Key Points
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There are many weird-looking cat breeds.
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The characteristics that make breeds strange-looking are size, ears, face shape, and coat.
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The lykoi ("werewolf cat") is the weirdest cat breed.
Have you ever seen a cat and thought, “Oh my gosh! What in the world is that thing?" If not, give it time. There are many unusual-looking cats out there, and one will inevitably cross your path at some point.
Not only do they have strange looks, but these kitties also have some weird personalities to match. Each cat is an individual, but felines of the same breed often share specific characteristics.
There are at least 45 domestic cat breeds. Some breeds have the classic looks associated with the typical feline friend. Others look more like aliens.
Maybe you own — or have seen — members of these 22 strangest cat breeds.
Unique Features
Wide-set eyes, huge ears, and a smushed face are just a few attributes found in these different cat breeds.
Weird Faces
From giant eyes on a tiny head to a permanently grumpy look, These weird-face cat breeds have a unique look.
Devon Rex
Some may say this breed resembles Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Others describe them as a mix between a cat, a dog, and a monkey.
However you describe them, the Devon rex has a unique face with oversized ears, a small face, and large eyes.
This breed’s attitude is as silly as its looks, but they are incredibly loyal to their humans. Devons are highly social, food-motivated cats — and are excellent cuddlers.
Scottish Fold
The most recognizable features of a Scottish fold are its folded ears (the Devon rex seems to have taken the fold's share of ears) and large eyes. Even though they always look concerned about something, this breed is very laid-back.
Scottish folds tend to choose one human as theirs, but they're not clingy about it. They want to be around their person rather than constantly on their lap. These cats are great for first-time cat owners due to their friendly, low-maintenance personalities.
Exotic Shorthair
The exotic shorthair is another weird-face cat breed.
Keen-eyed New Girl fans may recognize Winston’s cat Ferguson as an exotic shorthair. This breed is known for its rotund figure. Its eyes, head, neck, body, and even its legs are all round!
Because of their smushed faces and large, wide-set eyes, they have a permanently grumpy look — ironic because they are generally good-natured, calm, and friendly.
Their stocky appearance may make them look overweight, but exotics are just big-boned and fluffy. They make great pets as they are good with children, do well in either apartment or home environments, and are not overly vocal.
Ears
There is no better way to get a cat's attention than opening a can of their favorite wet food. They're all ears when they hear that sound, no matter which room of the house they're in at the time.
Speaking of "all ears," several cat breeds fit that moniker — and it's not because of their sense of hearing.
Abysinnian
The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds. However, there's still debate about their history. Abysinnians closely resemble depictions of cats from ancient Egypt, so many believe the breed originated in Egypt.
They are long, lanky cats with muscular bodies, arched necks, almond-shaped eyes, and large ears. They are not lap cats, but Abys do love human companionship. They are an intelligent and inquisitive breed.
They are just one breed of weird-looking cats with big ears.
Cornish Rex
The best word to describe this breed is "curved." They have a curved profile, arched bodies, curly fur, and large bat-like ears high up on their heads. Their short curly coat is exceptionally soft and is often compared to silk or velvet.
This breed makes fashion models jealous with their high cheekbones and dainty frames.
These cats act more like dogs because they're highly energetic, play fetch, and love to tag along with their people on adventures. Because of their playful natures, they maintain kitten-like behavior throughout their lives.
Sphynx
The Sphynx most likely comes to mind when you think of a naked cat. They are the most common breed of hairless cat. This hairlessness extends beyond their fur. They are also missing whiskers and eyelashes.
While hairlessness is probably their most apparent feature, they are also weird-looking cats with big ears, wrinkly bodies, and wide eyes.
The Sphynx is an affectionate breed with a ton of energy. They also require more in-depth grooming than other cat breeds.
A Sphynx must be bathed at least once a month because they do not have any hair to absorb the oils that collect on their skin. Don't worry, though. Their friendly, agreeable nature makes it easy to bathe them.
Weird Size
Cats aren't one-size-fits-all. They come in a wide range of sizes, from small breeds that can fit inside a coffee mug to large breeds that are bigger than an average two-year-old.
