Cats are internet darlings, often called web mascots. In fact, there's almost a cat picture for each human online. Despite their indifference, people adore them. Cats' uniqueness, independence, and quiet demeanor make them appealing. Unlike dogs, they won't clamor for attention and are happy in the background. Online, people love their cute behavior, patterns, and odd traits. With billions of cat images, we present the internet's favorite feline weirdos!
It's Hipster Hamilton!
Hamilton started out as a feral kitten who knew nothing about the human world until he was sent to a shelter. His whole life changed when he was adopted by Jay Stowe, a tech recruiter. During his first month in his new home, Hamilton didn't leave the bathroom. When he finally did, the young cat saw the world open up before his eyes thanks to Instagram.
As you can see, Hamilton has quite a unique pattern on its face, one that happens to perfectly resemble a mustache. After taking a few photos and posting them on Instagram, Stowe watched as Hamilton's markings went viral and hundreds of thousands of people began following his account. It even came to a point where he was featured in the local newspaper. Despite Hamilton not liking other humans in general due to his feral days, he does donate a chunk of his earnings to charity.
Hairy Pawter Cat
Hairy Pawter got his name from the massive J.K Rowling franchise. This unique feline has a mark on his forehead that makes him look just like the cat version Harry Potter. Given the shapeshifting talents enjoyed by some of Harry’s pals, this kitty could be a witch or wizard for all we know!
The trick to discovering whether you’re dealing with a real cat or a transmogrifying wizard is in its instincts. Did you know that cats will never meow to other cats, only humans? Scientists believe this is because our race isn't receptive to the smells and body language cats use to communicate with each other. Since we’re so simplistic, they’ve resorted to making sounds as this seems to be the best way to get us to notice and (at least somewhat) understand them.
A Werewolf Cat?
The Lykoi breed originated from feral cats that experienced hair loss due to a particular genetic mutation. People saw how eerily similar they were to werewolves and so started selectively breeding them.
Inspiring looks of terror in the faces of your visitors would definitely make owning a Lykoi worthwhile. Especially since, despite their rough appearance, Lykoi cats are actually big softies. The sweet but creepy creatures need a bit of special care though as they are prone to sunburn and hypothermia.
There's a Cat On This Cat's Back
Have you ever heard of Peter Pan and his shadow, well, this could be the real-life version… in cat form! As you can see from the photo, this cat has a marking of what seems to be another cat on his back. In fact, it looks like his own shadow is taking a break from doing shady stuff to relax for a minute.
Cats are known to hate socialization with other animals, so what made humans the exception to the rule? Put simply, we can provide them with food and shelter. That's why they chose to make friends with us because even though cats might hate to admit it, they need us to survive.
There's An Exclamation Point On This Cat's Butt
Here's a viral photo of a cat with an exclamation point located on its butt. How it ended up there, we may never know, but one thing's for sure: people would give almost anything just to own a cat like that.
Contrary to popular belief, most cats are lactose intolerant. Mammals like cats, dogs, and even humans often lose the ability to digest lactose (the sugar in milk) as they grow up.
White Gem Or Khao Manee Cats Are Everything
Khao Manee or White Gems were once considered to be sacred pets in Thailand. To them, these beautiful smiling cats were the bearers of good fortune, especially if they were "odd-eyed" like the beautiful creatures pictured here. This cat breed usually comes with green, blue, or gold colored eyes.
The starburst patterns around the Khao Manees pupil is the reason why most experts also call them "Diamond Eye." The downside to this breed is that they are generally born deaf. The white fur gene is linked to another gene that causes the drying out of ear fluids. The Khao Manee developed naturally, with humans having had no influence over how this breed appears.
Meet Gary And No He's Not Worried or Confused!
A kitten that looks like they're always concerned or worried about something? We love him already. This kitty got his name from a famous singer named Gary Barlow, who was known for raising his brows when making high notes. As seen from the photo below, he has angled eyebrows on top of his forehead.
While we’re on the topic of eyebrows, why don’t cats have them while humans do? Well, according to scientists, eyebrows and smooth foreheads developed so we can communicate better since humans need complex relationships to survive.
Lilly Is Judging You
Born on the streets of New Jersey, we believe that Lilly the cat has seen it all, and that is probably why she has that permanently judgemental look on her face. But please, don't mistake her for someone who's mean, because the patterns on her face aren’t her fault. Inside, she's a sweet kitty who likes nothing more than pats and cuddle with her friends.
