Rarest Cats That Exist

Cats were once thought to be mystical and magical creatures. But if canine companions are more your cup of tea, you probably think all cats are the same: boring and uninterested. But there are some rare cats that are quite interesting.

CFA-Recognized Breeds

How do we know a breed is rare? According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, there are currently 45 recognized cat breeds in the world. It can be difficult to track the population numbers of specific breeds because that kind of information isn’t typically released to the public.

Almost every year, the CFA releases a ranked list of most popular cat breeds that categorizes them by the number of registrations each year. Simply put, the number of registrations corresponds directly to the number of cats born that year. That means the lower ranking cats have lower birth numbers, making them rare!

La Perm

We’ve all seen long-haired cats, short-haired cats and even hairless cats, but what about a cat with a perm? The ‘La Perm’ breed was named after the popular 80’s hairdo for a reason! You’d be hard-pressed to find another feline that looks quite like a La Perm thanks to their extremely curly fur, which can range from wavy, to tight ringlets or long corkscrew curls.

Like a few other rare cat breeds, the LaPerm was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation in a regular litter of tabby cats. On March 1st, 1982, Linda Koehl, the owner of a farm in Oregon, watched a brown tabby cat named Speedy have a litter of six kittens in a barn. One of the kittens stood out from the rest: it was long, skinny and hairless with wide-spaced ears. At six weeks, it developed a sparse curly shorthaired coat with a classic tabby pattern.

She named the cat Curly, and as more curly-coated cats appeared on the farm visitors told Linda she was onto something special! She started a breeding program and established her unique cats as the ‘LaPerm’ breed, and the rest is history!

They may look scruffy, but their coats are light and low-shedding, meaning they don’t actually require much maintenance. As of 2018, La Perm’s ranked #43 on the CFA’s popular breeds list, making them one of the world’s rarest breeds!

Turkish Angora

As the name suggests, the Turkish Angora, which ranked #35 in the CFA’s 2018 list, originates from Turkey, specifically, Ankara, formerly known as Angora. They’re recognized for their characteristic silky white coat and are considered national treasures in their Turkish homeland for their beauty and sweet temperament.

In the 1900s, a breeding program was established at the Ankara Zoo in Turkey to preserve the breed after they were almost bred to extinction. But in 1962, American Colonel Walter Grant and his wife were allowed to take home a pair of Turkish Angoras named Yildiz and Yildizcek, which kickstarted a new breeding program in the USA.

Although sparkling blue or amber eyes are the norm, perhaps one of the coolest thing about the Angora is that it’s common for them to have charming odd-colored eyes! This condition is known as ‘heterochromia’ and has to do with the amount of melanin pigment in the eyes.

Turkish Angoras are extremely agile and can usually be found in unexpectedly high places like the top of the door, so you’ll have to keep your eyes to the sky if you want to own one of these rare moggies!

Chartreux

The stunning and mysterious Chartreux is a breed originating from France which is thought to have ancient origins. References to Chartreux cats have been found in French literature as early as the 16th century, when they were bred to be excellent mousers.

Research has shown that the Chartreux probably originated in ancient Persia and came to France with knights returning from the crusades. The first Chartreux were staples in French monasteries, where they became fierce companions for the Carthusian monks as they protected their grain stores from rodents.

These incredible cats are best known for their pumpkin-colored eyes, desirable “blue” coat and their rounded face shape which gives the impression that they’re smiling. They are intelligent cats with lightning-fast reflexes, which explains why they were so great at catching mice.

Nowadays, they do less mouse-chasing and more lounging about, as they are considered attentive and gentle family companions. But they’re also incredibly rare, ranking #34 on the CFA’s 2018 list, which is highlighted by their cost. In fact, a pedigree Chartreux could set you back an eye-watering $1000-$1500!

Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is not only one of the world’s rarest cat breeds, it’s one of the oldest, too! The breed has existed in the isolated mountainous area of the Eastern Anatolian region since the Middle Ages. This isolated existence helped preserve its unique features until it was eventually discovered by the West in the mid-1950s.

This is a striking, silky cat with a white body and an extraordinary bushy tail. True to its name, the Turkish Van is thought to hail from modern-day Turkey’s eastern Lake Van region. When Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday were touring Turkey in 1955, they encountered some longhaired white cats with auburn markings on their head and bushy tails.

