At a glance the quick version
CFA and TICA both give 7-10 lb for males and 5-8 lb for females.
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair or longhair, silky with little undercoat
A slender, moderately muscled cat with a rectangular body and ears that curve backwards in a smooth arc of 90 to 180 degrees. Both coat lengths are silky and lie flat, with very little undercoat.12
Personality what they are like
A friendly, curious cat that loves being with its people and keeps a youthful sense of fun all its life, earning it the nickname 'Peter Pan' of cats. It is adaptable, gets on well with children and other animals, and tends to coo softly rather than meow loudly.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Enjoys daily play and will make a game out of almost anything, then happily curls up on a lap.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Light. Brush a few times a month (a grooming glove suits the shorthair), and gently check and clean the ears and teeth from time to time.12
Home where they are happiest
Settles well in most homes; offer plenty of toys and interactive play.2
Company who they like around
Highly sociable and happiest when involved in family life; usually friendly with other pets.12
The story where it all began
In 1981 a long-haired black female stray with oddly curled ears turned up in Southern California and was named Shulamith. Her kittens inherited the ears, and planned breeding began in 1983 using ordinary domestic shorthairs and longhairs to keep the gene pool wide. The breed went on to be recognised by both CFA and TICA.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Kittens are born with straight ears that begin to curl back within a few days and settle into their final shape at about 16 weeks.1
- 2
Every American Curl traces back to one stray cat, Shulamith, found in 1981.1
- 3
Curls are known to figure out door handles and open doors.2
- 4
The breed is nicknamed the 'Peter Pan' of cats because it never really grows out of kittenhood.2
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- Recognised breed in longhair and shorthair divisions1
- TICA
- Recognised breed2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a American Curl. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- American Curl - Cat Fanciers' Association cfa.orgused for origin, weight, ear curl, coat, temperament, history, fun facts
- American Curl - TICA tica.orgused for weight, lifespan, coat, temperament, care, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.