Let’s Talk About Cats With Ear Tufts
Obsessing over those truly terrific ear tufts seen on some of your favorite cat breeds? You’re not alone! Today we’re talking about marvelous ear candy (and the breeds who sport the best bits) — and giving you the lowdown on what those cat ear tufts actually do. Ready to focus on fabulously furry ear furnishings? Let’s talk about cats with ear tufts right here.
1. Highlander
Highlander cats have beautiful, tufted earls that curl at the top. Photography via Flickr user Atomic Monster under Creative Commons license. Some modifications have been made to this photo to fit the specifications of this site.
A cross between the Jungle Curl and Desert Lynx, the Highlander is part wild child, part domestic and all solid muscle. No, really. The non-domestic part of his ancestry has made him stout and solid, but what forever stands out as his trademark are those ears (and, subsequently, those ear tufts)! Lacking a pointed tip like most of his feline familia, the Highlander proudly shows off ears that curl at the top, allowing his tufts to take center stage — peeking out horizontally from his ears to create the most unexpected, yet purrfect, aesthetic!
Fun fact: Highlanders are incredibly fond of water — likely a personality trait picked up from their wild ancestors!
2. Maine Coon
Maine Coons are famous among cats with ear tufts. Photography by AlexussK / Shutterstock.
Recognized for their intriguing back stories (some say that Marie Antoinette shipped six Maine Coons to Wiscasset, Maine, while planning her escape from France), and the title as the official state cat of Maine, the Maine Coon is a popular gal with personality to spare and two times the tufts! Yes, you read that right: The Maine Coon is known for her large, tufted paws (dubbed snowshoes), in addition to those glamorous ear tufts that land her on this list. Though an overall fluffball, the Maine Coon’s ear tufts tend to center at the tips of her ears (adding an extra inch or two of height) — with even more fur sticking out from her ears for an added kick of pizzazz!
Fun fact: Maine Coons are often mistaken for bobcats due to their massive size!
3. American Curl
American Curl cats have intriguing ears that curl up and include cool tufts. Photography ©Life on white | Alamy Stock Photo.
Known for her unusual ears, the American Curl is a cat whose ear tufts will capture your heart in seconds. Pure elegance and sophistication, the ears curl back in an arc, providing an alert appearance that is easily recognizable and highly adored. Similar to the Highlander when it comes to tufts, the American Curl’s wispy ear candy kicks things up a notch — sticking out horizontally from the ears, in addition to sprouting from the tops/tips. The effect is akin to that of a firework explosion of fur that is simply irresistible … making her a top contender in the ear tuft wars!
Fun fact: At birth, the American Curl’s ears are straight. The ears begin to curl back in a rosebud formation within four to five days of entering the world.
4. Norwegian Forest Cats
Norwegian Forest Cats have tufted ears and toes. Photography ©GlobalP | Thinkstock.
A magical creature found in much lore (Norwegian myths refer to the skogkatt as a “mountain-dwelling fairy cat with an ability to climb sheer rock faces that other cats could not manage”), the Norwegian Forest Cat is truly a breed that furry dreams are made of! A relative of the Maine Coon (the Coon is a Wedgie descendant!), the Norwegian Forest Cat makes this list of cats with ear tufts for both his ears and his toes (or boots!).
Fun fact: Given his hearty heritage, the Norwegian Forest Cat has sturdier claws than most other breeds, making it possible for him to run down trees and show off those truly stellar climbing skills!
Cats with ear tufts vs. cats with ear furnishings
Think cat ear tufts and cat ear furnishings are one and the same? Think again! Ear tufts refer to the fur that grows from the tips of the ears (often dubbed lynx tipping), whereas ear furnishings focus on the fur that grows from the inside of the ear. So, while a breed like a Persian may have fancy furnishings, she lacks tufts. Moral of the story? Not all cats have ear tufts, and cats with ear tufts are a special lot.
So, what do tufts do? Believe it or not, they’re not just there to up the cute factor. Cat ear tufts actually serve a purpose: They work to keep debris at bay and help to filter sound directly into a kitty’s ears. How’s that for science?
Tell us: Do you love cats with ear tufts? Do you have cats with ear tufts? What breed or breeds is she?
Thumbnail: Photography by Evannovostro / Shutterstock.
12 comments on “Let’s Talk About Cats With Ear Tufts”
I have a short haired black female with a small white chest spot, and very long ear tufts (top of ears). What is she?
Hi
Quick question. I’m treating my cats for ear mites.. Their thick ear furnishings make it very difficult to see, clean or even apply the treatment drops.. can I trim the furnishings so the treatment becomes more effective??
Thanks,
Adel
We have two tabbies with ear tufts. They’re sisters. No idea where the tufts came from. Other than the tufts, they look like your typical American shorthair.
I am fostering a brown mackerel tabby who has black ear tufts! Never saw this on a tabby before:)
I have a stray rescue brown mackerel tabby with ear tufts. His ears look exactly like maine coon ears, far more than standard American shorthai ears, but he does have short hair.. He has a rather long tail as well. His paws don’t seem to be unusually big tho. He’s about 9 months old (we think) and probably about 9lbs.
i have 2 cats now with ear tufts. Toby is a mixed breed siamese. he was found as a stray in another town .just a month ago a kitten showed up outside my house he is a tabby with white feet and chest along with tufts, neither have furnishings just tufts. makes me wonder what breed they are mixed with.
I have 2 siberian forest cats they have ear tufts and furnishings . Not all siberians have tufts .
My wild child, Tucker, has tufts, and they’re precious, but I’m awed by the tufts in his paws. He has so much hair in his paws, he could cover another cat entirely.
I have a calico, perhaps a calibby since she has the tabby markings in some of her tan/orange markings. She definitely INSISTS on being the center of attention! ….hates it when I’m trying to read something while she is in my lap…in fact, she WILL NOT allow it. I give up before she does, because she NEVER gives up. She is very loving and loves to be petted and BRUSHED. Her markings are beyond beautiful. She must have been dropped-off in our yard and I have to say, it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! I had never had a cat, and didn’t even like cats—always a dog person!
She has both tufts and beautiful ‘furnishings’. She is very patient with me and sits, giving me ‘the look’, til I “get it”.
Her name is Miss Kitty Katt…spelled with two t’s.
Miss Kitty Katt sounds a lot like our calico, Miss Penny! Is yours a phenomenal hunter as well?
What? Nothing on the Siberian Forest Cat? ????
Hi there Wendy,
Here are some articles all about Siberian cats:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/whos-that-cat-the-siberian-from-russia-with-love
https://www.catster.com/catbreed/siberian
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/large-cat-breeds