Hairless cat breeds are truly sights to behold. There are several recognized breeds, from sphynx to bambino, and each is special in its own way. Some hairless cats have very fine peach fuzz while others are truly smooth to the touch. Note though that since these cats are rarer than your average domestic house cats, they tend to cost more.
Here are 10 breeds to consider if you're interested in adopting a hairless cat.
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Sphynx
Getty Images/By Wunderfool
The most well-known hairless cat breed is the sphynx, which originated in Toronto, Canada in the 1960s. Resulting from a naturally occurring recessive genetic mutation, the sphynx was developed through crossbreeding with shorthair cats to create a healthy, broad gene pool. Some sphynx cats have a downy coat or patches of hair, primarily on the face, legs, and tail.
These cats are cuddly, very social, and extremely vocal. They’re also playful and loving, and have a lot of energy. However, they should be screened regularly for heart issues since they are prone to them. And they are also expensive, priced over $1,500 on average.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Loving, energetic
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; lean build
Energy Level: High
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
02 of 10Bambino
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The bambino is a pint-sized hairless cat, as their name—"baby" or "child" in Italian—suggests. This dwarf feline is a cross between the sphynx and the munchkin. They have short legs and tall, pointy ears, showing features of both breeds.
Some bambinos might have a little fur, primarily on the face, ears, legs, and tail, while others are totally hairless. They can be prone to skin problems, and giving them baths can be helpful.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 8 inches
Weight: 5 to 9 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Outgoing, affectionate, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; stocky body; large ears
Life Span: Up to 12 years
03 of 10Donskoy
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Also known as the Russian hairless, Don hairless, or Don sphynx, the Donskoy is different from the sphynx. The sphynx gets their hairlessness from a recessive genetic mutation. Meanwhile, the Donskoy gets their hairlessness from a dominant gene.
Interestingly, some Donskoy cats develop a partial winter coat when the weather cools, and they shed it once the temperatures warm up. These cats make great pets because they are intelligent and easy to train, as well as friendly and affectionate.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, curious, smart
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkles around cheeks; muscular body
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
04 of 10Dwelf
Thomas Leirikh / Getty Images The dwelf comes from crosses among the munchkin, American curl, and sphynx cat breeds. Several mutations created this breed’s hairless, compact, and elf-like appearance.
The mutations that create this breed’s unique appearance, however, also can contribute to health issues, including skeletal problems. Still, these cats tend to be highly engaged with their families.
Breed Overview
Height: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, outgoing
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; short or absent whiskers and eyebrows; short legs; curled ears
Life Span: About 12 years
Continue to 5 of 10 below05 of 10Elf
Kirimiti / Wikipedia Commons / CC by 2.0
When you cross a sphynx and an American curl, the product is the friendly and playful elf cat, a larger version of the dwelf. Their appearance might remind some people of Dobby from Harry Potter.
These cats typically have a downy feel to their soft skin, similar to peach fuzz. Some have light patches of hair over the ears, nose, paws, or tail.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Smart, affectionate
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; muscular body; prominent cheek bones; wrinkled skin; curled ears
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
06 of 10Lykoi
Angela Emanuelsson / EyeEm / Getty Images Also known as the werewolf cat, the lykoi isn’t always hairless. Some lykoi cats are entirely covered in the breed’s distinctive black-gray coat, while others are predominantly hairless. Most of these cats lack hair around their faces, on the backs of their ears, and their legs and feet.
These cats are friendly towards people and other animals in the home. They’re sociable and outgoing, love to play, and some will even play fetch like dogs.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Partially hairless (sparse on face and legs); short tail; black-gray coat
Life Span: 15 to 20 years
07 of 10Minskin
Paulmcsorley / Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 3.0
The minskin is a short-legged, hairless cat breed developed from breeding a munchin and a sphynx. These cats often have sparse, fine fur on their bodies, especially at the “points” (the nose, ears, legs, and tail). Their bellies are almost always hairless.
Minskins enjoy being around people, and can get along with kids and other pets, including other cats. They are affectionate and intelligent, as well as playful and athletic.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 8 inches
Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, athletic
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Short legs; sparse hair only on the points (ears, nose, legs, tail)
Life Span: About 12 years
08 of 10Peterbald
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The Peterbald is an elegant feline with prominent features and long limbs. They originated from a cross between the Donskoy and Oriental shorthair. Not all Peterbalds are born hairless. Some kittens have a fine, downy coat that they either shed or retain for life. Occasionally, a Peterbald is born with a full coat like a typical cat.
These cats are very loyal and act like dogs. They are one of the friendliest of the hairless cat breeds.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, outgoing
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or short fuzz; almond-shaped eyes; large, pointed ears
Life Span: Up to 15 years
Continue to 9 of 10 below09 of 10Sphynx Hybrids
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Breeders continue to use the hairless mutation in sphynx cats to produce new hybrids. For instance, the Sphynxiebob is a cross between a sphynx and an American bobtail and emerged in 2015, and this cat looks nearly identical to the sphynx but is either tailless or has a short, bobbed tail.
Although most hybrids aren't officially recognized breeds, they broaden the range of hairless cats.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; bobtail (Sphynxiebob)
10 of 10Ukrainian Levkoy
photo by Volchanskiy / Getty Images With their hairless body and inward-folding ears, the Ukrainian levkoy has a unique appearance.
These cats were the result of a cross between the Donskoy and Scottish fold cat breeds. Many can even get along well with other pets.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; inward-folding ears; slender, long body
Life Span: About 12 years
Breed Characteristics
Hairless cat breeds are the result of genetic mutations that have done away with their protective fur. These cats need specific care.
They often have difficulties staying warm, requiring sweaters and cold weather gear. And if your cat spends any amount of time lying out on a window sill, their skin needs cat-safe sunscreen.
Additionally, some hairless kitties will need regular baths to prevent oil buildup on the skin. Hairless cats also tend to be more active with a higher rate of metabolism, often requiring a high-quality food to meet their energy needs.
How to Care for a Hairless Cat
Unlike cats with fur who only need to be brushed regularly, hairless cat breeds need a different level of grooming to protect their skin and keep it healthy. Oils can build up on their skin, and they can develop problems like acne, so bathing your cat regularly, such as every week, can be beneficial. Use is a hypoallergenic cat shampoo and warm water, and make sure you rinse and dry your cat thoroughly.
To keep your cat warm when the weather cools, you can use heated pet beds, blankets, and cat sweaters if your pet will tolerate wearing them. You can also let them rest in a sunny spot in your home, and of course, cuddle with your cat to keep them warm.
On the other hand, when the weather is hot, you don’t want your cat to end up overheating. Provide your pet with cool areas to rest in, bearing in mind that high air conditioning might cause them to get too cold.
If you’re concerned about your cat getting a sunburn at any time of the year, use a cat-specific sunscreen that is non-toxic to felines.
Breeds to Avoid
If cat hair is your archnemesis, then you likely want to steer clear of breeds that are fluffy or shed a lot. Some of the highest shedding felines include:
- Persian
- Maine coon
- Norwegian forest cat
- Himalayan
- Manx
- Cymric
13 Convincingly Cute Sphynx CatsFAQ- How much are hairless cats?
Depending on the breed and your location, hairless cats cost from $1,500 to $3,000.
Why are hairless cats hairless?class="comp sources mntl-block">Hairless cats resulted from a genetic mutation. Modern hairless cat breeds are generally a mix of hairless and short-haired breeds.
Why are hairless cats so expensive?Because they are purebred and hard to find, hairless cats will cost more. Demand generally exceeds supply.
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