Although we always seem to hear about black cats the most, grey is a very common cat coat color. Grey is often called blue in the world of kitties. Cats come in solid shades of grey and grey patterns for tabbies.
Many popular cat breeds have grey as an option and there are three exclusively grey cat breeds as you will read below. There are also white and grey cats, black and grey cats, light grey cats, and many more.
Grey cats can shimmer and are particularly beautiful in a tabby design. Grey coats are shown off particularly well against blue eyed cat breeds.
Here are my 19 grey cat breeds.
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19 Grey Cat Breeds
1. Russian Blue
All Russian Blue cats are grey. They are a medium-haired version of the Nebelung breed (see below) with a plush coat. Russian Blues are one of the most famous grey cat breeds.
Russian Blues are a startlingly pretty breed with emerald-green eyes and a luxurious silvery coat. This grey cat with green eyes is sweet-tempered and fine-featured, with long legs that allow it to run at high speeds.
Those green eyes are large, round, and wide-set. This is another cat breed that constantly looks like it is wide awake! These fluffy grey cats are born with yellow eyes which turn green over time.
This expensive breed of cat enjoys play and requires a good bit of attention when you get home. Although, they do enjoy napping in a quiet corner and tend to shy away from large groups.
Often demanding at mealtimes, these happy felines can get quite chunky if you’re not firm. Russian Blue cats are another very intelligent breed, so providing enough mental and physical stimulation is important to keep them happy.
2. British Shorthair
Grey is one of the most popular colours for the British Shorthair cat breed, particularly a darker shade of grey.
The British Shorthair cat is a medium-sized cat breed with large gold, orange, or copper color eyes, a short, broad nose, and a short to medium coat. Daily grooming of these felines is necessary, especially during seasonal changes.
These lovely kitties are highly intelligent but are still happy to stay inside and play with toys and people. Get some wand-like toys and start a game with your British Shorthair cat; it can be great fun.
This indoor cat breed has an easy-going personality and provides great companionship. While these cats love to play, they don’t require hourly attention.
3. Persian Cat
Blue Persians are grey cats. Persian cats are affectionate, docile, and gentle kitties. This breed has a quiet demeanor; they plop down on any soft surface and pose for your appreciation.
These elegant cats are not very active, which makes them the perfect indoor pet.
Persians have a relatively small face so their big round eyes are particularly prominent. Most Persians have gorgeous blue eyes but there can be exceptions – or some who have a different color in each eye. Their eyes can be particularly striking against a blue or grey coat.
Although affectionate, this grey long haired cat is discriminative and reserves its attention for family and a few trusted guests.
This beautiful flat flaced cat breed does get along with children and other household pets; however, they aren’t fans of loud environments but rather serene homes where little changes.
4. Chartreux
This french cat breed also only comes in gray or blue, as it is often called. It is known as one of the most polite breeds – not a word normally associated with cats!
This is one kitty that doesn’t like to complain and will be not just your friend but a friend to any guests as well.
Their round eyes tend to come in shades between copper and gold, which beautifully offset their blue-grey coats.
This still relatively rare cat breed is an excellent option for a busy person who lives alone or a busy couple/family. It likes to play, but this desire generally comes in spurts. And this is a breed that is quite good at entertaining itself.
5. Nebelung
Nebelung is a less well-known cat breed named “creature of the mist” in Germany. This breed is considered to be the long-haired version of the Russian Blue and only comes in grey.
Their coat is a slivery blue-grey and their long hair is quite luxurious. Like Siberian cats, they have fluffy tails and often a mane around their neck.
Personality-wise, the Nebelung cat breed is known as being quite a shy and calm cat. They can be playful and love climbing but are happiest nestled on their owner’s lap.
6. Norwegian Forest Cat
Larger than your average cat, the Norwegian Forest Cat Breed is rather elegant kitties. They have long legs and bushy tails that are often as long as their bodies.
When their coat has fully come in, they are a sight to behold. They often come out in a full mane, fluffy chest, furry legs and even tufts of fur between their toes.
As a result, these friendly cats do require daily grooming. Their ears also often get tufts of fur that needs to be groomed. The Norwegian Forest Cat actually has a double coat with one being weatherproof.
7. Scottish Fold
Scottish Fold cats, named for their unusual folded ears and striking, yellowish-orange eye colors, these kitties love to be around people. These easy-going cats have a great personality and get along with anyone.
Whilst they may be best known for those funny folded ears this breed is also characterized by beautiful big round eyes. Their eyes come in shades of gold, blue or grey and green. Add these to those fluffy ears and you have one cute cat breed!
