Ear tufts are a uncommon trait however they at all times mark an especially particular cat. Though cat breeds with ear tufts are available all sizes and shapes, one factor they've in widespread is that cute cute-yet-wild look. Not shocking, since lots of your housecat’s wild cousins have tufted ears as properly!
These 13 stunning cat breeds can all have both ear tufts, ear furnishings, or each. In case you don’t know the distinction, ear tufts are furry tufts on prime of the cat’s head, whereas ear furnishings are tufts that sprout from the interior ear.
With out additional ado, take a look at these 13 cats — from docile to wild — who all have lovely fuzzy ears.
Table of Contents
The 13 Cat Breeds With Ear Tufts
These kitties have ear tufts, and normally additionally ear furnishings.
1. Maine Coon
Well-known for being the most important domesticated cat breed, Maine Coons are additionally well-known for his or her lengthy, comfortable coats, large paws, and skill to adapt to nearly any atmosphere. Some say they’re descended from pet cats that Marie Antoinette shipped out of France earlier than dropping her head, whereas others imagine they’re the results of housecats breeding with wild bobcats.
Maine Coons don’t simply have ear tufts and ear furnishings, but additionally have large tufts of fur on their paws.
2. Norwegian Forest Cat
No, it’s not a useful forest spirit from a fairy story, however it’s the subsequent smartest thing. The super-friendly Norwegian Forest Cat (or “wedgie”) sports activities a two-colored coat that grows lengthy and fluffy to assist them survive harsh winters in Scandinavia. They’re additionally famend in previous Norse legend for his or her capability to scale timber and rocks.
Wedgies typically have ear tufts, ear furnishings, and tufted toes. They’re shut cousins of the Maine Coon, and the 2 breeds have rather a lot in widespread.
3. American Curl
American Curls are beloved by cat followers for his or her modern look and boundless enthusiasm. Their ears curl again over their heads, displaying off their ear tufts and furnishings, and giving them a completely shocked expression that you simply’ll fall in love with immediately.
4. Highlander
There will be just one…one cat breed as fairly because the Highlander, that's. Highlanders are the offspring of noticed Jungle Cats, swish American Curls, and generally tame Caracals (see #13).
The result's a wild-looking fuzzball with heart-melting curled ears, adorned with large horizontal tufts. One other enjoyable reality about Highlanders: not like most different cats, they like to splash within the water.
5. Pixiebob
Pixiebobs are a “dog-like” breed that loves actions like fetching and occurring walks. Their power stage and tabby coats have led folks to marvel in the event that they’re descended from bobcats, however based on their genetics, it’s extra doubtless a coincidental mutation.
Pixiebobs get their identify from their stubby tails, however they’re additionally recognized to have ear tufts and ear furnishings.
6. Turkish Van
Turkish Vans hail from Lake Van, a surprising, secluded lake within the japanese a part of Turkey. They’ve been round for 1000's of years, treasured by the Turks for ages earlier than making their option to Europe.
Vans are beloved for his or her distinctive coloration, known as the “Van Sample,” which marks them with darkish colours on their heads, necks, and tails. They share plenty of traits with the Turkish Angora, together with ear tufts and a love of swimming.
Cats With Ear Furnishings
These cats solely have ear furnishings, not tufts.
7. Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are straightforward to acknowledge: they give the impression of being type of like a Siamese, however fluffier. They’re intensely cuddly, typically going limp within the arms of their people, a trait which obtained them their breed identify.
Just like the Pixiebob, a Ragdoll likes to play with its proprietor and may even be taught methods. Purebred Ragdolls have ear furnishings, and tufts of hair between their toes.
8. Siberian
These forest cats from the wilds of Russia are one other of our most historical breeds nonetheless round as we speak. They’re sturdy, cumbersome, and protecting, but additionally playful and sweet-natured. If you cuddle up with a Siberian, which developed its lengthy coat — and its ear-furnishings — to outlive the fearsome Russian winter, you’ll by no means really feel chilly.
9. LaPerm
With their coats that naturally develop in free curls and their curled ear furnishings, LaPerms are a few of the world’s most unusual-looking cats. They begin out wanting like goblins, and mature right into a cross between a Devon Rex and a bathmat. Petting a LaPerm is a stunning expertise, which is nice as a result of they love consideration!
10. Nebelung
Nebelungs appeared within the 1980s as the results of two Russian Blues producing a litter of long-haired kittens. These swish blue-gray cats, named after an historical German fable, are happy with their silky coats and heat ear furnishings. Though they are often demanding, they’re additionally deeply loving and luxuriate in taking walks with their favourite folks.
Wild Cats
These untamed felines in all probability gained’t be curling up in your lap anytime quickly, however their ear tufts can compete with the perfect of them.
11. Lynx
Lynxes are forest cats that prowl snowy woods, holding heat with coats of luxuriant noticed fur. They've distinguished ear tufts that catch filth and particles and are believed to additionally act as antennae that assist the Lynx choose up on distant sounds.
In actual fact, the Lynx’s tufts are so putting that one other identify for feline ear tufts is “lynx suggestions.”
12. Serval
The Serval is a cat from the African savannah. Whereas they’re generally saved as pets, they aren’t domesticated — their human-friendly traits aren’t hard-coded into their DNA.
Servals have extraordinarily lengthy legs, and love to leap and dig. When domesticated, they'll kind sturdy bonds, although normally with solely a single human. Their ear furnishings add to their unique look.
13. Caracal
Caracals are wild cats present in Africa and lots of components of Asia. They've large ears with enormous, dense tufts, curved in order that they nearly seem like human eyebrows. Along with holding its ears clear, the Caracal’s ear tufts may serve a social function, as some researchers imagine they are often twitched to ship messages to different Caracals.
Remaining Ideas
There are such a lot of various things that make cats distinctive. Whether or not it’s their personalities, their coats, their colours, or distinctive traits like ear tufts and furnishings, America’s hottest pet by no means ceases to shock and delight.
Not all of those breeds will at all times show the identical traits, however in the event you get a kitten with tufted and furnished ears, depend your self fortunate!
- You may additionally be considering: Rarest Patterns and Coat Colours for Cats
Featured Picture Credit score: TinasDreamworld, Shutterstock