Tiny cats are completely adorable, probably because they remind us so much of kittens! Find out which cats always stay small and keep their kitten like personalities well into adulthood.
No one can resist the big eyes and playful personality of an adorable kitten. They melt the hearts of anyone they come into contact with and are always guaranteed to put a smile on our faces. Sadly, the kitten period never lasts for long and while our adult cats are just as wonderful and cute, we often find ourselves missing the good old kitten days.
If you want a teacup cat that stays small and playful forever, there are certain small cat breeds that keep their kitten-like appearance and attitude far into their adult years, so you can treasure the precious playful moments for longer.
Small cat breeds
It's quite hard to define specific small cat breeds, as even the larger breeds will sometimes have the odd small kitty, but there are some which are naturally smaller in stature. Here are our top 6 teacup cats that will always stay petite.
1. Singapura
Known as one of the smallest cat breeds in the world, the Singapura is half the size of the average cat. Possessing a kitten size throughout their lives, their bodies are petite and delicate and they usually don't weigh more than 5 pounds (yep, you heard that right!). But don't let their tiny stature fool you, Singapura cats are incredibly agile and make fantastic climbers! Plus, they're the perfect companion if you want a cuddly kitty, as they love nothing more than snuggling on your lap and having a good pet.
2. Munchkin
Named after the magical folk in The Wizard of Oz, the Munchkin is possibly one of the most famous small cat breeds. Their tiny size is due to a gene mutation that means that they have little dumpy legs that are much shorter than normal. While their bodies are only slightly smaller than average, their shoulders are very low to the ground, which is why they have such an adorable pottering gait.
These small cat breeds may not be able to jump as high or far as the average cat, but they're very fast and active, so be prepared for plenty of kitten-like good fun in your home.
Fun fact: The shortest ever munchkin was only 5.25 inches from paw to shoulder!
3. American Curl
The American Curl comes in a wide range of sizes due to its diverse gene pool, however most tend to be quite petite. Their most famous characteristic is their ears which curl backwards toward the base of their skull, hence the name. Because of the curl to their ears, they require a little extra cleaning than other cats, but other than that they're a pretty low maintenance breed. This teacup cat breed is perfect if you want an affectionate cat as they have people loving personalities and incredibly playful attitudes, making them ideal for families.
Fun fact: American Curls are not actually born with their unique ear shape. At birth, their ears are straight and begin to curl back within 2 to 10 days.
4. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a small cat most commonly identified by its unusually curly coat. Possessing only down hair which is super soft to the touch, they're also a hypoallergenic cat breed as they don't shed very much. Where their bodies may look lithe, they tend to only weigh around 8 pounds and keep their adorable kitten like appearance and attitude forever.
Fun fact: You'll have to be sure to keep the snacks locked up with this small cat breed as they have long, agile toes which are excellent at opening cabinets and doors.
5. Devon Rex
This teacup cat breed loves to spend most its time on the shoulders of its loved ones and always prefers to be the centre of attention. They're extremely friendly and thrive on plenty of human contact, so it's only a good idea to consider this small cat breed if you spend a lot of time at home.
Fun fact: The Devon Rex breed often has short whiskers, which is a good way to tell them apart from the Cornish Rex.
6. Siamese
This small cat is one of the cat breeds that have striking blue eyes, and their glossy coat and interesting colouring makes them incredibly popular both in the show ring and in our households.
Fun fact: The Siamese cat is one of the oldest breeds in the entire world and are believed to have descended from the sacred temple cats in Thailand.
That's our list of our favourite small cat breeds! Want to find out more about your four-legged friend? Take a look at our cat behaviour and training content hub for useful information, handy guides and more!
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