What Is a Teacup Persian?

A miniature — not a separate breed

Long before the word “Teacup” touched the cat world; it described animals intentionally bred to be one-third the size of the standard.

Standard Persians often mature around 15 pounds. A Persian maturing near 5 pounds fits the classic Teacup category naturally and honestly. At Teatime, our adults typically mature between 4–8 pounds. Their size is not an accident. Not a defect. Not a shortcut. It is the result of downsizing, intentional pairing and long-term selection. Our largest adult weighs 8 pounds; we do not expect to produce kittens who exceed that. They are purebred Persians — simply rendered in a more refined scale.

About Teatime

A pursuit of miniature perfection, decades in the making

More than twenty years ago, a magazine ad began a lifelong fascination with Miniature Persians in my daughter. Our search for the perfect pet Teacup Persian led us to Honey, a 3 pound cream and white female with an extremely grumpy expression. She lived to be 14, and losing her left my daughter absolutely heartbroken. When we began searching for another Persian with Honey’s combination of tiny size, flat features, and unforgettable personality, we discovered just how misunderstood Teacups truly were. Many breeders were calling runts, undersized kittens, or genetically dwarfed cats “teacup,” leaving families confused and often disappointed when their kitten grew far larger than expected or faced health issues. Finding a true flat faced Teacup Persian was nearly impossible. But when we finally located one, her breeder entrusted us with full breeding rights. Then, we discovered an authentic male Teacup Persian who was also available with breeding rights. That unexpected pair changed everything. With cats from two genuine Teacup lines, we set out to breed Teacup Persians the right way. We registered TEATIME with the Cat Fanciers’ Association and welcomed our first litter soon after.
We work with naturally small, well-structured Persians — not dwarfs or unhealthy runts. My goal was to create a program dedicated to ethical downsizing, prioritizing health, proportion, temperament, and longevityabove all else. Today, Teatime is a boutique cattery dedicated exclusively to one of the world’s rarest felines: the true, flat faced Teacup Persian. Every pairing is chosen with purpose. Every kitten is raised with devotion. Every generation carries a whisper of Honey. Teatime exists because we refused to let REAL Teacup Persians fade from the world. To our knowledge, Teatime is the only cattery in the United States — and possibly the world — consistently producing true smush faced Teacup Persians.

Inside the Teatime Program

Designer Persians, conceived with intention

Our Teacups are the result of careful downsizing. Every kitten begins as a deliberate pairing, chosen for health, structure, temperament, and miniature refinement. This is not mass breeding. Our breeding program currently consists of 1 breeding male and 4 breeding females. We also have a male buddy for our stud. Our adult cats are not just breeding animals, they are family. They live freely within our home — never in cages. We DO have to keep the males and females seperate so that we can control breedings so our boys have their own area of the house. Kittens are raised underfoot and are handled from birth to encourage confidence, affection, and trust. Their nursery is styled in tiny antique furnishings and plush comforts. Our girl cats have a collection of over 500 hairbows and a closet full of tiny dresses. They are, first and foremost, our pets and we thoroughly enjoy them. My relationship with families doesn’t end when a kitten goes home. I offer lifetime support and welcome updates, questions, and photos. Many of my families come back for a second (or third!) Teatime kitten because of the trust we’ve built together over the years. To me, every adoption is not a transaction — it’s a relationship, rooted in love for these magical little cats.

How to Spot a Genuine Teacup Persian Breeder

Look for adult cats, not just kittens

Any breeder can show adorable babies, but true teacup size can only be proven through the fully grown parents. Breeders of authentic Teacup Persians share clear photos of adult cats so you can see the real size and structure their lines produce. Ask for measurements, not just weight. Weight alone can be deceiving. Reputable Teacup breeders give length measurements from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, because true Teacup size is about proportion, not just a small number on a scale. Our female Teacup Persians are typically

9-11 inches long from the base of their necks to the base of their tails. Our male Teacup Persians are typically 10-12 inches long from the base of their necks to the base of their tails.

Safety

Can I come to your house and pick out a kitten?

I no longer allow potential kitten buyers to visit my home. Many small breeders have made the same choice over the years, especially after incidents like the Paul Peavey case reminded us how important it is to protect ourselves. I’m happy to answer questions and provide plenty of photos and videos of the kittens so you can get to know your kitten from afar. If my safety policy doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, I understand completely.

Purebred Miniature Persian Kittens

Are your kittens CFA registered?

Our kittens are CFA-registered, meaning you’re receiving a documented, purebred Persian—not a mixed or mislabeled kitten.

Myth-Busting

Because rare beauty deserves clarity

Myth 1: “Teacup Persians are runts.”

Runts happen by chance. Teacups happen by design.

Myth 2: “They are unhealthy because they’re small.”

A well-bred Teacup is as robust as its full-sized counterpart.

Myth 3: “They stay kitten-sized forever.”

They mature into elegant miniature adults.

Myth 4: “There is no such thing as a Teacup Persian. Teacup is a scam term.”

In some hands, yes. In ours, never.

Myth 5: “Teacups have short lives.”

Our first Teacup, Honey, lived to be 14 years old.

How to Acquire a Teatime Kitten

Acquiring the rarest Persian begins with a simple application

1. Submit our online application.

2. Upon approval, we’ll text a password to the phone number in your application, granting access to our exclusive purchase area.

3. Choose your kitten when you’re ready.

Pick up your kitten up here in Louisville, Kentucky or choose our White Glove Hand Delivery Service.

Pickup in Louisville is free. For those who prefer to have their kitten delivered, we offer a personal courier service provided by a trusted family friend — a veterinary technician. He transports your kitten directly from our home to yours, door-to-door. His fee varies by distance and is not included in the kitten’s price. We no longer offer airport meetups or airline cargo. Only personal delivery ensures the safety and serenity our kittens deserve. All online payments are processed securely through Square.