LaPerm Cat

By Sophie Kininmonth · 7 Jan 2026 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·5 min read

The LaPerm is the curly cat, a breed built around a coat of loose, springy waves that stand away from the body and a temperament that leans affectionate and interactive. People usually go looking for one after they have met one: bright eyes, a soft curl, a cat that is alert without being frantic and gentle without being aloof. It is small to medium in size, comes in longhair and shorthair varieties, and tends to settle into a household as a steady, people-oriented companion. The coat asks for a little regular care rather than a lot, and the breed carries no single hallmark health problem. It is a genuinely easy cat to live with, provided you can find one.

History and Origin

The LaPerm started with one unusual kitten. She was born on an Oregon farm in the United States in 1982, initially hairless, then grew a curly coat as she matured, and later produced kittens with the same coat. That pattern pointed to a naturally occurring mutation rather than a deliberate cross.^{1, 3} From there breeders worked to stabilise the type and coat, and the breed gained recognition in the major registries over time. In the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), the LaPerm was accepted for registration in 2000 and reached championship status in 2008.¹

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

The coat is the whole point. It forms loose, springy curls or waves that stand away from the body rather than lying flat.^{3, 4} LaPerms are medium in build with a surprisingly solid feel for their size. Adult females commonly weigh around 2.7 to 4.1 kg and adult males around 3.2 to 5.4 kg, with plenty of individual variation.^{3, 4} They come in both longhair and shorthair, and coat length and fullness can shift with the season and as the cat matures. Many also have curly whiskers and furnishings around the ears. Colours and patterns are wide-ranging, so the curly texture is a more reliable identifier than any particular colour.^{2, 3}

Temperament and Personality

A LaPerm is typically the cat that follows the household flow. Many are curious about whatever is happening, active and playful, then happy to settle nearby, and lap time usually features strongly.^{1, 3} As with any breed, individuals vary. Early handling, a stable routine, and a home with safe climbing and hiding spots do more for a cat's confidence than the breed label on its own.

Is a LaPerm Right for You?

For most people who want an affectionate, low-drama cat, the LaPerm is a good fit. The main hurdle is availability. The breed is less common than many others, so finding one can take time, and coat curl should be well down your list of priorities behind health, handling, and a breeder who is open about their lines. One thing worth setting straight: the curly coat can reduce visible shedding, but that does not make a LaPerm hypoallergenic or guarantee fewer symptoms for people sensitive to cat allergens.³

Care and Housing

LaPerms are bright, engaged cats, and they do best with daily play, climbing options, scratching surfaces, and food puzzles that give their curiosity somewhere to land. In Australia there is also a strong welfare and wildlife reason to keep pet cats contained, either indoors or with access to a secure enclosure. Animal Welfare Victoria recommends confinement from dusk to dawn and preferably at all other times, noting reduced risk of injury, disease, and harm to wildlife when cats are kept on their owner's property.⁶ If you are moving a cat to indoor-only life, allow an adjustment period and build the environment up first: vertical spaces, hiding spots, litter placement away from food, and daily interactive play.

Health and Lifespan

The major registries generally describe the LaPerm as a healthy breed with no consistent breed-specific disease profile. Reported lifespan is commonly around 12 to 15 years, and some live longer.³ That said, no health is ever a safe promise for any cat, so good breeding, preventive care, and early attention to symptoms still matter.^{1, 3} One claim that circulates is that LaPerms are commonly affected by amyloidosis. In reality amyloidosis is a broader disease process seen across animals, with some hereditary risk noted in certain breeds such as Abyssinians. It is not widely established as a hallmark LaPerm condition in the major breed references.⁵

Grooming and Care

The LaPerm's curls often shed less noticeably than a straight-coated cat, and many coats do not mat easily, but minimal grooming required is an overstatement. Most LaPerms benefit from regular, gentle combing to remove loose hair and prevent tangles, particularly in longer coats or during seasonal changes.^{1, 3}

Comb, do not over-brush: a metal comb, often with rolling teeth, is commonly recommended to avoid pulling healthy hair while removing what is ready to come out.^{1, 3}
Check the friction zones: behind the ears, under the collar area, the armpits, and the base of the tail are where knots tend to start.
Bathe only when needed: some coats can get a bit oily and may benefit from an occasional bath. Use cat-appropriate products and follow breeder or vet guidance, as human shampoo is not suitable.¹

A Few Things Worth Knowing

The breed traces back to a single farm kitten in Oregon in 1982.^{1, 3}
Curly whiskers and ear furnishings are part of the look, not a fault.^{1, 3}
Coat texture, not colour, is the reliable way to identify the breed.^{2, 3}
Less visible shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic.³

The Bottom Line

The LaPerm is defined less by rarity than by texture: a coat of loose curls and a cat that tends to sit close to the household's centre of gravity. With light, regular grooming and a contained, enriched home, they tend to thrive as affectionate, curious, steady companions. The hardest part is finding one, so focus on health and honesty from a breeder, and let the curls be a bonus rather than the reason.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.