Check Out These 14 Cat Breeds with Ear Tufts (With Pictures)
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While some furballs are blessed with ear tufts others have ear furnishings.
Ear tufts also referred to as lynx tips are long hairs that grow over the tip of a cat’s ear. They are also known as lynx tips as they look very similar to the fur found on the ear tips of wild lynx cats.
An important function of a cat’s ear tufts is to keep the ears free from dirt and debris. They also help in sound detection making it easier for a cat to easily locate his prey. Lynx tips also improve a cat’s ability to camouflage, help them find a suitable mate and also give a cat a wild and threatening appearance that discourages predators.
On the other hand, ear furnishings are small hairs found on the inner side of a cat’s ears. These hairs come in handy when a feline is on a hunt as they help detect tiny sound waves and vibrations made by prey.
Many domestic longhair cat breeds have ear furnishing and ear tufts.
In this article, we look at several cat breeds with ear tufts, ear furnishings, or both.
Cats with both Ear Tufts and Ear Furnishings
The below-domesticated cats have both ear tufts and ear furnishings.
#1 Maine Coon
Credit: Zoë Gayah Jonker
- Temperament: Friendly and easygoing
- Weight: 9-18 pounds
- Height: 10-16 inches
- Lifespan: 9-15 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds in the world. This cat whose roots can be traced to America has been around since the 19th Century.
The Maine Coon has an amazing history. According to some people, this cat is a descendant of the six pet cats that Marie Antoinette shipped to Wiscasset, Maine while planning to escape from France. Other pet lovers believe that the Maine Coon cat came as a result of interbreeding between housecats and wild bobcats, no wonder they look very much like the bobcats.
Maine Coons mature slowly as it takes 3-5 years for this cat to be fully grown. Even in adulthood, this furball continues to exhibit a kitten-like personality. Despite their big size, these felines are adaptable, easy-going, and affectionate making them popular family pets.
Main Coons have large ear tufts, long soft coats, and big paws. Their long hairs are meant to keep them warm against the harsh winters of their home state- Maine.
The Maine Coon ears are covered with both ear tufts and furnishings. The thick tufts of fur that come in different color shades are longer compared to those of other cat breeds. The ear tufts are located at the center of the ear tips which adds some extra inches to this cat’s height. The ear furnishing gives these cats their wild appearance.
Apart from having ear tufts, Maine Coons are also known for their large tufted paws.
#2 Norwegian Forest Cat
Credit: 5267040
- Temperament: Friendly and gentle
- Height: 9-12 inches
- Weight: 13-22 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
The Norwegian Forest Cat is the national cat of Norway and she is commonly known as Norsk skogkatt in her native land, loosely translated to mean forest cat. The Norwegian Forest cat also called wegie bears a close resemblance to the Maine Coon cat.
This cat has a large muscular body, a long beautiful coat, a bushy tail, and large rounded ears. The Norwegian Forest’s thick, soft and dense undercoat keeps her warm while the insulated, waterproof topcoat helps this feline survive the Scandinavian harsh climate. Weekly brushing is necessary to keep the hair on the long coat from matting and tangling.
Norwegian Forest cats are excellent climbers thanks to their study claws. Viking myths have it that these mountain-dwelling cats were adept at scaling trees and sheer rock faces.
Despite their sheer size, the Norwegian Forest cats are super friendly and gentle to their owners. They are also quite independent and less demanding but tend to be shy towards strangers.
Just like the Maine Coon, this furball has ear furnishing as well as impressive tufts both on the ears and paws.
#3 American Curl
Credit: Chicsweet
- Temperament: Affectionate and outgoing
- Weight: 5-10 pounds
- Height: 9-12 inches
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
The American Curl is among the youngest and newest cat breeds. A noticeable physical trait of this cat is her unique and unusual ears that curl backwards.
American Curl kittens are born with straight ears which start curling 4-5 days after birth. Due to the curled ears, one can easily see this cat’s sticking ear tufts and furnishings.
The American Curl is an outgoing, active, and affectionate cat that enjoys human company. They’re also an intelligent breed that can easily learn new tricks. Their playful nature which has earned them the name “Peter Pan” makes them great companions for families with children.
#4 Highlander
Credit: Ina Kaupat
- Temperament: Intelligent and sociable
- Weight: 10-20 pounds
- Height: 10-16 inches
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Shedding: Medium
The Highlander is a modern cat breed with a strong muscular body, oval-shaped eyes, small tufted ears, strong legs, and a bobbed tail. Some Highlanders also have polydactyl feet.
This feline was developed after crossing the Jungle Curl and Desert Lynx cat. The Highlander inherits her curled and tufted ears from her Jungle Curl parent and the bobbed tail from the Desert Lynx parent.