As active mousers, Scottish fold cats are playful, sensitive, and expressive. These joyful felines have a habit of posing in odd positions – sitting upright as if they were a meerkat, lying flat on the floor, or on their backs with their paws in the air.
They are moderately active and enjoy toys that test their agility and challenge their intelligence, like puzzle toys. Scottish fold cats crave attention and make great companions, so expect to play with them when you get home from work or school.
8. Siberian Cats
My own feline friends, Alexei and Vladimir, are Siberians, so I’m particularly partial to this amazing breed. With a thick, luxurious coat, stunning coat colors such as grey and an affectionate personality, Siberians are well-suited to any home.
They’re laid-back but enjoy playing, and are very attached to their humans. You’ll often find your Siberian cat following along behind you and cuddling up as soon as you take a seat.
You might enjoy reading my articles on grey and white cat breeds and brown cat breeds.
As you may expect, this loving cat comes from Siberia in Russia, so they’re well suited to cold conditions. It’s an ancient breed considered ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. That’s quite the pedigree.
9. Sphynx
The Sphynx doesn’t have a coat, but it does show color on its skin, which can be grey. These medium-sized cats have a striking appearance with hairless, wrinkled skin and large ears.
It is also known for the somewhat intense gaze which emits for its large eyes. As another breed with minimal hair those large eyes stand out even more on the Sphynx cat.
Though Sphynx cats look bald, they may be covered in a small amount of peach fuzz, giving them that velvety texture. However, they do require moderate grooming to care for their hairless bodies as they do not have fur to absorb natural oils their body produces.
What the Sphynx cat breed lacks in fur, they make up for in their personality. These hairless kitties are sociable, energetic, and love to play. The curious kitties are mischievous and are fond of teaser toys and puzzle toys to challenge them.
10. Korat Cat Breed
These handsome kitties are very outgoing and live a long life – between 15 and 20 years on average. They are very loving and like to follow their owners everywhere – even into the bathroom.
Korats have stunning blue or grey coats that seem to shimmer and become almost silver at the ends. Their beautiful coats are then complimented by their lovely green eyes.
Their coats are very fine, so they don’t require much grooming. Once a week should suffice for a brush and add in a chamois cloth rub to buff up their sheen. Korat cats tend to enjoy being groomed.
The Korat cat breed has been around for over 600 years and originated in the Korat region of Thailand. In 1959 an American ambassador visiting Thailand was given two korat cats, which is when the breed made its way to the United States.
As the breed is quite rare this is an expensive cat breed.
11. Devon Rex
The mischievous Devon Rex cat, or the pixie cat, is a loving and loyal feline breed. They make the ideal companions, welcome family, and friends’ attention, and are great with kids and other pets.
This cat breed emerged in England during the late 1950s and is similar to the nearby Cornish Rex cat breed.
These felines are intelligent, active, and require regular stimulation. Devon Rex cats are jumpers; their favorite place is at head level, so perches and cat trees should be provided.
The moderately active cat enjoys learning and playing fetch, so interactive toys will also help keep him occupied while you’re out earning money.
This indoor cat breed has slender bodies with long legs, large eyes, and high cheekbones. They shouldn’t be brushed as their fur is prone to breakage; instead, rub the Devon Rex cat gently with a cloth to keep them well-groomed, weekly.
12. Turkish Angora
Turkish Angora cats are known for their long, silky coats, often the longest around the cat’s neck. They are an adorable combination of large ears, almond-shaped eyes, and a small to medium-sized head.
Originally from Turkey (you may have guessed this), the earliest records of the Turkish Angora cat are from the 16th century. However, the breed began to disappear in the early 19th century.
The Turkish Angora was bred at the Ankara Zoo to preserve its pedigree and the breed was officially established in North America in the 1970s.
These friendly and gentle cats also have a more boisterous side and love to run, jump and explore. He loves to play and will do almost anything to get your attention.
This cat breed will maintain the playfulness they exhibit as kittens throughout their lives. They will enjoy curling up next to you and on you on both the couch and your bed.
13. Ragdoll Cats
Playful and friendly, with stunning blue eyes, the Ragdoll cat is a famously fun pet. Their most fascinating feature is their tendency to lie limp when you pick them up (as opposed to most cats, who squirm out of your hold as soon as they can).
Ragdoll cats are loyal, and often greet their humans at the door. They’re also great with dogs and children, making them perfect for families.
With a sweet and gentle temperament, this gray fluffy cat is super relaxed with strangers and will seek a bit of love from everyone. This is one of the friendliest expensive cat breeds.
