Cats are the most popular pets. Therefore, it is not surprising that breeders had to work hard and develop many different breeds. Among them there are real giants and miniature babies that look like kittens. Let's find out which breeds are considered the smallest cats in the world.
Singapore cats
This is the smallest breed of domestic cat. Singapore cats usually grow up to 16 cm in height, the smallest can be only 11 cm tall. Despite their miniature size, these pets are famous for their energy and playful nature.
The true history of the breed remains a mystery. The generally accepted version is that two American breeders, Helu and Tommy Meadow, found three kittens of this breed on the streets of Singapore and brought them to the United States, where they continued to breed them. Some experts later suggested that the breed may not actually have a natural origin. Their miniature size, small litter and other factors indicate that Singapura cats were specially bred by someone. There are suggestions that this is a cross between Burmese and Abyssinian cats. The average litter of a Singapura cat consists of only 2-3 kittens, which is partly the reason for the rarity of this breed. A kitten from a breeder can cost $800-2000, depending on the pedigree.
Singapura cats take up to two years to reach their full size, but even adult cats end up weighing only 1.8-3.6 kg. However, size is not their only defining feature. These playful felines have the energy of several big cats combined. Singapura cats are also distinguished by large ears and huge, round, saucer-shaped eyes that can be brown, green or yellow.
The coat comes in only one color - sepia agouti. This is basically a fancy name for a ticked/striped pattern with dark brown spots on light cream fur. These cats have short, silky hair that is lighter in color near the chest, belly, and face. The tail has a dark end. Although Singapura cats do not shed excessively, they are not hypoallergenic. There is quite a lot of dandruff on their skin, which irritates the mucous membranes of allergy sufferers.
These exotic cats attract extroverts who love to be the center of attention. They are energetic, assertive and playful, but do not tolerate loud noises and loneliness well. Singapura cats value affection above all else. They often insist on attention to the point where it's a little annoying. Singapura cats love to meow, often for no reason. Luckily, their soft voices make the constant meowing relatively enjoyable. Although these inquisitive pets can sometimes seem bossy and demanding, they will always remain loving four-legged companions.
Singapura cats love to jump on high places, climb on cabinets and even sit on the shoulders of their owners. This interactive, intelligent cat breed is easy to train. They are friendly towards people and other pets. However, due to their tiny size, Singapura cats can be a bit timid. Early introduction to your pets is the best way to socialize this breed. The lifespan of Singapura cats is 9-15 years.
In fifth place is a breed called Dwelf.
To create this breed, breeders worked hard and crossed the Munchkin, the Canadian Sphynx and the American Curl. As a result of mating, the result was a rather cute hairless kitten with short legs. Keeping a cat of this breed is not difficult, but you need to remember that by inheritance from three different breeds, the Dwelf has a stubborn character. Therefore, a cat must be raised correctly from an early age. Adults of this breed weigh from 1.8 to 3 kg.
Munchkin
Named after the fairy folk from The Wizard of Oz, the Munchkin is perhaps one of the most famous small cat breeds. They have tiny bow legs that give them a charming gait. The average height of a Manchin is 16 cm. The shortest representative of the breed had a height from paw to shoulder of only 13.5 cm! In other respects, this miniature breed corresponds to the size of an ordinary adult cat.
This is a relatively new breed, officially recognized at the beginning of the 21st century. The munchkin mutation does not depend on gender; the mutating gene is dominant. The main thing when mating is that one of the pair should not have a mutation. If two munchkins are mated, the mutation is fatal. Due to the difficulty of breeding, munchkins are relatively rare.
Visually, these cats resemble a dachshund. They are sometimes called "sausage cat". Munchkins come in long-haired, short-haired and hairless varieties. The former have smooth, silky fur, while the latter have soft, medium-density fur. Popular fur shades are grey, cream and solid white/black.
Munchkins are friendly and sociable by nature. This calm breed of cat quickly develops bonds with other pets, small children and the elderly. Munchkins love to explore the world around them. While they can't jump as high or far as the average cat, they are very fast and active, so be prepared to have an ever-playful kitty in your home. Munchkins are a healthy cat breed with a life expectancy of 12-15 years.
Crumbs from the Guinness Book of Records
The record holder among miniature animals is a tabby cat named Mr. Pibbles. He lives in one of the veterinary clinics and has no owners. At 2 years old, the pocket cat weighed only 1.3 kg and its body length was 15 cm.
Experts suggest that he stopped growing due to an irreversible genetic failure that occurred in infancy.
Another baby from the pages of the Guinness Book of Records - Tinker Toy. The little native of the American state of Illinois weighed only 700 g with a height of 7 cm and a body length of 19 cm.
Cornish Rex
Due to their unique appearance, Cornish Rex cats are ideal for people with avant-garde taste. They were first launched on July 21, 1950. As the kitten (later named Callibunker) grew up, he became strikingly different from his littermates with a slender body, long thin legs, huge bat ears and a tousled tail. The veterinarian identified Kallibunker as a completely unique genetic mutation.