The Highlander’s curled ears that are widely set apart have big horizontal ear tufts and ear furnishings. The long-haired variety of this cat has tufts of hair on the ears and feet too.
Highlander Lynx cats are gentle, affectionate, people-oriented, and social despite their wild appearance. These intelligent cats that require lots of physical and mental stimulation enjoy swimming and learning new tricks.
#5 Pixie-bob
Credit: Dave Francis
- Temperament: Loving and playful
- Weight: 8-17 pounds
- Height: 9-13 inches
- Lifespan: 13-15 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
Pixie-bobs are huge felines with muscular bodies, tufted ears, bobbed tails and often polydactyl toes. They get their name from their thick stubby tails.
The medium-sized round ears of this furball have large ear tufts at the tips and ear furnishings at the base. This cat’s face also has some extra hair just like that of the bobcat. Although Pixie-bob cats come in long and short hair versions, the long hair variety is less common.
Pixie bobs may have a wild appearance but they’re loved for their gentle and affectionate nature. They are also easygoing cats with laid-back personalities making them great pets for families with children. They are also active and playful cat breeds that love to be around people.
Additionally, these slow-maturing cats have dog-like qualities and they enjoy dog-like activities such as playing fetch and going for walks.
#6 Turkish Van
Credit: Sally Wynn
- Temperament: Playful and affectionate
- Weight: 10-20 pounds
- Height: 10-14 inches
- Lifespan: 12-17 years
- Shedding: Low to medium
The Turkish Van cat originated from Lake Van in Turkey which explains their great love for the water. They were domesticated in Turkey for thousands of years before being brought to the UK in the 1950s. These adorable felines share lots of similar features with the Turkish Angola.
Turkish Vans have large muscular bodies, long bushy tails and large eyes and ears. Their white bodies have distinct dark coloring on the tails, heads, necks and ears. This unique coloring is what is referred to as the “Van Pattern”.
Moreover, Turkish Vans have ear tufts and ear furnishings. Their paws are also tufted.
This cat’s waterproof coat has long and thick hair during winter. During summer, Turkish Vans shed their hair to remain with short light coats.
When it comes to their personality, Turkish vans are energetic, active, loyal and affectionate cats that love spending time with humans. They are also excellent swimmers and climbers.
Cats with Ear Furnishings
Let’s now look at cats whose ears have furnishings but no tufts.
#7 LaPerm
Credit: Ludemeula Fernandes
- Temperament: Playful and outgoing
- Weight: 5-8 pounds
- Height: 6-1 inches
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Shedding: Low
The LaPerm is relatively a new cat breed that was discovered in 1982 in Oregon. All LaPerm cats trace their roots back to one kitten litter that was born bald and later developed a curly coat as a result of genetic mutation.
These cats have curly-haired coats with the curls being longest and tightest at the necks, tails and ears. The LaPerm large ears have curly ear furnishings.
However, some LaPerm cats have both ear furnishings and tufts.
These cats also have longer furs at the back of their ears called ear muffs. These furballs come in short and long hair versions. A long-haired LaPerm cat will have a curly plumed tail while the shorthaired version has a ‘bottle brush’ tail.
These small-sized cute cats are very playful and friendly. They bond very well with people making them great family pets. They love spending time with humans and they’re known to follow their owners around just to get some attention. They are also intelligent cats that enjoy learning new tricks like going for walks on a leash. Their curly coat is easy to maintain since it doesn’t mat easily.
#8 Ragdoll
Credit: David Brooke Martin
- Temperament: Calm and people-oriented
- Weight: 10-20 pounds
- Height: 9-11 inches
- Lifespan: 12-17 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
The Ragdoll is a young cat breed developed in the 1960s in California by a breeder named Ann Baker. The cat was later recognized as a breed in 2000 by the International Cat Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association.
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds and she is easily recognized for her large muscular body and extremely soft and thick coat. This feline’s luxurious fine coat that makes her look like a cloud is one of her most sought-after features. The Ragdoll also has a unique big fluffy ruff around her neck and bright blue eyes. This cat has very similar characteristics to those of the Siamese except that she is fluffier.
Ragdolls have light-colored coats that darken on the faces, legs, tails and ears. Purebred Ragdolls are easily recognized by their ear furnishings, and tufts of hair found between their large round paws.
Ragdolls get their name from the way they stay calm and relaxed when picked up. They’re docile, quiet, and very friendly cats that are ideal for families with children. They are also people-oriented cats that love to snuggle and cuddle with their favorite family members.
This intelligent cat’s soft silky coat is easy to maintain as it has an undercoat that doesn’t mat or shed easily.
#9 Siberian
Credit: Inna Kupchenko
- Temperament: Laidback and affectionate
- Weight: 8-17 pounds
- Height: 9-11 inches
- Lifespan: 11-18 years
- Shedding: Medium to high
Siberians are muscular cats that originated from the subarctic region of Russia and were introduced to the US in the 1990s. This ancient forest cat is a popular pet in its homeland and in the US too. The Siberian cat has unique round eyes that come in different colors including blue.