14. American Shorthair
The American shorthair was used to keep vermin and rodents under control and away from food; they still love hunting. These days they tend to hunt insects more than larger animals but also like to use their hunting skills in toys like puzzle games.
This stocky and muscular breed comes in a broad range of colors (silver tabby is the most common). They have a large full face with wide eyes.
The breed is believed to have descended from the other domestic short-haired cats brought over on the Mayflower. They were recognized as a breed in 1906 but were not called the American Shorthair breed until 1966. This was to distinguish the breed from other short hairs.
American shorthair cats tend to be quite adaptable and good-natured. They are a good family pet. However, they generally don’t like to be picked up or held for long periods. This kitty is more comfortable sitting next to you rather than on top of you.
15. Oriental Longhair Cats
This interesting, elegant feline is closely related to the Oriental Shorthair cat but has a long, silky, healthy coat, which suits its long, tubular body particularly well. You can find this cat breed in an impressive range of coat colors, from self-colored to tortoiseshell and even to shaded.
Their faces are similar to their close relative, the Siamese cat. But their almond-shaped eyes and thinner faces make them quite odd-looking, which is why they feature on this list of little weirdos.
The Oriental Longhair cat is an intelligent, curious breed. They are very talkative and like quite a lot of attention. You’ll likely find that they’ll be trailing you wherever you go in the house, so be prepared to be loved.
They also suit children and other animals well, if they are introduced to them nicely. They like their space to be respected, a classic cat trait, but they are very playful and fun-loving. They also learn well, so they’re a particularly trainable cat breed.
16. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex cat has a head shaped like a triangle. As a result, its eyes and ears are prominent and large. The eyes of the Cornish Rex cat tend to be golden in color although that can vary. This contrasts beautifully when the Cornish Rex has a grey coat.
This cat breed is often compared to greyhound dogs due to their sleek appearance and they like a long, lolling run. This is a very adventurous breed that loves to explore and will keep its playful demeanor long after its kitten days are finished.
17. Peterbald
The Peterbald cat is a strange little fellow. With hairless, grey-silver skin, a slanted face, and large pointy ears, this Russian cat breed has certainly earned its place on this list.
Created from experimental breeding, this cat first popped its head out in 1994, at St. Petersburg. This is why it’s named Peterbald (I’m sure you can guess where the bald part comes from). And one of the main reasons that this is quite a rare cat breed.
Originally a cross between a hairless Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair, these cats quickly became popular in their home country.
Since Peterbald cats don’t have any fur to keep them warm, they need to be kept indoors during the cooler seasons, as they might otherwise get too chilly. They require a little bit more cat care than other breeds because they need to be bathed weekly in order to keep their coats from getting oily and attracting dirt.
This gray cat breed has a wonderful affectionate personality and is often found shadowing their loved ones. Peterbald cats love attention and are very active in general, as well as loyal and loving. Their personalities are regularly likened to that of canines.
18. Egyptian Mau
A rare breed with a beautifully spotted coat, the Egyptian Mau cat is a historic breed. It has a medium-sized but muscular build, with longer hind legs. They are the fastest domestic cat breed in the world!
Egyptian Mau cats prefer heat and are quite sensitive to temperature. So if you live somewhere very cold, keep this in mind.
With a balanced temperament and a preference for activity, it’s best to have a large garden for your Mau cat. They’re very loyal and cheerful, and love snuggles. Smart enough to turn on the faucet, this grey and white cat also loves playing with water.
19. Maine Coon
These fluffy felines are really something special. Known to be real gentle giants, they’re often called the dogs of the cat world thanks to the unique Maine Coon personality.
Maine Coons are friendly, loveable, and very vocal. This grey fluffy cat has a sizable body and heavy, double-layer long hair that keeps it well-protected against the brutal cold in Maine, where it originated.
These beautiful cats come in a wide range of colors, including grey. The grey tabby Maine Coons in particular are extremely beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gray Cats
What are all grey cats called?
All grey cats can be called Maltese. Maltese is any cat whose fur is either entirely or mostly grey or blue grey.
Are grey cats rare?
No. As you can see in this article, more than 19 breeds of cats come in grey. This includes some popular cat breeds such as Maine Coon cats.
What is a grey kitten called?
A kitten’s fur can often lead to it being given a related name. For grey kittens that may be ash, moon or bluebell.
Are all grey cats male?
No. Gray cat breeds are both male and female. They can be found in roughly equal amounts.
Beautiful Grey Cat Breeds in Conclusion
Whilst their black cousins often get the most media coverage, as you can see there are many beautiful grey cat breeds. These cats may be light grey, white and grey, grey and black or any combination in between. Which one is right for you?
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.