Regardless of how sweet Lilly's personality might be, she’ll never be able to taste sweetness. Cats just don’t have the sweetness receptors built into their tongues. They are, in fact, the only mammal that will never have a sweet tooth.
Fall Head Over Heels With This American Curl Breed
When an unusual cat with curled ears appeared somewhere near a feline lover's house, it was immediately adopted and bred to create a whole family just like it. After successfully producing a litter of kittens, this remarkable feline variation officially became a new breed. What's impressive about this new breed is that no incest was needed in its creation, so it doesn't have any of the weird health problems commonly associated with pedigree cats.
The ears of an American Curl cat are entirely made of cartilage, just like human ears. This cartilage starts out straight but will eventually curl after a few days. While it's true the breed ages just like any other breed, they tend to keep their kitten-like traits, even when they have become senior citizens.
This Cat Has A Back That Smiles Right Back At You
While it would be amazing (though potentially unsettling) if cats could communicate with us through smiles, they simply aren’t capable of it. And one would assume that if they purr it means they are happy, well then, think again. The purring sound produced by cats can mean a lot of things, and it takes an expert to know which one is which.
There's one scientific theory about why cats purr. The low-frequency vibration that comes out when they are purring can be very healing.
The Stunning Savannah Cat
Produced from the interbreeding of dogs and wolves, Wolfdogs have a wild appearance that gives them an air of strength and regality. Savannah cats are like the feline counterparts of the majestic Wolfdogs. They are the product of wild Serval cats breeding with adventurous domesticated ones. Serval cats have beautiful spots, long necks, slender body, and considerably large ears.
Savannah cats share these characteristics. In some places in the US, it is illegal to own a Savannah cat. In states that don’t restrict their sale, these stately felines can go for as much as $15,000. The farther they go from their wild roots, the cheaper they become and the easier they tend to be to keep as pets.
The Cutesy Munchkin Breed
If Savannahs are the fiercely regal breed, then the munchkins are the cute, adorable ones. They are like the corgis of the cat world. Most short dogs deal with back problems, but felines have flexible spines. When two munchkins mate, half of the litter won't survive, so it's best that you buy one from a responsible owner who cares for their kittens at all costs.
A good breeder will produce healthy cats, and if munchkins are your cup of tea, then you must know that there are three types within this breed. The standard, super short, and the rug hugger. Choose which one you think will be able to navigate your house so you won't have any issues with it fitting in.
A Black Cat With Vitiligo
Black cats already draw a lot of superstitious fear as they are believed to be omens of bad luck. With its wide eyes and flesh-colored nose, this poor kitty might just cement the connection between black cats and terror for everyone.
To the trained eye, it is clear that this cat has vitiligo. While the condition certainly changes how the cat looks, it is never dangerous. It may progress and start to spread more white spots across the cat’s body soon, but that's about it.
The Evolution of Scrappy
Scrappy started out as an all black kitten upon adoption. Seven years later, white spots had spread all over his body, creating a spectacular effect. Vitiligo is a common condition amongst cats of any color, but it's particularly noticeable on the black ones.
Vitiligo is caused by the death of melanocytes, a kind of skin cell responsible for color. It is usually harmless but may be an indicator of stress or an underlying autoimmune disease. So, if you see your cat rocking a color change, no matter how cool the new look is, you should definitely have it checked out.
The Sassy LaPerm Cats
The Sassy LaPerm might be one of the most villain-esque cat breeds on Earth. History tells us that the first cat of this breed didn't have hair when she was a kitten. When she finally grew some, it came out curly and lush. Her name was Curly, and she was born on a cherry farm in Oregon.
The cat's parents were the typical short-haired variety, but thanks to rex mutation, Curly grew the thick and wavy mane of a mini lion. This was a trait she passed on to many of her kittens. A similar look can be found in the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex breeds.
Polly The Kitten Is A Spelling Natural
After looking at the photo, I guess it's safe to say that Polly the kitten is a natural at spelling human words. The owners admit to not seeing the words "CAT" written on her sides. Is it photoshop? Or just an unlikely genetic coincidence?
Polly's cat markings are definitely uncommon amongst domestic cats. We've seen hearts, circles, crosses, and all sorts of different patterns, but an exact spelling of the word humans chose to label her very own species with? Now that's some next level genetics!
<3 Kitty <3
This kitty looks like it can be your best friend forever. The heart on its leg gives a whole new meaning to the concept of wearing your heart on your sleeve. Cat's don't have sleeves, so they must just use their legs instead.