The bodies of Cornish Rex dogs are extremely thin, giving them the appearance of fragile animals. This is just a ploy, as their hard muscles and bones make them surprisingly tough cats that often weigh much more than they appear. Their weight can reach 4.5 kg. Cornish Rex dogs are sometimes compared to hounds or greyhounds due to their athletic build and quick movements. This breed also has a tendency to arch its back when walking.
The main distinguishing feature of the Cornish Rex is their coat. They only have an undercoat, somewhat reminiscent of soft sheep's wool. One of the disadvantages of such a soft, short coat is that cats do not tolerate cold conditions well, and they also do not have sufficient protection from direct sunlight, which can lead to sunburn if they stay outside for long periods of time. So these babies are definitely homemade.
The Cornish Rex is an incredibly curious, bright, energetic breed. These are natural climbers and jumpers. They are also voracious eaters. But since the breed is active enough to burn calories quickly, gaining weight is not a problem. The Cornish Rex is an extremely social breed, sometimes called the "Velcro cat."
Cornish Rex cats are very tough. They are long-lived (15 years is the norm, but 20 years is not uncommon), the breed has virtually no hereditary or genetic health problems. The only problem this breed is prone to is hair loss, which, while not life-threatening, can be severe enough that some cats have almost no fur at all.
Napoleon – 4 kg
This munchkin/longhaired Persian mix was officially registered in 1995. Within the breed, cats are divided into two types - the classic Napoleon and the dwarf Napoleon. They differ from each other only in the length of their paws.
Small size, soft character, playfulness and a cute round face make the cat look like a small kitten throughout its life. They have a very thick and beautiful coat with many different colors.
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 feature is the curled ears towards the base of the skull, which give the breed its name. The unusual bend gives the ears the appearance of ears turned inside out. For show cats, ears are the most stringent criterion. Representatives of the breed whose ears are curled too far (more than 180 degrees) or insufficiently (less than 90 degrees) will be disqualified.
The American Curl was first bred in 1981 in Lakewood, California. A black long-haired cat named Shulamith became the progenitor of a new breed, from which every American Curl today can trace their ancestry. The curvature of her ears was a spontaneous, natural mutation that manifested itself as a dominant gene. More in-depth laboratory testing showed that the mutation did not lead to additional defects or health problems. Shulamith's offspring were absolutely healthy and stable cats.
At birth, their ears are erect; they begin to curl after 2-10 days. The ears curl and unfold to varying degrees over the next four months. When the ears take their final shape, the lower two-thirds of the ear is hard cartilage rather than soft flesh like most cat breeds. The upper third remains soft and pliable. You need to be careful with the ears of the American Curl so as not to damage the hard cartilage. But in other respects they are a fairly unpretentious breed.
The American Curl has a wedge-shaped muzzle, an elongated body and round eyes. The height of cats varies from 22 to 30 cm. The curly coat is long or short. They are friendly, captivating and incredibly cute pets. The American Curl, which remains energetic into adulthood, has been nicknamed “the cat’s Peter Pan.” Cats reach maturity at 2-3 years, so they retain the energy of a kitten into adulthood.
This is not a very vocal cat breed and in most cases they express affection through physical contact. The American Curl is an extremely adaptable cat, getting along well with other cats and quickly adapting to new family members. If necessary, they will do well alone for long periods of time.
Skookum
The next breed that was not born thanks to nature. Skookums originated in the United States in the 1990s. The creator of the breed passionately wanted to get a tiny curly animal. He looked for the name for the new breed in the Cherokee Indian dictionary, after which he settled on the word “skukum”, that is, “powerful” and “brave”.
The coat of Skookums can be long or short, and also have different colors. They do not require any special care. Curly hair requires weekly brushing.
Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats are nicknamed "poodle cats" due to their wavy coat, high intelligence, and outgoing nature. This unique breed originated in the 1950s in Devon, England. They are distinguished by mischievous faces, high ears, huge eyes and a slender physique. The Devon Rex loves to play and climb, so it is perfect for active owners who can devote a lot of time and attention to their pet. These super social cats love people and love making new friends. They crave attention and do not tolerate loneliness well.
The Devon Rex has an elfin, almost alien appearance. This is a medium-sized cat, weighing 2.7-4.1 kg and standing about 25.4-30.5 cm in height. These curly cuties have fine, thick and wavy fur. Their fur is short, but it is especially short and less dense around the head, ears, neck, paws, chest and belly. This breed is not hypoallergenic.
Cuddling and fooling around with their owners is the Devon Rex's favorite pastime. He is not aggressive and prefers to walk away rather than deal with rude people. These cats remain playful into old age, maintaining the energy of a kitten well into old age. Although the Devon Rex can be a little demanding, it is not a particularly noisy cat breed.
They are highly intelligent, easy to train, play maze games and can learn complex tricks. However, these stubborn cats are difficult to motivate. Praise, games, and snacks are good tools.
Caring for a Devon Rex is quite simple. But it is worth considering that his short coat can easily become oily, so your pet needs to be regularly bathed in warm water with a mild pet shampoo.
