The 16 Rarest Cats in the World

You probably already know about the classic cat breeds, that is, Tuxedos, tabbies, and calicos. There are also several rare cat breeds that you may not have heard of. For example, the Kurilian Bobtail has a super-short tail (like a wild lynx). The Devon Rex, on the other hand, has curly fur. Or, there’s the Minikin, with its short, corgi-like legs. Learn more about 16 of the rarest cats, below!

1.   The American Bobtail Cat

The American Bobtail is so-named for its adorable, stubby, 1-3 inch tail (compared to most cats, who have 9-12-inch tails). They are generally quite calm and friendly and tend to enjoy a good snuggle (a quintessential lap cat).

The American Bobtail first came to be in the 1960s, when a Siamese cat was crossed with a male tabby with a bobtail. This gave them deeply-set, almond-shaped eyes, and of course, a bobtail! American Bobtails are known for their gorgeously striped or spotted coats, which can be both long-hair or short-hair. Their rear legs are rather long compared to their front legs for a cat, similar to a bear!

2.   The Kurilian Bobtail Cat

The Kurilian Bobtail gets its name from its home origin, the Russian Kuril Islands. It’s believed that this beautiful, short-tailed cat developed from a genetic mutation that then became common, resulting in an unusually short tail. Kurilian Bobtails are rather stocky, similar to bobcats, with striped or spotted long or short fur. They are quite gentle and easy-going, making them ideal for households with children or cat-friendly pets (including dogs). Kurilian Bobtails are also quite loving and playful!

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3.   The Sokoke Cat

The Sokoke cat is said to be the rarest cat in the world. Rather than being a man-created breed, the Sosoke is a naturally occurring, tiny wildcat that can be found only in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Preserve in Kenya (Africa). These long-limbed, striped cats have unique, thickly-banded stripes as if drawn on with charcoal. Despite their wild origins, Sosoke Cats are happy to follow their people around, whether you’re cleaning or watching TV!

4.   The Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex is a rare, unique-looking cat that originated in England in the 1950s. These lovely cats have unusually short snouts, high cheekbones, exceptionally large, bat-like ears, and distinctive, wavy fur. They are energetic little felines, and quite charming, mischievous, and playful!

5.   The Turkish Angora Cat

Turkish Angoras are super-sweet, sensitive cats (in fact, they are known to have some trouble with change, but are otherwise calm by nature). Appearing around the 1700s in Central Anatolia (ancient Turkey) they swiftly gained popularity not just for their exceptional grace but for their extraordinary, silky coat. This comes in black, blue, red, tortoiseshell, brown, cream, classic, and mackerel, and is said to positively shimmer!

6.   The Havana Brown Cat

The Havana Brown came to be in the 1950s when a group of cat-enthusiasts bred black domesticated cats with Siamese cats. The result is a cat that is slim and long-limbed, yet very muscular. The Havana brown also shares the long face and charming almond-shaped eyes of their Siamese ancestor. If you are able to gain the friendship of a Havana Brown cat, you have a friend for life, but they may still – at times – be a bit of a loner!

7.   The Burmilla Cat

The Burmilla cat is the result of the 4-generation breeding of the Burmese cat and the Chincilla Persian. Because of the time-consuming breeding process, the Burmilla is definitely one of the rarest cats out there (selling at around $800-$1200). Burmilla cats have adorable, forever-baby faces, as well as matching, kitten-like behavior. They have distinctive black rimming around their eyes and noses and very soft fur. The Burmilla makes a lovely companion animal, as they tend to bond closely with their owners, are not needy, and are immensely loyal!

8.   The LaPerm Cat

The LaPerm Cat has highly unique, naturally curly fur! Appearing relatively recently, in the 1980s, the LaPerm is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation that caused their fur to curl (much like a lamb’s). This is the most distinctive trait of the rare LaPerm Cats, along with their friendly, lap-cat tendencies. Their coats are also nicely low-maintenance, as they tend to shed less than cats with straight fur!

9.   The Egyptian Mau Cat

While many cats are striped, few are spotted like the Egyptian Mau. This gives it a very unique and rare look! As their name implies, Egyptian Mau cats originated in ancient Egypt.  Personality-wise, the Egyptian Mau tends to be playful and loyal. This is a medium to a small spotted cat that’s capable of super speed. The fastest domesticated cat, the Egyptian Mau has been known to run as much as 30 MPH!

10. The Korat Cat

The Korat is a seldom heard-of but worth hearing-of cat that originally hails from Thailand. Korats are best known for their breathtaking, silvery-blue coats. They have wide, almond-shaped, often green eyes, and they are affectionate, lively, and small (with females weighing in at a mere 6-8 pounds). They are beloved both for their personalities and their coat’s rich color!

11. The Minskin Cat

The Minskin is an ultra-rare combination of the Munchkin (with their super-short short legs), Burmese, the Devon Rex (with their wavy fur), and the Sphynx. The result is a cute, short-legged, stocky cat (it’s basically the cat equivalent of a wiener dog or corgi). Minskin cats are very snuggly (having been compared to hot water bottles) and have warm skin and super-short, velvety fur!

12.                The Peterbald Cat

The Peterbald is essentially a hairless Oriental Shorthair. They were created fairly recently, in 1994, by breeding an Oriental Shorthair with a Sphynx! Peterbald cats have long snouts, high cheekbones, and chiseled features (thanks to both sides of their ancestry) that give them an impressively regal look. Personality-wise, the Peterbald cat is said to get along famously with most folks (and pets). They are exceptionally affectionate and playful!

13. The Chartreux Cat

The Chartreux is a renowned hunter and world-famous mouser! This rare cat breed has been coveted not only for this but also for its thick, plush, water-repellent coat. Chartreux cats have big, round eyes, and they are distinguished by truly lovely blue-gray fur (varying from ashy to dark gray). The Chartreux cat loves to chirp and (politely) talk. This is a sweet-natured cat that will likely pick a favorite person to bond with and follow!

14. The Sphynx Cat

You’ve probably seen a Sphynx cat before, if not in person then online. These hairless cats have a truly unique look that folks seem to love or hate. They came to be in 1996 when a male cat happened to be born without fur. This guy was then bred to create more cats with the same hairless look – the Sphynx!

Sphynx cats have beautifully sculpted features, including large, almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones that look positively regal. Sphynx cats live up to their kingly and queenly appearance, with gregarious, benevolent natures that have made them highly sought-after!

15. The Tonkinese Cat

The Tonkinese is a unique, rather rare combination of Siamese and Burmese cats. These cats are remarkably intelligent, as well as fairly active and vocal. They have the long-limbed build of a Siamese cat, combined with the plush fur and round face of a Burmese cat. The result is a truly adorable, soft, bright-eyed critter!

16. The Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest cat is, in a word, kingly. This is an enormous cat breed that roams wild in Norway, and they think that Vikings may have first brought them over. These cats are fairly large, and look even bigger thanks to their ultra-thick, fluffy coats (made to withstand fierce Nothern Norway weather). These are some of the fluffiest cats you’ll find, and they’ve got big, hearty personalities to match – perfect for any cat lover!

So, there you have it: the top 16 rarest cats. As you can see, there’s a vast variety of cat breeds. Some of the rarest, you may not have even heard of, and they are often distinguished by unique characteristics such as short legs or curly hair!