11 Teacup Cat Breeds That Will Melt Your Heart

Do you ever look at your adult cat and reminisce about the days when they were small, playful kittens? While we all adore our fully grown cats, there is something undeniably irresistible about small cats. 

So, I’m sure you can understand the appeal of teacup cats — who wouldn’t want a tiny kitty that never grows up, almost like the Peter Pan of the cat world?

Before we dive in and explore teacup cat breeds, you should know that “teacup” isn’t technically an official breed classification. It’s simply a term used for miniature cats that are usually about one-third to half the size of the average cat.

These little furballs come in all shapes and colors, and factors like genetics, hormones, and crossbreeding influence their irresistible pint sizes.

Different types of cat breeds come in tiny versions, so you’re bound to find one that melts your heart. If you’re a fan of pocket-sized bundles of cuteness, keep reading to discover the most popular teacup cat breeds.

11 Adorable Teacup Cat Breeds

Ready to find out which cat breeds come in miniature versions? Let’s discover the wonderful world of tiny cats.

1. Munchkin Cats

Munchkin lying on a patio 

Image by Phannasit Tantrakul on Canva

First up, the adorable stubby-legged Munchkin. The breed’s personality is just as adorable as their name, which they get from the small, dwarf-like characters in the beloved movie “The Wizard of Oz.”

Their signature short hind legs are the result of a natural genetic mutation. Considered the original dwarf cat, their short-legged gene carries over when mixed with another breed. So, most of the tiny teacup kitties on this list are half-Munchkin.

This breed of cat loves cuddles and being carried around, which is great because you’ll likely want to snuggle your little cutie all day. When they’re not in your arms, prepare yourself for some kitten-like fun. Munchkins are very playful, active, and surprisingly fast for a furball with such tiny legs. They are a perfect companion cat.

2. Kinkalow Cats

Kinkalow lying on a panio

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As you probably guessed from its adorable curled ears and short legs, the Kinkalow cat is one part American Curl, one part Munchkin. As adult cats, they usually measure under eight inches and weigh between three and seven pounds. 

These tiny kitties are pretty rare, but if you’re lucky enough to find one, you’ll fall in love with their playful and affectionate nature. What makes these cuties even more enchanting is their love of climbing. 

They don’t let their short legs stand in the way of scaling trees and furniture. There’s a chance that your Kinkalow might get stuck in high places, and this is where their vocal nature comes in handy. They will loudly shout at you to let you know about their predicament.

If you’d like to keep your couches and curtains scratch-free, you’ll need to keep your Kinkalow stimulated with fun toys and plenty of playtime. It might also be a good idea to get a tall cat tree so your kitty can live out their mountain-climbing fantasies. Kinkalows will definitely amuse you with their antics.

3. Bambino Cats

Bambino lying on a couch

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The next pint-sized breed is part Sphynx, giving them their regal looks and piercing blue eyes. Add to that the short legs of a Munchkin, and you have the adorably tiny Bambino cat. These hairless felines are understandably sensitive to chilly weather, so they’ll curl up tightly beside you for warmth.

Although they don’t have hair, Bambinos tend to have oily skin. You will thus need to give your kitty a weekly bath, as they can develop acne, rashes, or bacterial infections. They are not particularly fond of water, so keep this in mind before searching for one to adopt.

You’ll need to do your research on bathing your Bambino and keep the process as calm and gentle as possible. Being scratched to pieces is not everyone’s idea of fun.

4. Genetta Cats

Genetta resting on a person’s hand

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Ever wondered what it would be like to have a miniature jungle cat roaming around your house? Well, the Genetta cat is probably the closest you’ll come to finding out. While they don’t they don’t share any DNA with an African genet, the tiny Gennetta is named after them for their similar wild-looking, spotted coats.

These short-legged cuties are a mix of Munchkin, Bengal, and Savannah cat breeds, and they inherited the best characteristics of each. 

They are active, playful, and have a strong hunting drive, so they will endlessly chase other pets around. But don’t worry — they’re also social, adaptable, gentle, and get along great with cats and dogs, so the chasing won’t result in any injuries.

5. Burmese Cats

Burmese lying down and looking up

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Another tiny breed that looks like it comes straight out of the jungle is the gorgeous Burmese cat. Their ancestors hail from Burma (now known as Myanmar) and were brought to the US, where they were selectively bred to achieve their small size. 

These muscular kitties are less than ten inches tall but are strong and sturdy with slim legs. What’s most striking about their Burmese is their sleek, shiny coat. They’re typically considered a brown cat breed and come in various chocolatey shades. 

Besides their gorgeous looks, Burmese cats are known for their social and playful nature. They’re also independent and can keep themselves occupied for hours, so make sure you provide them with plenty of stimulating cat toys.

