March 08, 2024
Cats come in a collection of exceptional and fascinating looks, but some breeds are somewhat more striking than others.
You may have only come across domestic, common cat breeds, but there are many beautiful, unique, yet weird-looking cats in the world.
Let’s take a look at some of the weirdest cats you can find across the world.
#1 Sphynx Cats
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Medium-sized hairless
Price:
$1800-$3000
Sphynx cats are almost entirely hairless, but some have a fine down all over their body. Their distinctive large ears can be as tall as two to three inches in height. Like other hairless cat breeds, the Sphynx is considered an allergy-friendly breed.
The Sphynx cat is known for its extremely social, devotion, and inquisitive personality. Sphynx cats have a significantly lower tolerance for extreme weather temperatures, which means they tend to do better as an indoor pet.
#2 Peterbald
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Medium-sized hairless
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$1700-$3000
The Peterbald is known for being completely hairless, having fine down, or a light coat like a peach or soft suede leather. This thin, hairless breed is unique with their narrow, long head, webbed feet and a long, rat-like tail.
The Peterbald has a reputation for being a very smart, curious and a highly affectionate lap cat. This breed will never get tired of showering his owners with love, and his friendly, sociable personality will shine with his beloved humans and visitors.
#3 Japanese Bobtail Cat
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Medium-sized shorthair and longhair
Price:
$800-$2,000
The Japanese Bobtail is considered a good luck cat in its native Japan. The maneki-neko, or lucky cat, is based on this breed, and statues are often displayed in homes and businesses. The breed’s strange feature is its short, bobbed tail. Japanese Bobtail cats may have short or long hair in a variety of colors.
The Japanese Bobtail is an outgoing, friendly, and active breed. Being clever and active, these cats are very inquiring and like to learn about their settings. Japanese Bobtails are exceptional in getting along with their humans, and they do well with other household pets.
#4 Devon Rex
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Small to medium-sized shorthair
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$600-$2,000
The Devon Rex is sometimes referred to as the “poodle that purrs” because of its short curly hair and wagging tail when happy. The Devon Rex is a nearly hairless cat breed, but the short hair is curly, giving the cat an unusual appearance. Devon Rex also sport large ears and an arched body.
The Devon Rex is an energetic, spirited breed that loves attention. They are known for being silly and entertaining, but expect to be appreciated with lots of affection and attention in exchange for purrs.
#5 Munchkin Cat
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Small short-haired and long-haired
Price:
$1,000-$2,000
The Munchkin is a relatively modern breed, only becoming established during the 1980s. The Munchkin’s short legs are the result of a genetic mutation in the founding breed of this cat. Unfortunately, this mutation is occasionally related to a range of inherited health complications within the breed as a whole.
What they lack in leg height Munchkins make up for with their unique look and kind temperament. Munchkin cats are fairly quick, joyful, energetic, and affectionate little cats. The Munchkin is very bright, and can be taught tricks when rewarded with treats.
#6 Cornish Rex
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Small to medium-sized shorthair
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$800-$1,300
In Cornwall, England, the first Cornish Rex kitten was born in 1950. He was the result of a spontaneous mutation, born to a barn cat and an unknown mate. The Cornish Rex is unique among cats with its silky, soft, wavy fur that resembles corn rows.
The Cornish Rex loves to be right next to their human and wants constant attention. Many Cornish Rex cats can be taught to walk on a leash to be rewarded with time spent outdoors. This breed is alert and likes to jump, run, and play, as well as engage in interactive activities.
#7 Donskoy
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Medium-sized hairless
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$500-$2,500
Also known as the Don Sphynx, the Donskoy is from Russia and is born with short hair, but loses all its fur as it ages. This breed is sometimes described as alien-like because of its unusual looking elastic skin with pronounced wrinkles. Different from other hairless breeds, the Donskoy can grow a winter coat.
Donskoy is known to be tremendously friendly, outgoing, and loyal, and has a laid-back attitude. They love welcoming guests to their home, and do well with children, as well as other companion animals, such as dogs.
