LaPermCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The breed appeared in the early 1980s, from a spontaneous mutation in farm cats kept to catch mice. Linda and Richard Koehl, of The Dalles, Oregon, had a cat, Speedy, who gave birth to a curly kitten named Curly. All LaPerm cats descend from her.

For ten years, the Koehls let the curly cats breed freely on the farm. Then they contacted breeders and began a breeding programme. The breed was recognised in the 1990s, and FIFe recognised it in 2015.

The name follows a habit of the local Chinook language, which borrowed French words together with the article: “la perm”, meaning “the perm”.

How the breed developed

• 1982 – the cat Speedy gives birth to the curly kitten Curly.
• The 1980s – a colony of curly cats grows freely on the farm.
• The 1990s – first recognition by associations.
• 2015 – recognised by FIFe.

• Families who want an affectionate cat. It bonds strongly with people.
• Apartments. German Wikipedia says it is well suited to apartment life.
• People with mild allergies, with caution. It has a reputation for causing milder reactions, but this is not guaranteed.
• People who want a “shoulder cat”. Many like to perch on their owner's shoulder.

It is a medium-sized cat, muscular but elegant, with fairly long legs and neck. Wikipedia describes it as a moderate breed, without extreme features. German Wikipedia gives 2.5–4 kg for females and 3–5 kg for males.

General appearance

The head is a wedge with rounded contours, and the muzzle is slightly broader. The eyes are large, expressive and slightly almond-shaped. The ears are medium to large, broad at the base, sometimes with lynx-like tufts.

The coat is soft, light and springy, with ringlets or waves; to the touch it feels slightly rough, like mohair. All colours and patterns are accepted; tabby, red and tortoiseshell are common, because of its farm-cat origins.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The LaPerm mutation is dominant and unrelated to other rex breeds such as the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex or Selkirk Rex. The Selkirk Rex also has curls, but a stockier body.

The FIFe profile describes it as intelligent, curious and affectionate, very attached to its family. Wikipedia says it is active and outgoing, and French Wikipedia adds that it likes to sit on its owner's shoulder.

Socialisation

It seeks contact with people and is very trusting.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is moderately to very active; it likes games and high places.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

The curly coat is easy to care for and is said to shed little. It is combed occasionally, with a wide-toothed comb, so as not to spoil the curls.

Common health problems

The sources consulted do not describe diseases specific to the breed. Some associations allow controlled crosses with house cats, to maintain genetic diversity.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test required for the breed. Ask for the parents' health records.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

The LaPerm is among the breeds said to cause milder allergic reactions. However, research on whole breeds is not complete, so someone with allergies should spend time with the cat before taking it home.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• A single ancestor: Curly. All LaPerm cats descend from the curly kitten Curly, born in 1982.
• Named after a perm. The coat looks like a tousled perm.
• Curls on the neck. The tightest curls are on the neck and at the base of the ears.
• The gene is dominant. One LaPerm parent is enough for the kittens to be curly.

Is it hypoallergenic?

No cat is completely hypoallergenic. The LaPerm has a reputation for causing milder reactions, but someone with allergies should meet it first.

Does it shed?

A little, according to descriptions of the breed.

How much does it weigh?

Females 2.5–4 kg, males 3–5 kg.

Is there a longhaired variety?

Yes. FIFe recognises both the shorthaired and the longhaired varieties.