Last updated: April 27, 2026

LaPerm Cat: Curly-Haired Breed Complete Guide

The LaPerm is a naturally occurring curly-coated cat breed that combines a strikingly unusual appearance with an affectionate, outgoing personality. Named for their permanent-wave-like curls, LaPerms sport coats that range from tight ringlets to loose, bouncy waves, creating a look that is both elegant and charmingly disheveled. Despite their glamorous appearance, these cats are surprisingly low-maintenance and remarkably adaptable to a wide range of living situations.

What makes the LaPerm particularly appealing to many cat enthusiasts is the combination of their unique aesthetics with a genuinely wonderful temperament. These are not aloof, decorative cats. They are engaged, interactive companions who want to be involved in every aspect of their owner’s life. Whether you are drawn to their curly coat or their winning personality, this guide provides a thorough look at everything you need to know about the LaPerm breed.

History and Origins of the LaPerm

The LaPerm breed traces its origins to a single remarkable kitten born in 1982 on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon. Linda Koehl, who owned the farm, noticed that one kitten in a litter born to her barn cat was completely bald at birth, with large wide-spaced ears and a tabby pattern visible on its skin. Unlike its littermates, this kitten had no whiskers and no fur whatsoever.

Over the following weeks, the kitten began growing a soft, curly coat unlike anything Koehl had seen before. She named the cat Curly and largely left her to live as a working barn cat. Curly proved to be a prolific mother, and over the next decade she and her descendants produced numerous curly-coated kittens, demonstrating that the trait was genetic and heritable.

By the early 1990s, Koehl had accumulated a colony of curly-coated cats on her property. She began showing them at cat shows and attracted the attention of geneticists and breed experts who confirmed that the curl was caused by a dominant gene mutation not related to any previously known rex gene. This meant the LaPerm represented a genuinely new mutation in the cat world.

Koehl established a formal breeding program, and the breed was accepted by The International Cat Association in 2002 and the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2008. Breeders worldwide have since contributed to the breed’s development, using carefully selected outcrosses to domestic cats to maintain genetic diversity while preserving the distinctive curly coat.

The LaPerm’s farm cat heritage is reflected in its robust health, adaptable nature, and excellent hunting instincts. Unlike breeds created through intensive selective breeding of other purebreds, the LaPerm’s foundation stock consisted of hardy working cats, which has contributed to the breed’s overall vitality and sound constitution.

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat with a semi-foreign body type that conveys an impression of athletic grace. Males typically weigh eight to ten pounds, while females range from five to eight pounds. The body is muscular and well-proportioned, with medium-fine boning and long legs that give the cat a somewhat elegant stance.

The head is a modified wedge with rounded contours, a broad muzzle, and a gentle nose break. The ears are medium to large, cupped and flared, and may display curly tufts at the tips and inside. The eyes are medium to large, almond-shaped, and expressive, coming in any color regardless of coat color. The whiskers are often long and curly, sometimes sweeping dramatically away from the face.

The coat is the LaPerm’s signature feature and comes in both longhair and shorthair varieties. The longhaired version is most popular and features a coat that varies from loose, bouncy curls to tight ringlets, with the curliest areas typically around the neck ruff, base of the ears, and tail. The tail itself is often magnificently plumed with curling fur. The shorthaired LaPerm has a more textured, wavy coat that lies closer to the body.

Coat texture varies significantly between individuals and can change throughout a cat’s life. Kittens may be born bald, with straight hair, or with curly hair. Those born bald or straight-coated typically develop their curls over the first few months to two years. Some LaPerms go through a phase of hair loss and regrowth during adolescence, after which the adult coat comes in curlier and fuller than before.

The breed accepts all colors and patterns, including solid colors, tabbies, tortoiseshells, colorpoints, bicolors, and everything in between. This wide range of accepted colors means LaPerm cats display an impressive variety of appearances, unified by their distinctive curly coat texture.

Temperament and Personality

LaPerms are known for their affectionate, people-oriented personalities. They are gentle, trusting cats who actively seek out human companionship and physical contact. Most LaPerms are lap cats who will happily settle onto any available lap and purr contentedly for extended periods. They also enjoy riding on shoulders, following their owners around the house, and sleeping in close proximity to their people.

Despite their affectionate nature, LaPerms are not overly demanding or clingy. They have a calm confidence that allows them to entertain themselves when you are busy but instantly appear for attention when you are available. This balanced temperament makes them adaptable to various household rhythms and schedules.

