You've probably heard that there are very small dog breeds, but did you know that there are also small cat breeds? Well, it's true, and some of them are not natural, but have been the product of crossbreeding and genetic experiments that have given rise to beautiful little creatures that delight many of their owners. Read on and find out.
The Little Cats
There are approximately 100 known cat breeds on the planet. Several of them are very old breeds such as the Turkish Angora cat and, on the other hand, other breeds such as the Sphynx are newer and are hardly known. There are so many varieties that it is very difficult to know which of all the cats can best suit us and our way of life. For this reason, it is important that before you acquire a cat for your home, you inform yourself about its conditions, characteristics and what it needs to have a happy life and verify if you are able to meet those requirements.
If you are lucky enough to live in a large house, you have the possibility of having large cats, on the other hand, if you live in an apartment, what we can recommend is that you acquire an average-sized cat, on the small side, so that don't feel like you're running out of space. There are small cat breeds such as the Singapore, the Balinese or the Bombay. These cats do not exceed a weight of four kilos and even some do not exceed a kilo and a half and may be the ideal option for you.
The smallest cat breeds in the world
Let's get straight to the point, so we will talk about the smallest cat breeds on the planet, their origins, characteristics and physical and morphological peculiarities, which are absolutely cute and endearing. If you have a small space to live in, then, if you like cats, it is appropriate that you adopt a kitten that can be adapted to the dimensions of your house, that is why in this post we want to talk about the breeds of small cats , which are:
devon-rex
Its average weight is 2 to 4 kilos and it is one of the smallest on the planet. It had its origin in 1960, when the first of them was born in the United Kingdom, in the city of Devon, so that's where the name comes from. It is a cat that has a very docile, loving and vigilant character. Another advantage is the peculiarity of its coat, because it hardly sheds any hair and for that reason it is considered a hypoallergenic cat.
Physical characteristics
The possibility of the selection of the parents and the crosses that have been made in their offspring have produced a Devon Rex that has a short, dense coat that looks curly. His eyes are of the oval type, and bright, which makes it easier for them to have a penetrating look, which together with a balanced body and a beautiful expression has made him one of the most tender and adorable cats. In this breed of small cats you can find colors for all tastes.
skookum
It has a prisoner that is between 1 and 4 kilos. The skookum cat has the particularity of being one of the smallest on the planet. In general, the males tend to be a little larger, being between 3 and 4 kilos.
It is a breed of cat that is native to the United States, very small and characterized by the fact that it has beautiful curly hair and its legs are very short, peculiarities that give it a charming appearance and make it resemble the basset hound breed of dogs. . This breed arose from a cross between the Munchkin cat and the LaPerm, and some associations call it the experimental breed. For that reason, the skookum can participate in exhibitions but never in competitions.
Physical characteristics
The skookum is a cat that is very muscular and has an intermediate bone structure. It is a cat so small that even when it has reached adulthood, it still looks like it is a puppy.
Munchkin
The munchkin breed has an average weight of between 4 to 5 kilos in males, and 2 to 3 kilos in females, which is why it is among the smallest cat breeds on the planet and they have an absolutely meaty appearance. Likewise, it is one of the newest cat breeds, because it was obtained or discovered in the 80s.
It is a breed native to the United States, and it is said that the munchkin is the dachshund of cats, because it is a short and elongated breed. His name was taken from the movie The Wizard of Oz, in which the heroine knows a small town occupied by characters called munchkins.
Her short stature is the result of a natural genetic mutation, caused by the crossbreeding between the races that gave rise to her, but it was not until 1983 that serious documentation began to be made about her. Usually, this breed of cat is also known by the name of miniature cat, which is an incorrect expression, because its body is similar to that of a common cat, but with the peculiarity that its legs are very small.
Physical characteristics
As we have mentioned before, males tend to be somewhat larger than females. Its short legs are its most distinctive feature, its eyes are walnut-shaped and bright in color, giving it a sharp and attractive look. On the other hand, their coat is usually between short and medium, and all color patterns are exhibited by this breed, with the exception of amber.
There is no doubt that the munchkin, apart from being one of the cutest cats on the planet, is a feline that has a tender and particular appearance. It has a very active character, likes to play, is reckless and very curious, so it is a pet that is ideal for children and adults as well.
Problems in munchkin cats are the same as pugs with breathing or bulldogs with their knees, and they are a consequence of crossbreeding. Something that has been criticized about the munchkin is that the genetic crossing has been manipulated so much that these cats have everything that human beings want from them, but that is not what a cat wants for itself, since they have a considerate physiognomy artificial, completely denaturing the animal.
Korat
A Korat cat can weigh between 2 and 4 kilos, so it is also included in the list of the smallest cat breeds on the planet. Its origin is in Thailand, and it is characterized by being a kitten that is blue in color and has green eyes. According to local beliefs, this is one of Tamra Meow's lucky cats, a collection of poems describing 17 different cat breeds.
Although it seems impossible, the korat is a cat that arose naturally, therefore, the human being had no role in the creation and development of this breed. It was first exported from Thailand in the 60s to the United States.
Physical characteristics
It can be indicated that the korat cat has a heart-shaped head, it has immense almond-shaped eyes of an intense green color. And an interesting fact is that both the color of their eyes and their fur at birth is faded, and settles over the years.
The life expectancy of this breed of cats is one of the most particular characteristics that it possesses, since it has been shown that they can live up to 30 years, which makes them one of the longest-lived breeds out there.
Singapore, the smallest cat in the world
That's right, its average weight is between 1 and 3 kilos, so it is considered tiny. He is originally from Singapore, hence he has that name. However, its real origins are still discussed and unknown to this day, which is why several hypotheses have been handled about it. On the one hand, it is thought that it was created and developed in Singapore, while on the other hand it is indicated that this was not its place of origin. Another aspect that is still being discussed is its age, which is a mystery that has not been resolved.
Physical characteristics
The Singapore cat is estimated as the smallest cat breed on the planet for a very logical reason and that is that the adult female weighs an average of 1,8 kilos and a male 2,7 kilos. Its head is round, it has large ears at the base, which are not very sharp and very deep. The fur of this cat has the particularity that it comes in two different shades of brown, one light and one dark. So it only exhibits one color pattern which is sepia brown.
With its ivory-like hue, sweet face and small size, many have had to admit that it is one of the most beautiful cats on the planet.
Bombay
This breed of cats resembles miniature panthers, they have a lot of energy, they are intelligent and you could even say they are talkative. They love to be taken out for walks in a harness. This breed of kittens is usually very small, as they barely exceed 43 centimeters in length from head to tail. The usual thing is that they weigh up to a kilo and a half, although there are specimens that only weigh a kilo.
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