LaPerm Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Now, we here at IndulgeYourPet aren’t going to hold it against you if you’ve never actually heard of the LaPerm cat breed before because, unlike many other “ancient” cat breeds found worldwide, this unique breed is a relatively new one. But just because you may not have heard of a LaPerm cat before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it if you want to add a new four-legged member to your family.

This is why, in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a LaPerm kitten so that if you ever do get a chance to own one of these “ruffled” little guys, you won’t regret your decision to do so six months from now.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

LaPerm Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States

Size: Medium-sized

Weight:  7 to 9 pounds

Eyes:  Almond-shape eyes

Head shape:  Round

Lifespan:  10 to 15 years

Origin of the LaPerm Cat Breed

Because the LaPerm cat breed is relatively new, we can trace its origin back to a single litter on a cherry farm in Oregon in 1982 owned by Linda and Richard Koehl. And while the parents of the first LaPerm cat weren’t considered “pedigree” cats by any means, it is believed “non-pedigree cats” that these “barn cats” were probably some rex breed, a Selkirk Rex or some other “type” of “rex-mix.”

Because what you need to remember is…

This litter wasn’t bred or created by a “professional” cat breeder as part of some specific type of “breeding program.” Instead, the first LaPerm kitten resulted from some spontaneous mutation that occurred in it to help maintain the rodent populin litter, which was one “odd” little girl born bald. Fortunately, this little girl didn’t display any other “deformities,” so it began to develop normally, just like all her brothers and sisters. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she slowly grew fur about eight weeks after this little girl was born. Unlike her brothers and sisters, who displayed the classic straight coat of a typical tabby, this little girl began to grow curly hair! So curly, it earned this little girl the name “Curly” for obvious reasons.

Ironically…

For the first ten years after Curly was born, her owners never paid all that much attention to the “uniqueness” of what they had on their hands. As a result, there wasn’t much of an attempt to “selectively” breed for “Curly’s” unique features. Only after about a decade of specialists born in this barn did the owners finally begin to notice these “unusual” cats and create litters specifically “highlighting” the curly coat trait.

As a result, a new breed was created and even recognized shortly later by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

Physical Characteristics

The easiest way to identify a LaPerm cat is by looking at its curly coat. Still, as we mentioned before, these cats probably have a bit of “Selkirk Rex” in them, which also have somewhat curly coats, so let’s take a moment and discuss some of the other unique features of this cat breed so that you’ll have a better understanding of what they look like.

First off…

LaPerm generally tend to be medium-sized cats that can be shorthaired or longhaired. Longhaired varieties grow to have tight ringlets of curly fur over their entire body, accented by a long and curly tail. This guy almost looks like a “regular” cat that has just been given a bath and been “towel dried.”

Shorthaired LaPerms…

We will generally have a more “Permy” look, which is a term that will probably make sense for our older readers, but for our younger readers, what we mean is that these guys’ fur will look a bit more “wavy.” These guys don’t have enough hair to create the same “ringlets” you see on longhaired LaPerms, which is why these guys have that more “perm hairdo” look. And because the original breeding stock was a bit “hodgepodge,” “all colors and patterns are considered acceptable, including solid and tabby designs.

Personality and Temperament

LaPerm cats and kittens are a whole lot of fun to own. They are fun, curious little hunters who love being affectionate and around the entire family. These guys will love to run and play while seeking out your lap anytime you’re on the couch. This is why this cat breed is one of our favorites and why we’ll often recommend this breed to anyone with small children.

Potential Health Concerns

While technically, the LaPerm cat breed is now considered a pedigreed, it’s important to remember that its “roots” are from those healthy “mixed” cats from the barn. The LaPerm breed is one of the healthiest pedigreed cat breeds you can buy today. This is great because as long as you provide your LaPerm with a healthy diet and plenty of love, chances are, your LaPerm will live a long and healthy life.

That said, however…

Because we here at IndulgeYourPet know just how expensive vet bills can be, mainly if your pet develops a severe medical condition or suffers a serious injury, we always like to encourage all of our readers to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy on their new loved one.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not. But until you know what a pet insurance policy will and won’t cover and how much it will cost, how will you ever know if purchasing one might be “right” for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies, we encourage you to check out our article titled: Best Pet Insurance Companies.