cat-breeds

The LaPerm Was Born With a Perm She Never Ordered

The LaPerm cat walked in with a perm and never looked back. One glance at that ringlet-covered body and you'll wonder if she spent the morning at the salon. She didn't. She was born with those curls, and she's been milking them ever since.

This breed profile covers everything about the LaPerm cat: where the curls came from, what makes her personality so magnetic, how to live with a cat who demands lap time on schedule, and whether she's the right fit for your home.

LaPerm Cat Origins: One Farm, One Curly Kitten

Every LaPerm cat on Earth descends from one curly-haired kitten named Curly, born in 1982 on a cherry farm in Oregon. Curly was bald at birth — a naked little thing — and then, a few weeks later, sprouted a coat of soft ringlets that made her littermates look like they were wearing bathrobes.

Farm owner Linda Koehl had the good sense to keep Curly and let her have kittens. The curl gene passed down like a family recipe, and by the 1990s, cat fanciers had built a full breeding program around it. The International Cat Association granted the LaPerm cat championship status in 2003, and the breed has been charming judges and families ever since.

Here's the twist: the curl is dominant and random. A LaPerm kitten can be born straight-coated and suddenly go curly weeks later, or lose her curls and regrow them like she's trying out new hairstyles. You'll never get bored.

What the LaPerm Cat Looks Like

Imagine a cat wearing a permanent wave she got for free. The LaPerm cat's coat is made of loose ringlets and waves, soft as rabbit fur, springy to the touch. The texture is lightest of all rex-type breeds — silky rather than dense, with minimal undercoat.

Two coat lengths exist:

Shorthaired LaPerm: Wavy topcoat, bottle-brush tail, ruffled neck ruff.
Longhaired LaPerm: Longer ringlets, plumed tail, dramatic full ruff that looks like a lion's mane got stuck on the wrong animal.

Ear furnishings curl too. Whisker hairs curl. Even the eyebrow tufts get in on the act. The breed comes in every color and pattern imaginable — tabby, tortoiseshell, solid, colorpoint, you name it. She weighs a dainty 8 to 12 pounds and moves like a dancer who knows she's being watched.

One LaPerm trademark: she'll lose her coat in clumps when she blows it, then regrow a fresh one. Totally normal for the breed. If you're researching grooming basics before bringing one home, the LaPerm's needs are pleasantly low-key.

The LaPerm Cat Personality: Lap First, Everything Else Later

The LaPerm cat is affectionate on a level that borders on theatrical. These cats do not merely sit near you. They climb you like you're furniture that pays rent. They tap your cheek with a paw. They pat your face, knead your lap, and settle in with the confidence of a queen who owns the place.

Many LaPerms retain kitten-ish playfulness well into adulthood. She'll fetch toys, chase feather wands like a tiny athlete, and invent games with household objects you didn't know were game-able. Bored LaPerms are mischievous LaPerms, so stock up on interactive toys. Our guide to playing with your cat has plenty of ideas for burning off that energy.

They're also talkative. Not yowl-at-3am talkative (usually), but conversational — soft chirps, trills, and the occasional meow-opinion about dinner. Learning to decode cat behavior will help you keep up with her commentary. If you want a silent roommate, look elsewhere. The LaPerm cat has notes.

Social-wise, she's a people cat. Visitors get greeted. New roommates get inspected and claimed. Other pets are usually fine a proper introduction — she's more interested in collecting humans than in territory wars.

Living With a LaPerm Cat

Your lap is no longer your own

First things first: accept that personal space is over. The LaPerm cat treats your lap like real estate she purchased years ago. Work-from-home folks get a purring heating pad during meetings. Couch readers get a bookmark-shaped interruption. Embrace it.

Grooming: easier than it looks

Those curls look high-maintenance. They're not. A weekly comb-through keeps the LaPerm cat's coat tangle-free, and many owners groom less often than that. The shorthaired variety needs barely anything at all. Unlike heavy-shedding breeds, she won't redecorate your couch in cat hair — another reason this curly coat is a win.

Exercise and play

This is an athletic little breed. Climbing towers, puzzle feeders, and wand toys keep her busy and out of trouble. A bored LaPerm cat may redecorate your bookshelf or "help" with your laptop. Daily play sessions are the cheapest insurance against mischief. She also tends to enjoy high perches, where she can supervise the household like a curly-haired hall monitor.

Family fit

LaPerms do well with kids who know how to handle cats gently. She's patient but not a stuffed toy — teach small humans the rules of engagement. She gets along with cat-friendly dogs and other cats, and she actually prefers company to being alone all day. If your schedule keeps you out for long stretches, consider a second pet for companionship.

LaPerm Cat Health: Generally Hardy

The LaPerm cat is considered a generally healthy breed, thanks to a large founding gene pool from that Oregon farm. No breed-specific diseases haunt the LaPerm the way some conditions shadow other pedigrees. Still, regular vet checkups, vaccinations, and dental care matter for every cat, curly or not. If anything about your cat's health ever seems off, talk to your veterinarian.

Is a LaPerm Cat Right for You?

Get a LaPerm cat if you want an affectionate, playful, social cat who treats you like the sun. She fits homes with attention to give — families, retirees, remote workers, anyone who won't mind a curly supervisor on their lap.

Think twice if you're away 12 hours a day, if you prize silence, or if allergies are a serious concern. LaPerms aren't hairless, and no cat is truly hypoallergenic — the curls shed less, but they're still cats.

Finding one

LaPerms are less common than mainstream breeds, so expect a wait. Seek breeders who raise kittens in the home, health-test their lines, and welcome your questions. Expect pedigree paperwork and a contract. Prices vary by region and coat type. Check breed rescue groups too — retired show cats and rehomed adults occasionally appear.

And while you wait for kitten-pickup day, run through our new cat checklist, then start brainstorming. A cat this distinctive deserves a name with flair — our list of the best cat names has plenty of worthy contenders.

How the LaPerm Cat Compares to Other Curly Breeds

Curious how the LaPerm stacks up against her curly cousins? Here's the quick breakdown:

vs. the Cornish Rex: The Cornish has a tight marcel-wave coat and a slim, greyhound-ish build. The LaPerm is stockier, silkier, and her curls are looser. Both are people-people cats.
vs. the Devon Rex: The Devon is an imp with giant ears and a pixie face. The LaPerm keeps normal cat proportions — the surprise is all in the coat. Compare notes in our Bengal cat guide if you want to see how an active personality compares across breeds.
vs. the Selkirk Rex: The Selkirk has the plushest, woolliest curl of the bunch. The LaPerm's coat is lighter and silkier. Think cashmere versus teddy bear.

LaPerm motto: life's too short for straight hair.

Quick LaPerm Cat Facts

Weight: 8–12 pounds
Coat: Loose ringlets, short or long; minimal undercoat
Personality: Affectionate, playful, talkative, people-obsessed
Energy: High — needs daily play
Grooming: Low; weekly comb-through
Best for: Homes with people around and laps available

The LaPerm cat is proof that nature has a sense of humor. She showed up with a perm she never ordered, a lap habit she never apologizes for, and a personality big enough to fill any home. If you're looking for a cat who's equal parts glamorous and goofy, the curly charmer is waiting. Just clear your lap first.