The Pallas’ Cat Is the Ultimate Grumpy Cat Breed

Who could forget the famous “Grumpy Cat”? The cat had a distinct look that made his facial features appear as if he was very annoyed with the world — ultimately making him a pop culture sensation until he died in 2019.

However, the Pallas’ cat breed was the original Grumpy Cat. Just look at that face. It has that mean-spirited look about it with a flat face and large owl-like eyes that produce a nasty scowl. Maybe living in the brutal conditions of central Asia has something to do with it. Or maybe they just like being grumpy.

Whatever it is, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know about the ultimate cranky feline.

True to its nature, Pallas’ cats are known to have the worst attitude among all feline breeds. In fact, they live in solitary, and they seem content to stay that way. They would rather hang out in their dens than socialize with anyone else.

Keep in mind that Pallas’ cats are pretty much the same size as a domesticated cat but with some significant differences like appearance and where they live. 

Let’s just say that where Pallas’ cats hang out is not the most attractive spot on the planet. These cats live throughout Central Asia, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, along with central China, Mongolia and southern Russia. Pallas’ cats aren’t big fans of the snow since they prefer drier conditions to rain and cold.

They like to lounge in the dens they create in small caves, rock cracks and under boulders. What’s remarkable is these cats can be seen up to a height of 15,000 feet.

So, wouldn’t it be cool to have a Pallas’ cat as a pet, scurrying around your front room as curious as any cat out there? Well, you can forget that idea. Pallas’ cats are not suited for domestic life.

In fact, if they are removed from their natural habitat of high elevation, their health could be in serious trouble. They have an immune system that allows them to thrive in high altitudes, and they can catch bacteria and viruses from lower elevations. 

Pallas’ cats have the longest and densest fur of any cat on the planet. What makes this a bit unusual is that their fur is twice as long on their belly and tail as on their top and sides. We must assume that their fur helps them when they hunt on snow or frozen ground.

In addition, their fur turns color relative to what season it is. For instance, in the winter, their hair becomes grayer and more uniform in color, whereas in the summer, they have more stripes and ochre colors in their fur. This comes in handy when Pallas’ cats need to use this for camouflage.