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Hairless cats are truly a sight 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 housecats, they can tend to cost more.
Tip
Some people assume hairless cats are hypoallergenic, but that’s not necessarily true. Usually, the cat’s most triggering allergens are on a cat’s skin or in kitty saliva. Many hairless breeds develop skin conditions—so instead of shedding hair, they shed dead skin—problematic for those with allergies.
Breed Characteristics
Hairless 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 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 little more high-quality food to meet their energy needs.
Here are 10 breeds to consider if you’re interested in adopting a hairless cat.
Bambino
The bambino is a pint-sized hairless cat, as its name, meaning “baby” or “child” in Italian, suggests. This dwarf feline is a cross between the sphynx and the munchkin. Some might have a little fur, primarily on the face, ears, legs, and tail. And others are totally hairless. These cats tend to be outgoing, affectionate, and quite playful.
Breed Overview
- Height: 7 to 8 inches
- Weight: 5 to 9 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; stocky body; large ears
Donskoy
Also known as the Russian hairless, Don hairless, or Don sphynx, the Donskoy is uniquely different from the sphynx. The sphynx gets its hairlessness from a recessive genetic mutation. Meanwhile, the Donskoy gets its 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.
Breed Overview
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkles around cheeks; muscular body
Dwelf
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, contributing to health issues, including skeletal problems. Still, these cats tend to be highly outgoing and engaged with their families. They love to play.
Breed Overview
- Height: 6 to 7 inches
- Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; short or absent whiskers and eyebrows; short legs; curled ears
Elf
When you cross a sphynx and American curl breed, the product is the friendly and playful elf cat, a larger version of the dwelf. 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
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless; muscular body; prominent cheek bones; wrinkled skin; curled ears
Lykoi
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.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Partially hairless (sparse on face and legs); short tail; black-gray coat
Minskin
The minskin is a short-legged, hairless cat developed from a cross between a munchin and a sphynx. The Devon rex and Burmese cat breeds were later worked into the establishment of this breed. 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.
Breed Overview
- Height: 7 to 8 inches
- Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Short legs; sparse hair only on the points (ears, nose, legs, tail)
Peterbald
The Peterbald is an elegant feline with prominent features and long limbs. It 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.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless or short fuzz; almond-shaped eyes; large, pointed ears
Sphynx
The most well-known hairless cat breed is the sphynx, which originated in 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.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; lean build
Sphynx Hybrids
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, which emerged in 2015. It looks nearly identical to the sphynx, but it 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)
Ukrainian Levkoy
With its 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. They tend to be quite friendly, intelligent, and playful, and many can even get along well with other pets.
Breed Overview
- Height: 7 to 10 inches
- Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; inward-folding ears; slender, long body
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 the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric.
13 Convincingly Cute Sphynx Cats FAQ
- How much are hairless cats?
Depending on the breed and your location, hairless cats cost from $1500 to $3000.
- Why are hairless cats hairless?
Because of a genetic mutation.
- How long do hairless cats live?
Hairless cats live to be from eight to 14 years.
- Why are hairless cats so expensive?
Because they are purebred and hard to find: demand always exceeds supply.
