There are between 40 and 70 recognised cat breeds in the world depending on which pedigree association you ask, and in Denmark the vast majority of house cats are actually mixed-breed cats without a pedigree. Even so, the breed matters when you choose a cat: it tells you something about temperament, activity level, coat care and how much company the cat expects from you. And it tells you something about how meals should be composed, because a seven-kilo Maine Coon and a slender Devon Rex do not live on the same thing.

Below we go through the breeds that Danish cat owners encounter most often, what characterises them in everyday life, and how you care for them through the bowl. The aim is not to crown a winner, but to make it easier to find the cat that matches your life.

The most popular cat breeds in Denmark

The Maine Coon consistently tops the lists. It is one of the world's largest domestic cat breeds, with a powerful body, semi-long coat and a calm, almost dog-like nature. It happily follows you from room to room and is known for being patient with children. The Ragdoll resembles it from a distance, but is softer in both coat and temperament, and got its name from its habit of relaxing completely when you lift it.

The British Shorthair is the round, plush classic with a subdued disposition that thrives well in an apartment. The Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian cat share the robust, semi-long coat and a pronounced urge to climb. At the other end of the scale you find the oriental breeds: the Siamese, Oriental Shorthair and Bengal are slender, athletic and very vocal cats that require stimulation every single day. The Sphynx stands out with its bare skin, which needs regular wiping, and with a heat-seeking behaviour that makes it a dedicated sofa companion.

How to choose a cat breed based on temperament and everyday life

The most important question is not which breed is the prettiest, but how much contact you can give. A Siamese or Bengal left alone eight hours a day without climbing opportunities or activation becomes frustrated. If your everyday life is busy, a British Shorthair or a Ragdoll often fits better, because they have a more moderate rhythm and rest more of the day.

The coat is the second factor. Semi-long breeds such as the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat and Ragdoll need to be brushed several times a week, and more intensively during shedding periods. Shorthaired breeds get by with far less. Finally, you should consider the home: some breeds thrive superbly indoors with good climbing furniture, while others have such a strong hunting drive that a secured garden or cat enclosure makes a noticeable difference to their wellbeing.

Do different cat breeds have different needs in the bowl?

All cats are obligate carnivores, regardless of breed. That is the basic premise, and it does not change because a cat has a pedigree. The differences lie elsewhere: in body size, in energy expenditure and in how fussy the individual cat is. A large, heavily built breed takes longer to reach full growth and therefore has a longer period in which meals must support a gradual, controlled development. A light, hyperactive oriental cat, on the other hand, burns energy quickly and typically eats many small portions spread across the day.

For the larger breeds, THE GENTLE GIANT is composed with precisely that type of cat in mind, while THE SILENT SHADOW is aimed at the cat with a high activity level that moves a lot and needs a solid animal foundation. If you have a cat that spends the day indoors at a more subdued pace, THE GOLDEN GHOST is prepared with that everyday life in mind. What they all have in common is human-grade ingredients and fresh produce from Our finest British Heritage Kitchens.

Kittens, fussy cats and the breeds that eat with care

Regardless of cat breed, it all begins with the first months. A kitten grows quickly and needs frequent, nutrient-dense meals rather than a few large ones. It is precisely here that the breed differences show most clearly, because a Maine Coon kitten needs far longer on growth food than a shorthaired kitten of normal size.

Fussiness is another well-known theme, especially among the oriental breeds and in cats accustomed to great variety. Here it helps to serve meals at fixed times, to avoid constant switching between flavour variants, and to combine dry and wet meals. A BALANCE PÂTÉ alongside the daily meals provides both moisture and a texture that many cats find irresistible. If you are in doubt about amounts or composition for your particular breed's build and age, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready on phone, chat and email to help you put together a plan. You will find the whole selection among our cat meals.

Pedigree cat or house cat: what does the choice mean in practice?

A pedigree cat from a registered breeder provides predictability. You know the litter's background, know how the adult cats in the line behave, and have a sense of how large the cat will become. The Danish house cat, on the other hand, has a broad genetic background and is often a wonderful family cat with a temperament that is just as individual as any pedigree cat's.

Whatever you choose, the individual cat's personality matters more than the breed description in a reference book. Two Ragdolls from the same litter can be widely different. Use the breed as a direction, not as a guarantee, and let the cat's own behaviour guide how you arrange the home and compose the day's meals. If you want to understand the thinking behind the way we work with behaviour and nutrition, you can read about Behaviour Optimizing Food, and you can always learn more about ESSENTIAL FOODS and our approach to raw materials. Should you become worried about your cat's wellbeing, it is always the vet you should contact.