As the saying goes, a small cat's a cute cat. The problem, though, is that small cats usually grow and grow until they're larger than life. Looking for a small li'l feline? Here are the smallest cats breeds in the world!

Cats come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are long and skinny, others are short and round, and some stay as small, petite, and adorable as they were as kittens. These tiny cats are some of the cutest and sweetest in the world, even if their size can make them a little bit of a pain to find sometimes.

In this cat guide, TAG24 takes a look at the smallest domestic cat breeds in the world, including seven incredibly tiny cats that are more than capable of stealing our hearts.

Most people will agree that cats are at their cutest when they're young. With those tiny paws, cute ears, and eyes that are far too big for that little head of theirs, giving a kitten a good pat is nearly irresistible. Luckily for you, though, there are plenty of cats that stay small for life!

However, that doesn't mean that their proportions will stay the same forever. Many may stay tiny, but their head will grow to fit the size of their ears and eyes, and you can't expect them to stay looking exactly the same.

If we were to generalize, though, we would say that female cats are generally smaller and lighter than males. So, when it comes to choosing the smallest cat breeds, we will primarily base it on the females.

Compared to other standard cat breeds, these kitties are outrageously small. Now, that doesn't mean that they don't need lots of space, attention, food, and love, it just means that they're so small, that your heart will be stolen in only a few short hours.

The Ceylon comes from the island nation of Sri Lanka, which was once called British Ceylon until it was renamed in 1972. These tiny little feline friends can often weigh as little as between 6 and 10 pounds, and generally have beautiful golden, sand-colored fur.

These little beauties are often incredibly friendly, trusting, confident, and adaptable. If you get a Ceylon, though, you have to remember that its small size doesn't reduce its needs. Indeed, these tiny cats need a lot of activity and exercise in their day-to-day life, so you need to provide them will plenty of space and spots to explore!

Ironically, Bombay cats actually have no historical relationship with Bombay (now Mumbai) or India, but are instead named after the large black panthers that inhabit that area. They are quite rarely found in the US or Europe, are exceptionally small, and have a distinctive pitch-black coat.

Female Bombay cats grow to be between 5 and 10 pounds, but are often light on their feet, remarkably muscular, and incredibly beautiful. Their shiny, velvety black coat becomes even more striking when you see their large golden, dark orange, or copper eyes.

You will find that a Bombay cat will develop a very close relationship with its adoptive parents, and that it will make a lovely family cat that craves attention. If you want a cat that seeks you out and wants plenty of pats, this tiny little beast is a great way to go!

Munchkin cats are characterized as having incredibly short but strong legs, with their shoulders positioned much closer to the ground than most other cat breeds. As a result, they are often referred to as the smallest domesticated cat in the world, though that has since been disproved.

The average Munchkin weighs between 5 and 9 pounds and are short, squat, and incredibly small. What they lack in size, though, they make up for with their seemingly endless energy. They love to be challenged and played with, and enjoy a good climb. A Munchkin cat owner can expect a cat that's affectionate, playful, and doesn't like to be alone.

Devon Rex cats are often compared to leprechauns, due to their incredibly small body and comparably large ears. The females generally grow to only between 4 and 9 pounds, and have incredibly curly, soft, and sensitive coats that should never be brushed.

Prepare for an incredibly energetic and annoyingly smart cat when you take this little dude home. It will turn your whole apartment (or house) upside-down from its jumping antics and its continuous search to be the center of attention.

The Siamese cat is one of the oldest, most famous, and smallest cats in the world. They take their name from Siam, the former name of what is now modern day Thailand, and are believed to harbor the souls of the dead. Weighing in at only around 5 pounds, Siamese cats are tiny creatures with bright blue eyes, a shiny coat, and dotted fur.

Most Siamese cats make up for their small stature with a loving, gentle, affectionate, and child-friendly nature. They can be stubborn and sometimes misbehave, but there's nothing to worry about if you keep them challenged, entertained, and well-fed.

With their typically white and gray fur, American Curls are particularly striking, with incredibly cute rolled-back ears that have become their namesake. Don't fret, as these iconic ears are a random mutation and not a genetic defect, so their sense of hearing is not affected.

A female American Curl weighs in generally at between 5 and 10 pounds, and are some of the smallest cats in the world. They are incredibly friendly and loving, and particularly enjoy being close to children, maybe because they are also small. They are not pushy, but are affectionate, outgoing, eager, and can even learn tricks if you train them!

The Singapura cat has been named the smallest cat in the world by Singapore's Book of Records. As a result, we have decided to end with this feline friend! These tiny kitties have a maximum weight of around 5 pounds, are incredibly agile and intelligent, and love to cuddle up with their humans.

There is not a huge amount of genetic diversity within the Singapura cat breed, though, which greatly affects their health and breeding abilities. As a result, they have become quite rare and hard to find. The Singapura gets along very with children, despite its generally quiet nature.

One of the extraordinary things about cats that are as tiny as some of these li'l rascals is that they still require plenty of space, exercise, and activity. A lot of these cats can still be inside cats, but you can't give them less space just because of their physical size.

No matter what, you are in for an adorable treat if you choose one of these cute, tiny little kitties. They may be the smallest cats in the world, but they certainly have the biggest hearts!