Are there such things as miniature cats

Home Cat Care Center. The Truth About Teacup Cats. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: January 22, What Is a Teacup Cat? Regular exams are important to ensure teacup cats are as healthy as possible, Brunt says. But are there any benefits to owning a teacup cat? Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful?

Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Burmese cats are smaller than average with a compact body but a big brain. They like to use their smarts to solve pet puzzles and learn new tricks. The American curl is a newer breed that, according to The International Cat Association TICA , got its start in when a stray with funny ears was found and gave birth to kittens with the same strange ears. Due to a harmless genetic mutation, the breed's ears naturally turn backwards exposing the furry under-flap and making their ears seem tiny.

This pint-sized breed usually coos quietly rather than meowing to get your attention and is loving and playful, maintaining a kittenish curiosity into old age. Certainly charming, the American curl also has a sharp intellect—they're known for their ability to turn door knobs and open cabinets!

With a dainty face, small body, and huge ears, the Devon Rex has an impish personality to match his looks. When this breed isn't sticking by your side like glue, he's fetching a toy for you to throw or looking for other ways to have fun.

But don't worry, this kitty is all about snuggling too and will be happy to warm you up on a cold day —the Devon Rex radiates more body heat because of his short, wavy coat. The breed's unique fur is super-soft, doesn't shed much, and doesn't need to be brushed, ideal for those who'd rather not use a lint roller every day. Although they're average in size, Siamese cats are surprisingly lightweight.

The supermodel of the cat world, the breed is long, lean, and has brains to boot. They're no couch potatoes and thrive on lots of activity, from playing fetch to walking on a leash to pawing at faucets until they turn on. Siamese cats are known for being very vocal. They like to express their opinion about everything and are best for people who like to "chat" with their kitties. The munchkin is a cat breed with small legs and a full-size body, much like a corgi or Dachshund in the dog world.

What it lacks in jumping ability, the munchkin makes up for on the ground—running at turbo speeds to chase after anything they're curious about which is everything! Munchkin kitties can't jump high, which is perfect if cats on countertops drives you nuts. Instead, they leapfrog from one surface to another and stand up on their back legs to get a better view, especially of shiny objects, says TICA.

A fluffy, curly coat makes LaPerm cats look like they've been to the salon. Although you'd think their hair is high maintenance, that's not so.

Their coats don't shed much and they rarely mat. Giving these mini kitties a weekly brushing is enough, which means you have more time to cuddle with this extremely loving breed. Prepare for lots of deep stares, purrs , and kitty kisses! Just call them TNT, because Somali cats are full of explosive energy. These small packages are always on the hunt for fun and want you, or someone anyone!

You can keep bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Somali kitties happy by teaching them tricks, giving them plenty of playtime , and incorporating cat trees for climbing and window perches for exploring the outside world. VCA Hospitals says jokingly that Somali cats possess the 'hairdresser' gene, as these cats love to play with hair and mustaches and beards! The founding dwarf cat breed is the Munchkin , which weighs an average of pounds. These tiny, active cats have short legs because of a natural genetic mutation, and they have been bred with a variety of other breeds, such as the Sphynx , American Curl , and Persian , to name a few.

Again, dwarf cats have very short legs. They range from five to nine pounds and, despite their short legs, manage to remain playful and active. However, they are limited from jumping like other cats do. Teacups and miniature cats have normal proportions.

Some breeds in these categories are the result of a spontaneous mutation, while others are born as a result of breeders selecting the smallest cats from every generation to create progressively smaller cats. You can find mini cats in breeds that range from Siamese and Persian, to Ragdoll and others. But teacups are even smaller than what would be deemed a miniature cat.

It will have shorter legs, like dwarf cats, but the rest of the body will also be smaller, so everything will be in proportion. Also, some breeders may try to pass off a normal yet petite cat as a miniature to make a higher profit.