Your guide to finding and caring for an American Curl in Seattle
An American Curl suits Seattle apartment life well, since it wants company and a good window more than a big yard. In a Belltown tower or a Columbia City condo, a Curl will happily patrol the sill, chase a wand toy and follow you from room to room. That playfulness keeps rainy afternoons lively. Curls tend to stay kittenish for years, so plan on daily play. The curled ears are the one thing to handle gently.
Say hello to your American Curl
While we don't have enough cats near Seattle, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 958 miles
American Curl
F, 1 y., 959 miles
American Curl, Domestic Medium Hair
F, 4 y., 983 miles
Siamese, American Curl
M, 8 y. +, 988 miles
American Curl, Domestic Short Hair
F, 3-7 y., 1100 miles
Domestic Long Hair, American Curl
F, 2 y., 1450 miles
American Curl, Domestic Medium Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1452 miles
American Curl
M, 6 mo., 1483 miles
American Curl
M, 5 mo., 1589 miles
American Curl
M, 3-7 y., 1670 miles
Tuxedo, American Curl
The American Curl began with a stray named Shulamith, a longhaired black cat found in Lakewood, California, in 1981 whose ears curled backward. The curl comes from a single dominant gene, and Curls today come in longhair and shorthair coats in every color and pattern. Most weigh 5 to 10 pounds and are moderately built rather than stocky. Kittens are born with straight ears, which begin curling within days and settle by about four months.
Many Curls are people-oriented, curious and playful, and they often keep that kitten energy into adulthood. For Seattle adopters, that means a cat who enjoys interactive play on gray days and wants to be part of the household. Coats need only light combing a few times a month. Because the breed is uncommon, you may also meet curl-eared mixes, whose looks and personalities vary more.
Having an American Curl in Seattle
In Seattle, a Curl's needs come down to daily play, vertical space and gentle ear handling. The breed fits apartments and houses alike, and an indoor routine suits both the cat and the city's wet months. Each cat's age and background shape how that plays out.
Curls are often affectionate without being clingy, and they like to watch what you're doing. In a busy Seattle apartment building, a sociable cat usually handles hallway noise and visitors well, though shy or older cats may need a quiet room first. Introduce children and other pets gradually, and let each cat set the pace.
Plan on a few short play sessions a day with wand toys, balls or puzzle feeders, which matter most on Seattle's rainy days. A tall cat tree by a window gives a Curl climbing and a view of the street. Coyotes live in Seattle, so keep cats indoors, in an enclosure, or on supervised harness time.
Curls have no documented breed-specific disease, but they can still develop dental disease, obesity and, later in life, kidney problems. Weigh your cat regularly, keep up dental care, and have a veterinarian check the ears, since narrow canals may hold wax in some cats. Never push anything into the ear canal.
Seattle apartments suit Curls when there are scratching posts, shelves and hiding spots. Their medium size works in studios and one-bedrooms as long as they can climb and play. Secure window screens and balcony doors, since a curious Curl may chase birds, and keep any outdoor time supervised.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $480 to $1,280 per year | $480 to $1,280 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,230 to $2,830 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the $30 Seattle license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea and parasite prevention, dental cleanings, toys and scratching supplies, and occasional grooming for longhaired Curls.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Seattle.
Seattle's shelter and rescue community includes city and nonprofit groups, and cats of all ages and backgrounds come through them. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Seattle area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Curl is coming in.
Yes, an American Curl usually does well in a Seattle apartment, since Curls adapt to indoor life as long as they have climbing space, scratching posts and daily play. Seattle landlords may limit the number of pets or charge pet rent, so get the terms in writing before you apply. Secure window screens and balcony doors for a curious Curl.
It can be, especially for people who are home often enough for daily play. Curls are sociable and playful, which helps on rainy Seattle evenings, but many don't enjoy long days alone. Window perches and puzzle feeders can help while you're out. Each cat differs, so consider age and personality as well as breed.
Yes, Seattle's mild climate suits an indoor American Curl. Winters are cool and damp, summers rarely get hot, and a Curl's light coat handles both inside. Plan for rare heat waves with shade, water and cool floors, close windows on wildfire-smoke days, and keep supplies ready for occasional snow or windstorm power outages.
Yes, in a secure carrier. King County Metro lets pets other than dogs ride in a carrier with no fare, and Sound Transit allows pets in small containers on its buses and trains. Sound Transit's leashed-pet pilot covers dogs, so a Curl still needs a carrier. The King County Water Taxi requires cats to be in an enclosed carrier too.
Very little. Combing two or three times a month keeps a Curl's silky coat tidy, and longhaired cats may need a bit more during seasonal shedding. Seattle's damp weather matters little for indoor cats. Check the ears gently for debris and never push anything into the canal. Optional professional grooming falls under the Other costs.
No, American Curl cats are not hypoallergenic. Cat allergens come mainly from proteins in saliva and skin, which all cats produce regardless of coat. Curls have little undercoat and shed lightly to moderately, but that does not make them allergy-free. Spend time with a specific cat and talk with an allergist before adopting if allergies are a concern.
Yes, American Curls are fairly rare. The breed only began in 1981 and remains uncommon compared with long-established breeds, though it now has a following in the US, Europe, Russia and Japan. Purebred Curls seldom appear in shelters, but curl-eared mixed cats sometimes do. Check rescues and GetBuddy listings regularly if you hope to adopt one.
American Curls have no known breed-specific health problems so far, partly because the breed was built from a broad base of domestic cats. They can still develop common feline conditions such as dental disease, obesity, kidney disease with age and ear wax buildup. Regular checkups and a healthy weight help keep a Curl in good shape.
American Curl cats commonly live about 12 to 18 years, and many reach their mid to late teens. As a relatively young breed, there is little formal lifespan research. Keeping a Curl indoors or safely enclosed, at a healthy weight and up to date on veterinary and dental care supports a long life.
Expect roughly $1,230 to $2,830 a year for a Curl in Seattle: food at $25 to $50 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and $480 to $1,280 a year for litter, parasite prevention, dental care, the city license and supplies.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Seattle.
