When you enter the world of cats, you might be surprised to see how many different breeds of cats there are.
Two of the most common categories are cats with big heads and cats with small heads. I already talked about cats with big heads, and now, it is time for you to meet cat breeds with small heads.
Before I do that, it’s quite important for you to know why some cats have small heads – that is, what can affect a cat’s head size. So, read on to learn more!
Why Do Some Cats Have Small Heads?
Among many different cat breeds, there’s a list of cats with small heads when compared to others. The most common question that pops up is why there are cats with small heads or big heads?
Well, to make this clear, some cats breed have naturally smaller heads, especially when compared to their body size.
It’s usually a result of different breeding processes in order to get a specific breed of cat. Some cats have bigger heads naturally, especially the larger breeds.
However, there are other factors that may affect the cat’s head size, and it is always a good thing to know. So, I suggest you check them out and follow them up with the list of 12 breeds of cats with small heads.
Gender Affects The Cat’s Size
If you know anything about cats, one thing you know for sure is that male cats are almost always bigger than females.
With that being said, tomcats also have bigger heads, which might help you recognize the cat’s gender without looking at its genitals. That means that gender can certainly affect the cat’s size.
If you come across an adult cat, you can easily differentiate males from females, as male cats have big heads and stronger bodies, longer whiskers, and similar, while cats with smaller heads are, in most cases, females.
If you wonder why that is so, worry not, as I’ve got you covered!
Why Does Gender Affect A Cat’s Size?
The main reason for size differences between male and female cats is hormones.
Tomcats produce testosterone which is a male sex hormone responsible for muscle development. This hormone helps them grow stronger and bigger. However, that’s not the case with female cats, as they don’t produce this hormone.
Despite that, some females may appear bigger than males, but that usually depends on the specific breed of cat and genetics.
For example, if you take a look at a female Maine Coon and a male Siamese cat, of course, the female Maine Coon will be bigger than the Siamese male cat, as Maine Coons are considered to be one of the largest breeds of cats.
However, gender isn’t the only thing that can affect the cat’s body and head size. Therefore, I suggest you keep reading to get the complete explanation.
Neutering Procedures Affect The Cat’s Size
Believe it or not, neutering procedures can greatly affect the cat’s size. Now, let’s see how that is possible. I already mentioned that tomcats, especially unneutered ones, have bigger heads and stronger, well-developed bodies, while that isn’t the case with female cats.
That happens because of the testosterone which is found in the cat’s testes. A neutering procedure removes the cat’s testes, meaning it cannot reproduce.
How Does Neutering Affect The Cat’s Size?
If you neuter your male cat at a young age, you actually remove the source of the hormone testosterone, which means that the cat cannot develop fully. Because of that, some neutered male cats may have smaller heads and bodies.
According to many experts, you can neuter a cat at any age, but it is recommended to neuter it before the cat reaches maturity age.
But, if you neuter a cat at a young age, the tomcat won’t be able to develop fully. On the contrary, if you decide to neuter your adult male cat, it will remain big only if it’s fully developed.
Neutering or spaying procedures are the owners’ choice, but it’s important to know that both these procedures have many benefits for our felines.
For example, they may reduce the risk of many health issues, especially in female cats, but these procedures are also very helpful in reducing unwanted behaviors in cats.
We all know that tomcats can be extremely territorial and dominant; one of the solutions for this issue is neutering.
The only drawback of neutering a young male cat may be a higher risk of bone fractures as their bodies didn’t have the chance to develop fully.
Still, in my opinion, there are more benefits than drawbacks, and it’s all up to you. In case you’re not sure what to do, you can always consult with your vet to help you with your final decision.
When Will Your Cat Stop Growing?
The most frequent question I get asked is when will my cat stop growing, so let’s find that out too.
The truth is that it’s very hard to tell precisely when your cat will stop growing because it depends on many different things, such as what breed your cat is, the type of food you feed your cat, your cat’s lifestyle, and similar.
An average domestic cat reaches its final development at around one year old. However, some cat breeds are very specific when it comes to this.
Just like that, breeds such as Maine Coons or similar large cat breeds can reach their full size after 3-5 years. During this period, they develop in maturity and size. On the other hand, cats such as the Persian are usually fully-grown after they reach 2-3 years old.
To be sure, it would be best to discuss your cat breed with your vet because sometimes cats may have smaller heads than they are supposed to, and that may be a result of serious health issues such as cerebellar hypoplasia.
