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Of all physical traits of our beloved cats, the ears are among the most noticeable. The ears not only hear, but also communicate a cat’s feelings with body language: flat, backward ears, for instance, communicate fear and anxiety.
Many cats have tall, pointy ears, but some breeds are known for having short ears, and some are even curled up or folded forward rather than pointy.
Before exploring cat breeds with short ears, we should mention some breeds known for the opposite: big or tall ears. These large-eared breeds include the Sphynx, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Maine Coon, and the Peterbald.
As for cat breeds with short ears, consider these beauties.
#1 Scottish Fold
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This exquisite, unique-looking breed must be the first mentioned, because this cat almost looks like it has no ears! The Scottish Fold gets its name from its folded ears, which give the cat an owl-like appearance. The ears roll forward rather than pointing upright, like on most cats. These one-of-a-kind ears result from a dominant gene that is considered a genetic mutation.
The breed’s origins go back some six decades to, you guessed it, Scotland. In 1961, William Ross, a Scottish shepherd, spotted a unique-looking feline with folded ears at a farm in Scotland’s Tayside region. The cat was a beautiful white female with copper eyes named Susie. Ross was captivated by this special cat, and he wanted one of her kittens. One of Susie’s kittens, Snooks, was first bred to a domestic male cat and then to a British Shorthair. Both litters had folded-ear kittens, and thus started the official Scottish Fold breed.
Scottish Folds are prone to arthritis and other bone conditions, so responsible breeders must mate a Scottish Fold to a straight-eared cat to minimize these conditions. Straight-eared kittens are born alongside kittens with folded ears in litters. Called Scottish Straights, these cats play an important role in Scottish Fold breeding programs.
#2 American Curl
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Like the Scottish Fold, this exotic breed is known for its unusual ears. But, this breed has the opposite configuration: its smaller ears curl backwards from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. The American Curl is the yin to the Scottish Fold’s yang.
This quirky breed dates back to 1981, when a cat with the peculiar folded-back ears came to a California doorstep. The woman who discovered the cat was so enchanted by its ears that she adopted and bred the feline, and founded this breed. The first kitten was a black female named Shulamith, and when she had kittens, the breeders discovered that the curling gene was an autosomal dominant. That means only one copy of the gene is needed in the cat parents to produce the distinctive curled ears in kittens.
This rare cat, sought after by people around the world, is known for its playful, kitten-like spunk; the American Curl is affectionately called the “Feline Flying Nun,” or the feline version of Peter Pan.
Note that if you get a cat breed that has curled ears, you need to spend extra time keeping them clean, as the curl might make it more difficult for cats to clean their ears. Check your cat’s ears regularly for wax and dirt accumulation, but be gentle: Some breeders say the curled ears are extra fragile.
#3 Highlander
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Breed Overview
ORIGIN: United States
ADULT WEIGHT: 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kg)
GROUP: Medium to large Short or long hair
HEIGHT: 10-16 inches (25-41 cm)
LIFE SPAN: 12-15 years
PRICE: $800 – $1,500
The Highlander name might sound Scottish, but this newer, rare breed originated in America in the 1990s as a cross between a desert lynx and an experimental breed known as the Jungle Curl. This mix resulted in a wild-looking cat with ears that have a wide, firm base with flexible tips that curl up to 90 degrees. The HIghlander cat also has a bobbed tail. Highlanders have thick bodies with large heads which, along with the bended ears, can make the ears seem shorter.
Although the Highlander is not yet fully recognized, it is categorized as a Preliminary New Breed with The International Cat Association.
#4 British Shorthair
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The father of some of the first few Scottish Fold kittens, the British Shorthair has a stocky, muscular body with males that can weigh as much as 17 pounds. These cats have medium-sized ears set far apart on a rounded head, and with a larger body, the ears appear smaller than those of the average cat. The British Shorthair has large, round eyes and prominent whisker pads that give it the appearance of smiling; in fact, the smiling Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland is thought to be a tabby British Shorthair.
British Shorthairs, which have very dense coats, are known for being calm, sweet, and able to bond with all family members rather than choosing one single human.
#5 Persian
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This fluffy, feline fan favorite breed has smallish ears, likely made to look smaller by all that long hair surrounding the Persian. The rounded ears partially disappear behind the Persian’s long tresses. In addition to the long, flowing coat that comes in many colors (including white, black, cream, gray, calico, tortoiseshell, lilac, and others), Persian cats are known for their round, broad faces and flatter muzzles.
They have stocky bodies covered with silky, luxurious fur, and all parts of this cat—including the ear tips—blend together to form a circle shape. Persians are known for being sweet, easygoing and affectionate. And they use their ears to listen; this breed is actually known for being one of the easiest to train and to understand the word, “No!”
#6 Birman
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With colored points and longish hair, this regal cat, known as the Sacred Cat of Burma, might be confused for a Himalayan, but the Birman is a unique breed. These cats have medium-length, flowing, silky hair subtly tinted with “golden mist” and white gloves on the front paws. Birmans have stocky but long bodies with broad, rounder heads. Their cute, medium-sized ears are rounded at the tips, giving them a smaller appearance.
#7 Burmese
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The beautiful, playful, affectionate Burmese, known for doglike characteristics such as playing fetch, comes in two types. The European Burmese is slender with a wedge-shaped head, eyes in an almond shape, and smaller ears that tilt slightly forward. The American Burmese’s ears are slightly wider at the base, and the body is stockier and has a wider head than the European Burmese.
These gorgeous felines are direct descendants of the Siamese cat, which makes them talkative, but with softer voices than the Siamese. You can also see the Burmese’s Siamese ancestry in its colors; the satiny, glossy coat comes in sable, platinum, blue, and champagne. The Burmese is so affectionate that the breed has been called the ultimate companion cat.