LaPerms are moderately active cats who enjoy play but do not require the intense stimulation that some higher-energy breeds demand. They retain their playful nature well into adulthood and often invent their own games with available objects. Their farm cat heritage gives them good hunting instincts, and they enjoy interactive toys that simulate prey movement.

The breed is generally quiet, with a soft voice that they use sparingly. When they do vocalize, it is usually a gentle purr, chirp, or soft meow rather than a loud demand. This makes them good apartment companions and suitable for households where excessive noise would be problematic.

LaPerms typically get along well with other cats, dogs, and children. Their gentle nature and patience make them good family cats, and their adaptability helps them adjust to multi-pet households without significant stress. As with any breed, proper introductions are important when bringing a LaPerm into a home with existing pets. Our guide on how to introduce a new cat offers practical advice for smooth transitions.

Care and Nutrition Requirements

LaPerms have straightforward nutritional needs that are consistent with most domestic cat breeds. A high-quality diet based on animal-source proteins provides the foundation for good health, coat condition, and overall vitality. Look for foods that list a named animal protein as the first ingredient and avoid products with excessive fillers, artificial preservatives, or by-product meals.

The curly coat benefits from a diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin health and coat quality. Fish oil supplements or foods containing fish-based ingredients can help maintain the coat’s texture and luster. However, any dietary supplements should be discussed with your veterinarian before adding them to your cat’s routine.

Feed measured meals twice daily to prevent overeating and maintain a healthy body condition. LaPerms are not particularly prone to obesity, but like all cats, they can gain excess weight if allowed unlimited access to food. Fresh water should always be available, and incorporating wet food into the diet helps support adequate hydration.

Environmental enrichment keeps LaPerms mentally stimulated and physically active. Provide cat trees for climbing, interactive toys for play sessions, and window perches for bird watching. Puzzle feeders challenge their intelligence and slow down eating. LaPerms enjoy both solo play and interactive games with their owners, so a variety of enrichment options works best.

As indoor cats, LaPerms benefit from a secure, stimulating environment that satisfies their curiosity without exposing them to outdoor dangers. Their trusting nature and distinctive appearance make outdoor roaming inadvisable. If you want your LaPerm to experience the outdoors, a secure catio provides a safe compromise.

Grooming Needs

Despite their luxuriant curly coats, LaPerms are surprisingly easy to groom. Their coat texture actually resists matting better than most long-haired breeds because the individual curls separate naturally rather than tangling together. This is one of the breed’s most practical advantages over other long-coated cats.

For longhaired LaPerms, gentle combing once or twice a week with a wide-toothed comb is usually sufficient. Work through the coat carefully, following the direction of the curls rather than brushing against them. Over-brushing can cause frizz and disrupt the curl pattern, so a light touch is preferred. Some owners find that finger-combing works well for maintaining the coat between formal grooming sessions.

Shorthaired LaPerms require even less coat maintenance. A weekly brushing with a soft brush or a simple rubdown with a damp hand keeps the coat in good condition. Their shorter curls lie closer to the body and are even less prone to tangling than the longhaired variety.

LaPerms are low shedders compared to most cat breeds. The curly coat tends to hold loose hairs rather than releasing them into the environment, which means less fur on furniture and clothing. However, this also means that regular grooming is important to remove those trapped loose hairs before they cause tangles.

Bathing is occasionally needed, particularly for longhaired LaPerms, to keep the coat clean and well-defined. Use a gentle, moisturizing cat shampoo and allow the coat to air dry for the best curl definition. Towel drying should use a blotting rather than rubbing motion to avoid creating frizz. For more grooming tips applicable to curly-coated cats, our long-haired cat grooming guide provides useful techniques.

Standard grooming tasks including dental care, nail trimming, and ear cleaning should follow the same schedule as for other breeds. Brush teeth several times weekly, trim nails every two to three weeks, and check ears weekly for wax buildup.

Health Considerations

LaPerms are generally robust and healthy cats, benefiting from their diverse genetic background as a naturally occurring breed. Their average lifespan is twelve to fifteen years, and many individuals enjoy good health throughout their lives with standard preventive care.

Because the LaPerm developed from a natural mutation in a working cat population and has been maintained with ongoing domestic cat outcrosses, the breed does not carry the concentrated genetic health risks seen in some older, more established purebred breeds. There are no breed-specific genetic diseases currently recognized in the LaPerm.

