Cats, with their array of endearing traits, never cease to capture our hearts. From their mesmerizing eyes to their soft paws, every feature adds to their unique charm. Among these captivating characteristics, big ears stand out as particularly striking and functional. In the wild, these oversized ears act as highly sensitive radar systems, crucial for detecting the faintest sounds of prey. Even in our homes, domestic cats utilize their impressive ears to navigate their environment, recognize familiar voices, and anticipate meal times.
The feline world boasts a variety of breeds distinguished by their remarkably large ears, each possessing a unique blend of looks and personality. This article explores 12 cat breeds celebrated for their prominent, big ears, delving into what makes each of them so special.
#1 The Striking Sphynx
Elegant Sphynx cat with large ears, showcasing its hairless body and sophisticated demeanor.
The Sphynx cat, instantly recognizable for its lack of fur, is also characterized by its remarkably large ears. This hairless trait arises from a natural genetic mutation, and the breed itself was intentionally developed through careful selective breeding.
Sphynx cats are renowned for their affectionate and people-oriented nature. They are often described as “Velcro cats” due to their intense desire to be close to their owners, often seeking warmth and companionship in laps. Beyond their cuddly side, Sphynx cats are intelligent and inquisitive, often greeting visitors with curiosity and sociability.
#2 The Alert Abyssinian
Agile Abyssinian cat with large, forward-pointing ears, exhibiting its ticked coat and attentive expression.
The Abyssinian, a medium-sized breed, is another feline graced with noticeably large, pointed ears. These ears, which tilt slightly forward, contribute to the Abyssinian’s perpetually alert and intelligent appearance, perfectly complementing their overall refined look.
Abyssinians are known for their deep affection for their human families. They are often seen following their owners around the house, eager to participate in daily activities. While highly inquisitive and demanding of attention, Abyssinians are not typically lap cats. They are more inclined to play and explore than to be constantly cuddled.
#3 The Wild-Looking Chausie
Group of Chausie cats with tufted ears, displaying their wild appearance and distinctive tabby markings.
The Chausie cat has a distinctly wild appearance, a legacy of its heritage as a hybrid breed resulting from crosses between jungle cats and domestic felines. This larger breed is distinguished by its tall, upright ears, often adorned with distinctive tufts of fur at the tips.
Despite their somewhat untamed look, Chausies are known for their kind and easy-going personalities. They are often described as fearless and confident, yet not aggressive. Their trainable nature and playful demeanor have led to comparisons with dogs, and some Chausies can even be trained to walk on a leash.
#4 The Curly-Coated Cornish Rex
Curious Cornish Rex cat with oversized ears and wavy coat, highlighting its slender build and unique features.
Originating from Cornwall, England, the Cornish Rex emerged in the 1950s and quickly became known for its unique, incredibly soft, and wavy coat – a result of a natural genetic mutation. Beyond their distinctive fur, Cornish Rex cats are easily recognized by their large eyes and remarkably big, high-set ears.
Cornish Rexes are energetic and playful cats, often maintaining a kitten-like zest for life well into adulthood. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them trainable; some Cornish Rexes can even learn tricks and play fetch. Above all, they are intensely affectionate and thrive on human companionship.
#5 The Elegant Oriental Shorthair
Sophisticated Oriental Shorthair cat with large, prominent ears, showcasing its sleek physique and refined features.
The Oriental Shorthair is often cited as the epitome of a big-eared cat breed. Despite their slender bodies, sleek coats, and triangular faces, their most striking feature is undoubtedly their large, Dumbo-like ears. This breed was developed by breeders aiming to create Siamese cats in a wider variety of colors, resulting in shared physical traits, including those prominent ears.
Oriental Shorthairs are intelligent, loving, and intensely loyal companions. They form strong bonds with their human families and generally get along well with other pets and people. Inheriting the vocal nature of their Siamese ancestors, Oriental Shorthairs are known to be quite talkative, often “conversing” with their owners.
#6 The Exotic Savannah
Striking Savannah cat with large, upright ears, exhibiting its wild serval-like appearance and spotted coat.
Savannah cats are a captivating hybrid breed, a cross between domestic cats and the wild African Serval. From their Serval lineage, they inherit their exceptionally large ears, the size of which can vary depending on the specific generation and breeding lines.
Savannahs are known for their playful, adventurous, and generally laid-back personalities. They make engaging companions for active households, often getting along well with children and other pets. While they enjoy interacting with their human families, Savannahs are not typically considered lap cats, preferring more active forms of engagement.
#7 The Graceful Balinese
Elegant white Balinese cat with large ears and silky coat, portraying its graceful posture and refined beauty.