The women were given two kittens who travelled with them, and the pair were shocked when they stopped near a stream or pond to see the cats paddling around in the water to cool down. Believe it or not, Turkish Vans are sometimes known as “the swimming cat” because they have a unique texture to their cashmere-like coats that make them waterproof!

The Turkish Van ranked #44 on the CFA’s 2018 list, and are even considered incredibly rare in their homeland, where they’re regarded as a national treasure. About 100 Turkish Vans are registered each year, and they can all trace their lineage to the original cats bought back to England in 1955!

Norwegian Forest Cat

Cats come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but have you ever seen a beast like the one in the image below? This is the Norwegian Forest Cat, and it’s not to be messed with! The robust breed developed over hundreds of years of natural selection in a harsh climate, giving it a thick, waterproof coat that protects it against the freezing winters of Scandinavia.

This badass feline originated in Norway and traveled with the Vikings during raids, keeping their Norse Longboats and villages free of vermin. But by the 20th century, the Norwegian forest cat was already becoming a rarity in its native land and was at risk of total extinction.

In the 1930s, plans were made to ensure the future of the cat, but they were interrupted by WW2, which pushed the breed even further to the edge. Finally, in the 1970s, the Norwegians put a special breeding program in place to protect them, and King Olaf even designated them to be the official cat of Norway!

Nowadays, they’re a bit less rare, ranking #14 on the CFA’s 2018 list. Their large, hardy stature might make them look imposing, but they’re actually a very social and people-oriented breed. Because it’s so robust and resourceful, the Norwegian Forest Cat is the perfect breed for a busy active family. Who needs a guard dog when you’ve got one of these bad-boys?

Korat

We’ve all heard about black cats being bad-luck charms, but Korat’s are quite the opposite. This breed is a symbol of good fortune in Thailand, and they were even given as gifts to foreigners as a sign of honor and good faith!

The first mention of the Korat is in the ancient book known Tamra Maew or “The Cat-Book Poems” in Bangkok’s National Library, which is thought to have been written in the Ayudhya Period of Siamese History between 1350-1767.

The reason why Korats are so desirable is their stunning short-hair coat color, which is described as ‘silver-tipped blue,’ as well as their sparkling emerald eyes. In 1959, the first known pair of Korats were imported to the US by Mrs. Jean Johnson after they were gifted to her husband when he retired from the foreign office in Thailand.

Korats have a vibrant personality and are notorious attention-seekers. They require the companionship of their families and can become withdrawn if they are left alone too long or feel unnoticed! Korats are one of the world’s rarest breeds, ranking #44 on the CFAs 2018 list, and extremely hard to come by in the U.S. because breeding limitations have been placed on them in their homeland of Thailand.

Lykoi

Werewolves aren’t real, but werewolf cats certainly are. This is the Lykoi in the image below, which roughly translates to “wolf cat” in Greek. This is an “experimental” new cat breed created from a mutation in domestic short-haired cats over the last 10 years or so.

The Lykoi, which rated #33 on the CFA’s 2018 list, was officially founded after in 2011 after two separate sibling litters of these unusual, partially-hairless cats were presented by Johnny Gobble, Brittney Gobble and Patti Thomas. The founders did extensive health evaluations to check that the cat’s unusual appearance wasn’t caused by sickness or disease and found that the Lykoi had been bred due to a naturally recessive gene.

The Lykoi has tall, pointed ears and sporadic patches of fur, while other parts of the body like the eyes, chin, nose and muzzle are totally hairless. Despite their unusual appearance, Lykoi’s are very loyal and tend to bond well with people, making them the ideal choice for families.

Maine Coon

Maine Coon’s have one of the most colorful origin stories you can imagine, because no one really knows where they came from. As an attempt to explain their large size, patterning and bushy tails, one of the most popular legends is that the breed is the result of semi-domestic cats mating with raccoons, which is, of course, biologically impossible.

Another myth is that the Maine sprang from the six pet cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French revolution. The most plausible theory is that they are descendants of short-haired domestic cats breeding with long-haired cats which may have been brought to America by the Vikings or European sailors during the 1700s.

Either way, the Maine Coon is one seriously majestic breed. Their muscular build and luxurious coat makes them look like feline royalty! The breed was pretty popular during the 19th century, but at the beginning of the 20th century they started getting rarer and rarer.

Their decline in popularity was so severe that the breed risked extinction in the 1950s, until a club was created to breathe new life into the breed. Nowadays, Maine Coon’s have not left the top 5 most popular breeds on the CFA’s list!