Standard feline health concerns still apply, of course. Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in cats of all breeds, and LaPerms are no exception. Regular dental care at home combined with professional cleanings as recommended by your veterinarian helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss.

Obesity is a risk for any indoor cat, and maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular play is important for long-term health. Overweight cats face increased risks of diabetes, joint problems, and reduced lifespan.

Kittens that go through the bald or thin-coated phase during early development should be kept warm and protected from sunburn if exposed to direct sunlight. This temporary hair loss is a normal part of the breed’s coat development cycle and is not a sign of illness.

Maintain a regular veterinary care schedule including annual wellness exams, core vaccinations, parasite prevention, and age-appropriate screening tests. The LaPerm’s cooperative temperament typically makes veterinary visits straightforward, which encourages regular preventive care.

Is the LaPerm Right for You?

The LaPerm is an outstanding companion for anyone who wants an affectionate, unique-looking cat with manageable grooming requirements. Their gentle temperament, adaptability, and tolerance of children and other pets make them versatile family cats. They are equally well-suited to single-person households, where they will form an intense bond with their sole human companion.

The breed’s relatively low-maintenance grooming needs may surprise people who assume a curly-coated cat requires extensive upkeep. In reality, LaPerms are easier to groom than many straight-coated longhaired breeds, making them a good choice for people who love the look of a long-coated cat without wanting the intensive grooming commitment of breeds like Persians.

LaPerms are not common cats, and finding a reputable breeder may require some searching. Expect to pay between eight hundred and two thousand dollars for a pet-quality kitten, with show-quality cats commanding higher prices. Choose a breeder who socializes kittens from birth and can provide health documentation for the parents. If adoption appeals to you, our foster-to-adopt guide explains the process.

If you are looking for a distinctive, loving companion who will greet you at the door, curl up on your lap, and charm everyone who meets them, the LaPerm delivers on all counts. Their combination of unusual beauty, wonderful personality, and robust health makes them one of the most rewarding uncommon breeds to own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are LaPerm cats hypoallergenic?

LaPerm cats are sometimes marketed as hypoallergenic, but this is not entirely accurate. While they do shed less than many other breeds due to their curly coat trapping loose hairs, they still produce the Fel d 1 protein in their saliva and skin glands that causes allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Some allergy sufferers report fewer symptoms around LaPerms, but individual reactions vary significantly. If you have cat allergies, spend time with a LaPerm before committing to ensure your reaction is manageable.

Why are some LaPerm kittens born bald?

Some LaPerm kittens are born completely hairless, which is a normal and expected occurrence in the breed. These bald kittens typically begin growing their curly coat within the first few weeks to months of life. Other kittens may be born with straight or wavy hair that later falls out and regrows as a curlier coat. The final adult coat, complete with its mature curl pattern, may not fully develop until the cat is two to three years old. This process is unique to the breed and is not a cause for concern.

How is the LaPerm different from the Selkirk Rex?

While both breeds feature curly coats, they differ in several important ways. The LaPerm has a lighter, more elegant semi-foreign body type, while the Selkirk Rex has a heavier, more cobby build. The LaPerm’s curls tend to be lighter and bouncier, while the Selkirk Rex has a denser, plushier coat with heavier curls. Both breeds have dominant curl genes, but the genes are different and unrelated. Temperamentally, both breeds are affectionate, but LaPerms tend to be slightly more active and outgoing while Selkirk Rex cats are generally calmer and more laid-back.

Do LaPerm cats need a lot of grooming?

No, despite their curly coats, LaPerms are surprisingly low-maintenance in the grooming department. Their curly coat texture naturally resists matting, and once or twice weekly combing is typically sufficient even for longhaired individuals. They shed less than most breeds because their curls trap loose hairs. Occasional bathing helps maintain coat condition and curl definition. Compared to many straight-coated longhaired breeds, LaPerms actually require less grooming effort.

Are LaPerm cats good with children and other pets?

Yes, LaPerms are generally excellent with children and other pets. Their gentle, patient temperament and adaptable nature make them well-suited to family environments. They are playful enough to engage with children in interactive games but calm enough not to become overexcited or aggressive. They typically coexist peacefully with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. As with any pet introduction, gradual and supervised meetings produce the best results.