The Cutest Cat Breeds

Let’s face the facts: cats are cute as hell! Every cat owner, including me, thinks their cat is the cutest, and it is hard to really choose only one cat as the cutest one. Still, some cat breeds are particularly popular due to their unique and cute appearance, so I gathered 13 of the cutest cat breeds, and I will tell you more about each one of them.

But first, let’s take a look at the criteria for deciding on the cuteness level for a specific cat breed. Some of these criteria refer to the cat’s physical features, while others refer to its personality, which is just as important when determining the cuteness level. 

Cat Cuteness Selection Criteria

The first thing everyone notices about a specific cat breed is its appearance. However, each cat breed has a unique personality, and some cats are more affectionate and sweet, while others can act more aloof. 

Ears

You might think that all cats have the same ears and that there is nothing special about them, but you couldn’t be further away from the truth! Some cat breeds have large ears, while others have small ears, and there are even cat breeds with folded ears. 

Additionally, some cat breeds have more pointed ears, while others have rounded ears. There are even cats with hair tufts on the top of their ears, which, you must admit, is extremely adorable!

Eyes

Green is considered to be the default cat eye color, but the cat’s eyes can come in many other colors, including blue, yellow, orange, hazel, amber, gold, copper, grey, etc. Apart from the color differences, some cat breeds will have rounded, while others will have almond-shaped eyes. 

Body Size And Proportions

Domesticated cats are dwarfs when compared to their wild ancestors, but some breeds are much larger than others. There are cat breeds that never grow to be heavier than 5-6 pounds, while others can grow to weigh more than 25 pounds! 

Tail

The tail is an important part of the cat’s body. It is the extension of the cat’s spine; it provides balance, it can help keep the cat warm, and it is an indicator of the cat’s mood. However, not every cat’s tail is the same; some cat breeds have longer, while others have shorter tails or no tails at all. 

Some tails are fluffy, while others are short-haired. Also, some tails are curved and flexible, while others are straight and more rigid.

Fur

The fur is probably the most distinct feature that differentiates one cat breed from another. Some cat breeds are shorthaired, others are longhaired, and there are cat breeds that have both shorthaired and longhaired specimens.

There is also a huge diversity when it comes to fur color. Some cats are black, some are white, and there are many other possible colors, including brown, grey, lilac, fawn, sable, cream, lilac, lavender, orange, red, etc.

When it comes to fur patterns, there are solid, bi-color, calico, tabby, color point, and tortoiseshell cats. Some cat breeds only have solid furs, others are always tabby or color point, but many cat breeds can come in all patterns.  

Affection Level

One of the stereotypes about cats is that they are emotionless, cold, and mean. However, while some stereotypes might be loosely based on the truth, this is one of those stereotypes that are 100% untrue. 

Cats can be more shy and wary around humans, especially if they have had bad experiences with people. However, that doesn’t mean that these animals are unfriendly. Once they get to know you, they can be just as affectionate as dogs, if not more!

Of course, every cat is individual, some are simply more affectionate than others. Some cat breeds are also known to be more affectionate than other breeds. So, if you want an affectionate cat, you might want to look for such a cat breed.

Cuddliness 

Some cats will show their affection through cuddling, while others will be content to just be near you. There are cats that like to be petted, cuddled, handled, and touched in any other way, while others prefer to be left alone.

That doesn’t mean that non-cuddly cats don’t like their owners; they just show their love differently. 

Playfulness

While they are still kittens, cats explore their surroundings and learn new skills through play. Watching your kitten play can be really funny, but it is also extremely cute. However, as they grow up, your cats will spend less time playing. 

Still, some cat breeds retain their kitten-like behavior and desire to play, which can be really adorable. Also, cats that spend their lives indoors also show more willingness to play because they need to spend their energy somehow. 

Rarity

People have always valued rare things more than common ones. Such is the case with cat breeds, as some breeds are really common, while others are rare, expensive, and overall hard to get.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that more common cat breeds or mixed cats can’t be just as cute and valuable to their owners as some more exclusive cat breeds and specimens. 

13 Cutest Cat Breeds

With all this in mind, it is time to take a look at the cat breeds that I chose as the cutest ones. Keep in mind that this selection is subjective, and things that I find cute might not be cute to you. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Cornish Rex

The first time I saw a Cornish Rex cat, I burst into laughter. These cats look so goofy but cute at the same time. With their unusually large ears and curly fur, Cornish Rex cats have that almost inexplicable charm.

Their personalities are also charming. Cornish Rex cats are highly active and intelligent cats. For some people, these cats can be a bit too active, but their jester-like behavior and goofiness will make you forget about their shenanigans!

Munchkin

Continuing with another extremely cut cat breed, let’s take a look at the Munchkin cat breed. Known for its cute short legs and puffy tails, this cat breed looks like it came straight from the cartoon! 

These cats also have beautiful personalities. They are playful and affectionate, and they love to cuddle. However, they are little thieves and hoarders, so if you notice your things suddenly missing, your Munchkin cat is probably stealing them!

American Bobtail

American Bobtail cats got their name because of their cute bobbed tails. Their tails are naturally much shorter than in most other cat breeds. Because of their tails, these cats almost look like toys. 

When it comes to their personalities, American Bobtail cats are gentle, sweet, moderately active, and affectionate cats. They like to cuddle and stay close to their owners, and they even make great travel companions!

Bombay

I never had a black cat, and although people associate them with bad luck, I would love to have one. Bombay cats are not ordinary black cats, they were carefully bred to resemble small panthers. Due to their black and slick fur and elegant body features, they are often called “pocket-sized black panthers.”