The Balinese breed is characterized by its large ears and a distinctive long, triangular head shape. Developed as a long-haired version of the Siamese, Balinese cats share many similarities with their shorthaired relatives, including their striking appearance and lively, communicative personalities.
Balinese cats are known for their love of heights and can often be found exploring elevated perches around the home. They are affectionate and form strong bonds with their families, including both humans and other pets. However, they thrive on attention and may not be suited to households where they are frequently left alone for extended periods.
#8 The Pixie-like Devon Rex
Endearing Devon Rex cat with large, elf-like ears and curly coat, showcasing its playful and mischievous expression.
The Devon Rex is often affectionately called the “pixie” of the cat world, a fitting nickname given their large eyes, prominent cheekbones, slender bodies, and, of course, their big, distinctive ears. Some Devon Rex cats even sport tufts of fur on their ear tips, resembling earmuffs.
Devon Rexes are known for their loyalty, active nature, and love for interactive play, particularly with puzzle toys. They are intelligent and trainable, sometimes even being considered for therapy cat roles. Their adaptable and friendly nature makes them a good choice for families with children and other pets.
#9 The Energetic Javanese
Playful Javanese cat with large ears and long coat, exhibiting its alert posture and curious gaze.
The Javanese cat, a close relative of the Balinese, also boasts adorably large ears. Sharing ancestry with Siamese, Colorpoint, and Balinese breeds, Javanese cats exhibit similar pointed color patterns and almond-shaped eyes.
Javanese cats are known for their playful and energetic personalities, often displaying the talkative nature of their Siamese heritage. They are curious, intelligent, and deeply affectionate, making them wonderful family pets, often enjoying the company of children.
#10 The Classic Siamese
Regal Siamese cat with striking blue eyes and large, pointed ears, showcasing its classic color points and elegant stance.
Siamese cats are renowned for their striking beauty, characterized by their long legs, slender tails, wedge-shaped heads, and large, triangular ears. This iconic breed is one of the oldest and most recognizable Asian cat breeds.
Siamese cats are playful and known for their devoted nature, often following their owners around the house and engaging in vocal “conversations.” They are attention-seeking and thrive on companionship, not enjoying being left alone for long periods. Siamese cats exhibit several dog-like traits, including their love for fetch and their need for social interaction.
#11 The Adorable Bambino
Endearing Bambino cat with short legs and large ears, sitting in a charming and captivating pose.
The Bambino cat is a relatively new and uniquely adorable breed, resulting from a cross between Sphynx and Munchkin cats. While still developing as a breed, Bambinos are generally recognized for their short legs, large eyes, and strikingly large ears.
Bambinos are known to be playful and people-loving cats, thriving on interaction and companionship. They prefer to be in social settings and are not well-suited to being left alone for extended periods. Bambinos are known to get along well with children and are often described as chatty and communicative.
#12 The Rare Donskoy
Distinct Donskoy cat with wrinkled skin and large ears, highlighting its hairless physique and attentive expression.
The Donskoy, also sometimes called the Don Sphynx, is a relatively rare cat breed that originated in Russia in the 1980s. Sharing a hairless appearance and large ears with the Sphynx, Donskoys possess a distinct and captivating look.
Donskoys are inquisitive and social cats who thrive on interaction and dislike being left alone for long durations. They are affectionate and enjoy being around their human families and often get along well with other pets, though they can sometimes be selective about feline companions. Donskoys are intelligent and trainable, often following their owners around the home.
Final Thoughts on Big Eared Felines
Cats with big ears possess a unique charm, often lending them a somewhat wild and alert appearance. While these oversized ears are evolutionarily advantageous for keen hearing in the wild, in our homes, these remarkable auditory tools are often used to detect the crinkle of treat bags, the rattle of favorite toys, or the sound of dinner being served. Big ears are just one of the many fascinating and adorable features that make cats such beloved companions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Eared Cats
Which cat breed has the biggest ears?
Several cat breeds are known for their large ears, including:
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Balinese
- Siamese
- Oriental Shorthair
- Sphynx
- Savannah
Why do Oriental Shorthair cats have such big ears?
The Oriental Shorthair’s breed standard emphasizes a long, slender body, angular face, and large ears. This combination of features creates a distinctive and elegant appearance, with the large ears contributing to their overall striking silhouette.
What are cat breeds with big ears called?
While there isn’t a specific collective term for cat breeds with big ears, breeds like the Oriental Shorthair and Sphynx are widely recognized as “big-eared cats” due to the prominent size and shape of their ears.