So, when you get a new feline friend, make sure you learn as much as you can about that breed of cat, and always feel free to ask your vet for help or advice. Of course, don’t forget about regular vet checks to make sure your feline is completely healthy.
12 Breeds Of Cat With Small Heads
1. Cornish Rex Cat
The Cornish Rex cat is a breed of cat with a small head and large eyes. On top of their head, you will see large ears that are slightly rounded on the tips.
However, their long, muscular body may make their head size even more noticeable.
Moreover, the Cornish Rex cat only has an undercoat, which is why they often seem bald. Still, their coats may appear in different color and pattern combinations.
If you’re interested in this breed to be your pet cat, you won’t regret it as they’re social, friendly, energetic, and loyal to their owners. They’re great with different types of families, which makes them a perfect fit for almost everyone.
2. Devon Rex Cat
Another cat breed on the list of cats with small heads is the Devon Rex cat. These cats are very popular for their interesting appearance because they have a big body that is covered with extremely short wavy hair, which makes them look almost hairless.
On top of their bodies is a small head with large round eyes and ears. They may appear in many different color and pattern combinations, and as they have an extremely short coat, they’re also considered a hypoallergenic breed, as they don’t shed a lot.
If you’re looking for an adorable cat with a small head and interesting appearance, then the Devon Rex is a purrfect choice for you! They’re friendly and great pets for different kinds of families.
3. Sphynx Cat
The Sphynx cat breed is one of the breeds that have the most unique appearance. In case you didn’t know, these cats are also called hairless.
Still, even though they seem hairless, they have a small amount of hair on their extremities, that is, on their back, ears, paws, and tail.
They’re characterized by a big body, especially a big and round belly. On top of their nearly hairless body, you will notice a small head with large pointed ears and big lemon-shaped eyes.
Because of their unique appearance, Sphynx cats are in high demand, but before you get one, you should know that they require a lot of grooming care, mostly due to their sensitive skin. Still, they are lovely, fun cats who are great during both playtime and cuddle time.
4. American Curl Cat
The American Curl cat is another breed of cat with an interesting appearance. They are medium-sized cats with oblong bodies covered in long hair.
When looking at these cats, you will notice that their head is slightly smaller compared to the rest of the body, which is the reason why they deserve a place on this list.
The most noticeable feature of American Curls is their curled ears. It’s interesting that they’re born with normal ears, which later start to curl. I would say that these ears actually make their head look even smaller than it is.
Still, the American Curl is a beautiful breed that is very friendly, social, and intelligent, and because of their nice personality, they can be great family pets.
5. Munchkin Cat
The Munchkin cat breed is another interesting feline, mostly because of its short legs, as a result of genetic mutation. Because of their appearance, they’re often considered a dwarf cat breed.
When you look at their long body and short legs, their heads look smaller than the rest of the body. On top of their head, you will notice big eyes and pointed ears, but you may also notice some other features based on the type or mix of Munchkin cat.
For example, the Munchkin Scottish Fold mix will result in a short-legged cat and folded ears which is characteristic of Scottish fold cats and similar.
Moreover, appearance is not the only interesting thing about these felines, they also have an interesting personality. Although they’re short-legged, they are very energetic and playful, but also friendly and lovely cats so you’ll never be bored.
6. Siamese Cat
When compared to their tall, slim, athletic bodies, you can agree with me that Siamese cats also have small heads. They’re popular for their deep blue eyes and the colorpoint pattern of their short hair.
All purebred Siamese cats should have blue eyes and a colorpoint pattern; the only thing that can change is the color of the pointed pattern. They have an interesting appearance and are considered to be the oldest cat breed.
When it comes to their personality, they’re simply amazing. Siamese cats can be great pets mostly because of their loyalty, friendliness, and lovely temperament.
However, they’re famous for being talkative, so if you prefer silence in the early morning, they may not be the best choice for you.
7. Singapura Cat
The interesting Singapura cat breed is considered to be the smallest domestic cat breed, which is why they’re the center of attention everywhere they go. But how couldn’t they be; they’re practically little furballs!
This special breed is characterized by a small body and a tiny head, but they have large eyes and ears, which add to their overall appearance.
Their small body is also interesting as their coat appears in a ticked tabby pattern due to agouti hair. Besides being small, these cats have a huge heart and a lot of energy.
They like to play a lot and learn new things, but they’re friendly and affectionate too. Like Siamese cats, they can be loud and talkative, but their sweet appearance and personality always prevail.