Speaking of hearts, did you know that oxytocin is a called the love hormone? Our body produces it when we are with someone we love, like a friend or a family member. The amount of hormones released depends on how deep you have bonded with a specific person. The easiest way to produce oxytocin naturally and reliably is by spending time with cats and dogs.
Valkyrie And Her Human Face
Valkyrie probably tops this list as the most unique kitten. Her face is so human-like it’s downright creepy. Have a look and we’re sure you’ll agree, there's something about the (probably) innocent kitty that’s just unsettling.
Her facial features are far removed from those of the average cat, with a flat face around the muzzle. If you look at her closely, she almost has the feel of a Furby or a Gremlin. Despite her weird face, Valkyrie still deserves to be loved, just like any other animals.
When Your Cat Has Two Faces
While Valkyrie’s viral fame came with as much fear as admiration, little Venus became an Instagram star for all the right reasons. Venus is a calico cat, but unfortunately, her kind couldn't be purebred because calicos and tortoiseshells are only ever born female, never male
Why does this happen you ask? Well, the X Chromosome contains a gene for fur color. Females have two x chromosomes, while males only have one. One chromosome can be turned off in female cells. This allows for different colors to be turned on in each X, thus allowing for more than just one color (a patchwork) to appear in female fur.
This Cat Has A Squirrel Silhouette On Its Side
If you observe this photo carefully, you'll notice that the orange marks of this beautiful cat look like that of a squirrel. The feline’s naturally bushy tail only added to the realism of the image. Cats and squirrels are both known to be intelligent creatures. A few studies have even suggested that cat brains are more similar to our minds than dogs. This probably explains why most cats are good at solving problems, despite their poor memory.
Cats can't remember objects for more than 10 minutes. Scientists have tried and tested different methods only to continually confirm that cats seem to all have problems retaining memory for more than 10 minutes. They are smart, but not quite as bright as us? The perfect housepet!
Four-Eyed Kitty
At this point, we've seen a lot of cats. Ones with funny eyebrows, skin discoloration, uncommonly curly hair, and unbelievable markings. Even among such oddball company, this kitty could well be the weirdest of them all. Apparently, this cat grew an extra pair of eyeballs. While they obviously aren’t real, working eyeballs, these fur-eyes give off distinctive Cheshire cat vibes.
Speaking of eyes, felines have always enjoyed peepers that are more beautiful and functional than their canine counterparts. Their vertical pupils aren't just there to look pretty. They help them filter the amount of light that gets into their eyes. Cats can interchange the sizes at will, making them experts at seeing in the dark.
Heart-Nosed Kitty
Finding a cat with a heart-shaped nose is like finding a gem. They are so cute it'll make your heart happy every time you look at them. If that nose doesn't make you want to cuddle him into oblivion, then you're probably a dog lover. Regardless of the color, cat noses have a distinctive shape with whiskers protruding from the sides. What do these whiskers do for them?
Glad you asked. A cat's whiskers provide it with an additional sense, one that gives them exceptional balance and understanding of their environment, a skill that’s especially useful in the dark. Cats can use their whiskers to identify the size, location, and texture of an object by merely brushing their hairs against it. They're also useful in gauging whether the cat can fit in a specific space or not. These marvelous feline sensory devices can even detect movements in the atmosphere, telling the cat instantly if something is fast approaching.
Benye The OMG Cat!
Benye looks continuously surprised, and the internet loves her for it. No, her mouth isn't open, it's an illusion created by the gray mark under her chin. Although, we'll never really know, maybe she's surprised about the fact that a cat once fell from a 32 story building, landed on concrete, and survived with the help of a vet. Or the fact that the word for a group of cats is a “clowder.”
Slightly less surprising but still impressive is the fact that cats tend to spend 60% of their lives sleeping. While this may seem lazy, it’s actually so they can have the energy to hunt. Regardless of whether Benye is really surprised or not, that small gray mark on her face sure makes her an appealing pet!
The Scottish Fold Breed In All Its Glory
The Scottish Fold became one of the world's top breeds thanks to its cutesy appearance. Can you imagine that all of them came from only one ancestor named Susie? As a kitty, she experienced a cartilage mutation that left her ears adorably folded. She lived in a barn somewhere in Scotland, and that's where her owners started breeding her for more of her kind. The breed eventually became very popular, but they found out that this mutation affected more than just the ears.
