He may be from the last Century but Garfield is still as popular today as he ever was. Is Garfield the cat based on a real cat? Is he a particular breed? Find out everything you need to know about this famous cartoon cat right here.
I have searched far and wide to answer a popular question for those of you who dream of owning a real-life Garfield cat. What kind of cat is Garfield?
The famous Garfield Cat is an Orange Persian Tabby cat, or so many believe. But in truth, he belongs to a well-loved breed known as Cartoon Cat. From his inception, Garfield was not a specific breed but was based on a composite of all the cats his creator had ever met.
The origins of Garfield the cat
Garfield was ‘born’ in a comic strip in 1978. This well-loved, lasagne-eating fictional cat soon became the star of a popular series of books and TV cartoons.
Fans have always been fascinated by his origins and his breed has been the subject of speculation in many online discussions.
The black patterns over Garfield’s face, back, and tail resemble a mackerel tabby cat pattern. His round face and hooded eyes give him a Persian cat appearance.
In this article, we answer one of the most popular questions to reveal the cat that Garfield was modeled on back in 1978. You are about to finally discover everything there is to know about Garfield the Cat.
Garfield Cat Breed Facts
The Persian Tabby is assumed to be the breed that Garfield is modeled on. Many people agree that Garfield looks exactly like a red Persian Tabby with his flat face and often striped ginger coat.
Persian cats have the same round faces and short ears as Garfield and are renowned for their laid-back personalities.
Like Garfield, Persian cats love their food, though I’m not sure if lasagne is one of their favorites. This breed tends to look overweight because of its generous coat.
Persian cats may not be quite as clever as Garfield, but they are equally as adorable.
Garfield Facts
1. Why was Garfield named Garfield?
Jim Davis named Garfield after his own grandfather, James Garfield Davis. He, in turn, had been named after President James Abram Garfield, the 20th president of the United States.
2. Garfield is set in Muncie, Indiana
Garfield is set in Jim Davis’ hometown of Muncie in Indiana.
3. What is Garfield’s favorite food?
Lasagna is definitely one of Garfield’s favorite meals. He also has a passion for ice cream, pizza, donuts, cakes, and burgers – it’s no surprise this fictional feline is a little overweight!
4. What is Garfield’s least favorite food?
Raisins are the last thing Garfield would choose to eat. He doesn’t much care for grapefruit either.
5. What is Garfield’s friend’s name
Odie the yellow beagle is Garfield’s best friend even though Garfield seems to enjoy tormenting him and acting like he doesn’t care that much for him.
6. What is Garfield’s girlfriend’s name
Arlene, a pink cat with long lashes, was Garfield’s girlfriend in the comic strips but she didn’t feature in Garfield and Friends.
7. From four legs to two!
In the early day, Garfield walked on all four paws like a regular cat. Eventually, he began to walk on two legs with the help of enlarged back paws.
8. A popular Garfield toy
Any Garfield fan will appreciate a Garfield toy. There’s a very cute one conveniently available on Amazon. Here’s a link to see just how cute it is!
9. Garfield has his own comic
If you fancy a browse through some Garfield comic strips, you can find some here at Gocomics.com/garfield/
10. The ideal present for a Garfield fan
If you know a true Garfield fan then the Garfield Movie is an excellent gift idea.
11. The Persian Tabby – the most Garfield-like real cat
Here are a few real Persian Tabby cats auditioning for the role of Garfield the Cat.
Climbing might be too energetic for a Persian Tabby cat and Garfield.
Persian Tabbies love to watch what’s going on around them whilst taking it easy.
Persian cats love to relax, just like Garfield.
12. The origin of Garfield revealed
If you have ever wondered what breed of cat Garfield is, he is not one particular kind of cat. His creator, Jim Davis, describes him as a composite of all the cats he remembered from his childhood, rolled into one feisty orange furball.
13. Who is Nemal in Garfield
He thinks he’s very cute and often annoys Garfield. As a consequence, Garfield is always trying to get rid of Nemal, and once almost had him shipped to Abu Dhabi.
Nermal is a grey Persian Tabby cat of whom Garfield is often jealous. Obviously, Nemal may just look like a Persian Tabby.
13 Garfield Cat Breeds For Orange Cat Lovers
Many cat breeds, like Garfield, have orange coat patterns. In fact, we’ve found 13 Garfield lookalike cat breeds you’re sure to find appealing.