Big Cat Breeds
There are felines out there that look entirely normal — apart from their build. Two giant cat breeds are the Norwegian forest cat and the Maine coon. These cats’ enormous size sets them apart from ordinary house cats.
Norwegian Forest Cat
This breed has existed since the 16th century, if not earlier, and developed without human interference in the forests of Norway. Because of their origin, Americans lovingly call them “Wegies.”
These cats are large and in charge. While they have great relationships with their human companions, every interaction happens on their schedule.
The most striking feature of the Norwegian forest cat is its fur. They have a waterproof double coat with long coarse hairs covering a dense undercoat.
Maine Coon
Often called gentle giants, Maine coons make excellent family pets. They are the largest domesticated cat breed, and their size may intimidate some people.
Don't be fooled by their fierce appearance. Maine coons are extremely friendly and great with kids and other family pets.
One interesting aspect about the breed is that its origin is a mystery. Katrina Stewardson, writing for Maine Coon Central, shares one possible explanation:
"One popular legend is that Maine Coons were the descendants of six royal cats brought to America by Marie Antoinette, although there is no factual evidence to back this claim."
The Maine coon has a long, shaggy coat that is shorter along the shoulders and longer under the belly and down by the butt. They also have long, fluffy tails.
They are the only longhaired breed native to the United States.
Tiny Cat Breeds
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some cats are permanently kitten-sized, like the following two of the tiniest breeds:
Singapura
As the name implies, this breed originated in Singapore. This breed does not get above 8 lbs, making them the smallest breed of domestic cats.
While their builds may be small, they have large eyes, big ears, and massive personalities to compensate for their diminutive size.
The Singapura loves to climb and explore. They're energetic, love learning new tricks, and make friends with other animals faster than most cats.
If that is not enough to love them, they also enjoy curling up for nap time on their favorite person’s lap.
Minskin
A cross between a Munchkin and a Sphynx, this weird cat has short legs and is almost hairless. Because of their stature, minskins are often compared to Corgis.
The minskin is the perfect pick if you are looking for a tiny, friendly, active lap cat.
Unusual Cat Breeds
All cats have unusual characteristics or behaviors that set them apart from other felines. It seems some are just more unusual than others.
Elf Cat
The elf cat is a combination of the Sphynx and the American curl. This pairing gives them a hairless appearance with their signature curled, elf-like ears.
The elf cat was first bred in 2004. Because the breed has not been around for that long, they are still extremely rare in 2023.
These felines have a great disposition, inheriting the Sphynx's friendly personality and the American curl's affectionate tendencies. They make excellent family pets and fit in perfectly with any pets already in your home.
Khao Manee
The most distinctive feature of the khao manee is their white fur and jewel-like eyes. Their eyes can be blue, green, gold, or “odd” (which means they have heterochromia).
They have a lithe build similar to a Siamese. This ancient breed originated in Thailand (once known as Siam), where Thai royalty supposedly valued them.
The name means "white gem."
These independent kitties can get into trouble if left alone for too long. Because they're incredibly active and need a high level of enrichment, the khao manee benefits from an experienced owner.
LaPerm
This breed started with a barn cat in Oregon in 1982. The LaPerm has a naturally occurring mutation causing curly fur. The kittens are either born hairless or lose their hair when they are about two weeks old. Eventually, their signature curly coat grows back.
Laperms are intelligent, people-oriented cats happy to play fetch and then curl up on your lap for a snooze.
Highlander
This rare breed is known for its curled ears and short tails. The Highlander is a social cat that loves to play and be around its family. One remarkable fact about Highlanders is that they often wag their tails like dogs when they are happy and playing.
The comparison to dogs does not stop at tail-wagging. Highlanders walk nicely on a leash, learn to fetch, and sit when asked. They are the perfect pet for someone who doesn't know whether to adopt a dog or a cat. With a Highlander, you get the best of both species!
Creepy Cat Breeds
The word "creepy" here is a compliment. You know how some people are super into Halloween and scary stuff? There are three cat breeds with a definite spooky aesthetic.
