Temperament
Playful, Affectionate, Social
Colors
All Colors, All Patterns
WEIGHT
8 - 10 Pounds
HEIGHT
10 - 12 Inches
LIFE EXPECTANCY
13 - 18 Years
Maintenance Level
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Friendliness
Reserved
Extroverted
Joyful and fun loving, intelligent and curious, the American Curl is a cat that loves to play and hang with its people. This breed is very social and loves to curl up in your lap and follow you around. They also tend to be fond of children, making them the perfect pet for households with kids.
Origin: United States Other Names: The Peter Pan of Cats
Although not every member of the breed will exhibit their namesake trait, most do, and you’ll definitely know you’re in the presence of an American Curl when you spot their signature, curled backwards ears.
“When they are born, their ears are all straight, and within 72 hours they curl up like a rose bud, and then over the next couple weeks will uncurl and eventually they are considered ‘set’ at three to four months old,” says Mike Bull, CFA Breed Council Secretary on American Curls. “The mature ear will have a hard cartilage from at least one-third of the base of the ear, blending into what feels like a normal soft cat ear to the tip.”
Aside from their ears, the American Curl can be either long or short haired, and their silky flat coat can come in a variety of colors and patterns. “One of their trademark looks, aside from the curled ears, is that they have ear tufts which adorn their ears, and they should have large, walnut-shaped eyes,” Bull adds.
Size
Tiny
Jumbo
Weight
Light
Heavy
Shedding
Minimal
Abundant
Coat Length
Short
Long
Grooming Frequency
Occasional
Frequent
Living Space
City apartment
Ranch
Exercise
Couch potato
Bring it on!
Climate
Warm
Cold
Personality
Antisocial
Outgoing
Behavior with Kids
Always monitor
Babysitter
Coat & Grooming: The American Curl can be either short haired or long haired — with little to no undercoat and a topcoat that’s silky and lies flat — but both versions are relatively easy to care for. “The long hair version is classified as ‘semi-long — about 1 ½ to 2 inches — but should always have a fully plumed tail, which is also specific to this breed,” said Bull.
Short Haired American Curls should be groomed weekly to keep their coats healthy, while the longhaired versions should get combed twice a week to remove or prevent mats and tangles. Grooming is a great way to bond with this breed as well, Bull added.
Shedding: The American Curl sheds only seasonally.
Temperament & Behavior: This is a people-oriented cat that requires a lot of care and attention. The American Curl loves to hang with its family, playing interactive games or just lounging in your lap. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time, but they are highly adaptable and make great family pets. The breed is often referred to as the Peter Pan of Cats “due to the playfulness that they exhibit, and it generally is prevalent with them throughout the adult years — even 12-year-olds play like kittens,” says Bull.
Personality: This breed is particularly joyful, and they are at their happiest when hanging out with their family.
Behavior with Kids: Because of their love of people and play, the American Curl makes a great addition to any home with children.
Life Span: The American Curl can live to be between 13 to 18 years old.
Inherited Health Issues: This breed has not been known to have many health issues. However, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) has been identified in this breed. As always, prior to obtaining this breed, discuss any familial health problems that run in the breed’s family and ask if there have been any other health problems identified in the litter / breeding history.
Preventive Care: Besides the typical vaccinations and routine preventive care that should be the same for all animals, this breed does not have many health concerns that require special attention. As with most other cats, kidney disease is something that is seen as cats become older. Routine blood testing after the age of 7 years is recommended, in addition to urine testing to evaluate organ function and screen for early renal disease. Dental disease can be more common in some cat breeds so it is recommended that an annual dental cleaning be done to prevent dental disease from occurring.
Nutrition: Nutrition and appropriate quantity of food is not only important in maintaining a healthy weight but also has a direct correlation with improved longevity. Feed a well balanced, high quality age-appropriate diet for your cat. Obesity can be a problem in cats so pay attention to what your cat should be feeding on the bag / can of food. Every food has a different number of calories per cup / can so pay attention to the label and feed what is appropriate for your cat’s weight.
Daily Consumption: An adult American Curl eats 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day.
Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action
Exercise: The American Curl isn’t an overly noisy breed, but when something piques their interest, they are more likely to express their curiosity through a trill or coo. This is a social cat that enjoys being around people and is likely to greet you at the door when you come home. “The American Curl loves to play, and they are good with small children and even are known to be good with dogs,” said Bull. “The American Curl is also noted to be dog-like in behavior at times.”
This breed has a moderate energy level, but they are highly social and do well with activities involving other people and other animals. The American Curl loves to climb and jump, so if they aren’t lounging right next to you or sleeping in your bed, you can often find them curled up on top of a high cabinet or perch.
Climate: Like most domestic cats, the American Curl does best in moderate temperatures.
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This breed is the product of a spontaneous, natural mutation, which causes its ears to curl backwards.
American Curl cats are bred throughout the world, including Russia and China.
Not every American Curl kitten will have ears that curl — some remain normal.
American Curl cats are born with straight ears, and if the curling will occur, it tends to happen between three and five days of age.