Valkyrie the Maine Coon

Can you imagine what cats would look like if they resembled the hilarious paintings of felines from Medieval art?

If one of these terrifying kitties were to step off the page, it’d probably look a lot like this one in the image below! Believe it or not, someone hasn’t just photoshopped a human face onto a cat.

This is actually a baby Maine Coon named Valkyrie, who is owned by Maine Coon breeder Tatiana Rastorgueva. It’s not clear what makes her look so human, perhaps it’s her bone structure, round cheeks or old-man beard, but the internet has totally fallen in love with her.

Peterbald

The Peterbald is one of the strangest-looking cats on this list. The first thing you’ll notice is that they’re totally hairless with enormous ears that look like they could hear a pin drop from miles away.

But don’t be fooled: Peterbald’s are often born with a light ‘peach-fuzz’ coat which can change or be lost during the first two years of their life, so their apparent baldness isn’t always a get out of jail free card for cat lovers doomed by allergies! They’re a highly intelligent and athletic breed that are often sought-after for their loyalty and general fun-loving nature.

But the small number of Peterbald breeders also makes this cat one of the rarest in the world. They’re a relatively new breed and were only discovered in 1988 in the Russian city of Rostov on Don, where they were originally known as the Don Sphynx. After being imported to Europe and bred with an oriental shorthair, the new breed was recognized as the Peterbald.

Because they lack fur, Peterbald’s require a little more attention in the grooming department and should be bathed every other week. Hairless cats also have a higher metabolism, meaning they consume more food than their furry counterparts, so you’d better stock the cupboards if you see yourself as a Peterbald owner!

Burmilla

The Burmilla, which ranks #39 on the CFA’s 2018 list, is a medium-sized cat with a muscular yet elegant body that is best recognized for its sparkling silky silver coat. Their overall look is a little like a Burmese, but with a slightly sweeter, more open expression.

The breed first emerged when British Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg purchased a male Chinchilla Persian named Jemari Sanquist as a pet for her husband in 1891. Before having the cat neutered, he happened to bump into a precocious little Lilac Burmese female named Bambino Lilac Faberg.

When a cleaner left Bambino’s door open one day, she was able to escape into Jemari’s room, and you can guess what happened next. The result was a litter of 4 shorthair female kittens that were so beautiful the baroness decided to embark on a special breeding program.

The demanding and mischievous nature of the Burmese mixed with the easy-going and laid back personality of the Chinchilla Persian gives the Burmilla an irresistible unique temperament. Nowadays, the breed is still incredibly rare in the United States with very few breeders in the country. The Burmilla is an incredibly loving breed and displays many kitten-like qualities well into adulthood.

Havana Brown

If you’re a chocolate lover, this is the cat for you. In fact, “chocolate delights” is the phrase often used by Havana Brown enthusiasts to describe their luxurious, silky smooth milk-chocolate colored coat which showcases their brilliant green eyes.

The breed was purposely created in the 1950s breeding Chocolate Point and Seal Point Siamese cats with a dash of Russian Blue. They were first recognized as an official breed by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1958 and were originally known as the Chestnut Foreign Shorthair before becoming the Havana Brown in 1970.

Havana’s are a curious, people-oriented breed that always wants to be center of the action and will be the first to investigate a knock at the door or a crash in the kitchen. In 1998-1999, Havana Brown breeders in North America were permitted to start breeding with other cats like black or blue domestic shorthairs or chocolate or seal point Siamese to try and increase the limited gene pool. But the breed is still incredibly rare, ranking #42 on the CFA’s 2018 list!

Tonkinese

There’s no doubt about it: the Tonkinese is one of the most beautiful cats you will ever lay eyes on. Wrapped in a silky-smooth mink coat with sparkling aquamarine eyes, anyone is sure to fall in love with this stunning breed, and as far as the Tonkinese is concerned, your whole purpose in life is to adore them! These preened pussies love nothing more than to curl up in your lap and bask in your affection.

The modern Tonkinese was actually first developed by cross-breeding the Siamese and Burmese. The very first recorded Tonkinese was known as Wong Mau, who was bought to the U.S. in 1930. But there are mentions of the breed in far Eastern poetry as far back as the 14th century!