Unlike real black panthers, Bombay cats are friendly, playful, and affectionate. They might even be a bit too clingy and attention-seeking, but that’s part of their charm! Additionally, their need for attention might be a good thing if you have small children that will be more than happy to play with your Bombay cat the whole day! 

LaPerm

If you love the 1980s and your fashion sense is influenced by this decade, you might like LaPerm cats. These cats are known for their curly fur, which is how they got their name in the first place. 

LaPerms are affectionate and intelligent cats that love to follow their owners around. So, if you feel paranoid and like someone is following you, it is probably your curly feline! Apart from being little stalkers, these cats are cuddly and like to show their love through physical touch.

Ragdoll

If you are familiar with the Grumpy Cat meme, Ragdoll cats might also look familiar. This is because Grumpy Cat was a Ragdoll, albeit with some form of dwarfism that was responsible for its grumpy facial features. Usually, Ragdoll cats look soft and gentle, which makes them really cute.

Their personality is also gentle, and they get their name because of how much they tolerate being handled. When you pick up a Ragdoll cat, its body will go completely limp and relaxed, and you feel like you are holding a ragdoll.

American Curl

If you had to draw a cat’s silhouette, you would probably draw a rounded head with pointed ears facing upwards because that’s the most common ear shape, right? Well, what if I told you there are cats with ears folded backward? That’s right, such unusual ear shapes characterize the American Curl cat breed.

Apart from looking cute because of their unusual ears, these cats have adorable, smart, playful, and affectionate personalities. It makes no wonder they are often called Peter Pans of the cat’s world. 

Bengal

Do you like cat breeds that look exotic and similar to wild cats, but they are still small, cute, and good pets? If that’s the case, you need to get a Bengal cat! They look like miniature leopards with their distinct spotted furs.

While they might look wild and exotic, Bengal cats are quite sweet, affectionate, and gentle. They are very active and playful, and although they love their owners, Bengals are not as cuddly as other cat breeds. 

Egyptian Mau

If, on the other hand, you like spotted furs of Bengal cats but prefer your cat to look more similar to common cats, you should get an Egyptian Mau. They have spotted furs, but they don’t look as wild as Bengal cats. In fact, when I think more about it, Egyptian Maus look like a crossover between a Bengal cat and a common grey tabby cat.

However, these cats aren’t crossovers, in fact, they are one of the oldest cat breeds that occurred naturally. Egyptian Maus are affectionate, active, and energetic cats that might be shy at first, but once they get to know you,  their shyness disappears. 

Norwegian Forest Cat

Living in Nordic countries can be challenging if you can’t stand low temperatures. Sometimes, no matter how warm your clothes are, you will still feel cold. Fortunately, one fluffy cat breed has no such problems, as it has long and thick fur that keeps it warm even during freezing temperatures.

I am talking about the Norwegian Forest Cats, a cat breed known for being fluffy and one of the biggest cat breeds. Apart from their distinct physical features, these cats are outgoing, active, and intelligent, and they have strong hunting instincts.  

Russian Blue

As their name suggests, Russian Blue cats originated in Russia, and their fur is bluish-gray. Their fur looks like it is made of plush; it is really dense and thick but soft and silky at the same time. 

Russian Blue cats are sweet, gentle, and calm pets. Another benefit of having a Russian Blue cat is that they are less allergenic than other cat breeds, which makes them a good choice for people with mild cat allergies. 

American Shorthair

Do you like the looks of common domestic shorthair cats, but with more rounded contours and body frames? Then, the American Shorthair is the right cat breed for you! These rounded features give American Shorthairs a sort of slightly cartoonish appearance.

American Shorthairs are playful, curious, affectionate, friendly, and outgoing cats. They have strong hunting instincts, and they can quickly turn into little murderous machines when around mice, fish, birds, and other small pets. 

Donskoy

Many people are disturbed and grossed out by hairless cats. After all, cats are supposed to be fluffy, right? Well, I think that hairless cats can also be cute and pretty, and one example of such cats is the Donskoy cat breed.

Although they are hairless, these cats have lovely faces and elegant bodies. Apart from that, Donskoy cats are affectionate, loving, and extremely loyal pets. They are also extremely playful, and their playfulness can sometimes turn into mischief. 

The Winner

Now that we went over the 13 cutest cat breeds and rated each according to the selection criteria, let’s take a look at the final results!

As you can see, each cat breed scored high results, but only one could be the winner – the Munchin cat! Although each cat breed mentioned in this article is cute in its own way, I find the Munchkin cats the most adorable cat breed. 

Their cute little legs and puffy tails make me go “awwww” every time I see them. Munchkin cats are simply the embodiment of cuteness and they deserved this little victory! Of course, keep in mind that the whole selection and rating are purely subjective, and it is completely fine if you think another cat breed is cuter!

Conclusion

When I first started thinking about choosing the cutest cat breed, I thought it would be really fun. To be honest, it was fun, but it was also much harder than I expected. I had to constantly fight the urge to give 45 stars to every cat because each one of those cat breeds deserves all the praise.

Still, the whole point was to find the winner, so I had to go against my urges and be strict when rating those cat breeds. After all, regardless of the final result, the cutest cat breed is the one you consider to be the cutest.

Additionally, a cat doesn’t have to belong to a specific cat breed to be considered cute. The cutest cat in the world is your cat, even if it is a mixed breed. In conclusion, when you love your cat, your love makes it the cutest cat in the world, and no other criteria are important!