What’s cuter than a tiny kitten? Well, not much. Although any owner would claim that their feline is the cutest of them all, there has been one cat that has stood out for their tiny size. Tinker Toy, a Himalayan-Persian with blue point coloring, has the Guinness World Record for being the smallest cat that has ever lived.
Although no cat has beaten Tinker Toy’s record, there have been several cats that have come close, such as Fizz Girl and Lilieput. However, since the death of Lilieput in 2016, there is no current record holder for the “smallest living cat in the world,” according to Guinness World Records.
Who Was Tinker Toy?
All cats start small, but as they develop, they become larger and larger until they reach an average size of around 9.8 inches, depending on the breed of cat. However, this wasn’t the case for Tinker Toy, who, at the adult age of 2.5 years, grew to a size of 2.75 inches in height and 7.5 inches in length.
Tinker Toy was a Himalayan-Persian, which is a medium-sized cat breed that has an average height of 10 to 12 inches, making this Guinness World Records holder 9,25 inches smaller than the breed standard! Tinker Toy wasn’t discovered in some faraway country, nor was he deprived of food, but rather he was well cared for by loving owners Katrina and Scott Forbes, who lived in Illinois in the USA.
Tinker Toy was born in a litter of six kittens on Christmas day in 1990, and although he was the runt, his siblings grew to a normal size. Sadly, Tinker Toy died at the age of six in 1997, a premature death for this breed which has an average lifespan of 9 to 15 years. To this day, no cat has been recorded to be smaller than Tinker Toy.
How Big Were Fizz Girl and Lilieput?
In 2013, Lilieput was given the title for being the smallest living cat in the world by Guinness World Records, making her the last cat to break the record. However, she passed away in 2016 after struggling with pancreatitis, and no cat has been able to claim the title since.
Lilieput started her life out on the streets but was rescued at the age of two by Christel Young, who looked after her until her passing. She was a short-legged Munchkin who measured 5.25 inches at the old age of 9.
Fizz Girl was the title holder in 2012, just before Lilieput claimed it. She was also a Munchkin from the USA and measured 6 inches tall at 3 years old, making her slightly bigger than Lilieput. Fizz Girl was tiny and short, partially thanks to her short legs. However, she didn’t let much stop her and was known to climb to the highest of points.
Fizz Girl was bred by her owner Tiffani Kjeldergaard and went on to have her own kittens, one of which was named Pixel, who came close to taking the title of world’s smallest cat from her mother, but it ultimately went to Lilieput.
The Smallest Cat Breeds in The World
1. Munchkins
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It’s no surprise that Fizz Girl and Lilieput were both Munchkins because this cat breed is one of the smallest in the world. They have long bodies and short legs, similar to the Dachshund. They have a lifespan of around 12–15 years and weigh around 8 pounds. They have a thick coat that can come in various colors and patterns. Although small, these cats are active and playful little pets that can be chatty and sociable.
2. Singapura
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Singapura cats are quite rare, with their small litter sizes being a contributing factor to this. However, they’re hard to forget with their tiny bodies that usually weigh around 4–8 pounds and their big hazel, green, or yellow eyes and sepia-toned short coats. Their legs aren’t short like Munchkin cats, but it’d be unusual to find one taller than 8 inches.
These sweet-natured cats have a lifespan of around 9–15 years and are known to be highly playful and energetic, perfect for families with children.
3. American Curl
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Some of the most distinguishable features of American Curl cats are their curled back ears and small bodies that weigh between 5 to 10 pounds. These beautiful cats are cuddly and loyal and have no issue living in a multi-pet home with children. They are trainable and enjoy swimming in the water, which sets them apart from most other cat breeds. Although they don’t grow taller than 12 inches, they have a relatively long lifespan of around 15 to 18 years.
4. Cornish Rex
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Another small breed is the Cornish Rex, often weighing between 5 and 10 pounds and growing to around 8 inches tall. These big-eared, slender-bodied cats are highly intelligent, full of energy, and very vocal. They have short coats that don’t shed much and come in many colors and patterns. Although true explorers, they also love to cuddle and will curl up on your lap. Cornish Rex cats typically live to around 15 years of age.
5. Rusty-Spotted Cats
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One of the smallest wild cats in the world is found in South Asia, and they’re called Rusty-Spotted Cats. They’re a rare breed with relatively short legs and weigh around 2.2 to 3.5 pounds, and are around 8 inches tall. They live in forests, scrublands, and rocky hills, where they’re free to climb and hunt for small mammals.
Although their lifespan in the wild is unknown, captive Rusty-Spotted Cats can live up to 12 years. This cat breed has a short, soft coat with brown spots. They have small, round ears and large brownish eyes.
Conclusion
Although there is no current record holder for the smallest living cat in the world, the smallest cat that has ever lived was a Himalayan-Persian named Tinker Toy, who grew to a height of 2.75 inches. Other cats that were given the title of “smallest living cat” were Fizz Girl and Lilieput, who were both Munchkins.
Munchkins are one of the smallest cat breeds in the world, along with Singapuras, American Curls, Cornish Rex cats, and Rusty-Spotted Cats.
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