Domestic cats come in various breeds, each with unique characteristics, appearance, and temperament. Small cat breeds make popular pets because of their compact size and cute features.

Smallest Cat Breeds Compared to their wild cousins like lions and tigers, domestic cats tend to skew small already, so it's fun to imagine the smallest cat breeds among them.

These cats do well with families, children and even other pets. Considered a dwarf cat breed, it has been around since the late 1960s, when breeder Joe Smith cross-bred a Munchkin and Persian.

The wild cat's domesticated cousin, the Singapura, is the smallest cat breed, according to Purina. Its name means "Singapore" in Malay, which is fitting as the cat originates from the country.

No matter its size, your cat probably acts like it's an apex predator or the alpha of your home. Even the smallest domestic cat breed – the Singapura – might become rambunctious or territorial.