Cats With Unusual Ears

Here you will find a list of cat breeds that have unusual ears.

American Curl

The ears curl back from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. Kittens are born with straight ears, which begin to curl after two to ten days. After 16 weeks, their ears will not curl any longer, and should be hard and stiff to the touch. The degree of the curl will vary, but cats intended for cat shows must have ears that curl in an arc between 90 and 180 degrees.

Origin: California, USA
Colors: Any color and pattern
Size: Small to medium
Coat Type(s): Shorthair and longhair
Grooming: Occasional (shorthair); twice a week (longhair)
Talkativeness: Average
Activity Level: High
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Moderately obedient

Breed video: American Curl

Photo by © Karen Nelson

Elf Cat

The ears curled backwards are a treat inherited from the American Curl.

Origin: United States
Colors: Any
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Hairless
Grooming: Twice a week
Talkativeness: Average to vocal
Activity Level: High
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Can be a handful

Photo by © Bonni Taylor

Highlander

The top third of the ears has a loose relaxed curl directed slightly backwards. According to the TICA breed standard, the tips of the ears to be clearly visible in a frontal view, ie they should not fold back into a tight curl. Kittens, however, may have a greater degree of the ear curl.

Origin: United States
Colors: Any
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Shorthair and longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: High
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Moderately docile

Photo by Hideaki Kondo

Scottish Fold

A cat with "floppy" ears that are considered to be a result of a natural mutation.

Origin: Scotland

Colours: Any colour except colourpoint
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Shorthair and longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: Low
Overall: Easy to handle