1. Persian
The Persian cat (or Persian longhair) is a long-haired breed with a round face and short muzzle. This cat breed is the most similar in appearance and personality to the loveable Garfield character.
2. British Shorthair
The British shorthair with its large eyes and short muzzle, has a very similar appearance to Garfield and is also closely related to the Persian cat. It’s a loving, loyal breed, active but not too boisterous.
3. Maine Coon
This native American breed is known for its size and long flowing coat. Though is has a longer muzzle than Garfield, the Maine Coon certainly has the same loveable personality.
4. American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is friendly and playful so perfect with children. It does have a tendency to gain weight so obviously has an appetite for good food, just like Garfield
5. Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthairs are extroverts and love human company and plenty of attention. A member of the Siamese breed group, they are more athletic than Garfield is known to be but definitely have a similar look.
6. Scottish Fold
A natural dominant gene mutation affects the cartilage throughout the body of the Scottish Curl, causing its ears to fold.
Its face is similar in shape to Garfield’s and the look is complete when the Scottish Fold has an orange tabby coat.
7. British Longhair
British longhair cats are known for being calm. These cats are often referred to as lazy, a trait they have in common with our friend Garfield.
8. Munchkin
A genetic mutation gives the Munchkin distinctively short legs. However, this doesn’t hold them back and they are as active as any other cats. They can have the famous Garfield orange stripey coat.
9. Exotic Shorthair
This is another breed with the distinctive Garfield face. It has large round eys, a short muzzle, and small ears. It also has a stocky body, like our lasagne-loving friend.
10. Scottish Shorthair
This cat is like the Scottish Fold but does not have the gene mutation and so its ears are straight.
Again, its face-shape is not unlike Garfield’s.
11. Selkirk Rex
Picture Garfield with a curly coat and you have the Selkirk Rex, a very cute-looking cat. The Selkirk Rex is a relatively new natural breed and can have long or short hair.
12. American Bobtail
Its large round eyes give the American Bobtail a similar appearance to Garfield but it doesn’t have the trademark short muzzle.
With tails that vary from very short to about a third the length of a standard cat, these cats are playful, friendly, and intelligent and love spending time with their family,
13. Turkish Angora
These pretty cats have large round eyes like Garfield but have and a short more pointed muzzle.
The Turkish Angora is an ancient Turkish breed with a medium to long coat and is a loyal and affectionate cat.
What type of cat is Garfield: Conclusion?
Garfield was never intended to be a particular cat breed but he looks just like a Persian Tabby. He is said to be a composite of all the cats his creator ever met.
Garfield is very similar to an orange Persian cat because he has black mackerel tabby stripes. If you want your own living, breathing Garfield Cat, a red Persian Tabby is the perfect breed and pattern to consider.
Finally, some people seem to think that Garfield is dead! I can assure you that he is not. He is very much alive in many children’s memories (and many adults too).
Frequently asked Garfield Questions
1. What breed is the Garfield cat?
Garfield is a popular fictional cat and there has been much speculation about his breed over the years. Many people are certain that Garfield is a Persian Tabby breed though his creator has never confirmed this. Garfield is more likely a combination of many orange mackerel tabby breeds.
2. Is Garfield a British Shorthair?
Garfield’s large round eyes and short muzzle are the same as the British Shorthair cat, but no one knows for sure if he was based on this breed.
The British shorthair often has Garfield’s orange mackerel tabby pattern so it’s easy to believe there’s a link between these two cats.
3. Is Garfield based on a real cat
Garfield is a fictional cat based on a human as well as real cats!
Garfield’s appearance is certainly a combination of the numerous real cats Jim Davis (his creator) knew as a child. Jim also gave Garfield the name and personality of his own grandfather, James Garfield Davis.
4. How old is Garfield the cat?
As of January 18, 2023, Garfield is 44 years and 7 months old. His date of birth is June 19, 1978, which is when his first-ever comic strip was published.
5. What Kind of cat is Garfield?
Garfield is a special kind of cat. He’s a Persian Tabby, a British Shorthair, and many other cat breeds all rolled into one loveable, lasagne-eating fictional character.
Garfield is also a lazy kind of cat and like many cats, he loves food and sleep. He’s the kind of cat all cat lovers adore.
Another celebrity cat
Another famous cat in books and in films is Mrs Norris, the cat who owns Filch in Harry Potter. Filch likes to think he owns her but we know it’s the other way around.