10 Cat Breeds That Grow in Size But Not at Heart

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

sleeping cat
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Imagine a cat that grows in size but never loses its playful, kitten-like spirit. Some cat breeds seem to defy the laws of maturity, maintaining their boundless energy and mischievous charm even as they grow larger. Here are 10 cat breeds that may fill your lap with their growing size but will forever remain kittens at heart.

1. Somali

Somali Cat
grase/123rf

The Somali cat is an energetic and playful breed, known for its striking, fox-like appearance and elegant coat. While they grow to a medium size, their lively and curious nature keeps them forever young at heart. Somalis are incredibly active, often seeking out new adventures and interactive play, making them ideal companions for those who enjoy an engaging feline friend. Their boundless kitten energy remains throughout their lives, ensuring that they’re always ready for fun, no matter how much they grow.

2. Singapura

Singapura Cats
Singapura Cats – Straits Singapuras, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Singapura is a small yet spirited breed, known for its playful nature that never fades with age. Despite being one of the smallest cat breeds, these cats are packed with energy and curiosity, maintaining a kitten-like demeanor throughout their lives. Singapura cats love to explore, climb, and interact with their human companions, often following them from room to room. Their affectionate and social personality makes them excellent companions, always ready for a game or cuddle, but they’ll never outgrow their love for fun!

3. Tonkinese

Tonkinese
Vera/Pexels

The Tonkinese cat is a perfect blend of playful energy and affectionate charm. While they grow to a medium or large size, their kitten-like curiosity and boundless energy never fade. Known for their playful nature, Tonkinese cats love to interact with their humans, often engaging in games and mischief. They are highly social and thrive on attention, forming strong bonds with their families. Their sleek, muscular build and stunning coat patterns are matched by their vibrant, endlessly curious personalities.

4. Burmese Cat

Burmese cat
seregraff/123rf

The Burmese cat is an affectionate and lively breed, known for its strong, muscular frame and playful nature. While they grow into medium-sized cats, they retain their kitten-like energy well into adulthood. Burmese cats are highly social, always seeking attention from their owners and enjoying interactive activities. Their constant playfulness, coupled with a loving disposition, makes them ideal companions for families, always ready for fun, whether it’s playing with toys or cuddling up for quality time.

5. Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex
By Tomi Tapio K, CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Cornish Rex is a breed that may grow larger, but its playful, kitten-like energy remains constant throughout its life. Known for its distinctive curly coat, which feels soft like velvet, the Cornish Rex is an energetic and affectionate cat that loves to play, climb, and explore. Despite its growing size, this breed maintains a youthful and mischievous personality, always ready for action. Their boundless energy makes them a fun and engaging companion, ensuring that they stay forever young at heart.

6. Siamese

Siamese cat
valery_potapova/123rf

The Siamese cat is known for its sleek, muscular build and striking blue eyes, but it’s their playful, kitten-like energy that truly stands out. Despite growing into a medium-sized cat, Siamese cats retain their lively spirit well into adulthood. They are highly social, vocal, and always on the move, seeking attention and affection from their owners. With their boundless curiosity and need for stimulation, the Siamese will keep you entertained with their antics, making them eternal kittens in every sense of the word.

7. Munchkin

Munchkin
Tranmautritam/Pexels

The Munchkin cat is a small but mighty breed known for its distinctive short legs and playful personality. Despite their compact size, Munchkins are full of energy, retaining the curious and mischievous nature of kittens well into adulthood. They love to explore, chase toys, and interact with their human companions, often displaying the playful antics typical of a kitten. Their unique appearance doesn’t slow them down, and their boundless enthusiasm ensures they remain young at heart, making them a joy for any cat lover.

8. Balinese

Balinese cat
VitalyKobzun/Pixabay

The Balinese cat is often called the “long-haired Siamese” due to its striking resemblance to the Siamese, but with a luxurious, silky coat. Despite their elegant appearance, Balinese cats are full of energy and curiosity, maintaining the playful demeanor of a kitten well into adulthood. They are highly social, and intelligent, and love interacting with their owners. Known for their acrobatic feats and vocal nature, Balinese cats thrive on attention and affection, making them delightful companion with endless kitten-like enthusiasm.

9. Abyssinian

Abyssinian Cat resting
琦 刘/Pexels

The Abyssinian is an energetic and playful breed that retains its kitten-like energy well into adulthood. Known for its striking coat and graceful build, this cat is always on the move, exploring, climbing, and leaping with enthusiasm. Abyssinians are highly curious and love interactive play, keeping their owners entertained for hours. While they grow in size, they never lose their zest for adventure, remaining lively and full of personality, making them a fun and affectionate companion in any household.

10. Turkish Angora

Turkish Angora being groomed
Gustavo Fring/Pexels

The Turkish Angora is a graceful, medium-sized cat known for its long, silky coat and elegant build. Despite their refined appearance, these cats never outgrow their playful nature. Full of energy, the Turkish Angora remains active and curious well into adulthood. Their intelligence and agility make them natural climbers and explorers, always eager to engage in new activities. With a loving yet independent personality, they’re the perfect mix of kitten-like joy and regal charm, keeping their owners on their toes with endless antics.

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