Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome into our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
So there’s plenty to think about when it comes to choosing a breed, with some costing more than others, certain types potentially suffering health problems, and others having different levels of affection.
Meanwhile, some cats are naturally smaller than others.
Here are the 12 tiniest.
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9. LaPerm
A variety of rex cat named after its adorable curly hair (or perm). the LaPerm grows to 5-10 pounds. It was first bred in America and are affectionate, active, and outgoing in character. | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Siamese
The sleek and slender Siamese tends to grow to around 6-10 pounds. Well known for their remarkable blue eyes and fine colouration, they crave company and are often inseparable from their favourite human. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Abyssinian
Abyssinians are active and muscular cats but relatively lightweight, weighing from 6–10 pounds. They were first brought over to the UK from Abyssinia - the country now known as Ethiopia. | Getty Images
12. Tonkinese
Completing our list of the world's smallest pet cat breeds it the Tonkinese - a small, muscular cat combining Siamese and Burmese traits. It is friendly, social, thrives on attention and interactive play, and grows to between 6–12 pounds. | Canva/Getty Images