You see, when two mutated genes from Scottish folds are combined, they can develop crippling arthritis at an early age. They may also experience bone development issues. While the look is certainly adorable and sweet, continuing the breed means setting future cats up for a life riddled with health issues. For this reason, animal rights activists are speaking out against its continuation.
A Wildcat With A Kitty Sketch On Its Forehead
The kitten you see below isn't your average tabby. As a matter of fact, it's an endangered Scottish wildcat who happens to have markings on its forehead that look like a sketch of itself. How rare and cute! While still young, Scottish wildcats appear precisely like the domesticated critters we all know and love. However, they soon grow to be double the size of your average house cat.
As a wildcat subspecies, Scottish wildcats are the ancestors of our beloved domestic cats. They have lived, bred, hunted, and spread all across the lands of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Now, however, their numbers are in rapid decline due to a range of issues that include reproducing with domesticated cats or being domesticated themselves.
Bunny Or Kitty?
The Japanese bobtail often has white fur with blotches of darker colors and a stumpy tail. All bobtails have odd tails, the exact dimensions of which are unique to the kitty in question. Japanese people believe these cats are a symbol of good luck and are so enamored with them that they were the inspiration for the famed character, Hello Kitty.
This particular bobtail looks like it has the tail of a bunny. How cute! Experts claim that tails are used by cats to communicate with each other. They also use them to balance their bodies while hunting.
An Extra-Special Cross-Eyed Kitty With a Funny Nose to Boot
This sweet feline goes to show that even the strangest looking cats are still beautiful. They are creatures of strength, agility, and elegance. At a young age, they learn the values of the hunt from their mothers. If they miss out on this key training, which all takes place before they are two months old, they will have a hard time hunting for food.
While it's true that they have instincts they can trust in times of trouble, surviving in the wild requires more than just untrained instinct. When cats are appropriately trained, they can be dangerous little killing machines. That is why feral cats are such a danger to native creatures that haven’t adapted the skills to run and hide from animals as nimble, flexible, and strong as them.
The Snarly Cat
Cats are often misinterpreted as being uncaring and aloof. Any cat lover will tell you this simply isn't the case. How this snarly cat appears to the public isn't exactly helping that image, but know that the permanent snarl on his face was due to an injury, not a permanent bad mood. It's easy to assume that they don't care when their counterparts (dogs) are always so enthusiastic, but you must keep in mind that they are two different species with unique ways of communicating their love.
Cats are very territorial and tend to get deeply attached to their houses. They will act differently when they are in a new environment. That alone speaks volumes on how much they care.
Calico Floating Eyebrow Kitty
Humans are so outspoken regarding our thoughts on cats that it’s worth posing the question: how do cats see us? If you think that’s an impossible question to answer, science says otherwise. A recent study looked into the reactions exhibited by dogs and cats when their environment was changed. Dogs tend to look to humans for comfort while cats prefer to deal with the confusion by themselves.
Not all cats are showy when it comes to their affection, with many only ever sharing it with their owners. The study proved that cats aren't aloof and uncaring, they are just independent creatures who like to tackle life’s hurdles in their own way.
Black And Brown Kitty
John Bradshaw is a respected cat researcher who says that our feline friends really don't get humans at all. Dogs have figured out that we are different from them, as can be seen from how they treat us versus other canines. The story with cats is less clear, and so Bradshaw has spent many hours trying to observe their behavior for clues.
The way cats groom us and rub against us suggests that they see us as some kind of big, weird, hairless cat. But that doesn’t explain why they meow to us and not to other cats. Cats are quite hard to study since they have to be in the environment they are comfortable in before they will show their real selves. They’re also hyper-aware of being observed, making it difficult to gain any true insight into their behavior.
The Burmese Breed
The whole Burmese line was descended from a cat they called Wong Mau from Burma. He was brought over to the US by a sailor who gave him to a Siamese breeder, eventually culminating in the Burmese breed we have today.
Unfortunately, inbreeding was used as a way to keep the brown color. Resultant issues with this breed can be found in their eyes and urinary tract. The cat in the photo above has a darker face than most, though some Burmese breeds are brown all over.
We Are Siamese if You Please
With their characteristic dark faces and blue eyes, cats of the Siamese breed are beautifully distinctive. A typical Siamese cat will be mostly light in color with darker fur making a feature of its face, paws, tail, and ears. They are divided into two kinds: show and traditional. Show type Siamese breeds are usually skinnier, lankier, and more angled compared to their conventional counterparts.