Lykoi (Werewolf Cat)
The lykoi has to be the weirdest cat on earth. They're often called werewolf cats because of their partial hairlessness and roan coat.
This is not a manufactured breed but a result of a natural genetic mutation in feral cat populations.
Lykoi kittens are not born with their distinctive wolf-like coat. They appear to be normal kittens until they are about one or two weeks old. At that point, they begin to lose their fur.
It takes about three or four months for the kitten to look like the lykoi you know and love.
Like most cats, they like interacting with their chosen people but are not your typical lap cats. They are more like guard cats who must watch over everything to ensure no funny business happens.
Donskoy
Discovered in Russia in 1987, Donskoy is a hairless breed with large eyes and large ears. Their lack of fur makes them perfect for someone wanting a cat that does not shed.
Donskoys are energetic and social cats, often compared to dogs due to their loyalty and intelligence.
Because Donskoys are naked, they need to be strictly indoor cats. An extensive sweater collection comes in handy to ensure your kitty is always cozy and warm. Think of all the cute outfits they can wear.
This creepy cat breed is not the most independent of cats. Their owners must keep up with their boundless energy and give them plenty of playtime and attention.
Peterbald
Like the Sphynx, the Peterbald is also a hairless cat with large bat ears. They originated in Russia in 1994 and are another relatively new breed. Peterbalds are a cross between a Donskoy and an Oriental shorthair. Their face looks like they are constantly judging you.
This chatty breed lets you know if something is not to their liking.
Like other hairless breeds, a Peterbald needs regular baths due to the oils on its skin. Luckily, bathing them isn't too difficult as they are good-natured, social cats.
Coolest Cat Breeds
There are many incredible and unusual cat breeds, but these five have something extraordinary that sets them apart.
American Curl
The first thing you notice about the American curl is its distinctive curled ears. Curl kittens are born with straight ears that start to curl about three days later. It takes about 16 weeks for their ears to reach their final curled position.
A curl’s face always looks like they have been pleasantly surprised by something — how adorable is that? One thing to note about these kitties is that they love to jump and climb and appreciate a good cat tree.
They are not typical lap cats, but curls still enjoy being around people.
Japanese Bobtail
The most remarkable feature of the Japanese bobtail is — you guessed it — its tail. Like human fingerprints, these tails are unique to each cat.
Another attribute that sets this breed apart is their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs. This characteristic makes the bobtail an excellent jumper.
These playful, loving cats enjoy being around their families. They have been described as “singing cats” because of their song-like chirps and meows.
Manx
The Manx is another ancient breed. They originated on the Isle of Man and were one of the original show cats. They were bred to work and are excellent mousers.
Manx are known for being tailless, but that is not always true. There are three types of Manx: “rumpies” (no tail), “stumpies” (short nub tails), and “longies” (normal-length tails).
The Manx is a people-pleaser that always wants to be around their favorite human. They are also an intelligent breed that can learn how to open doors and cabinets, so keep an eye on your furry friend so they don't get into too much trouble.
Sokoke Cat
The rarest cat on earth is the Sokoke Cat. They were discovered in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest. Their rarity, striking features, and quirky personalities make them a sought-after breed.
One of the breed's many eccentricities is that they walk on their tip toes. How cute is that?
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is, without a doubt, the coolest-looking cat with their spotted coat and robust frame. Their exotic looks and rich history makes them a truly remarkable breed.
Egyptian Maus are incredibly athletic, partly due to their cheetah-like gait and the skin flap that extends from their flank to their hind leg. These features allow them to jump and twist to their heart’s content.
Like all cats, Egyptian Maus are total characters. They tend to pick a favorite person to whom they are fiercely loyal. This means they are also more tentative around strangers than other breeds.
Which Cat Breed Is the Overall Weirdest?
Now that you’ve seen 22 of the strangest cat breeds, the question is: Which is the weirdest?
That honor goes to the lykoi. They combine the other cat breeds' most unusual features with their mostly hairless coats, large triangle ears, and permanently grumpy faces.
Honestly, it’s a no-brainer that the “werewolf cat” earns the honor of being called the weirdest breed of cat. They are a special breed that evokes strong feelings from all who look at them.
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