Nature is pretty incredible and can create some really weird things. Just look at the platypus or the smiling axolotl. But even within the cat world, some breeds are way stranger than others. From the lykoi, who looks just like a miniature werewolf, to the Selkirk rex, with their sheep-like coat, we found the 14 weirdest-looking cat breeds that are bizarre in all the best ways.
Lykoi
The lykoi is fairly new to the cat breed scene, but they certainly know how to grab attention with their weird appearance. This breed is nicknamed the “Werewolf Cat” because that’s exactly what they look like. And personality-wise, a lot of owners describe these cats as being very “dog-like” because they’re super friendly, affectionate, and will even follow you around.
This weird cat breed looks the way they do thanks to a natural recessive mutation that causes partial hairlessness.
Abyssinian
Abyssinians might not look weird at first glance, but their coloration is definitely unique. They have a “ticked” coat, which means that every hair has different bands of color along the length of it. Ticking is mostly seen in wild jungle cats and only a handful of domestic cat breeds, like the Abyssinian, Somali, and the Singapura. Weird and beautiful!
Abyssinians are one of the oldest cat breeds still around today, and they make active, outgoing, and curious pets.
American Curl
Are ears supposed to go back like that? On the American curl cat, that would be a yes. This breed has a super weird appearance with cute little ears that curl toward the back of their head. A genetic mutation is the cause of this funny little quirk. As if this cat breed could get any weirder, the kittens are born with straight ears, and they don’t curl until they’re a few days or weeks old.
Some people call the American curl breed the “Peter Pan” of the cat world because they act like kittens throughout their whole lives. If you decide to bring one home, be ready for a 16 to 20-year kitten phase!
Related: 17 Most Expensive Cat Breeds: The Price of Purrfection
Manx
A cat’s tail plays many important roles, like balance and communication, so it’s a little weird that some felines are born without one. But that’s the case with the Manx cat breed. These cats have a “tailless gene” and are often categorized as either “stumpies” who have short tails or “rumpies” who have no tails at all.
Manx cats are sweet and smart, but they can have health issues like neurological or spinal problems because of their weird tail.
Selkirk Rex
We’ve seen a weird cat breed that looks like a wolf, but would you believe it if we said there’s also a cat that looks like they’re wearing sheep’s clothing? It’s true. The Selkirk rex has a curly coat that makes them look a bit like a little lamb. These cats are friendly and affectionate but do need a ton of grooming to keep their hair from matting.
Unlike curly dog breeds that may be hypoallergenic, this curly cat sheds a lot and is not a good choice for people who are allergic to cats.
Related: 10 Unique Cat Breeds That Prove Different Is Beautiful
Sphynx
Hairless breeds are famously unusual, and the Sphynx is one of the weirdest ones. Sphynx cats are generally completely hairless and even lack whiskers. That means all of their wrinkly skin is exposed, and they have a naked rat-like tail, which a lot of people find weird. They need baths and special grooming to keep their skin healthy.
Sphynx cats are social, friendly, and smart as a whip.
Munchkin
Some cat breeds are taller than the average feline, but the weird munchkin breed is the opposite. They are short. Really, really short. These cats have legs as small as five inches tall, which is almost half the height of an average cat. Despite their short stature, these cuties are incredibly active and playful pets.
Breeding munchkin cats is controversial because they often have inherited health issues associated with their short legs, like abnormal curvature of the spine or rib deformities
Related: 7 Smallest Cats in the World (You'll Be Shocked How Tiny They Are)
Maine Coon
The average cat weighs around 10 pounds, which makes the enormous Maine coon a pretty weird cat breed when it comes to size. These gentle giants tip the scales at 20 to 25 pounds or more. In fact, a Maine coon remains the Guinness World Record holder for the longest domestic cat ever at 48.5 inches. Even though Stewie passed in 2013, he reportedly weighed a whopping 33 pounds during his heyday.
Unfortunately, a lot of Maine coons have health problems because of their big size, so these cats do need extra care and attention.
Scottish Fold
A spontaneous mutation is responsible for the “weirdness” behind the Scottish fold’s weird little ears. Instead of having ears that stick straight up like most cats, theirs fold over, making their already very round head look like a perfect circle. These cats are sweet, docile, and the perfect lap cats.
While the genetic mutation creates those cute little ears, it can also impact other cartilage in a Scottish fold’s body, leading to “Scottish Fold disease.” It can be painful for affected cats and cause other problems.
Devon Rex
This weird cat breed looks a bit like a pixie, with their big ears and pointed faces. If you haven’t seen a Devon rex cat IRL, you’re missing out. They have tight curls all over their body. Even their eyebrows and whiskers are crimped!
No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic, but the Devon rex is one of the breeds that are best for people with cat allergies.
Related: 7 Non-Shedding Cat Breeds That Won’t Cover You in Hair
Ragdoll
The ragdoll might look like your average cat, but the way this breed acts is pretty weird. Ragdolls are so relaxed and easygoing that they will literally go limp and allow you to carry them around like a ragdoll (hence, their name!). Weird, right?
Ragdolls are friendly and cuddly cats that will stick to you like Velcro.
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Peterbald
If you guessed that a cat with the word “bald” in its name would have no hair, you are absolutely correct. Well, almost. These cats are can range from completely hairless to being covered in peach fuzz, but that’s not the trait that makes this cat breed so weird.
Peterbalds have slender bodies and huge ears, which makes them look a bit like an alien. Still, their personalities are all “cat,” with loads of brain power and an affectionate nature. Or is that the alien in them? We’ll never know.
If you’re interested in getting a Peterbald cat, you might be out of luck. These weird cats are super rare and hard to find.
Male Calico
What’s weird about a calico cat? If they’re a male: a lot. Male calicos are incredibly rare and account for only about 1 in every 3,000 calicos born. But what’s especially weird is that most male calicos are infertile. Every 1 in 10,000 male calicos will be able to reproduce. Weird!
Calico isn’t actually a cat breed. It’s really just a color pattern and can be found in tons of different breeds, including Persians, Maine coons, and Scottish folds, among others, but they're still weird enough that we had to put them on the list.
Female Orange Tabby
Similarly, female orange tabbies are rare, weird, and equally cool. Male cats only need one orange gene in order to be orange tabbies, whereas female cats need two orange genes to have that coloration. That’s why less than 20% of all orange cats are females.
We Love All Weird-Looking Cat Breeds
“Weird” certainly isn’t a negative thing. If you’re the proud owner of one of these weird cat breeds, you understand what we’re talking about. Weird is special, unique, mysterious, and so much more. Whatever your cat looks like, they probably have some weird traits or characteristics, and that’s all the more reason to love them.
