The Rarest Cat Breeds in the World

As the CEO and founder of Catsdogs.us, I have been actively researching and sharing my knowledge on how to choose the right pets and what to look for in them for the last nine years. We were the first in our niche to classify kittens by rarity status. In this series of articles, I will try to analyze in detail every element that affects the assessment of the rarity of each kitten. And in order to provide a complete guide to rare cat breeds, my team and I analyzed authoritative resources such as Rover.com and Discover Wildlife, conducted surveys among breeders and cat lovers on our social networks and in person, collected all research papers in different languages ​​​​to get the maximum coverage of information and give you a concentrate of the acquired knowledge.

What makes a cat breed "rare"?

Generally, cat breeds are considered rare based on population size, geographic restrictions, and selective breeding standards. Rare breeds often have unique characteristics and special care requirements. In my experience, rarity is not only a question of numbers, but also the genetic characteristics of each kitten multiplied by the difficulty of bringing them into the country or the complexity of selection. And if purely technical issues associated with the appearance of a rare purebred kitten are not a big problem, then genetic characteristics are the most obvious and interesting thing that a future owner of such a pet can focus on. In this article, we will consider the sign of rarity exclusively according to the concept of breed, so that in your head the combined factors are added up from greater to lesser and by the end of the cycle you can correctly determine the final degree of rarity of your cat.

The rarest cat breeds in the world

Sokoke

Originating from the coastal forests of Kenya, Sokoke are known for their wild appearance, making them look like large predators of the savannah. They have a slender, muscular body and marbled fur, reminiscent of the coloring of a tiger. Cats of this breed are very energetic, independent and need mental stimulation. Make sure to provide a comfortable area for your kitten to play and sharpen its claws, otherwise you risk the kitten becoming a nuisance due to its natural activity.

Devon Rex

This breed, originally from Devonshire, England, is famous for its unusual ears and soft fur. Large, bat-like ears with short, wavy fur make this cat look like a teddy bear that children love to fall asleep with. Combined with their playful nature, this breed is currently considered one of the most popular with our customers. They are also very loyal and affectionate.

Turkish Van

Known as the "swimming cat", Turkish Vans originated near Lake Van in Turkey. They have semi-long hair, a white body with colored markings, usually red, on the head and tail. They are bold, curious and surprisingly love water. I have seen how Turkish Vans can enter a pond without much fear, which is a rarity for cats. This breed is probably the best for those who like to wash cats, since your love for water procedures will be mutual.

Khao Manee

The Khao Manee cat, originally from Thailand, is often called "Diamond Eye" because of its crystal clear and bright color of the iris. Moreover, another feature of this breed, which adds to its rarity, is the relatively frequent appearance of kittens with different eyes. Kittens are born with white fur with blue, gold or unusually colored eyes. In general, these kittens are very charming in appearance, you will definitely not stop admiring this aesthetic combination of white and bright blue lights throughout the kitten's life.

American Wirehair

An American breed with a characteristic wire coat, this is when individual areas of the coat look like small springs. Despite this, the coat itself requires minimal care. Kittens of this breed are friendly, calm and adaptable. If you are a very busy person and need a friend to maintain home comfort and balance your nervous system after a day at work, then the American Wirehair is the perfect choice.

Peterbald

A breed bred in Russia, you have most likely already seen it somewhere, because its appearance is very characteristic, a thin-haired body in combination with an ash color, large ears only enhance the grace of an already graceful cat. I allow myself to call it a "royal breed". This cat is ideal for ladies who want to emphasize their status. In addition, kittens of this breed are very docile and for the most part prefer to be near the owner, they love hugs or just sleep on their lap. The main thing is to monitor the correct diet so that the kitten does not get fat.

Minskine

A new experimental breed bred in the United States. Small body, with a combination of hairless and furred areas, especially on the face, ears, legs and tail. Known for being affectionate1 and sociable, and extremely curious. Requires regular bathing to maintain healthy skin. For this breed, as well as for all hairless cats, it is important to monitor healthy nutrition and skin care, otherwise there is a risk of excessive fat padding, which greatly spoils the appearance of the cat and greatly worsens its health.

Burmilla

This breed, bred in the UK, is a cross between the Burmese and Persian chinchilla. Soft, silky fur with a characteristic silver tip on each hair, medium build. Gentle, sociable and playful, which makes them ideal pets. They require minimal care, but do not deny them games, they adore it. If you find a kitten with pronounced iridescent fur, then I congratulate you, you really got a rare kitten.

Serengeti

Another representative of the feline family similar to a wild animal, thanks to its coloring, this time it is a leopard pattern. This breed, created in the image of the wild serval, was bred in California. Slender, long legs and spotted coat, reminiscent of a leopard. Energetic, curious, I would even say restless kittens. They require a lot of space for their games, especially note that they love to climb, so if you do not arrange a place for them, they will even climb your walls.

LaPerm

Known for their curly fur, LaPerm appeared in the United States. Curly, soft hair, which can be short or long, is unique among cats. LaPerm's coat gives them a distinctive, sometimes even bizarre look, and they are one of the friendliest cats I have encountered. The main thing is that you will have to monitor the coat, comb them regularly, besides, regular combing contributes to the fact that when they shed, they shed less hair. Arabian Mau

The Arabian Mau, originally from the Arabian Peninsula, is adapted to the desert climate. The kittens are thin, medium-sized, with short hair, but they are ideal for those who live in the south of our country, because they easily tolerate hot weather and temperature changes. Very hardy and simply cool cats, the coloring is also quite unique. Of course, this is not an "Arabian stallion", but in terms of rarity among cats, it is definitely not inferior to it.

What to consider before getting a rare breed

Getting a rare breed of cat is a commitment, often implying higher costs, specialized care, and unique health needs for each breed. Based on our surveys, owners noted that rare breeds may have genetic predispositions that require special attention. In my opinion, before buying a kitten of a rare breed, it is important for potential owners to carefully study their features, as well as soberly weigh their capabilities, both time and material, so that living together under one roof is pleasant for everyone.

Advantages of owning a rare cat

Owning a rare breed of cats is, first of all, incredible self-satisfaction and admiring glances of neighbors. We live in a unique time of progress and technology, the world has never been so diverse even in the choice of little friends, so why not take advantage of such gifts of fate. A person always tries to emphasize his individuality with the help of cars, clothes, interior items, so why not do this with the help of a unique pet, because buying such a kitten for yourself you get not only delight in the eyes of other people, but also acquire the most devoted friend who will love you unconditionally, isn't this the most important thing in our crazy and fast-paced world.

For my part, as a specialist, I can choose the ideal option for you and advise on most issues related to the acquisition of a particular breed. Write to me directly, or through any of the contacts listed on our website.