Cats are often admired for their beauty and grace, embodying elegance and poise. However, the feline world is wonderfully diverse, and some cat breeds showcase appearances that are, shall we say, distinctive. From hairless wonders to those boasting uniquely shaped ears or tails, not every cat aligns with the typical image that comes to mind. These “Weird Looking Cats” possess a charm all their own, challenging conventional notions of feline beauty.
Some breeds hint at their unusual looks right in their names, while others surprise you with a striking feature. Certain breeds are instantly recognizable for their unique silhouettes, while others possess a subtle peculiarity that sets them apart. To truly appreciate the spectrum of feline forms, let’s delve into 20 cat breeds celebrated for their wonderfully weird and strange appearances.
1. American Curl
white American Curl kittenImage Credit: Chicsweet, Pixabay
For the most part, the American Curl appears as a standard, albeit remarkably beautiful cat. They are graced with plumed tails and medium-sized builds. However, it’s their ears that truly define their unique and somewhat weird look, giving the breed its descriptive name. These funny looking cats are distinguished by their ears that curl back in a graceful arc, reminiscent of a lynx, adding an unexpected twist to their feline charm. This unusual ear shape is a spontaneous genetic mutation that sets them apart in the cat fancy.
2. Cornish Rex
Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock
What immediately marks the Cornish Rex as a weird looking cat breed is their exceptionally short, wavy coat. This down-like fur is unlike the typical cat coat, making them instantly identifiable. This unique coat texture, akin to the soft undercoat of some double-coated dog breeds, is a result of a natural genetic mutation that emerged in the 1950s. Their slender bodies and large ears further accentuate their unusual, almost alien-like appearance, contributing to their status as a truly weird looking cat.
3. Devon Rex
beautiful devon rex tabby cat is laying on a soft blanketImage Credit: Veera, Shutterstock
The body of a Devon Rex may seem relatively normal at first glance, but it’s when you focus on their head that these cats truly embody the term “weird looking cat”. They possess a distinctive head shape characterized by a small muzzle, prominent cheekbones, and extraordinarily large, bat-like ears coupled with big, expressive eyes. This combination creates a striking, some might say strange, facial appearance that is undeniably one-of-a-kind. Whether you find them cute or quirky, the Devon Rex’s look is certainly memorable.
4. Donskoy
Image Credit: Viachaslau Herostratos, Shutterstock
The Donskoy, a Russian hairless cat breed, is undeniably a weird looking cat due to its almost entirely hairless body and wrinkled skin. Their skin often has a texture and appearance surprisingly similar to human skin, which can be quite startling for those unfamiliar with the breed. Beyond their unique skin, their large almond-shaped eyes and prominent ears further contribute to their distinctive and somewhat unusual aesthetic. Despite their striking appearance, Donskoys are known for their affectionate and intelligent personalities, making them wonderful companions for those who appreciate their unique charm.
5. Elf Cat
An elf cat with grey patches of skinImage Credit: Dan Kosmayer, Shutterstock
Elf cats truly live up to the description of weirdest looking cats. This breed’s striking appearance is no accident; they are a deliberate crossbreed between two already unusual breeds: the Sphynx and the American Curl. Elf cats inherit the hairlessness of the Sphynx and the distinctively curled ears of the American Curl, creating a truly unique and somewhat otherworldly look. Their hairless bodies, combined with their large, pointed, curled ears and wide, expressive eyes, give them an almost mythical appearance, hence the name “Elf cat”. They are also incredibly rare, adding to their mystique.
6. Japanese Bobtail
Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock
The Japanese Bobtail is recognized as a weird looking cat primarily due to its distinctive bobbed tail, the very feature that gives the breed its name. This tail is not just short; it’s kinked and curled in unique ways, meaning no two Japanese Bobtails have exactly the same tail. In essence, their tail is as unique as a human fingerprint. The way the tail kinks and curls often causes the fur to fan out, resembling a fluffy bunny tail, adding to their peculiar and charming look. This breed is steeped in Japanese folklore and is considered lucky.
