/sable, black/ebony, blue/gray, lavender/silver, and white
- 13–18 years is the life span.
ragamuffin
The RagaMuffin is every bit as adorable as their name suggests, and we’re talking about love at first purr. In addition to the bicolor gray and white, their long, rabbit-soft fur also comes in a few other gray shades, such as smoke, silver, and gray tabby patterns. Like Siamese or ragdolls, they might also show off their color points. Adorably named RagaMuffin, dubbed the “Teddy Bear of the Cat World,” there’s no better lap cat out there.
Overview of Breeds
- HIGHT: Between 10 and 15 in.
- 10 to 20 pounds in weight
- CHARM/TEMPERAMENT: Warm and loving
- ENERGY LEVEL: tranquil
- LENGTH OF COAT: Long
- COAT COLOR: cinnamon, fawn, ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, lilac, red/orange, lavender/silver, and white
- 12–16 years is the life span.
The British Shorthair
Though friendly, the British shorthair is more frequently compared to a teddy bear due to appearance than cuddle factor. They’re a round, cuddly cat with soft fur, plump cheeks, and big round eyes, though they’d rather have gentle companions. They come in every color and pattern, but their solid blue coats are what most distinguish them. They should be brushed once a week to minimize shedding. They get along with almost any well-mannered family member and are appropriate for both houses and apartments.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 12–14 inches
- MEASUREMENT: 7–17 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Warm and outgoing
- ENERGY LEVEL: tranquil
- LENGTH OF COAT: Short
- COAT COLOR: fawn, lilac, red/orange, white, black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cinnamon, cream/beige/tan
- 15–20 years is the life span.
Tonkinese
Siamese and Burmese cats are crossed to create Tonkinese cats, or Tonks as they are called. If you’re not ready for their lively demeanor and constant chatter, they can be a pain—or even come across as obstinate. Nevertheless, they are amiable cats who merely desire your undivided attention. Tonks that are gray and white are available in two coat patterns: pointed and mink, which has a lesser contrast than pointed. They might also be made of solid material.
Overview of Breeds
- ACHIEVEMENT: 7–10 inches
- PACKAGES: 6–12 pounds
- PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Bold, gregarious, loving
- ENERGY STATE: Intense
- LENGTH OF COAT: Short
- COAT COLOR: cream/beige/tan, chocolate/brown/sable, blue/gray
- 15–20 years is the life span.
