Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by admin
The LaPerm is one of the most distinctive-looking cat breeds thanks to its naturally curly coat — a result of a spontaneous genetic mutation that first appeared on a cherry farm in Oregon in 1982. Despite the wild texture of their fur, LaPerms are gentle, affectionate cats that bond closely with their families and adapt well to most households.
Still a relatively rare breed, the LaPerm has gained recognition from both The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), which granted it championship status in 2008.
Origin and History
The LaPerm story starts with a barn cat named Speedy on Linda and Richard Koehl’s cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon. In 1982, Speedy gave birth to a litter that included one unusual kitten — born completely bald with tabby skin markings. By about eight weeks, the kitten had grown a soft, curly coat. The Koehls named her Curly.
Curly went on to produce litters of kittens that also developed curly coats, suggesting a dominant gene mutation. The Koehls eventually worked with feline geneticist Solveig Pflueger to establish a formal breeding program. The LaPerm Society of America was founded in 1997, and the breed has since gained followers in Canada, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
The name “LaPerm” refers to the wavy, rippled texture of the coat — a playful nod to the permanent wave hairstyle.
Physical Characteristics
LaPerms are medium-sized cats with an athletic, well-proportioned build:
- Weight: 8–12 pounds (males tend toward the larger end).
- Body: Muscular and moderate, with long legs relative to body size.
- Coat: The defining feature — curly to wavy, ranging from loose waves to tight ringlets. The tightest curls usually appear around the neck, stomach, and base of the ears. Both longhaired and shorthaired varieties exist.
- Colors and patterns: Every recognized color and pattern is accepted, including tabby, tortoiseshell, solid, and bicolor.
- Eyes: Almond-shaped, expressive, and can be any color.
- Ears: Medium to large, set moderately high.
- Tail: Long with a plumed, bottle-brush appearance in longhaired varieties.
LaPerm kittens can be born bald, with straight hair, or with wavy hair. Their coat often changes dramatically during the first two years, and some kittens go through one or more cycles of losing and regrowing their fur before settling into their adult coat. Females may take 2–3 years to reach full physical maturity.
Personality and Temperament
LaPerms are people-oriented cats that thrive on human companionship. They’re affectionate without being overly demanding — happy to sit on your lap but also content to follow you around the house and observe what you’re doing.
Key personality traits:
- Affectionate: LaPerms seek out physical contact. They’re known for reaching up to touch their owner’s face with a paw or nuzzling against cheeks.
- Gentle: Their calm, patient demeanor makes them well-suited for families with children.
- Intelligent and trainable: They pick up commands like “come” and “sit” readily and many enjoy playing fetch.
- Social: They get along well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. They do best in homes where they have companionship — either human or another pet.
- Curious but not destructive: They like to explore and observe, but they’re generally calmer than high-energy breeds like Bengals or Abyssinians.
- Moderately vocal: They’ll communicate with soft purrs and chirps but aren’t typically as loud as Oriental breeds.
Grooming
Despite the elaborate-looking coat, LaPerms are surprisingly low-maintenance to groom:
- Brushing: Use a wide-toothed revolving comb 1–2 times per week. This keeps the coat fluffy without pulling out the curls. Avoid fine-toothed combs or slicker brushes, which can straighten the waves.
- Curl maintenance: Lightly dampening the coat with wet fingers helps tighten and define the curls.
- Shedding: LaPerms shed less than most breeds. They may go through occasional heavier sheds (sometimes losing significant coat), followed by thicker regrowth.
- Matting: The curly texture is naturally mat-resistant, which is a major advantage over other longhaired breeds.
- Nails: Trim every 2–3 weeks.
- Ears: Check weekly; clean gently if you notice wax buildup.
- Dental care: Regular brushing or dental treats to prevent periodontal disease.
Are LaPerms hypoallergenic? No. While they shed less, they still produce the Fel d 1 protein that triggers cat allergies. No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic.
Health
LaPerms are a generally healthy breed with no known breed-specific genetic diseases. Their genetic diversity — rooted in the original barn cat population — contributes to their robust health.
Standard preventive care applies:
- Annual veterinary checkups and vaccinations
- Spaying or neutering (recommended by 5–6 months)
- Regular dental care — periodontal disease is common across all cat breeds
- Weight monitoring — LaPerms can be prone to weight gain if overfed or under-exercised
- Indoor living is recommended to protect against traffic, disease, and predators
Average lifespan is 12–15 years with proper care.
Diet and Nutrition
LaPerms have no special dietary requirements. Feed a high-quality commercial cat food appropriate for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, or senior). A combination of wet and dry food works well for most cats — wet food provides hydration, while dry food can support dental health.
Watch portion sizes carefully. LaPerms are active but can still gain weight if overfed or free-fed. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily without seeing excess belly fat. Your veterinarian can recommend specific portions based on your cat’s weight and activity level.
Exercise and Enrichment
LaPerms are active and curious, though not as hyperactive as some breeds. They need:
- Daily play sessions: Wand toys, feather toys, and fetch games (many LaPerms genuinely enjoy retrieving).
- Climbing opportunities: A tall cat tree or wall-mounted shelves satisfy their desire to perch and observe from above.
- Mental stimulation: Puzzle feeders, treat-hiding games, and rotating toy selection keep them engaged.
- Window watching: LaPerms enjoy bird-watching. A window perch near a bird feeder provides hours of entertainment.
Training
LaPerms are one of the more trainable cat breeds. Their intelligence and desire to please make positive reinforcement training effective:
- Teach basic commands (sit, come, stay) using treats as rewards
- Redirect scratching to appropriate surfaces early — scratching posts and pads
- Leash training is possible with patience; start with indoor harness sessions before going outside
- Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) and always end on a positive note
Cost and Availability
LaPerms remain a rare breed. Expect to pay $500–$1,200 from a reputable breeder, depending on lineage, coat quality, and location. Kittens from champion lines may cost more.
Adoption is sometimes possible through breed-specific rescues, though availability is limited. The LaPerm Society of America and TICA breeder directories are good starting points for finding registered breeders.
Budget for ongoing costs beyond the purchase price: quality food, litter, annual vet visits, vaccinations, and pet insurance if desired.
Is a LaPerm Right for You?
A LaPerm is a good match if you want:
- An affectionate, people-oriented cat that bonds closely with its family
- A unique appearance without the high grooming demands of other longhaired breeds
- A gentle temperament that works well with children and other pets
- A moderately active cat — playful but not exhaustingly high-energy
Consider a different breed if you’re away from home for long stretches without another pet, or if you’re specifically looking for a low-allergy cat (the LaPerm’s lower shedding doesn’t mean lower allergen production).
With their distinctive curls, warm personalities, and easygoing nature, LaPerms are one of the best-kept secrets in the cat world — a breed that consistently wins over everyone who meets one.