{"id":440385,"date":"2023-11-15T14:55:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T19:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=440385"},"modified":"2024-08-19T10:50:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T14:50:31","slug":"cats-with-folded-or-curled-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-breeds\/cats-with-folded-or-curled-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Cats With Folded or Curled Ears: Info & Pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nThe 5 Cats With Folded Ears<\/a>
\nThe 5 Cats With Curled Ears<\/a>
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You might not have ever thought about a cat\u2019s ears before, but take a close look, and you\u2019ll see that the majority of felines have straight, pointy ears. However, not all kitties have these; some have folded or curled ears! Probably the most well-known cat breed with non-straight ears is the Scottish Fold<\/a>, but there are a handful of others.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re likely at least passingly familiar with a few of these cats, but a couple on this list may be new to you! Keep reading to learn more about these felines with folded ears and cats with curled ears!<\/p>\n

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The 5 Cats with Folded Ears<\/h2>\n

First up are our cats with folded ears. We have four breeds for you to check out below, so take a look!<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Scottish Fold<\/h3>\n
\"grey
Image Credit: xiruwin, Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n7\u201310 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n6\u201313 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n11\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The Scottish Fold<\/a> is probably the most well-known feline with folded ears, though they\u2019re a rarer breed. The reason this breed\u2019s ears are folded over is due to a genetic mutation, but there\u2019s no doubt their ears give them an utterly adorable look!<\/p>\n

The Scottish Fold also has a wonderful temperament that makes it an excellent pet. These kitties are friendly, cuddly, and playful\u2014pretty much everything you\u2019d want from a cat! They\u2019re also quite smart, so they need plenty of mental stimulation to ensure they\u2019re entertained. They don\u2019t enjoy being left on their own for long periods, either, so having a person or other animal to stay with them while you\u2019re away is a must.<\/p>\n

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2. Foldex Cat<\/h3>\n
\"young
Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n8\u201312 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n6\u201314 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n12\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Now, here\u2019s a cat you might not have heard of\u2014the Foldex Cat<\/a>! Also known as the Exotic Fold, this breed has only been around since the mid-1990s and was created by combining the Exotic Shorthair and the Scottish Fold. The result is an incredibly cute teddy bear-looking feline with folded ears. The Foldex Cat is much more active than their Scottish Fold parent and loves to play.<\/p>\n

They also love receiving attention from their favorite people, so be prepared to dote on this feline. Super friendly and inquisitive, these kitties can have a stubborn streak, so they can get a bit mischievous at times!<\/p>\n

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3. Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat<\/h3>\n
\"Adorable
Image Credit: Kellee Kovalsky, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n7\u201310 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n4\u20139 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n11\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

You\u2019ve probably seen photos of the Munchkin Cat before; these felines have a genetic mutation that gives them short, stubby legs similar to a Dachshund\u2019s. While the regular Munchkin Cat has straight ears, the Scottish Fold Munchkin Cat<\/a> breed has the folded ears of their Scottish Fold parent. The result is a tiny, sweet-looking kitty that\u2019s cute as can be.<\/p>\n

This designer breed first showed up in the early 1990s and quickly became a hit, which isn\u2019t a surprise; between their adorable looks and sweet, sociable natures, these cats are an excellent addition to the home. The breed inherits personality traits from both parent breeds, making it athletic, intelligent, a little stubborn, and prone to separation anxiety.<\/p>\n

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4. Ukrainian Levkoy<\/h3>\n
\"ukrainian
Image Credit: Nickolas Titkov, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n9\u201311 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n8\u201312 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n15\u201320 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Many hairless cat breeds have large, bat-wing-like ears, but not the Ukrainian Levkoy<\/a>! This breed has folded ears that make them look entirely unique. This rare breed is a cross between the Scottish Fold and the Donskoy and, as the name suggests, hails from Ukraine. If you can manage to get your hands on one of these kitties, though, you\u2019ll have a smart, endlessly curious feline on your hands (so expect some mischief here and there as they explore their surroundings!).<\/p>\n

Like most hairless cats, the Ukrainian Levkoy is also highly affectionate, so you can expect plenty of snuggles.<\/p>\n

\"cat<\/p>\n

The 5 Cats with Curled Ears<\/h2>\n

Then, we have our feline friends with curled ears. These cats are all cute as can be, and while you may be familiar with a few, you might not know all the kitties on this list!<\/p>\n

5. American Curl<\/h3>\n
\"American
Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n18\u201320 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n5\u201312 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n12\u201316 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The American Curl<\/a> has curly ears that curl towards the back of the head due to a genetic mutation. Interestingly, these cats are born with regular ears, but when they\u2019re roughly 10 days old, the ears start to curl back. The breed came about in the 1980s and has, since then, become wildly popular. Between their devilishly adorable looks and wonderful personalities, it\u2019s easy to see why!<\/p>\n

The American Curl is an active, playful breed that loves children and affection, making them a perfect family cat. These kitties will shadow you as you move around your home, so be prepared!<\/p>\n

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6. Dwelf<\/h3>\n
\"Dwelf
Image Credit: Jenni Ferreira Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n6\u20137 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n4\u20139 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n12\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

This is a newer designer cat breed you may not be familiar with. The Dwelf<\/a> is an itty-bitty breed that\u2019s a cross between the Sphynx, American Curl, and Munchkin breeds. Even as adults, they stay small, so if you\u2019re looking for a cat that remains more kitten-sized, this could be the breed for you. This breed is also one of the friendliest around; they adore being close to people and are friendly and intelligent, so they\u2019re a great match for most homes.<\/p>\n

However, the Dwelf isn\u2019t fond of change, so keep that in mind before adopting one!<\/p>\n

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7. Elf Cat<\/h3>\n
\"elf
Image: Dan Kosmayer, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n9\u201312 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n10\u201315 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n8\u201314 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The Elf Cat<\/a> isn\u2019t named for their size but rather how they resemble an elf in looks; in fact, they look a lot like Dobby from Harry Potter<\/i>! As a mix between the Sphynx and the American Curl, these unique-looking kitties are either semi-hairless or hairless. That hairless status means these felines need special care, though, as they can\u2019t handle extreme temperatures and are more likely to get cuts than other breeds because of the delicacy of their skin.<\/p>\n

Temperament-wise, the Elf Cat is incredibly friendly and loves nothing more than being surrounded by their families. They\u2019re also relatively active and smart, so they can get into things they shouldn\u2019t quite easily. They don\u2019t enjoy being left on their own, though, so they\u2019ll do better in homes with multiple pets or people who are home more often than not.<\/p>\n

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8. Highlander Cat<\/h3>\n
\"Highlander
Highlander Cat (Image Credit: DigitalDirt. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n14\u201316 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n15\u201320 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n7\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The Highlander<\/a> breed is a large one, so they can seem a bit intimidating, but these kitties are all positivity and good vibes all the time. A cross between the Jungle Curl and the Desert Lynx, these curly-eared cats are really nothing more than big babies. They love the attention of their families and are incredibly affectionate, so expect plenty of cuddles!<\/p>\n

The breed is also active and has a fascination with water, so don\u2019t be surprised if you find yours in the sink trying to turn the faucets on. Bonus? This feline breed makes for exceptionally good mousers, so if you have a mice problem in your home, it should be taken care of in no time.<\/p>\n

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9. Jungle Curl<\/h3>\n
\"African
Image Credit: thsulemani, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n14\u201325 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n8\u201325 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n12\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

We mentioned that the Highlander has the Jungle Curl as a parent breed, so here\u2019s more about these felines. The Jungle Curl<\/a> is also a hybrid breed made up of the American Curl and the African Jungle Cat. That jungle cat parent gives this feline a wild look that\u2019s tempered by the cute curly ears. This breed is definitely a rare one, as they\u2019re a challenge to breed, so chances are you might not be able to get your hands on one.<\/p>\n

If you do find one, you\u2019ll enjoy this kitty\u2019s affectionate<\/a>, friendly nature. However, you\u2019ll also find that this is one cat that\u2019s kept many of their wilder instincts, so they can be a handful at times. You\u2019ll find these curious felines in absolutely everything!<\/p>\n

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10. Kinkalow<\/h3>\n
\"Kinkalow
Image Credit: Kinkalow2.jpg<\/a>– Kirimiti<\/a>, CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n7\u20138 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n3\u20137 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>\n12\u201315 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Finally, we have the Kinkalow<\/a>, another tiny feline with curly ears. These cats are a dwarf breed, so they have short legs; combined with the curly ears, it\u2019s an adorable look. The Kinkalow breed is extremely rare, so you might not have heard of them before (and you likely won\u2019t be able to locate one). They make wonderful pets, though.<\/p>\n

These kitties are intelligent enough to be trained to do tricks<\/a>. They\u2019re also playful, curious, and want to be involved in everything. That doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re Velcro kitties, though. The Kinkalow is fairly independent despite their tendency to want to be involved.<\/p>\n

\"cat<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

While most felines look similar when it comes to things like ears<\/a>, there are some cat breeds that stand out for their unique looks. These ten cats with folded or curled ears are all extremely adorable and make excellent pets. Some are rarer than others, so they may be difficult to find, but other breeds with folded or curled ears are quite popular and simpler to locate.<\/p>\n

Any of them would make a fabulous addition to your life, though!<\/p>\n