American breeder Jane Barletta decided to create a cat that was in between the Siamese and Burmese and set about recreating the Tonkinese from an earlier period. She worked with Margaret Conroy, another breeder from Canada, and the pair bred Siamese and Burmese to create fascinating litters of kittens with tan coats and aqua eyes. Although the breed is well sought-after, it’s still pretty rare, ranking #21 on the CFA’s 2018 list.

American Wirehair

The American Wirehair is a unique breed that began as a random mutation in a litter of 6 domestic shorthair kittens born on Council Rock Farm in Verona, New York. The first American Wirehair kitten was a red-and-white male with a sparse, wiry coat. To his owners surprise, every hair, including his whiskers, looked crimped and springy!

Local cat breeder Joan O’Shea saw the kitten and was able to convince the farm owner to let her buy him. O’Shea bred the unique cat with one of her neighbors female cats and was thrilled to discover that the kittens were all born with wiry hair, showing that it was a dominant gene. Besides looking like it has stood a little too close to an open flame, the American Wirehair has no exaggerated features and is a well-balanced, medium-sized housecat.

They’re known for being pretty easy-going and are happy to lounge around, unless they are chasing insects with their natural hunting instincts. The breed was recognized for registration with the CFA in 1967 and has appeared at the very bottom of their list ever since, taking the number #45 spot in 2018 and making it the rarest breed in the world!

Khao Manee

With one vibrant blue eye and another ranging from copper to bright yellow and green, as well as a heart-shaped face, high cheekbones and shimmering white coat, the Khao Manee is a shoo-in for any feline beauty contest.

The name ‘Khao Manee’ means "white gem", and the breed is thought to have been a favorite in the royal palaces of its native homeland of ancient Thailand. Like the Korat, there are references to the Khao Manee in the ancient Cat-Book Poems. For a while, the breed was a well-kept secret in Thailand, where they were given as gifts of good luck and good fortune.

But interest in these striking cats has grown in the West, and in 1999 Colleen Freymouth imported the first Khao Manee from Thailand to the U.S. and bred the first litter in North America. Today, the breed is still considered extremely rare, ranking #38 on the CFA’s 2018 most popular breeds list. They may look regal, but Khao Manee’s are actually very naughty in nature and will cause mischief at any given opportunity. Something about judging a book by its cover springs to mind!

Bengal

On first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Bengal is a tiny wild cat with its leopard-like spots and regal prowess. In fact, this relatively new breed was originally created in 1963 by crossing a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat also known as ‘Felis Bengalensis’, from which the Bengal derives its name.

The goal in developing the domestic Bengal was to preserve a strong physical resemblance to its beautiful wild ancestor. At the same time, the Bengal would have the loving nature of a fireside tabby which would make it a pleasant and trustworthy family companion, just look how adorable the Bengal Kitten in the video below is!

Acrobatic Bengal Kittens Learn To Hunt | Wonderful World of Puppies | BBC Earth by BBC Earth

The breed was officially recognized in 1986 and has grown in popularity ever since, ranking #5th on the CFA’s most popular car breeds in 2018. Thanks to their jungle-cat relatives, Bengal’s are a very active breed and are constantly on the move, climbing to high places and investigating their surroundings.

Bengals can also be trained to perform many simple tricks, and will happily go out for walks on a leash or play fetch with their owners. Although they’re excellent companions, you should probably know that Bengals are also very vocal, so you might want to invest in some earplugs!

Caracal

Caracal kittens are adorable with their ice-blue eyes and pointed ears. But If you’d love to cuddle up to these caramel-colored kittens, you should probably know that it will grow up to look like this one in the image below! That’s because the caracal is actually a wild cat which is native to Africa, Central Asia and India.

Although they are not officially classed as "big cats" as adults, they are certainly medium-sized and grow much larger than a house cat at 29-31 inches in length. They can also clock in on the scales at anywhere between 18-42lb, so these are certainly no lap cats! Although they technically wildcats, several years ago the breed moved from the category of strictly wild predators to be considered exotic pets that can now be purchased with a license.

But owning a caracal isn’t a decision that should be made lightly, because they have completely different demands than regular domesticated cats. First and foremost, they need way more food, in fact, Caracals like to eat 2-3lb of meat a day! They’re also pretty boisterous and have been known to be destructive, so you can kiss goodbye to your new couch! These rare cats are probably best appreciated in their natural habitats.

If you were amazed at the rarest cats that exist, you might want to read about the strangest cat behaviors. Thanks for reading!