- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Hairless cats have a devoted following—and it’s not hard to see why. A genetic mutation gives them delicate, suede-like fuzz in place of traditional cat hair. Their wrinkles, bat ears, and big eyes are as characteristic as their warm, affectionate personalities. In fact, they’re so friendly that they’re often described as being “doglike.”
There are three hairless cat breeds recognized by major cat registries such as The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA): the Sphynx, the Donskoy, and the Peterbald. We review the qualities of these charming naked kitties and ask the experts what they need to live their best lives.
Sphynx Cats
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The Sphynx is the most famous of the hairless cat breeds. Named after the mythical Egyptian creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, the Sphynx cat dates back to the 1960s in Canada when a naturally occurring genetic mutation caused a hairless kitten to be born. The kitten was named “Prune” due to its wrinkled skin. Prune was then bred to other cats.
Sphynx cats aren’t really hairless. They have a thin layer of down fur that makes them very soft to pet. Warm to the touch, they are often described as feeling like a fuzzy hot water bottle.
Sphynx cats tend to be affectionate, love to show off, and are happy to socialize with other furry creatures—even dogs! Because of their outgoing nature, they make great therapy animals.
- Size: 8″-10″ tall; 6-12 pounds
- Distinctive features: Peach-fuzz fur, few to no whiskers
- Personality: Social, affectionate, goofy, dog-like
- Activity level: Athletic, active, playful
- Special grooming needs: Weekly bathing, ear cleaning, and toothbrushing
- Difficulty of care: Weekly baths are critical to avoid skin infections. Because of their high metabolism, Sphynx cats have a big appetite. Care must be taken to prevent overeating.
- Health risks: Sunburn, sensitivity to hot and cold weather, skin issues, ear infections
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Donskoy Cats
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This hairless breed is known by a few different names—Don Sphynx, Russian Donskoy, Don hairless, and Russian hairless. The Donskoy originated in southern Russia in 1987. While they look similar to the Sphynx, a different mutation causes their hairless trait.
The Donskoy is muscular, with oversized ears, almond-shaped eyes, and wrinkled skin. Often described as looking a bit like “E.T.,” they even have webbed toes!
The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes four different coat types:
- Rubber bald: when they’re born bald and stay that way
- Flocked: looks hairless but feels soft like soft chamois
- Velour: has a bald spot on the head, but hair may remain on their face, legs, and tail
- Brush: they have some hair, but bald spots may happen
Donskoys are very sociable and can be demanding—they love to spend time with their people.
- Size: 11″-12″ tall; 6-12 pounds
- Distinctive features: Few to no whiskers, wrinkled skin, webbed toes
- Personality: Loving, affectionate, social, good with children and other pets
- Activity level: Athletic, playful, inquisitive
- Grooming needs: Daily wipe-down to get rid of oils; weekly bathing, ear cleaning, and toothbrushing
- Difficulty of care: Sensitive to sun and temperature changes
- Health risks: Sunburn, skin problems
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Peterbald Cats
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The Peterbald has a sleek Siamese-like look and unique webbed feet. A cross between the Donskoy and Oriental shorthair, the Peterbald’s coat can change during its first couple of years, with hairless texture being lost or gained.
The Peterbald has five coat variations:
- Naked: Completely hairless with a silky feel
- Chamois: Peach fuzz that is dry to the touch
- Flock: Velvet, slightly dense coat
- Brush: Sparse, wiry, and kinky coat
- Straight: Normal straight-haired coat
Peterbalds can be dog-like in their desire to greet you at the door after work (doesn’t that feel nice?), chirp at you, and perhaps even follow you around a bit.
- Size: 8″-10″ tall; 5-10 pounds
- Distinctive features: Sleek, narrow face and large ears
- Personality: Social, affectionate, inquisitive, dog-like
- Grooming needs: Bathing and ear cleaning every other week, nail trimming, dental care, sun protection
- Difficulty of care: Hairless Peterbalds need weekly bathing, and they’re sensitive to sun and temperature changes. Because of their high metabolism, Peterbald cats have a big appetite.
- Activity: Friendly, playful, outgoing, athletic
- Health risks: Weather and sun sensitivity
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Why Are Hairless Cats Hairless?
The hairless cat breeds are the result of a naturally occurring genetic mutation. This mutation disrupts the normal development of hair follicles, resulting in a lack of fur or only peach-fuzz hair on their bodies. Selective breeding has been used to develop and maintain the hairless trait.
According to Cyndee Hill, longtime breeder and Sphynx Breed Council Secretary for The Cat Fanciers Association, “hairless” is a bit of a misnomer because these cats can have varying degrees of hairlessness.
“The Sphynx breed is not actually hairless. They have a very fine down on them,” she explains. “It’s almost like us. Are we hairless? No. We’ve got little hairs on us. They’re teeny, they’re tiny, but they’re still there. The same thing with the Sphynx. They can have hair on the bridge of their nose, they can have hair on their tail, they can have hair on their feet.”
The Donskoy and Peterbald can be super bald or have hair of some sort.
“Some (cats) can be a little fuzzier, some can be more naked. Some can be clean and some can be greasy. You know, it all boils down to genetics,” says Hill.