7. Khao Manee
White Khao Manee with yellow and blue eyesImage Credit: ne_photo, Shutterstock
The Khao Manee, hailing from Thailand, is a breed with a subtly weird looking cat charm rooted in its captivating eyes. While their pure white coat is striking in itself, it’s their eyes that truly set them apart. Khao Manees can have mesmerizing blue eyes, gold eyes, or even odd eyes – one blue and one gold – a trait considered particularly striking. Historically, these cats were believed to bring good luck and were even thought to possess mystical powers residing in their diamond-like eyes, earning them the nickname “Diamond Eye Cat”. Their pristine white fur further enhances their ethereal and slightly unusual beauty, leading to another nickname, “White Gem.”
8. Lambkin
Gray curly Munchkin lambkinImage Credit: UW.ART, Shutterstock
The Lambkin cat was almost destined to be a weird looking feline from its inception. This relatively new breed is the result of intentionally crossing two breeds already known for their unusual appearances: the Selkirk Rex and the Munchkin. The Lambkin inherits the short, stubby legs of the Munchkin, giving them a dwarf-like stature, and the curly, often messy-looking coat of the Selkirk Rex. This combination of short legs and curly fur creates a truly unique and somewhat whimsical appearance, making them undeniably one of the more weird looking cat breeds.
9. LaPerm
Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
As the name suggests, the LaPerm breed is all about its unique coat, the defining feature that qualifies it as a weird looking cat. “LaPerm” itself implies “rippled” or “wavy,” perfectly describing their coats which range from tight ringlets to looser, flowing waves. This curly or wavy fur gives them a perpetually tousled and slightly wild appearance. Interestingly, LaPerm kittens are often born bald or lose their fur in their first few weeks of life before their signature curly coat grows in later, adding another layer of peculiarity to this breed. Their coats are surprisingly soft to the touch despite their unusual texture.
10. Levkoy
Ukrainian Levkoy SphinxImage Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock
The Levkoy, a Ukrainian breed, presents a truly weird looking cat appearance, often likened to an alien creature. Their near hairlessness is a primary contributor to this impression, revealing wrinkled skin. Adding to their unique look are their distinctly folded-over ears, reminiscent of the Scottish Fold, and a pronounced, almost dog-like muzzle. Understanding their parentage – a cross between the Scottish Fold and the Donskoy – clarifies why they inherit such a combination of strange-looking traits. The Levkoy’s overall aesthetic is undeniably striking and unconventional.
11. Lykoi
Lykoi catImage Credit: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock
If there were a competition for the weirdest looking cat, the Lykoi would be a strong contender for the top spot. Known as the “werewolf cat,” the Lykoi truly embodies the modern image of the mythical werewolf. The name “lykoi” itself originates from the Greek word for wolves, a fitting descriptor for this wolf-like cat breed. Their unique roan coat pattern, combined with patches of missing fur around the eyes, nose, and mouth, gives them a wild, almost feral appearance that sets them dramatically apart from typical domestic cats. Their piercing gaze further enhances their wolfish and weird looking cat persona.
12. Manx
Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock
While several cat breeds boast bobbed or kinked tails, the Manx breed stands out as a weird looking cat for its most extreme tail variation: complete taillessness. Not all Manx cats are entirely tailless; variations exist. “Longies” have full-length tails, and “stumpies” have short, stubby tails. However, the true tailless Manx, known as “rumpies,” are genuinely and completely without a tail. This lack of a tail dramatically alters their silhouette and is the defining characteristic that makes the Manx so uniquely and sometimes weirdly, shaped.
13. Minskin
Bambino cat Sphynx MunchkinImage Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock
The Minskin cat is a fascinating blend of several breeds, many of which are already individually considered weird looking cats. Originating from a cross between a Sphynx and a Munchkin, the Minskin further incorporates Burmese and Devon Rex genetics. The result is a cat with the Munchkin’s signature short legs and the Sphynx’s somewhat alien-like small head and large ears. Minskins are characterized by hairless bellies and sparsely coated bodies with very short fur, creating a nearly hairless appearance overall. This combination of features results in a distinctly diminutive and unusual feline form.
