5 hairless cat breeds you should know

They are surprising. Alienesque. Eternally naked.

They are hairless cats and there are more of them than you think.

If you’re like most people, your strategy for identifying hairless cat breeds involves just one breed: the Sphynx. Because the Sphynx is so well known, it is easy to assume that it is the only hairless breed on the planet.

This genetic trait is far from common, but it appears in several breeds. Some are developing or experimental breeds and others are established members of the hairless cat community.

In this article, we will learn all about hairless cat breeds. You’ll learn more about the history of this genetic mutation, learn how they differ from their furry cousins, and meet six amazing hairless breeds.

The 5 most beautiful breeds of hairless cats

1: Sphynx

• Origin: Canada
• Adult weight: 6-12 pounds
• Height: 8-10 inches
• Life expectancy: 8-14 years

When most people think of hairless cats, they picture the Sphynx. This breed was originally called the Canadian hairless cat.

It all started in the 1960s in Toronto when a shorthair cat named Elizabeth gave birth to a hairless kitten. The limited gene pool and poor understanding of hairless genes have been synonymous with control. The creation of the breed took years. The first natural litters of Sphynx kittens were born in Toronto and Minnesota about ten years later.

2: Baby

• Origin: United States
• Adult weight: 5-9 pounds
• Height: 5-8 inches
• Life expectancy: 9-14 years

This cat is, essentially, a bald dwarf.

Bambino is an Italian word that means “baby.” In fact, if you wrapped this little nugget in a blanket, it could pass for a human baby. This cat is a small piece of naked cat with four short legs. It is the result of a cross between Munchkin cats due to their dwarfism and Sphynx cats, which gives the Bambino a hairless appearance. The breed is currently considered experimental and is rapidly gaining popularity.

3: Peterbald

• Origin: Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Adult weight: 8-14 pounds
• Height: 8-10 inches
• Life expectancy: 11-13 years

This cat is a distinctive combination of the Donskoy and the Oriental Shorthair. He has the short-haired Donskoy and the long face, huge ears, and almond-shaped eyes of the Oriental Shorthair.

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The breed was created in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1994 and was recognized by TICA in 2009, but is rarely seen outside of Russia.

4: Donskoy

• Origin: Russia
• Adult weight: 8-14 pounds
• Height: 10-12 inches
• Life expectancy: 10-15 years

Also known as the Russian hairless cat, the Donskoy is physically almost identical to the Sphynx, but genetically distinct. Unlike the recessive gene found in the Sphynx, the Donskoy has a dominant hairless gene.

The breed was created in 1987 and has been recognized by TICA since 2005.

5: Ukrainian levy

• Origin: Ukraine
• Adult weight: 11-15 pounds
• Height: 9-12 inches
• Life expectancy: 12-15 years

He is an exceptional-looking cat that is sure to attract attention.

It inherits the hairless body of the Donskoy and the puckered ears of the Scottish Fold. This breed was developed during the first decade of the 21st century, making it a newcomer to the world of cats.

Although popular among Russian and Ukrainian fanciers, this experimental breed is not currently recognized by any major international peddler or breeder organization.

What are the origins of hairless cats and how did they become popular?

It seems that the hairless character first appeared in the early 20th century. According to EJ Shinick, the Pueblo Indians gave the cats in 1902. These cats, according to the natives, were the last of an ancient Aztec breed.

The 1903 publication “The Cat Book” quotes the correspondence between Mr. Shinick and Mr. HC Brooke:

«A most extraordinary variety, about which almost nothing is known, is the hairless cat, and we cannot do better than quote in full the description given by the owner of which, if his conjecture were unfortunately correct, it was the last couple of these animals in particular, of which we give a portrait. We can only add, that although we deeply regret that Mr. Shinick did not mate with his cats, we sincerely hope to know that he has discovered the existence of other specimens. «

The supposed Aztec past of these exotic cats made them doubly fascinating, and Mr. Shinick’s pair of hairless animals gained some fame. Other hairless cats of the time were called “New Mexico Hairless Cats,” “Mexican Hairless Cats,” or “Aztec Cats.”

The term “Mexican bald cat” was generally accepted for any bald cat until the early 1930s, when a French cat (this time with full fur) gave birth to bald kittens.

However, no one was successful in breeding cats for this genetic defect until the 1960s, when the most famous hairless cat breed was born. This breed is the Sphynx.

The Sphynx and all other hairless cat breeds have some characteristics in common. Here are some interesting facts and myths related to hairless cats of all breeds.

Curious facts about hairless cats

They’re not exactly hairless, in fact, they’re fluffy!

It is a bit misleading to describe these cats as “hairless.” Hairless cats are not completely bald, although they appear naked, they are covered with a thin layer of down. To the touch, they resemble a warm peach or a cat-sized suede hot water bottle.

Hairless cats are also not hypoallergenic.

This idea has its origins in a naming error. Hair is not the source of allergens, they are skin appendages. The allergenic protein is found in the cat’s skin and saliva. Due to its close relationship with saliva and skin, body hair transports dandruff and helps distribute it throughout the home.

There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat.

They are more sensitive to temperature than other cats.

Hairless cats can get cold easily, they have no fur to keep them warm. That is why it is good to provide them with coats and jackets. As the warmth of the human body contributes to their comfort on cold nights, they make perfect cuddlers and love to get under the covers with their owners.

In addition to being very sensitive to cold, hairless cats are also at risk of sunburn.

Your skin requires special care.

Like humans, hairless cats have sensitive skin that can become oily and dry.

Fight dryness with a gentle, non-toxic moisturizer. Since your naked cat’s skin accumulates sebum on the surface, you’ll need to wash it about once a week. When bathing your hairless cat, pay special attention to skin folds and other parts of the body. Without protective fur, these cats’ ears, eyes, and paws also tend to accumulate dirt.

Using baby wipes can also help keep skin clean between baths.