#8 Highlander Cat
Breed Overview
- ORIGIN: East Coast of the United States
- HEIGHT: 14″- 16″
- ADULT WEIGHT: 15-20 pounds
- LIFE SPAN: 10- 15 years
The Highlander cat is part domestic and is the result of a cross between the Jungle Curl cat and the Desert Lynx. The non-domestic part of this breeds ancestry has made them sturdy and solid, but what is often striking is their characteristic tufted ears. They lack the pointed tip of the ear yet display ears that curl at the top, allowing the tufts to be front and center, and sticking out horizontally.
Although the Highlander cat may look wild, they are actually warm felines with a gentle personality. This breed is great for people want a social and playful cat that is also affectionate and loving.
#9 LaPerm Cat
Image Credit: https://pictures-of-cats.org/laperm-cat.html
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Medium-sized shorthair and longhair
Price:
$800-$1,500
The LaPerm cat breed is a very interesting one due to its loose curls, curled ear tufts, and ear furnishings. LaPerms have a very curly coat, with the tightest of curls present around the throat area and the base of their ears.
The LaPerm is a sweet, lively, and friendly breed. They love to interact with humans and do very well with children. They tend to be a quiet breed for the most part and not very vocal.
#10 Ukrainian Levkoy
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Medium-sized hairless
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$400 to $800
The Ukrainian Levkoy was created by crossing hairless Donskoy females with Scottish Fold males. These bald cats have distinct, inward-folding ears and a lean, muscular body. They have soft, elastic skin that appears quite wrinkled and the males in this breed grow much larger than the females.
The Levkoy loves attention and affection, but is not overly challenging and finds satisfaction being alone. This breed is also known to be friendly and playful, making them a great addition to any family.
#11 Lykoi Cat
Breed Overview
- ORIGIN: Vonore
- HEIGHT: 8″- 10″
- ADULT WEIGHT: 6-12 pounds
- LIFE SPAN: 12- 15 years
Lykoi is usually only partially hairless, but this distinct cat is in a category of its own. With its hairless face, leathery skin, and glossy silvery and black coat, the Lykoi is the result of a genetic mutation in a domestic shorthair that looks like a werewolf. This mutation has occurred in domestic cats over the past 20 years.
The Lykoi has a playful personality, is inquisitive and intelligent by nature and is a keen hunter. This breed is affectionate with humans, but they may be suspicious of new people and pets until they get to know them.
#12 Scottish Fold
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Medium to large short-haired and long-haired
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$1000 - $2000
The Scottish Fold originated in Scotland in the 1960s. This breed is adorably odd looking because they have the smallest ears of any domestic cat breed in the world. Scottish Folds lack cartilage in their ears, which causes them to flop and fold forward towards the front of the head.
The Scottish Fold breed is a playful, subtle, and animated cat. This breed is known for posing in strange positions, such as sitting upright like a meerkat, or lying flat on its back with its paws in the air. Scottish Folds are moderately active and like cat toys that test their dexterity, as well as challenge their intelligence.
Final Thoughts
All cats are stunning, sophisticated creatures that are loaded with grace and complexity. But some breeds of cat are more interesting to look at. From hairless cats to curly coats to those with webbed feet, kitties come in many variations. These breeds have so many striking and interesting characteristics they can be guaranteed to attract the perfect companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the weirdest breed of cat?
All cats are adorable and unique in their own ways, but some breeds have some pretty weird features that stand out. Some weird cats include:
- Sphynx
- Japanese Bobtail
- Peterbald Cat
- Donskoy
- Ukrainian Levkoy
- Scottish Fold
What are the 10 rarest cat breeds?
The top 10 rarest cat breeds in the world are:
- Chartreux
- Sokoke Cat
- Devon Rex
- Kurilian Bobtail
- Norwegian Forest cat
- Minskin
- Egyptian Mau
- Tonkinese
What is the creepiest cat breed?
The creepiest cat breed is probably the Lykoi. The Lykoi cat is sometimes called the “werewolf” cat because it looks like a baby werewolf.
What breed is the ugliest cat?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the Sphynx breed takes the cake for the ugliest cat in some people's opinions. Sphynx cats are hairless, but may have a fine layer of peach fuzz fur on the skin. Sphynx are heavily wrinkled, and have very short or sometimes no whiskers.
