9 Brown Cats From Siamese Chocolate Point to Havana Brown

By: Nico Avelle  | 
brown cat
You've most likely seen a brown tabby cat, but what about a nearly-all-brown Siamese cat? GreenArt / Shutterstock

Brown cats are relatively rare, rich in color, and surprisingly varied. These cats range from light tan to deep dark brown, offering pet lovers plenty of warm brown options.

While many cat breeds feature brown coats, only one is known for having truly solid brown cats.

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1. Havana Brown

Havana brown
Havana Brown. slowmotiongli / Shutterstock

The Havana brown is the only cat breed that is entirely solid brown. This medium-sized cat has a silky coat, a distinct stop at the nose, and expressive eyes. Even the whiskers are brown, while paw pads have a rosy-pink tone.

Originally bred in England by dedicated breeders after World War II, the Havana Brown cat was developed through a breeding program involving Siamese cats and other breeds. Recognized for its affectionate and intelligent nature, the Havana requires very little grooming.

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2. British Shorthair (Chocolate Variant)

British shorthair
British Shorthair. Albert Nowicki / Shutterstock

This English cat fanciers’ favorite is better known in gray-blue, but the chocolate British Shorthair cat is gaining fans. Their solid, plush coats include individual hairs that are an even shade from root to tip.

A popular brown cat breed, they’re cuddly, quiet, and built like teddy bears. The chocolate coat is a result of selective breeding for warm brown hues.

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3. Oriental Shorthair

Oriental shorthair
Oriental Shorthair. Svyatoslav Balan / Shutterstock

A cousin of the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair comes in hundreds of colors and patterns, including a self brown shade often called "chestnut."

With a slightly longer face and a unique head shape, this intelligent cat has a sleek build and high energy. The coat is short, glossy, and lies close to the body.

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4. Siamese (Chocolate Point)

Siamese (Chocolate Point)
Siamese cat. ManoyMeaw / Shutterstock

Siamese cats are famous for their point coloration, and the chocolate point variety features dark brown on the ears, nose, paws, and tail. The rest of the coat is a lighter cream or fawn.

This breed is talkative and loyal, often forming strong bonds with one person. Although not an all-brown cat, the contrast makes their brown points more dramatic.

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5. Maine Coon (Brown Tabby)

Maine Coon (Brown Tabby)
Maine Coon. Bukhta Yurii / Shutterstock

One of the largest domestic cats, the Maine Coon often comes in brown tabby patterns. These brown coats include dark brown stripes and markings, with lighter undercoats and bushy tails.

Known for their intelligence and affection, they adapt well to family life and require grooming due to their thick, shaggy fur.

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6. Burmese

Burmese cat
Burmese cat. Viacheslav Lopatin / Shutterstock

The Burmese cat’s sable variant presents a rich, uniform dark brown coat. Their fur is short, fine, and glossy. This breed is affectionate, social, and thrives on interaction. The breed standard allows for several shades of brown, including lighter champagne tones.

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7. American Shorthair (Brown Tabby)

American Shorthair (Brown Tabby)
American Shorthair. marumaru / Shutterstock

This breed is commonly seen in tabby patterns, with the brown tabby being one of the most recognizable. Though not a solid brown, the mix of browns and blacks in their coat gives a classic wild look. These cats are sturdy, healthy, and known for their longevity.

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8. Tonkinese (Natural Mink)

Tonkinese (Natural Mink)
Tonkinese. Sallye / Shutterstock

The Tonkinese natural mink coat is a beautiful blend between the Burmese and Siamese. This coat has a rich brown color that lightens toward the underbelly, offering a luxurious gradient. Their personalities combine the playfulness of Siamese cats with the cuddly side of Burmese.

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9. Devon Rex (Chocolate Variant)

Devon Rex (Chocolate Variant)
Devon Rex (Chocolate Variant). Anna Averianova / Shutterstock

Devon Rex cats are rare in solid brown, but the chocolate variant does exist. These cats are known for their large ears, curly coats, and high energy. The brown tones show best when the coat is clean and well-groomed, which requires regular but light maintenance.

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Mixed-breed and Domestic Cats

Tabby cat
Tabby cat. mark gusev / Shutterstock

While less common, solid brown and brown-patterned coats do appear in domestic cats without pedigrees. These cats often display tabby striping or mottled patterns and may resemble popular brown cat breeds. Their coloring depends on genetics and regional breeding trends.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

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