Ninth place - bambino
Animals of this breed are short-legged hairless cats. They were the result of mating a short-legged munchkin and a Canadian Sphynx. This breed was bred in the USA, and the animals weigh 2.2 - 4 kg. Keeping a bambino is quite simple; you just need to remember that hairless cats often get sick. Therefore, in winter, if the apartment is too cold, dress your pet. This is not only good for his health, but also very stylish.
Japanese Bobtail
This breed makes excellent pets. Japanese Bobtails are valued for their short curved tails, playful nature and hyperactivity. This adorable breed originates from Japan but is famous all over the world. The Japanese Bobtail is an ancient breed, bred back in the 6th century. These cats were often used to control rodents on farms. Although the Japanese Bobtail was once considered a luxurious pet, inaccessible to ordinary people. These cute, quirky cats are relatively rare outside of their homeland.
The defining physical characteristic of the Japanese Bobtail is, of course, the “clipped” cat tail. It looks more like a rabbit than a cat. The tail of the Japanese Bobtail is usually no longer than 7 cm, covered with tufts of fur and curled or curled to one side. Just like fingerprints, no two tails of this breed are alike.
The Japanese Bobtail is a short breed, growing to a maximum of 23 cm. Cats weigh 2.7-4.5 kg. They have long and muscular bodies, high cheekbones and oval eyes. Their forelimbs are slightly shorter than their hind limbs. Japanese Bobtails have two types of coat: long and short. The coloration can be solid, two-tone or striped, but the most common are white cats with colored spots. The coat is silky smooth, easy to care for and low shedding. They have no undercoat, so their hair is not prone to tangling. It is recommended to brush the coat once a week to remove dead hairs.
Japanese Bobtails are stubborn and courageous and are not easily intimidated. These energetic animals are especially loyal with children, dogs and other cats, especially other bobtails. They remain active for most of their lives. Japanese Bobtails are sociable, friendly and very intelligent. These cats love to be the center of attention, often attracting attention with their gentle melodious voices. They almost always respond when spoken to.
The lively Japanese Bobtail loves activity and does not need external motivation to exercise. They love to snack, but their active lifestyle does not always prevent obesity, so you need to monitor your bobtail's treats and food intake to prevent it from gaining excess weight. This breed is considered healthy and disease resistant. The lifespan of Japanese Bobtails is 9-15 years.
Toy bob
An adult belonging to this breed weighs no more than two and a half kilograms. These dwarf cats have short but very dense fur and a short pom-pom-like tail. Toy Beans are very fearless cats. For example, they are not afraid of photographic flashes, which cannot be said about other animals. Such an animal cannot be frightened by fire. These little pets can learn commands in much the same way as dogs. When kittens are very young, their squeaks sound like a puppy barking.
Siamese cats
These are sociable, affectionate, intelligent animals that make the most devoted pets. Siamese cats are considered one of the oldest existing Asian cat breeds. They originated in Thailand (formerly Siam) and were highly prized by the royal family. They were imported to Europe at the end of the 19th century. Since then, the popularity of Siamese cats has only continued to grow, and they are consistently considered one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. They were used to create other cat breeds, including the Himalayan, Burmese and Tonkinese.
Siamese cats are known for their "dog-likeness." They have a lean body with long, thin limbs and a tail, which when combined with the high-contrast colorpoint pattern makes them instantly recognizable. The fur of Siamese cats is darkened on the face, ears, paws and tail. This breed has piercing blue eyes (which can sometimes be a little cross-eyed), which adds to the elegance of Siamese cats. They do not shed much, so they are good for people with allergies.
Siamese cats are friendly, affectionate, sociable and emotionally sensitive. This beautiful breed is also one of the smartest in the world. You need to shower them with love so that they don't feel abandoned. Siamese cats are howlers, although some are not so talkative. While cats do well in homes where people spend a lot of time, being away from human interaction for long periods of time can lead to depression and anxiety.
Siamese cats need to be fed high-quality food and their food intake must be monitored to prevent obesity, which they are prone to. Siamese cats are extremely healthy and have an impressive lifespan of 15-20 years, with some even living longer than that.
Singapore
This descendant of street Singapore cats differs from others not only in size. The Singapura has short, smooth hair without undercoat, as well as a powerful, developed body. A Singapura cat does not weigh more than three kilograms, and a female – two.
The fact that the breed is exotic is indicated by its slightly elongated muzzle. The ears seem especially large compared to the size of the entire body. These are gentle cats that love to interact with people and are in good health. This is a great cat breed for small children.
Lambkin
Lambkin
Another curly-haired breed - the Lambkin - was born from the love of the same Munchkin and Selkire Rex. Its name speaks for itself: translated into Russian, the name of the breed means “lamb.” The sheep's appearance is fully justified by the cat's exterior. The body on short legs is packed in soft curls. The average weight of a “sheep” is 2-3 kilograms, which makes the breed an honorary participant in the parade of the smallest cats.
Lambkin's character is very bright. This is a cheerful bundle of energy, which even in adulthood retains a naive expression on its face.
As of today, the breed has not yet received official registration, but has managed to gain the love of many exotic cat lovers.