14. Munchkin
Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
Munchkin cats are often likened to the Dachshunds of the cat world, primarily due to their distinctly weird looking cat physique. They possess normal-sized bodies but are set low to the ground due to their exceptionally short legs. These stubby legs, a result of a natural genetic mutation, make Munchkins significantly shorter in stature than other cat breeds. While some might find their proportions a bit goofy, many are captivated by their unique, low-riding appearance, finding their quirky look utterly adorable.
15. Peterbald
Peterbald Sphynx CatImage Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock
With their perpetually serious expression and a hairless body strikingly similar to the Sphynx, the Peterbald is undeniably one of the weirdest cat breeds around. Their coats exhibit a wide range of variations, from complete hairlessness to a fine, velvety fuzz, and even a “brush” coat. Intriguingly, some Peterbalds can even possess a normal coat, lacking the hair-loss gene that defines the breed’s signature look. Regardless of coat variation, their slender, elegant bodies and elongated features contribute to their distinctive and somewhat severe appearance.
16. Scottish Fold
red Scottish fold catImage Credit: Alexander Sobol, Shutterstock
The Scottish Fold is undeniably adorable, yet their defining feature – their folded ears – also contributes to their weird looking cat charm. Their ears fold forward and downward, giving them an endearingly rounded face and a perpetually surprised or owlish expression. This unique ear shape is caused by a natural genetic mutation that spontaneously occurred in a farm cat named Susie in Scotland. All Scottish Fold cats today trace their lineage back to Susie, making her the original source of this globally beloved, uniquely eared, and somewhat weird looking breed.
17. Selkirk Rex
Selkirk Rex catImage Credit: athree, Pixabay
The Selkirk Rex, like other Rex breeds, carries a genetic mutation that results in an exceptionally curly coat, making them a wonderfully weird looking cat. This curly fur is the hallmark of the breed, instantly setting them apart. Unlike the finer curls of the Cornish or Devon Rex, the Selkirk Rex boasts a denser, plusher, almost sheep-like coat with looser, more voluminous curls. They tend to be stockier than other Rex breeds, with a rounder face, further enhancing their unique and cuddly, yet slightly unusual, appearance.
18. Sphynx
Image Credit: Best dog photo, Shutterstock
With their virtually hairless skin, reminiscent of soft chamois leather, combined with a small, wedge-shaped head, enormous ears, and large, lemon-shaped eyes, the Sphynx cat is undeniably a sight to behold and a quintessential weird looking cat. Despite their ancient Egyptian-sounding name, the modern Sphynx breed actually originated in Canada from naturally occurring hairless cats found in North America. Their unique appearance often evokes strong reactions, but their affectionate and playful personalities win over many who appreciate their unconventional beauty.
19. Teacup Persian
chocolate-persian-kittenImage Credit: vladimirbraz, Shutterstock
Teacup Persians are celebrated for being some of the smallest cats in existence, their miniature size contributing to their weird looking cat charm. Named “Teacup” due to their incredibly diminutive stature, these cats are bred to be exceptionally small, sometimes small enough to literally fit inside a teacup when kittens. Even fully grown, they can weigh as little as four pounds, maintaining a kitten-like size throughout their lives. This extreme miniaturization makes them appear perpetually young and undeniably unique compared to standard-sized cats.
20. The Highlander
Image Credit: Patrick Hatt, Shutterstock
The Highlander breed, originally known as the Highland Lynx, is a weird looking cat specifically bred to resemble a wildcat, contributing to their striking appearance. A cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl, they inherit traits from both parent breeds that give them a distinctly wild aesthetic. Highlanders often possess curled ears and can be polydactyl, having extra toes, further enhancing their unique look. Despite their wild appearance, they are domestic cats known for their playful and affectionate temperaments. They are also relatively large for domestic cats, with males reaching up to 20 pounds, adding to their impressive and somewhat intimidating presence.
Conclusion
While beauty is subjective and all cats possess their own unique charm, certain breeds undeniably stand out with appearances that are more unusual than others. This exploration has showcased some of the most fascinating breeds when it comes to distinctive looks, highlighting the amazing diversity within the feline world. Perhaps you’ve even discovered one of these wonderfully weird looking cats that has captured your heart and sparked a desire to welcome them into your home. Embrace the unique – these unusual felines prove that “weird” can be wonderfully beautiful.
