9 rare cat breeds

Most cat lovers could easily recognise a British Shorthair, a Scottish Fold, or a Siamese cat. But what about a Sokoke? Or a Peterbald? Rare cat breeds like these are a little harder to come by… The clue is in the name, we suppose (if pet history is your thing, check out these extinct dog breeds)! 

Whether you’re a budding pet parent or you’re simply cat sitting one of these beautiful rare cat breeds, read on! Here, we’ll delve into the nitty gritty of all things ‘rare cats’ - and take a look at some of the cat breeds that even the most hardcore of feline fans may not have heard of before…

9 rare cat breeds

According to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), all pedigree cats can be considered rare - that’s because they make up only 2-4% of all pet cats. Here are 9 rare domestic cat breeds to get you started!

1. American Wirehair
2. American Bobtail 
3. Burmese
4. Norwegian Forest Cat
5. Sokoke Cat
6. Burmilla 
7. Tonkinese 
8. Turkish Van 
9. Peterbald

American Wirehair

Meet the American Wirehair kitty, hailing from NYC. Interesting story - they came about completely by chance! It's true: in 1966, a natural genetic mutation occurred in a litter of 5 kittens, which resulted in their trademark wiry-haired fur. It's just part of what makes them so rare! 

Soon after, in 1967, these rare breeds of cats were officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). Today, these adorable rare kitties are super easy-going, independent, friendly and highly inquisitive - and perfect for families and first-time pet parents alike. All in all, a real kitty crowd pleaser!

American Bobtail

Looking for a kitty that embodies the wild spirit of his feline ancestors, all wrapped up in a cute, fluffy bundle? Enter: American Bobtail cats.

These rare breed kitties are best known for their short (super cute) bobbed tails and rugged appearance. In fact, you only need to glance in an American Bobtail's direction and spot that sweet tail to see where they get their name from! 

Despite their wild-looking exterior, they're notoriously affectionate and gentle cats, and love being around their humans. They've even earned themselves a reputation as being the "Golden Retriever of cats" - which really tells you everything you need to know about these fine felines. 

Burmese

The Burmese cat is one of the most adorable and loving of all the unique cat breeds - they even go down famously with dog lovers, thanks to their loving, affectionate and highly sociable nature! 

Interestingly, most modern Burmese can be traced back to a cat named Wong Mau, who was brought to San Francisco from Burma back in 1930.

These versatile felines come in many different colours, including brown, champagne, sable… you can even find a lilac Burmese!  

Norwegian Forest Cat

Did you know the Norwegian Forest Cat almost went extinct in WW2? Thankfully for cat lovers everywhere, they didn't, but they're still considered a pretty rare kitty today.

The Norwegian Forest Cat - or ‘Wegie’, as they are affectionately known - originate from Norway, and it's their cold, Scandi backgrounds that we can thank for those lush, fluffy coats! We think this breed gives off a serious majestic vibe - wouldn't you agree? 

Despite their regal air, Wegies are known to be super friendly, highly social and adorably affectionate. At the same time, they are pretty independent, so could be a great match for more laidback cat parents. 

Sokoke Cat

Ding ding ding - could we have a winner? According to the The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, we might, as they considered the Sokoke to be world's rarest cat. 

So, what makes the Sokoke so rare? Well, while the number of wild Sokokes is currently unknown, it's believed to very little. Domestically speaking, Sokokes are also few and far between. So, if you're the cat parent to one of these little beauties, consider yourself lucky! 

What’s more, as well as holding the ‘rare domestic cat breeds’ title, these kitties are highly intelligent - they can even learn tricks! - and are known for their easy-going nature (and that seriously cute, striking striped coat).

Burmilla

Would you believe this little cutie came about almost completely by chance? In the United Kingdom in the 1980s, a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese were accidentally bred, creating the Burmilla. 

It didn't take long for the their pet parent at the time - the Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg, no less - to instantly fall in love with the adorable litter. And boy, are we glad she did! 

These elegant, adorable bundles of fur are now one of the most well-loved exotic cat breeds in existence. They're not just a pretty face, either - the Burmilla cat makes a great family pet thanks to their affectionate, friendly and playful personalities. 

Tonkinese

What do you get when you cross a Burmese and a Siamese? No, this isn’t the start of a very bad joke. The answer, of course, is an adorable, rare little feline known as the Tonkinese cat!

These sociable little felines love being around their humans, and will happily accept all the cuddles, lap time, and kisses you throw their way.

They are probably best known for their striking looks: they have short, silky hair with muted colour points, and typically have aqua blue eyes - although they can also have gold or green eyes. One thing's for sure: we think they are seriously cute.

Turkish Van

Meet the Turkish Van. Originating from Lake Van in Turkey, these playful, fun-loving felines have with a trademark "Van pattern" - a coat that is mostly white with spots of colours on their face and tail, typically either ginger or brown. 

What makes this beautiful, long haired cat a rarity? They are considered a "regional treasure" in their homeland, so much so that their export to other countries is limited. 

Another interesting fact about the Turkish Van? They’re said to like water, even earning themselves the nickname “the swimming cat”! Which, we think most pet parents would agree, is certainly a rarity amongst our cat friends… 

Peterbald

Ever heard of a Peterbald before? We'd forgive you if not, as this Russian breed is one of the rarest cat breeds around.

Hailing from St. Petersburg, they are the lovechild of an Oriental Shorthair and a Don Sphynx. They are often mistaken for their parent cat, the Sphynx, as they can be completely hairless. Not all Peterbalds are - for lack of a better term - bald, though. Some do sport short hairs that resemble a fuzzy, velour-like texture. 

Highly athletic, highly intelligent - and highly cute! -, Peterbalds love soaking up attention from their favourite humans and make for an excellent family kitty. 

All this talk of rare felines got you wondering what lies in your kitty's DNA? Find out once and for all, as we aim to answer the big (kitty) question: what breed is my cat?

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