Cats with small heads. A variety of factors influence the size of your cat’s head, including its gender, breed, age, and whether it is intact or neutered.
Cat breeds with small heads
Some cat breeds are smaller than others in terms of overall size. And that smaller size is matched by a smaller head in proportion. The following are some of the most popular small cat breeds:
Munchkin
Munchkin cats have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
Common health problem
- Lordosis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Pancreatitis.
- Uremia.
- Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.
Devon Rex
Short and wavy, with a downy undercoat that doesn’t need to be groomed. The Devon Rex is also less prone than other breeds to induce allergic responses. Life expectancy: 10-15 years, with the majority of Devon Rex cats living into their mid-teens.
Common health problem
The Devon Rex is typically healthy, but he does have certain health issues that you should be aware of, particularly if you don’t purchase from a reputable source. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, hereditary myopathy, which impairs muscular function, and hereditary baldness are the conditions.
Cornish Rex
Cornish Rex has long lives and is keen to cram as much delight into each one as possible. A Rex is expected to live for 15 years, although it is not uncommon for them to live for 20.
Common health problem
Cornish Rexes, like other cats, are vulnerable to bacterial and viral illnesses such as panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies, which may be prevented by immunization.
American Curl
Longevity Range: 9-13 yrs.
Common health problem
Bacterial and viral infections such as panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies
Singapura
Singapuras are normally healthy and live between eleven and fifteen years, while cats as old as eighteen years have been documented. However, breeders are worried about the breed’s lack of genetic variety.
Common health problem
While all cat breeds have the potential to develop health problems, the most prevalent of which are renal failure, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes, the Singapura cat is recognized to have relatively few inherited health disorders.
Scottish Fold
They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including, solid, tabby, tabby with white, bicolor, and particular. The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. Like many breeds, the Scottish Fold can be predisposed to some health problems.
Common health problem
Although the Scottish Fold is a generally healthy breed, it does have several inherited health issues:
- Osteochondrodysplasia is a developmental disorder that impairs the formation of cartilage and bones.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PCKD) is a kind of kidney disease that affects
- Cardiomyopathy is a kind of cardiac disease that affects the muscles of the heart.
If you own a cat from any of these breeds, you can attribute the size of your pet’s head to his breed. If you are worried that your cat might be lagging physically, check with your pet’s breeder.
What Breed of Cat Has a Small Head
Some cats have small heads because they are petite breeds. The Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and Munchkin cats are small in stature; therefore, they have small heads. Siamese cats are also on the smaller side, so their head size will be smaller than average.
In the case of all these breeds, their head size will be proportional to their bodies. They just have a small heads to match their small bodies. Singapuras and American Curls are also small cats, with small heads to match. Some Scottish folds also seem to have smaller heads than average.
Some cats may look like they have a small head when you compare it to their bodies. This is common in cats who are obese or overweight. In that case, their head is a normal size. It’s just that their bodies are larger than they should be. If the cat loses the amount of weight it needs to, its head will look normal on a non-obese body.
If you need to order a cat costume or soft collar for your feline, some products will base their sizes on how large your cat’s head is. While this can be a challenge, wrap a soft measuring tape around the widest part of your cat’s head to get this measurement. If purchasing locally, you could always bring your cat in and do the measurements there. Some places will even allow your cat to test the costume out for comfort and proper fitting.
Young cats have larger heads than adult cats
Like other baby animals, the heads of kittens are disproportionately larger compared to adults. If your pet’s head seems to look smaller than what you expect, likely, he is still growing into his body. Just like human kids, kittens develop lanky bodies as they transition from kitten hood to adulthood.
The time it takes for a kitten to enter adulthood will depend on a few factors, including his breed. For example, a Persian cat typically needs two to three years to reach maturity. In contrast, a Maine Coon usually needs three or more years before reaching maturity.
While your cat is still in adolescence, you might notice that his body parts are disproportionate. But eventually, as your cat reaches his full size, you will see these body parts grow in proportion to each other.
What Age Is a Cat Fully Grown
The answer to this depends on the breed of your cat. The typical housecat is full-grown around the one-year mark. While they will continue to mature, their body will stop growing. Various breeds have extended kitten cycles and are not done growing physically for several years. Persian males can take up to 2-3 years to be fully grown. Maine Coons and Siberians can take as long as 3-5 years to reach their full size. During this time, their heads will continue to develop.
If you have a cat that seems to have a head that is too small, it is worth discussing this with your vet. There is a condition that impacts the growth of a cat’s brain called cerebellar hypoplasia. The cerebellum doesn’t properly develop, which leads the cat to have issues with walking and other tasks controlled by that region. The condition can cause cats to shake intensely, but they feel no pain. Their skull shouldn’t be affected by it, but let a vet make that determination. This condition will be evident in any cat who has it.
Hydrocephalus is another condition that can impact the size and shape of a cat’s skull. This condition is also called water on the brain. It affects the ventricular system of the brain by irritating vessels or blocking them. Cats with this disorder will have heads that are unusual in shape. This condition normally causes a larger head, but let a vet be the judge.
Summary
Cats with small heads. Many factors contribute to the size of a cat’s head, including gender, breed, being neutered, and body weight. Even in petite cat breeds, their heads should be in proportion to the rest of their body. If you think your cat has a head that is too small for its frame, partner with your vet to make sure your cat doesn’t have a medical condition.
There are not many, but some conditions can impact a cat’s brain size or skull development. Don’t get too ahead of yourself, however. While a typical cat is done growing by a year, some breeds have extended kitten phases. Some breeds aren’t done growing until five years. Also, keep in mind that males finish growing after females. It could be that your cat’s head and body as growing and different rates and will eventually even out.