6. Singapura Cats

Singapura lying on pink silk linen

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When it comes to tiny kitties, none are quite as petite as the Singapura. These delicate felines are around half the size of an average cat, making them one of the smallest cat breeds in the world. 

On average, they only grow approximately eight inches tall and weigh between six and eight pounds. To give you a better idea, this is about the same size as a rabbit. 

Singapuras are surprisingly agile and good at climbing. They also have an unusually loud voice for such a small body and are known to be quite vocal and cheeky. But they’ll also seek out affection and cuddles, and how would you be able to resist those big, almond eyes?

7. Dwelf Cats

Dwe;f standing looking at the camera

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Wondering what a mix of Sphynx, Munchkin, and American Curl cats would look like? Here’s the answer — the adorably short and stubby Dwelf cat. Fully grown, these little guys only stand between five and nine inches tall. They tend to be a bit on the chunkier side, making them look even more quirky and dwarf-like.

If you want a kitty that looks like Dobby the House Elf from the Harry Potter universe in your home, you’ll have to search quite hard. 

Dwelf cats are a relatively new and rare breed, and when you do find one, it will cost you a pretty penny. But hey, you’ll have a unique and loving companion, and you can’t put a price on that, right?

You might enjoy reading my articles on blue cat breeds, red cat breeds, long haired cat breeds and brown cat breeds.

8. Napoleon Cats (Minuet)

Napoleon sitting and looking at the camera

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Persian cats are a worldwide favorite with their distinctive flat faces, big eyes, extra-long whiskers, and squished noses. So you can probably understand the appeal of teacup persians with the signature short legs of Munchkin breeds. 

This tiny mixed breed is called the Napoleon cat or Minuets. The teacup Persian originated in the 1990s and was selectively bred to create a tinier and more manageable version of their normal-sized counterparts. 

These dwarf cats stand only about eight inches tall and rarely weigh more than seven pounds. These gentle kitties are known to become very attached to their humans. These short-legged cats don’t like to be left alone, so they do best in households with owners who work from home.

9. Cornish Rex Cats

Cornish Rex sitting on a couch

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Big ears, buggy eyes, an extra long tail, and curly hair make for an adorable pint-sized kitty, right? The Cornish Rex will definitely turn heads with their striking appearance. The small variety of this genuine miniature cat breed weighs less than eight pounds, and they keep their kitten-like appearance and attitude into their adult years.

Cornish Rexes are athletic and clever and will easily learn to walk on a leash to go on outings with you. You’ll have to keep their cat treats locked up, though — these quirky kitties have unusually long and agile toes despite their tiny stature and are notorious for using them to steal snacks from kitchen cabinets.

10. Devon Rex Cats

Devon Rex peering out from behind a curtain

Image by Simona Melegová on Unsplash

Another petite, curly-haired cutie is the Devon Rex, a miniature cat with pixie-like features. These kitties often get confused with the Cornish Rex, which isn’t too far off as they are close relatives with the same genetic makeup. You can tell the breeds apart by looking at their whiskers — the Devon Rex has noticeably shorter whiskers than their cousins. But they both have adorable large ears.

These elegant felines weigh around seven pounds. The breed standard is a bit taller than the other teacup-size cats on this list, standing around ten to twelve inches tall due to their long, slender legs. 

Devon Rexes are known to have kitten-like energy even when full-grown, so get ready for plenty of playtime. They’re also highly intelligent and will even learn some amusing tricks with some training.

11. LaPerm Cats

LaPerm standing and looking into the distance

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Last but not least on this list of tiny kitties is the aptly named LaPerm cat. If you lived through the 80s and 90s, you’ll surely remember the frizzy perm trend, which is what this breed’s curly coat resembles. 

LaPerms are usually medium-sized, but thanks to selective breeding, they also come in a much smaller size. Small LaPerms only stand between six and eight inches tall, but what they lack in height, they make up for in sass and playfulness. 

These mini cats are active, curious, and love exploring, so you should get your feline friend a cat-tracking collar in case they wander off. They’re outgoing and easily adapt to their environment, so a LaPerm is a great addition to a multi-pet household.

Tiny Teacup Cat Breeds | Wrapped Up

So, there you have it — 11 tiny cat breeds that will fit right into your pocket. It might be hard to choose your favorite teacup cat breed, as they’re all absolutely adorable in their own right. These kitties may have a small stature, but their personalities are larger than life.

You wouldn’t want your teacup cat to end up with health problems due to unethical breeding practices or not knowing how to care for them. If you’re considering adding a tiny cat to your family, take the time to research each breed thoroughly and choose only reputable breeders. Check out this recommendation from the International Cat Association in the United States to find a responsible breeder. That way, you’ll be able to give your new feline friend the amazing life they deserve.