We love all felines at The Discerning Cat but we have to admit there are some cat breeds that stand out from the crowd. These are the breeds that don’t really resemble other cat breeds and have quite uncommon features and traits.
Here are 17 truly unique cat breeds.
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17 Unique Cat Breeds
1. Abyssinian
Your Abyssinian cat may well become your best friend. This high energy cats are always on and ready for fun. What they love most is being close to their owner so they will tend to be in whichever room that you are in.
This breed has a relatively small face which means its large almond shaped eyes stand out even more.
This friendly cat breed is also known for its intelligence and its love of a good climb so be sure to give it a garden or a cat tower for playing. But most of all the Abyssinian loves its human family.
This sociable cat likes company so if you have a busy lifestyle it might be an idea to get another cat or pet to keep it company when you’re not there.
2. Singapura
Singapura cats have captivating little spirits, ready to steal your heart away. These lovely felines are a playful, cheeky, and friendly cat breed. You’ll often find them under a duvet cover or lying in the sunshine.
The Singapura is one of the smallest cat breeds, which means its almond shaped eyes and larger ears really pop. Singpura cats tend to look like they constantly have their eyes open as wide as possible.
With a similar temperament to the Burmese cat, they are full of mischief, are affectionate, and extremely inquisitive. Singapura cats enjoy chasing balls down the hall or tap dancing on keyboards.
These fun-loving cats love people and get along easily with other pets in the house – making them ideal for the indoors.
3. Devon Rex
The mischievous Devon Rex cat, also known as the pixie cat, is a loving and loyal feline breed. They make the ideal companions and welcome family and friends’ attention, as well as being great with kids and other pets.
This cat breed emerged in England during the late 1950s and is similar to the nearby Cornish Rex cat breed.
These felines are intelligent, active, and require regular stimulation. Devon Rex cats are jumpers, and their favorite place is at head level, so perches and cat trees should be provided.
The moderately active cat enjoys learning and playing fetch, so interactive toys will also help keep him occupied while you’re out earning money.
This indoor cat breed has slender bodies with long legs, large eyes, and high cheekbones. They shouldn’t be brushed as their fur is prone to breakage; instead, rub the Devon Rex cat gently with a cloth to keep them well-groomed, weekly.
4. Sphynx
A very unusual and pricey cat breed is the regal Sphynx. Well-known for its hairless coat, the Sphynx cat is a wonderfully friendly and playful cat – and they’re certainly striking.
The Sphynx cat breed is not actually hairless – it’s covered in a light downy layer of hair that feels like suede or peach fuzz.
Despite their stern expression, Sphynx cats are energetic and often goofy tricksters. Acrobatic, energetic, and curious, you’ll see them bouncing around the home with enthusiasm. They’re also very loyal cats, and this expensive cat breed loves to be involved in family activities.
Because of their energetic and loving personality, the Sphynx takes a fair bit of work. They’re also susceptible to sunburn and skin damage, as well as getting cold easily. This makes them best suited to the indoors – but there are cat sweaters you can get to keep your Sphynx snug and safe.
5. Napoleon
This breed was named after Napoleon Bonaparte based on its small size. A mix of a Persian cat and a Munchkin cat, this is a relatively new breed that seldom reaches weights above 9 pounds.
The Napoleon breed is playful and active and doesn’t like to be left alone. It likes human company but is also happy with other animals including dogs and cats.
They have a low-slung body like a dachshund. Its soft fur can be either short or long. Napoleons come in a wide range of colours.
6. Ocicat
This playful cat breed loves attention. The Ocicat resembles a wild cat but is very playful and loving. They are a medium to large cat breed with a smooth coat. Their markings are distributed across their bodies – and each hair on their coat contains more than one colour.
The Ocicat breed was created by crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats together and then later breeding with an American domestic short hair. The breed was registered in 1966.
Ocicats love to play and will see most items in your home as potential toys. They are also friendly cats who like to welcome strangers. They don’t like being alone and do get bored easily so a sibling is often a good idea.
They are high energy and highly intelligent so need lots of stimuli. They don’t have any special exercise needs and unlike many other cat breeds they like water so watch out if you’re having a bath.
7. American Curl
These happy kitties are affectionate, healthy, and talkative. The name refers to the unique ears of the American Curl Cat, which curl backward in a particularly sweet way.
Like the Wirehair cats, American curl cats are all descended from a single natural genetic mutation. They’re one of the youngest cat breeds, having moved from stray to pedigreed in just six years.
Curious, clever, and people-loving, the American Curl is perfect for families. They love to greet people with a little head bump or a rub against the legs. Curls are also active and adaptable, with older Curls known to be just as active as younger ones.
8. Peterbald
The Peterbald cat is a strange little fellow. With hairless, grey-silver skin, a slanted face, and large pointy ears, this Russian cat breed has certainly earned its place on this list.
Created from experimental breeding, this cat first popped its head out in 1994, at St. Petersburg. This is why it’s named Peterbald (I’m sure you can guess where the bald part comes from). And one of the main reasons that this is quite a rare cat breed.
Originally a cross between a hairless Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair, these cats quickly grew in popularity in their home country.
Since Peterbald cats don’t have any fur to keep them warm, they need to be kept indoors during the cooler seasons, as they might otherwise get too chilly.
They require a little bit more cat care than other breeds because they need to be bathed weekly in order to keep their coats from getting oily and attracting dirt.
These cats have wonderfully affectionate personalities and are often found shadowing their loved ones. Peterbald cats love attention and are very active cats in general, as well as being very loyal and loving. Their personalities are regularly likened to that of canines.