The Care of Hairless Cats
Hairless cat breeds can be harder to care for than furrier cats. That’s because they require more regular grooming to avoid skin issues, as well as careful nutrition to avoid overfeeding.
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Frequent grooming
Hairless cats require regular maintenance because they have oily skin, and there is no fur to distribute the oil.
“You really need to pay attention to their skin type to determine how often you need to bathe them,” says Hill. “Because if you bathe them too much and you strip the oil off their skin too often, they’ll actually produce more oil.” A typical timeline might be once every one to two weeks.
Weekly nail clipping and ear cleaning are also required. “Clean their ears once a week because their ears are going to get greasy, and their nails are going to get greasy because they don’t have the natural fur in those locations that would typically absorb the oils that their bodies produce,” explains Hill.
As with furry cats, you’ll want to clean the eyes and brush the teeth on a regular basis.
It’s important that hairless cats are protected from sunburn and skin damage, as well as from cold temperatures.
Careful nutrition
The Sphynx and Peterbald eat more than your regular kitty because of their high metabolism. The Sphynx tends to be particularly food driven, so you’ll need to monitor their weight. They have a round belly and pear-shaped body, which makes them all the more charming.
The Donskoy doesn’t have any particular nutritional needs other than good-quality canned food, dry kibble, and plenty of clean drinking water.
Regular vet visits
Like furry cats, hairless cats require trips to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccinations. In addition, because they are so sun sensitive, they need to be checked for skin problems.
The Donskoy and Peterbald are considered overall healthy breeds with no known health issues. The Sphynx is at risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart disease that can cause heart failure and death, so it’s important to do all the appropriate health testing.
Playtime
All three of the hairless cat breeds are very playful and social and may engage in a game of fetch.
The inquisitive Donskoy loves to explore and is on the move a lot. They enjoy interactive toys and do well with children and other pets.
Peterbald cats are athletic, smart, and chatty. They love to be with their people, whether it’s for a game or simply following their people around the house.
Sphynx cats are agile and active cats who love to spend time with their people. “They are like a dog, a monkey, and a two-year-old all wrapped into one little feline body,” says Hill. “They’re very playful, they’re very loving, they’re super smart, they’re a little goofy, a little clumsy.”
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Are Hairless Cats Hypoallergenic?
It’s a common misconception that the lack of fur makes hairless cats hypoallergenic. Hairless cats can still trigger allergic reactions because allergens are not limited to a cat’s fur. Allergens are also present in the cat’s skin oils and saliva. When a cat grooms itself, the saliva is deposited on its skin and can then be transferred to surfaces in the home.
Hill says it really just depends on what you’re allergic to. “I usually tell people who have cat allergies to come visit, play with [the cats], hold them, go home. Don’t change your clothes and see if you have a reaction. And it’s about 50/50. Some people are fine and some people are not,” she explains.
How To Adopt a Hairless Cat
If you’re interested in looking for a hairless cat, the International Cat Association provides a list of breeders.
The organization offers tips on how to spot scams and ask the right questions when you are communicating with a breeder.
If you’re looking for a Sphynx, it’s important to be certain the breeder is doing appropriate health testing, because the breed is prone to heart disease.
The cost of adopting a hairless cat from a breeder can vary depending on the cat’s lineage. A Donskoy may cost between $500 and $2,500, while Peterbald and Sphynx cats range between $1,500 to $3,000.
Another option is to check your local shelter for hairless cats available for adoption. There’s also Sphynx Open Arms Rescue, a nonprofit organization that helps with the transport, fostering, treatment, care, and rehoming of Sphynx cats in need. Volunteers are located across the U.S.
The Problem with Breeding
The Sphynx, Peterbald, and Donskoy breeds are the result of naturally occurring genetic mutations and are recognized by feline associations, but there is controversy about “designer breeds.”
Designer hairless breeds include:
- The Bambino, a cross between the Sphynx and the short-legged Munchkin
- The Dwelf, a cross between the Sphynx, Munchkin, and the American Curl
- The Levkoy, a cross between a Donskoy and a Scottish Fold
“Those are where someone has decided to cross the Sphynx with another cat that has a genetic structural mutation and create a mutant, as we refer to them,” says Hill. “They do come with health risks.”
Those risks may include breathing problems, severe joint deformities, and heart disease.
These “hybrids” may be hard to find, and that means they can go for more than $5,000 and perhaps attract unscrupulous breeders.
Fall in Love With a Naked Cat
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Photo courtesy of PinUp Cats
Hill, whose love for the Sphynx breed dates back to the 1990s, describes the reaction she gets when people visit her home and see hairless cats for the first time.
“(The) initial reaction is usually ‘ohh,’ and then once they sit down and start to see [the cats’] personality, they’re like, ‘Oh, my God, this is the most amazing thing ever.’ These cats don’t know a stranger, you know? … If you come to my house, you’re going to be greeted by eight faces looking at you like, ‘Hey, come pet me, come love me, come pick me up. They’re very comical, but I think that’s part of the charm of the breed and why so many people have fallen in love with them.”
