LaPerm

Temperament

The LaPerm is a cross between a farm cat and a lap cat. It is curious and active, likes to explore every corner and play hunting games, but it also happily climbs into your lap and asks to be petted. It is bright and learns fairly easily. It usually gets along well with children, dogs and other cats. It rarely meows, and when it does, it is quietly. VCA rates it as not much of a lap cat, while the CFA stresses that many LaPerms love lying in a lap; in practice it depends on the individual. It can be cautious with strangers at first but warms up quickly. It handles a few hours alone well if it has toys and places to look out from.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the LaPerm for?

The LaPerm suits families with children, first-time owners of a pedigreed cat and homes with a dog or another cat. It does well in an apartment. If you are allergic to cats, don’t buy one sight unseen based on “hypoallergenic” claims; spend time with the specific cat first. People looking for a very calm couch potato may find it too active.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The curly coat doesn’t mat easily and takes less work than you might think. Combing twice a week with a rotating-tooth comb is enough. To bring out the curls, you can dampen the coat with your fingers, but don’t use a hair dryer, as it straightens the hair. The longhaired variety needs a bit more attention. Trim the claws once a month. LaPerms shed and their coat thins out from time to time, and areas with sparser fur can get sunburned, so give the cat shade in summer. The breed has no special dietary needs; good food supports coat condition. It needs daily hunting-style play, a sturdy cat tree and places to climb, and treat puzzles help channel its curiosity.

Health and breed-related conditions

The LaPerm has genetically diverse origins, going back to ordinary farm cats, and according to the CFA no specific inherited diseases have been recorded in the breed. The lack of large population studies, however, means knowledge of the breed’s health is limited. Because the coat varies, some cats have areas of sparser hair that sunburn more easily. Kittens are often born bald or with straight hair, and adult cats may periodically lose some of their coat during a coat change. The LaPerm is sometimes marketed as a cat for allergy sufferers, but there is no scientific evidence for this, and VCA rates its shedding as high. VCA gives a lifespan of 12–15 years.

• no known breed-specific diseasesThe CFA records no specific health problems; the breed has genetically diverse origins.
• sunburnAreas with sparse hair, especially during a coat change, can get sunburned.
• periodic coat thinningKittens are often born bald or with straight hair, and the coat can thin out during a coat change.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

In 1982, on a farm near The Dalles, Oregon, a cat named Speedy gave birth to a completely bald kitten. Over time it began to grow soft, curly hair, so its owner, Linda Koehl, named it Curly. Koehl knew nothing about cat breeding, and for several years the curly-coated cats bred freely on the farm. As their numbers grew, she began controlling the matings and named the new breed LaPerm. The curly coat is caused by a dominant gene. TICA granted the breed championship status in 2003. The CFA accepted LaPerms for registration in 2000 and granted championship status in 2008.

Fun facts

• All LaPerms descend from Curly, a cat born in 1982 on a farm in Oregon.
• LaPerm kittens are often born bald, and their curly coat grows in only after a few weeks or months.
• The breed’s name refers to the “perm,” a curly hairstyle.
• The karpati pattern, which resembles a reverse colorpoint, is shown only in LaPerms.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – LaPerm breed profilecfa.org
2. 2VCA Animal Hospitals – LaPermvcahospitals.com
3. 3Wikipedia – LaPermen.wikipedia.org
4. 4FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
5. 5WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.