Rare Cat Breeds - Top 10 Rare Cat Breeds You Can Own

If you're considering adding a new cat to your life, you may be intrigued to get to know the more unusual breeds. With so many breeds to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you're looking for something rare. 

That’s where we come in. We’ve researched and compiled a list of the top 10 rarest cat breeds you can own, from unique physical traits to intriguing backgrounds. 

Whether you’re after a striking appearance or an uncommon history, these breeds stand out in a crowd. Keep reading to discover which rare cats might be the perfect fit for your home.

The Egyptian Mau is a rare ancient breed as well as a 'royalty approved' official breed worshipped by pharaohs and kings 3000 years ago in Ancient Egypt.

These cats are known for their green eyes, unique spotted coat patterns, and regal temperament.

As well as quite a muscular body, their hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs, which gives them a mighty jump and has been measured leaping up to six feet in the air.

They are also one of the fastest house cat breeds and have been clocked running up to 30 miles per hour.

Exceptionally intelligent and agile, the Egyptian Mau is an independent thinker that is gentle, sensitive, and loving with their family.

They will often choose to bond closely with a specific person within the family, but they can be shy and standoffish with strangers at first but will warm up to them eventually.

Their regal appearance will surely make the whole family fall in love with them.

Tonkinese cats are a unique breed mix of the Siamese and Burmese cat breeds. They are typically mellow and love to relax and spend time with their family. They are also very intelligent and naturally curious, sometimes getting them into trouble.

Tonkinese cats come in a wide variety of colours, including blue, sable brown, ivory, and shades of grey. They have a short-length coat that is silky and smooth to the touch.

These cats are unusually heavy and have a slender body, and typically tip the scales between 2.5 - 5.5kg.

They are incredibly social creatures and love being around people and other animals, and will often ride around on their shoulders. This is why they are still one of the more popular breeds, despite being quite rare.

Tonkinese cats are very clever and enjoy learning new tricks, and many even enjoy playing fetch. They have bags of energy, and they'll keep you on your toes, but they are a lot of fun.

The Devon Rex is a particularly rare breed of domestic cat that is known for its distinctive "pixie" appearance. These cats have quite petite bodies with large ears, big eyes, and short legs and weigh between 2.2 - 4.5kg.

Their origins can be traced back to Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, in the 1950s, when they were first bred by a woman named Beryl Cox.

Devon Rex cats are very affectionate and loving, and they love to be around people so they will join in on family activities. They are also known for being very active and have a playful personality, and they enjoy climbing and jumping.

Their coat is short, dense, and curly, and they come in practically any colour. They're the closest thing you'll get to a hypoallergenic cat as they don't shed much, so if you're allergic to cats but still want one, the Devon rex might be just right for you.

This rare breed is the result of breeding a Don Sphynx (a hairless breed) with an oriental shorthair.

Peterbald cats, also known as "Wegies", and have a very elegant appearance with slim and muscular bodies, long legs, and long necks. They typically weigh between 2.5 - 4.5kg.

Their coat can be either bald (meaning they have no hair at all) or velour (which is like a soft downy fuzz). They can get cold quickly, so it's quite natural for them to adapt to being indoor cats.

Peterbalds are very affectionate and loving cats that are dog-like in their behaviour. They like to be showered with lots of attention and hate to be left alone.

These hairless cats are very active and playful and love puzzle toys to keep them mentally stimulated.

Their coat requires very little maintenance, but you will need to pay special attention to their skin. It needs to be bathed carefully and moisturised to stay healthy.

The Norwegian forest cat is a large, sturdy, athletic breed native to Norway. They are known for their gorgeously long thick fur coats, which help them survive in cold climates.

These cats typically weigh between 5.8 - 10kg and are slow to reach full maturity, taking around 5 years to fully develop.

As with many of the longhair varieties, their coat comes in a wide range of colours and patterns and is thick and waterproof, so they have no problem getting wet.

Watch out if you have a pond or fish tank!

Norwegian forest cats have affectionate personalities and are devoted to their family, although they can be aloof with visitors.

They are a smart, independent breed that likes to explore. Norwegian forest cats are also known for being excellent climbers, and they love to perch high up so they can survey their kingdom.

A rare breed that gets its name from combining the words "miniature" and "skin", the Minskin is a small cat with short legs and a very short coat. These cats typically weigh between 1.8 - 3kg.

The Minskin results from breeding a Sphynx (a hairless cat) with a munchkin and then further breeding with Devon Rex and Burmese cats.

Being one of the shorthair varieties, they tend to be indoor cats , as they are more susceptible to cold and sunburn.

Like other hairless breeds, their coat obviously doesn't require much upkeep, but their skin may need a little moisturising.

The Minskin is very intelligent and can learn tricks easily. They are known for being very sociable, friendly creatures that love attention. These sweet, affectionate cats make great companions, and they're great with kids and other animals. They will truly be your loyal companion.

It's a relatively new breed and was initially bred by Paul McSorley in 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts.

However, the Minskin is so new that it's unfortunately not yet recognised by the Cat Fanciers Association.

The Manx is a medium-sized, short-haired cat breed that originates from the Isle of Man.

One of this breed's most distinctive features is its tail or lack thereof. While most Manx have a short tail, others may be completely tailless. Long-tailed Manx or "Longies" are also not unheard of and are actually considered to be the original type of Manx.

They come in a wide range of colours and patterns and shed like crazy in the spring.

Manx cats are known for being very friendly and enjoy the company of both people and other animals. They are also relatively easy to train and are known for their intelligence.

The Turkish Angora is a medium-sized, short-haired cat breed that originates from Ankara, Turkey.

One of the most distinctive features of this breed is their beautiful eyes. They also have coats that come in a wide range of colours and patterns but no undercoat, making them relatively easy to groom.

Turkish Angoras are known for being very affectionate and loving cats. They like to sit high up and are often quite talkative.

If your Turkish Angora has blue or odd coloured eyes, there's a good chance they could be deaf, and why they may have a louder voice than expected.

This breed is still relatively rare and can be hard to find. They are not suited to everyone as they require a lot of care and attention. However, if you are looking for a beautiful and loving companion, the Turkish Angora could be the perfect breed!

The Chartreux is a medium to large-sized, short-haired cat breed that originates from France.

One of the most distinctive features of this breed is their blue-grey fur, which is almost wool-like.

Due to their gentle and loving nature, Chartreux cats make excellent companion animals. They're not the most sociable of cats with visitors or strangers but are extremely warm and affectionate with their families.

These European cats are also unusually quiet, and some are mute. So you can now ditch the earplugs because you're unlikely to be treated to a high-pitched screechy concert at 4 am.

Interestingly, the Chartreux is one of the oldest natural breeds of cats, and they are even mentioned in 16th-century French literature.

The breed nearly went extinct during World War II, but fortunately, some enthusiasts managed to save them.

Nowadays, Chartreux cats are still rare, but they are ever so slowly gaining popularity as family pets.

These cats are especially rare and are one of the rarest breeds in the UK.

They are native to Kenya and were only brought to Europe in the 1990s.

The Sokoke cat is a medium to large-sized domestic cat with a slim and elegant body and a larger-than-life personality.

They are very energetic and active and love to play fetch and pounce games. Sokoke cats are also very vocal and will yowl to tell you what's on their minds.

They have a short, coarse coat that comes in a variety of colours, including tabby, black, brown, and spotted. Sokokes are also known for their large ears and almond-shaped eyes.

This breed is very loving and affectionate, and they love to be around people. They are also very social cats and get along well with other pets in the home.

Sokokes seem to run off Duracell batteries, so they need lots of stimulation to prevent them from getting bored.

Playtime is a must, with toys and games to keep them amused, and some Sokoke cats even enjoy going for walks on a lead.

If you're thinking of getting a Sokoke cat, be prepared for hours of fun and laughter, as these lovely cats will undoubtedly keep you entertained.

There are a number of amazingly rare cat breeds out there, and they all have something special and unique that makes them stand out from the more readily available domestic cat breeds.

So, if you're thinking of getting a new feline friend, why not opt for one of these rare beauties? You may just fall in love with their individual quirks and personality traits. If you want to se the most common cat breeds in the UK, you can read our guide here.