8. Abyssinian Cat
The Abyssinian breed of cat is another popular feline for both its appearance and temperament. This breed of cat is another cat with a small head compared to its long and slender body.
However, if you look at its small head, you will notice large eyes and almond-shaped eyes that may be green, golden, or copper, which usually depends on their coat colors.
Abyssinian cats have short coats that appear in a ticked tabby pattern which is actually due to the agouti hair. They may appear in several different colors, but the most common one is red, also called ruby.
If you choose this cat to be your pet friend, you won’t regret it as they’re quite interesting. They’re energetic, intelligent, loyal, and friendly but also curious, which means you need to be careful. So, if you get this feline, you’ll get a small cat with a dog-like personality who will never leave your side.
9. Oriental Shorthair Cat
Oriental Shorthair cat is a domestic breed of cat that has a long and tall body and a small head on top of it. Compared to other cat breeds, this one has a very unusual look, which also makes them popular.
The most noticeable feature is their extremely large ears that seem to be too large for their small head. They’re characterized by a wedge-shaped head and almond-shaped eyes, as well as emphasized cheekbones.
If you take a closer look at this gorgeous but unusual feline, you can see that they’re very similar to the Wedge Siamese cat, which is one of the types of Siamese cats.
If you’re looking for an unusual and unique feline, then you won’t regret adopting an Oriental Shorthair cat, especially because they’re highly intelligent, friendly, and lovely.
However, if you prefer quiet cat breeds, then maybe you should avoid this breed as they’re often talkative, especially when they’re not satisfied.
10. Bengal Cat
The Bengal cat is one of the exotic-looking felines which also belong to this list as they have a slightly smaller head when compared to the rest of the body. Their body is strong and muscular with interesting coloration.
Bengal cats have striking eyes that may appear in colors such as yellow, brown, green, or orange. They have this exotic look as they’re actually a result of crossbreeding an Asian Snow Leopard cat and a domestic cat.
Due to their wild genes, these cats are very energetic, intelligent, and playful. But they also picked up some domestic cat genes, which resulted in an exotic-looking cat with a nice and lovely personality.
Bengal cats may be good with almost everyone. However, you should know that they might be needy sometimes. So, if you’re the person who has a lot of time to commit to this beautiful feline, then what are you waiting for?
11. Japanese Bobtail Cat
Japanese Bobtail cats are very tall cats with muscular bodies. However, when you look at their head, you will notice that it’s a bit smaller than the rest of its body. Still, that doesn’t affect their lovely appearance.
Japanese Bobtail cats, like every other Bobtail breed, are characterized by their unique tail types, but they’re also popular for the different coat colors in which they may appear.
They have big ears that are slightly rounded at the tips and big eyes that may appear in different colors, but they’re also prone to heterochromia (when each eye is a different color).
12. Tonkinese Cat
The Tonkinese cat breed is another interesting feline. If you take a look at the picture of this cat, it may remind you of a Siamese cat. That is actually true, as the Tonkinese cat is actually a mix of Siamese and Burmese cats.
Because of that, this little kitty doesn’t differ much from Siamese cats. The Tonkinese cat is a medium-sized breed that has a muscular body with a slightly smaller head.
They have medium-sized ears and beautiful eyes that appear in a color related to the coat pattern. If you’re looking for a cat with a small head for some reason, then a Tonkinese is a good choice as they also have a lovely personality.
They are active, playful, friendly, intelligent, and have everything to be a purrfect companion. Just like their parent breed, they are very talkative, but their favorite role is being a lap cat, which probably every cat parent loves the most!
Which Cat Breeds Have Big Heads?
Regardless of gender, spay/neuter status, and similar things, here are some cats that naturally have big heads, so check them out:
• Ragdoll cats
• Siberian cats
• Maine Coons
• Persian cats
• Scottish Fold cats
• Norwegian forest cats
• American Bobtail cats
• Ragamuffin cats
Wrapping It Up
Just as there are cats with big heads, this article introduced you to a list of cats with small heads as well as the explanation of why some cats have small heads and what can affect their body and head size.
The most common factors that can affect the cat’s body and head size are gender, and neutering, but it may also depend on the specific breed of cat.
Some of the most popular cats with small heads are the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Sphynx cat, Abyssinian, Singapura cat, Munchkin cat, Bengal cat, Siamese cat, and several other breeds.
So, if you’re looking for a new feline friend, maybe this article can help you with your final decision, as all of them are simply purrfect!
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