Their personality is usually powerful and curious. These cats like to entertain themselves by playing around knobs and getting in spaces that they aren't supposed to go to. It's also important to know that the show breed faces more health issues that the traditional.
The Cutest Pointed Tabby
Shown below is an image of the cutest pointed tabby. It is a mix between a tabby shorthair and a Siamese. This particular cat appears to have tabby patterns combined with sharp colors. The overall effect, combined with her teddy-bear-like nose, is one that seems so soft and cuddly.
A study on how cats react to certain things like food, toys, smells, and human social interaction resulted in the knowledge that most cats preferred humans over other things. So they might not be as indifferent as we thought they were.
The Majestic Maine Coon Breed
Maine Coon is a breed responsible for producing domestic cats of epic proportions. When optimally raised, one cat can weigh up to 18 pounds. There are even rumors that Maine Coons are the offspring of cats breeding raccoons; a farfetched theory in terms of logic and basic biology.
While it's true that you can interbreed wildcats with domestic cats, breeding a cat with a raccoon just isn't going to happen. Wildcats and domestic cats still share the same genetic buildup. Raccoons are a different species altogether.
The Hairless Ukrainian Levkoy
What happens when you breed a Scottish fold and a Donskoy? You get a Ukrainian Levkoy: a hairless cat with folded ears. The breed started in 2004, and it was named after the Levkoy plant which is known to have bent leaves that look just like the cat's ears.
Experts have also tried cross-breeding them with the famous, hairless Sphynx. This resulted in a furless cat that had velvety soft skin. If you acquire one of these stately beings, remember, they don't do well in the cold, so giving them proper heat is a must. They also need regular baths.
The Curly Devon Rex
Jago is an award-winning cat of the Devon Rex breed. So far, his biggest accomplishment was winning "best in breed" at the Supreme Cat Show in England. Similar to the LaPerm, the Devon Rex breed wouldn't exist without the Rex mutation. It makes a cat's fur curly. Generally, this kind of breed has larger than average eyes and ears. Their personalities are usually very social and playful, making them the perfect house pet.
One thing that also sets them apart from other cats is that their loyalty is like that of a dog. They would want to follow you around, eat with you, and basically do everything with you as much as possible. The very first Devon Rex was born in the 1950s.
Black Hole Nose
Have you ever seen a kitty that looks like it was painted by Picasso? Well, here you go! Cats have sharp, beautiful eyes that most people often misinterpret as being aloof, but recent studies are slowly revealing that cats aren't as heartless as we played them out to be.
A group of scientists placed a cat inside a room with two people; one calling and petting them while the other one ignored them. The cat only paid attention to the person who was interacting with them. This suggests that cats like receiving the attention and that they will reciprocate right away.
Odd-Eyed Kitty
Cats are known to have striking eyes with captivating colors and patterns. The odd-eyed kitty shown in the photo below is just such a beautiful specimen. Along with their mesmerizing peepers, the mysteriousness of the cat personality only add to their grace and elegance. Scientists did a study in which they mixed up a group of cats’ names with a bunch of random words to determine whether they knew or cared what name their owners had given them. Each of the cats displayed a changed reaction when they heard their names.
This study strongly suggested that cats can determine their names from other words. Cats usually associate their names with food, play, and affection. Does it know what a name means aside from all these good things? Probably not. But as long as it answers when it's called, that's okay for now.
Meet Raffles
Raffles is a Maine Coon with spade-shaped markings on his face and a bunch of curly whiskers. He recently applied for Cat Fancy's Supreme Championship Cat Show in England but didn't get in because of the white markings on his face. He is generally a good boy, but sometimes he has a habit of reflecting the personality of his owner.
A recent study revealed that Raffles is not alone in exhibiting this mirroring trait. A cat's behavior can be affected by its owner's important human traits like conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism, agreeableness, and extraversion.
This Kitty Is Judging You
This kitty looks like he's upset with everyone. Maybe the catnip he ate wasn't the brand he wanted? Before the domestication of cats, they spent the majority of their time sleeping and hunting. When they were domesticated, most of the hunting dropped away, meaning cats lost a significant part of their lives and were left at a loss as to what they should do.
When you feel like your cat is bored with everything, try giving them something to do. Cat owners are now creating food puzzles to keep their pets entertained. This satiates their hunting instincts and is bound to be pretty entertaining for you too. A win for everyone involved.