LaPerm Cat: Breed Profile, Personality & Care

Few cats reinvent themselves quite like the LaPerm. Famous for a tousled, curly coat that can shed out completely and grow back denser than before, this American breed pairs genuine rarity with a friendly, family-oriented temperament — affectionate without being clingy, playful without being chaotic, and remarkably easy to live with.

Quick Facts

Appearance

The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat with a balanced, semi-foreign build. Males typically weigh about 7.7–12 pounds and females 5.5–10 pounds. Despite the soft, somewhat exotic look of its coat, the breed is muscular, athletic, and surprisingly sturdy when you pick one up.

The body sits on strong legs, with the hind legs slightly longer than the forelegs. The head is a medium, modified wedge with rounded contours, full whisker pads, and a firm chin. The eyes are large and almond-shaped, set at a slight slant, and may appear in any color regardless of coat shade. Ears are medium to large with rounded tips, and lynx-like tufts are considered desirable on longhaired cats. The tail is long and tapers toward the tip, finishing in a plume on semi-long examples.

The signature trait, of course, is the coat. Two lengths are accepted — short and semi-long — and both should curl. The texture is light, springy, and silky rather than wiry, with curls ranging from tight ringlets to gentle waves, especially on the belly, throat, and tail. The LaPerm is one of the rex breeds, a group whose coats carry a natural curl, and all colors and patterns are permitted, from solids and tabbies to tortoiseshells and pointed varieties.

Most LaPerm kittens go through at least one bald phase in their first months of life, sometimes more than once. The coat regrows, and the second or third generation of fur is usually denser and more tightly curled than what came before. By around a year of age, the coat settles into its adult form.

Personality

LaPerms are people-oriented, curious, and lively without being demanding. They are climbers and explorers — equally happy to investigate a paper bag, ride on a shoulder, or survey the room from the top of a bookshelf. Most stay playful well into adulthood, yet they also know how to settle.

Toward their family they are affectionate and gentle. They tend to follow their humans from room to room, “help” with whatever you are doing, and curl up close at the end of the day. They generally do well with children old enough to handle a cat respectfully, and they get along with other cats and friendly dogs. Unlike some hyper-attached breeds, LaPerms don’t usually impose themselves, but they do appreciate attention and will ask for it in a soft, pleasant voice — chatty enough to be charming, quiet enough not to wake the household.

Health

The LaPerm arose from a natural, dominant-gene mutation rather than a tightly engineered breeding program, and the breed has no widely recognized hereditary disorders. With responsible breeding and routine care, most cats live 12 to 15 years, and many exceed that.

As with any cat, the foundation of long-term health is consistent preventive care: core vaccinations, parasite control, dental attention, and an annual veterinary exam. The Cornell Feline Health Center recommends regular wellness visits so problems can be caught early, before they become serious. Because the breed remains relatively uncommon, individual lines vary, so prospective owners should ask breeders about the health history of the parents and any screening practices used in the cattery.

Care

For a curly-coated breed, LaPerms are refreshingly low-maintenance. The coat does not mat easily, and most cats only need brushing or combing once or twice a week to lift loose hair while preserving the curl. Aggressive grooming actually flattens the texture, so a soft-bristle brush, a wide-tooth comb, or even fingertip “scrunching” works better than a heavy slicker. Bathing is rarely necessary; when you do bathe a LaPerm, let the coat air-dry so the curls reform naturally.

Trim the claws every couple of weeks, check the ears regularly, and brush the teeth as part of routine care. The breed tolerates apartment life well, but it truly thrives with vertical space, interactive toys, and plenty of time alongside its people. Feed a complete, high-quality diet formulated for your cat’s life stage, and keep an eye on portions — LaPerms are food-motivated and will happily overeat if given the chance. For guidance on choosing the right food and avoiding excess weight, the ASPCA’s cat nutrition tips are a sensible starting point.

History

The LaPerm story begins in 1982 on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon. A barn cat named Speedy gave birth to a litter that included one bald, mottled kitten with skin like a Sphynx. Owner Linda Koehl named her Curly, and over the next two months Curly grew a soft, curly coat unlike anything else on the farm. Linda let the trait spread naturally through her working barn cats, and within a few generations curly kittens were appearing consistently.

Genetic study later confirmed that the LaPerm coat is caused by an autosomal dominant gene. Selective breeding from those original cats produced the breed recognized today. The The International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the LaPerm for championship status in 2002, with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) following in 2008 and other major registries adding recognition in the years after. It remains one of the rarer rex breeds, prized for its unusual coat and its balanced, easygoing personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are LaPerm cats hypoallergenic?

No cat is truly hypoallergenic. LaPerms are sometimes described as a lower-allergen breed because their curly coat tends to shed less loose hair, which can mean less allergen spread around the home. However, the main cat allergen, Fel d 1, is produced in saliva and skin, not the fur itself, so sensitive people should spend time around an adult LaPerm before committing.

Do LaPerm cats shed a lot?

Generally no. The curly coat holds onto loose hair rather than dropping it everywhere, and weekly brushing is usually enough to manage shedding. The notable exception is kittenhood, when many LaPerms shed out their coat completely during one or more “bald” phases before the adult curls grow in.

Why is my LaPerm kitten going bald?

This is normal for the breed. Most LaPerm kittens lose some or all of their coat during their first months and then regrow it, often denser and curlier than before. As long as the skin looks healthy and the kitten is otherwise thriving, a bald phase is part of the breed’s natural coat development. If the skin appears irritated, inflamed, or scabbed, check with your veterinarian to rule out other causes.

Are LaPerm cats rare?

Yes. The LaPerm is one of the less common pedigreed breeds, especially outside its native United States. Finding a reputable breeder may take time and travel, and waiting lists are common.

How much grooming does a LaPerm need?

Less than you might expect for a curly cat. Brushing or combing once or twice a week removes loose hair and keeps the curl looking its best, while heavy daily grooming can actually flatten the coat’s texture.