Their ear furnishings and thick coat are meant to protect them from the harsh Siberian climate. The extra hairs found inside and around their ears make their ears appear pointed. The edges of their ears are rounded with lynx tipping. Their triple water-resistant coats are thick and long.
The Siberian is an affectionate and demanding cat that craves attention. They’ll follow you around the house just to be close to you. This bulky cat is also strong and fearless. They are also outgoing and playful cats that will easily interact with strangers. Siberians get along with all family members and pets including dogs. They are fascinated by water and should be supervised around water bodies.
The Siberian coat which sheds twice yearly is low to maintain since it doesn’t mat or tangle easily.
#10 Nebelung
Credit: Roman Skrypnyk
- Temperament: Shy and affectionate
- Weight: 7-15 pounds
- Lifespan: 11-18 years
- Height: 9-13 inches
- Shedding: Normal
Nebelung is a long-haired version of the Russian blue cat. It’s a new breed that was created in the US in the 1980s after two Russian Blues gave birth to a litter of kittens with long hair. Nebelung means a creature of the mist in German and in this case the name is in reference to this cat’s silver-blue coat.
Nebelung cats have large muscular bodies, large pointed ears and yellow-green eyes. This rare cat breed has a long soft coat and ear furnishings. Nebelung cats also have tufts of hair behind their legs and between their toes. These cats’ fur is thicker on their necks and tails.
These felines are gentle, affectionate, intelligent and easy-going. They bond very well with their owners and make perfect companions for families of all ages.
#11 Birman
Credit: Jeannette1980
- Temperament: Friendly and intelligent
- Weight: 6-12 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
- Height: 8-10 inches
- Shedding: Medium
The Birman also called the sacred cat of Burma has a muscular body, round face and a soft luxurious coat. These cats were sacred and believed to be companions to the temple priests in their homeland. Legend has it that this cat’s tufted paws remained white as a symbol of purity after touching Mun-Ha who was the head priest of the Temple of Lao Tsun.
Other features of the Birman cat include a Himalayan-painted coat and beautiful ear furnishings. They have a close resemblance to the Siamese except that they are less vocal.
Birmans are quiet, intelligent and curious cats. They tend to get into trouble due to their mischievous nature. These affectionate and less demanding cats love spending time with humans.
Wild Cats
We cannot complete this list without mentioning some wild cats with ear tufts and ear furnishing.
#12 Lynx
Credit: Alexas_Fotos
- Temperament: Playful, social, friendly
- Weight: 11-26 pounds
- Lifespan: 7-9 years
- Height: 19-22 inches
- Shedding: low
Lynx is the name given to four species of wild cats that include the Canadian Lynx, Eurasian (or Siberian) Lynx, Bobcat also known as the wildcat, and the Spanish (or Iberian) Lynx. Lynx cats are wild cats found in the snowy forests of Europe, North America, and Asia.
In addition to their large bodies, Lynxes also have large paws, short bobtails, long whiskers, and black ear tufts. They also have thick spotted luxurious coats that keep them warm in the snow. Another noticeable feature of these cats is the white fur found on their chests, bellies and inside their legs. They are solitary creatures and great climbers.
Lynx cats have distinctive black ear tufts that extend above their ears. These striking ear tufts have earned them the name lynx tips. Their ear tufts act as antennae that help in detecting distant sounds and keeping their ears clean.
#13 Caracal
Credit: Oliver Magritzer
- Temperament: Curious and friendly
- Weight: 20-40 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-16 years
- Height: 16-20 inches
- Shedding: low
Caracal is a wild cat found in Africa and parts of Asia. This cat has a strongly built body, long legs, and a short face.
The Caracal cats have long ear tufts called tassels which extend up to 5cm above their ears. The ear tufts are black, dense, and curved like a human eyebrow. The ear tufts help keep this cat’s ears clean and also help the Caracal communicate with other cats.
Caracals are great hunters and mainly prey on small rodents and birds
#14 Serval
Credit: veverkolog
- Temperament: Affectionate, playful and loyal
- Weight: 16-42 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Height: 21-24 inches
- Shedding: Low
The Serval is a wild cat native to the African savannah. Although they aren’t domesticated cats, some breeders have in the past crossed Servals with other domesticated cats to produce hybrid cat breeds. Besides, these cats are sometimes kept as exotic pets due to their friendly nature.
Servals have large athletic bodies and large ears. Their large curved ears have both ear tufts and ear furnishings which add to their exotic look.
Servals have a close resemblance to cheetahs except for their shorter tails. Their strong legs make them great jumpers and diggers. They are more active at night than during the day.
