Cats do not come in one-size-fits-all by any means. Some are quite large, such as the Maine Coon, which can grow to an impressive 15–20 pounds (normal-sized cats average 8–10 pounds). On the other hand, other cats can stay incredibly small, which brings us to the question: who is the world’s smallest cat?
Currently, the smallest cat ever recorded was named Tinker Toy, a male blue-point Himalayan-Persian. You can keep reading to learn about the smallest cats of all time, along with the smallest living cat breeds in existence today.
The 7 Smallest Cats of All-Time
1. Tinker Toy
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Tinker Toy is currently the smallest cat ever recorded, standing at just 2.75 inches tall and 7.5 inches long. Tinker Toy lived in Taylorville, Illinois, and was the runt of the litter. He was a Christmas kitten, born on December 25, 1990, and died at the age of 6 in November 1997.
2. Lilieput
Lilieput was a tortie Munchkin cat who measured 5.25 inches. In 2013, at the age of 10, the Guinness Book of World Records named her the Smallest Domestic Cat. Lilieput was a rescue living in Napa, California, who passed away in 2016.
3. Fizz Girl
Fizz Girl was a Munchkin cat from Southern California that was awarded the Shortest Living Cat title in 2012 by the Guinness Book of World Records. She was short enough that people thought she was a kitten rather than an adult.
4. Pixel
Pixel the cat was just 5 inches tall from shoulder to paw. Pixel was from California and was an offspring of Fizz Girl, who stood 6 inches tall. The average domestic cat ranges from 9–10 inches tall!
5. Peebles
Controversy surrounds Mr. Peebles due to an Internet hoax that circled a photo-shopped picture of Mr. Peebles. While Mr. Peebles was real, the photo was not. He was, however, a small cat, only weighing 2.8 pounds, when a veterinarian in Illinois found him. Mr. Peebles had ear mites, roundworms, and a respiratory infection.
After being nursed back to health, he weighed 3.3 pounds at 2 years of age. In 2004, the Guinness Book of World Records named him the Smallest Living Domestic Cat.
6. Cye
In 2014, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded the Shortest Living Feline record to a cat named Cye. Cye was a Munchkin cat that hailed from Ontario, Canada, and measured 5.35 inches from the floor to the shoulders
7. Bitsy
Bitsy was a Munchkin from San Diego and was considered the World’s Smallest Cat ahead of Lilieput in 2009. She was 6.49 inches tall and only weighed 1.5 pounds. Bitsy was never entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, and it’s unclear why.
Smallest Living Cats/Smallest Cat Breeds
Since no living cat has beaten Tinker Toy’s record, we’ll discuss the smallest domestic cat breeds in the world.
The 5 Smallest Cat Breeds
1. Singapura Cats
Singapura cats are considered one of the tiniest domestic cat breeds in the world. They have wide eyes, big ears, and high energy. The average weight of these pint-sized cats ranges from 4 to 8 pounds, and they are 6 to 8 inches tall. They are playful, affectionate little beings that are a pleasure to own, and even though they are small, their personalities are huge.
2. Munchkin Cats
Munchkin cats hold several records for the smallest cats in the Guinness Book of World Records. Their short legs have allowed them to dominate the record books. Munchkin cats have been around since 1991, and even though they have short legs and cannot jump high, they have loving personalities and are clever, playful, and affectionate.
3. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex does not have short legs, which makes people unaware of how small they are. Despite having long legs, they weigh between 6 and 10 pounds and reach heights of 11 to 15 inches. They have kitten-like personalities throughout their lives and make excellent companions.
4. Devon Rex
Also known as “pixie cats,” Devon Rexes weigh 6 to 9 pounds and stand 10 to 12 inches tall. Their triangular heads, bright eyes, and large ears give them a kitten-like appearance throughout their lives.
5. American Curl
American Curls are petite and have unusually shaped ears. Upon maturity, males can weigh up to 12 pounds, while females average 8 pounds. They are affectionate and playful but are not considered lap cats.
Conclusion
Genetics, environmental factors, and mutations are usually the reasons why some cats stay small throughout their lives, but others are simply short-legged and petite. Don’t let their small sizes fool you; small felines often have affectionate and playful personalities, and they make excellent companions.
While Tinker Toy has held the record for the smallest cat since 1997, we anxiously await the next tiny cat that will someday break the record.
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Featured Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock
