15 Cats With Curly Tails (With Pictures)
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
Cats use their tails for balance and communication, so they are often flexible and can take on many shapes. However, a few breeds tend to keep them in a curly shape more often than not, and some breeds have naturally short tails that make them look like the small curly tails that you see on a pig. If you want a curly tail cat, keep reading for several breeds that fit the bill.
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The 15 Cat Breeds With Curly Tails
1. Siberian Cat
| Average Height: | 9–11 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–17 pounds |
Siberian cats have thick, water-resistant coats. They are also quite large and have a strong build. They have semi-long fur that comes in various colors and patterns. Despite their size, though, Siberians are gentle giants with a friendly and sociable nature, forming strong bonds with their human families. Some Siberian cats exhibit a slightly plumed tail with a subtle curl, adding to their unique appearance.
2. Maine Coon
| Average Height: | 10–16 inches |
| Average Weight: | 10–25 pounds |
Maine Coon cats are among the largest domestic cat breeds, known for their impressive size and distinctive appearance. They have luxurious semi-long coats available in various colors and patterns. Despite their size, Maine Coons are gentle giants with friendly personalities. They are intelligent and playful, often forming strong bonds with their human families. Their tufted ears, bushy and often curly tails, and wide paws contribute to their unique charm.
3. Himalayan
| Average Height: | 6–9 inches |
| Average Weight: | 7–12 pounds |
Himalayan cats are the result of crossbreeding Persian and Siamese cats. This cat has the luxurious long coat of a Persian and the color-point pattern of a Siamese. They are a visually stunning breed, with blue almond-shaped eyes and distinctive color points on their ears, face, paws, and slightly curled tail. They also have a gentle and affectionate nature, enjoying quiet moments of companionship with their human family members.
4. Persian
| Average Height: | 9–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 7–12 pounds |
Persian cats have long coats, flat faces, round eyes, and long, tapering, gently curling tails. Their gentle and placid personalities make them wonderful indoor companions, and owners often describe them as calm and quiet cats that enjoy lounging around. Due to their long fur, regular grooming is necessary to keep their coats in good condition.
5. Domestic Longhair Cats
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
Domestic Longhair cats encompass a wide variety of mixed-breed cats with long coats. Since they don’t belong to a specific breed, their physical characteristics can differ significantly, which means many have curly tails. They come in various colors, patterns, and sizes, making each one unique.
6. American Bobtail
| Average Height: | 9–13 inches |
| Average Weight: | 7–16 pounds |
The American Bobtail is a striking breed known for their distinctive short bobbed tail and wild appearance. They have a gentle and affectionate personality and are adaptable to various living environments. Their history dates back to Native American populations, adding an element of intrigue to their background.
7. Japanese Bobtail
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 5–10 pounds |
The Japanese Bobtail is a breed from Japan with a short pom-pom-like tail. People often associate these cats with Japanese folklore, and they are a symbol of good luck. The Japanese Bobtail has a silky coat that can come in various colors and patterns, and they have expressive and large almond-shaped eyes.
8. Kurilian Bobtail
| Average Height: | 9–11 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–15 pounds |
Kurilian Bobtail cats have distinctive short and often curly tails. They come in short-haired and semi-longhaired varieties and have a sturdy build and friendly and adaptable personalities. They are skilled hunters and enjoy interactive play, making them affectionate and engaging pets. Their unique appearance and charming nature make them popular with cat lovers.
9. Manx
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
The Manx is a distinctive breed known for their unique tailless-ness, often accompanied by a rounded rump. This breed originated on the Isle of Man, and their tail mutations have given rise to various tail lengths, from tailless to curly and full-length tails. The Manx cat has a sturdy and muscular build, with a round face and expressive round eyes. They come in various coat colors and patterns and are playful and affectionate.
10. Pixie-bob
| Average Height: | 9–13 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–17 pounds |
The Pixie-bob has a wild appearance, resembling the North American bobcat. This breed is known for their distinctive bobbed tail, which can vary in length but is usually shorter than that of most domestic cats and can have a curl. Pixie-bobs have a muscular build and often, extra toes on their paws. Their coats come in various patterns, including spotted and marbled, and they are friendly and affectionate cats, forming strong bonds with their human families.
11. Highland Fold
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
The Highland Fold has distinctive folded ears. This breed is closely related to the Scottish Fold but differs in their ear positioning, with the Highland Fold having upright, owl-like ears. Some Highland Folds can also have a curly tail, adding to their unique look. They have a medium to long coat in various colors and patterns and have a sweet and affectionate nature.
12. Cornish Rex
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
The Cornish Rex has a unique coat of soft, wavy, curly hair resembling lamb’s wool. This breed originated in Cornwall, England, and their coat is due to a natural mutation. Cornish Rex cats have slender bodies, large ears, prominent cheekbones, and thin tails that can have a curl. Despite their slender appearance, they are surprisingly muscular and active, which helps them explore their surroundings with enthusiasm.
13. Turkish Van Cat
| Average Height: | 9–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 7–20 pounds |
The Turkish Van is an interesting cat with a love for water. This breed originates from the region of Turkey, and you can identify them by their semi-long fur and unique color pattern known as the Van pattern, which features color on the head and tail with a white body in between. This cat has a robust build, powerful hind legs, and a curly tail, and they are excellent at jumping and swimming.
14. Russian Blue Cat
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 7–12 pounds |
The Russian Blue has a shimmering silver-blue coat and bright green eyes. This breed originated in Russia and has a gentle and reserved nature. Their short, dense coat is soft to the touch, and they have a muscular build with a slightly rounded appearance and a plush tail that can have a curl. They are intelligent and enjoy interactive play but might be cautious around strangers.
15. Scottish Fold
| Average Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Average Weight: | 6–13 pounds |
The Scottish Fold is a breed with folded ears that originated in Scotland. The ears can range from a single fold to a double fold, and some individuals may have straight ears due to their genetics. These cats have rounded bodies, large eyes, and sweet facial expressions. Their tails often have a curl, and their coats can be short or long in various colors and patterns. They are usually easygoing with affectionate personalities.
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Conclusion
It’s not hard to find cats with curly tails, and even cats without curly tails will curl them frequently to achieve better balance or to communicate. Some cats with long tails, like the Siberian and Maine Coon, frequently like to keep their tails curled, giving them the appearance of having a naturally curly tail, while those with short tails, like the Pixie-bob and American Bobtail, can resemble a small furry pig!
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