So if you haven’t decided whether you’re more of a cat or a dog person, the Peterbald is a great choice of cat companion and it is unlikely that you’ll find many other examples of this cat breed in your neighborhood!
9. Minskin
Minskin cats have quite stocky bodies and rather short legs. Their coat is unique due to its lack of fur. The Minskin breed was created from the Sphynx cat breed. This is a relatively new breed of cat. It was first developed in 1998 in Boston.
The breeder crossed his Munchkin cat with a Sphynx for a healthier immune system. By 2005, 50 cats could be called Minskins and this new breed was recognised. As you will have seen throughout this post, rare cat breeds are often quite new which means that they have yet to breed extensively.
10. LaPerm
The LaPerm is a Rex breed (curly coated) like the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex. These little guys grow to a maximum of 4.5 kgs in males and 3.6 kgs in females. LaPerms can be both short haired and long haired. This is an extroverted and bright cat breed that is great for kids and families.
11. The Dwelf
This relatively new cat breed has elf-like features and a dwarf-like stature. This little guy is hairless and tends not to weigh more than 9 pounds. The breed was generated from a mix of the Sphynx, Munchkin and American Curl breeds.
The Dwelf is a highly sociable breed and has a personality that is described by some as almost dog-like. They like to be around people and to be included in activities so they are terrific cats for families.
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12. Egyptian Mau
A rare breed with a beautifully spotted coat, the Egyptian Mau cat is a historic breed. It has a medium-sized but muscular build, with longer hind legs. They are the fastest domestic cat breed in the world!
Egyptian Mau cats prefer heat and are quite sensitive to temperature. So if you live somewhere very cold, keep this in mind.
With a balanced temperament and a preference for activity, it’s best to have a large garden for your Mau cat. They’re very loyal and cheerful, and love snuggles. Smart enough to turn on the faucet, Egyptian Mau cats also love playing with water.
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13. Lykoi
This interesting feline bears a strong resemblance to the popular imagery of a werewolf. With shorter and lighter fur around their mouth, nose, and eyes, an interesting design is made that accentuates their features in a werewolf-like way.
The scraggly salt and pepper fur of the Lykoi cat adds to the idea of a little beasty. Their name was derived from the Greek word for wolves, which strengthens their claim to werewolf status.
However, the Lykoi cat shares only physical resemblances to this famed mythical creature. These cats have lovely temperaments and are generally playful, affectionate, and loyal. So they make wonderful, striking pets.
Another interesting fact about the Lykois cat is that they sometimes lose all of their fur, resulting in them looking like a Sphynx cat. However, they grow the fur back. Or at least, most of it!
Though their occasional lack of fur and bald spots on their face appear to be similar to the Sphynx, they do not have the Sphynx/Devon Rex gene. Instead, they are related to the Domestic Shorthair cat.
When originally discovered, in 2011, there was concern that the strange coats of the Lykoi cats were the result of a medical condition. But they were found to be completely healthy, and their fur simply the result of a genetic mutation. It’s a mutation that we’re thankful for because these cats are strange and one of the loveliest weird cat breeds.
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14. Selkirk Rex
Selkirk Rex cats are simply lovable little fur babies, adored for their plush tousled coats and exquisite, smooshy flat-faces. In addition to their adorable curly coats, their whiskers curl too, how cute!
With big round eyes and an almost smiling expression, these felines love to be cuddled and will follow you around for attention.
Nicknamed ‘cats in sheep’s clothing,’ Selkirk rex cats may need occasional brushing – at least two or three times a week. Unlike many other flat-faced cats, the Selkirk Rex cat is not prone to tear duct issues.
They’re easily entertained with a flashlight beam or a fishing pole toy. Although not particularly active, these cuties are social. They’ll love to sit on your lap and let you feel their curly-q’s as the sun goes down.
15. Khao Manee
Khao Manee or Khao Plort cats have pure white coats and jewel toned eyes (which are often different colours). This cat breed comes from Thailand where they are considered to be good luck. Khao Manee cats thrive on attention and are prefect for families.
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They are a newer breed and quite rare which makes them an expensive breed of cat. Plus they look expensive with their plush pure white coats. They can be born with some patterns but will be pure white by the time they reach 18 months of age.
They have large eyes and a medium length tail. The Khao Manee cats with different eye colours are considered the most prized. They have quite muscular and lithe bodies.
This is a chatty cat breed that loves interacting with its family. This confident cat breed also likes strangers. However, do note this is a breed that shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. They crave the love and attention of their owners.
16. Ragdoll
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Playful and friendly, with stunning blue eyes, the Ragdoll cat is a famously fun pet. Their most fascinating feature is their tendency to lie limp when you pick them up (as opposed to most cats, who squirm out of your hold as soon as they can).
Ragdoll cats are loyal, and often greet their humans at the door. They’re also great with dogs and children, making them perfect for families.
With a sweet and gentle temperament, Ragdolls are super relaxed with strangers and will seek a bit of love from everyone. This is one of the friendliest expensive cat breeds.
17. American Bobtail
With a short tail, tufted ears and toes and a slightly short neck the American Bobtail cat breed screams cuddle me.
The American bobtail was a feral cat that was not bred until the 1960s.
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This playful breed is great with families and gets on well with strangers. Many compare his personality with that of a golden retriever dog. This is a devoted and loyal breed that also often enjoys going out on walks.
This intelligent cat breed loves a puzzle or a game and playing fetch. He is also a curious kitty who is quite easy going so well suited to travel and outdoor adventures.
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