Cats – we often think of them as adorable bundles of soft fur that overwhelm us with their cuddliness and cuteness.

But a new type of cat is quickly becoming very popular around the world: hairless cats. Hairless cats have very fine peach-like undercoat instead of the usual cat coat.

The distinctive, unusual appearance of hairless cats is proof of the adage, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ but many people find looking like elves or aliens very attractive. And their eye-catching appearance goes hand in hand with their warm friendliness and playful personalities.

Hairless cats love people and are highly affectionate towards people. Hairless cats love to be cuddled and will find any excuse to curl up comfortably on your belly or get into bed with you.

They are also very intelligent, eager to learn and very playful.

Maybe you’re tired of cat hair everywhere, or maybe you want a cat by your side at all times of the day.

…whatever your reason, a hairless cat is sure to attract attention.

Are these officially recognized breeds?

Correct. There are several different hairless cat breeds approved by international cat breeding associations such as TICA (International Cat Association) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

These associations have established specific identification characteristics for each breed to ensure the purity and long-term health of the breed.

Hairless cat breeds include:

• Sphynx
• leprechaun
• Peterbald
• Donskoy
• Levkoy Ukraine
• Bambino

Are they really hairless?

In fact, no cat is completely hairless as they still retain some fine hair that gives them a velvety feel. Some cats that are hairless at birth will have a certain amount of cat hair but then gradually (over the first few years) will go bald.

Some hairless cats may retain areas of fur such as tufts of fur on their tails resembling a lion’s tail or fur between the toes.

The lack of hair is the result of breeding a specific recessive gene. Since hairless cats don’t shed, you no longer have to worry about trying to remove cat hair from your carpets, furniture, or clothes.

Unfortunately, the lack of hair does not necessarily make them less allergenic, as it is not cat hair that causes allergies but certain proteins found in dead skin cells and cat saliva.

However, some people with cat allergies may be less sensitive to hairless cats, in part because regular bathing of hairless cats removes some allergens.

Sphynx

The Sphynx is perhaps the most famous and beloved hairless cat.

Sphynx cats are known for being extremely friendly, inquisitive, and playful. They love attention and will greet visitors like old friends.

They can be a bit clumsy when it comes to too much fun but their best efforts to get your attention are irresistible.

Some people believe that the Sphynx cat’s wrinkled appearance and round belly make it look like a respectable and wise Buddha.

The Sphynx was discovered by accident when a domestic cat in Toronto gave birth to the first Sphynx in 1966.

An intensive breeding program established a stronger gene pool and bloodline and the Sphynx was officially recognized by TICA over 20 years ago.

Sphynx cats are characterized by:

• Diverse colors and color designs
• Large lemon-shaped eyes
• Ears are long—up to 4-6cm long
• Extremely wrinkled skin
• The feet are as long as the hands and extremely dexterous
• Easy handling

The modern Sphynx is generally a very healthy cat and gets along well with other dogs and cats in the household. Sphynx cats are also very loyal and devoted to their owners.

leprechaun

The Elf cat is a newer breed of hairless cat and is the result of intentional crossbreeding between the Sphynx and the American Curl.

The elf gets its name from one of its most distinctive features: cute curly ears that originate from the American Curl gene. And with its startlingly round eyes, the Goblin will leave you with the impression that you are looking at a creature straight out of an ancient legend.

Another particularly notable feature of the Goblin is its wrinkled appearance, especially around the neck and head. This is most noticeable in kittens but can also be seen in well-nourished adult cats.

The elf is an extremely patient and friendly cat with many personalities. It loves to stay close to its human family and will provide hours of fun with its lively and intelligent explorations of its surroundings. They are very playful and love to climb.

Elf features:

• Strong and agile body weighs up to 7kg
• The ears are large with distinctive curved tips—the insides of the ears are usually completely hairless
• Large walnut-shaped eyes
• The tail is slim, in proportion to the rest of the body, tapering to a point
• Can be quite sing
• The head is a little longer than wide

Like most hairless cats, Elf craves attention. Goblin cats will become very unhappy if left alone for too long, so it’s important to have other dogs or cats around if you can’t be there to give them the love they need.

Dedicated Elf breeders are working hard to ensure that inbreeding with cats from purebred stock such as the Sphynx, American Curl and Highlander will result in a healthy Elf gene pool.

Goblins are one of the newest dog breeds available, and acceptance by TICA as a separate breed is almost certain to happen in the near future. Currently, Elves can be classified as Sphynx with special characteristics.

Peterbald

Peterbald first appeared in Russia in 1988. Well-bred Peterbald is very healthy and agile.

The Peterbald will never tire of showing you affection and its friendly, highly sociable personality will ensure that it remains a favorite with both families and visitors.

Featured:

• Beautiful big round eyes
• Slim neck
• Extremely luxurious big ears
• High-pitched voice—will often talk to you

The Peterbald is a beautiful breed of cat and is recognized by TICA as a separate breed.

Donskoy

Donskoy is another Russian cat that appeared in the 1980s.

Donskoy is loved by many people because of his extremely friendly, sociable and approachable nature. It loves everyone who comes to its home and is very friendly with children as well as other companion animals such as dogs and is extremely loyal.

The Donskoy has a very wrinkled appearance but its large eyes and ears and sleek body structure give it a truly elegant appearance.

Characteristics of Donskoy hairless cats:

• Medium sized cat
• Gorgeous eyes that seem to pierce through you
• Large elegant ears
• Oval feet have long webbed toes

Unlike other hairless cats, the Donskoy can grow a winter coat before losing it when the weather gets warmer.

Levkoy Ukraine

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a new breed that has recently appeared on the hairless cat scene and is not yet recognized by TICA or CFA. Its combination of strength, friendliness without being too overbearing, and cute folded ears meant it quickly attracted many new fans.

The Ukrainian Levkoy is the result of a cross between a Sphynx and a Scottish Fold and the combination of its gorgeous almond-shaped eyes and folded ears will be irresistible to anyone who loves the exotic and cute.

Typical characteristics:

• Large almond-shaped eyes located at one corner
• The soft ears fold down but do not touch the head
• The wedge-shaped head is shaped somewhat like a dog
• Slender, muscular body

Ukrainian Levkoys can be of any color.

Bambino

The hairless characteristics of the Sphynx combined with the short legs of the Munchkin breed give the Bambino a very distinctive appearance.

Like all hairless cats, the Bambino is actually covered in a layer of fine peach-colored down, and they have an incredibly warm and loving personality.

Bambinos are agile and active, despite their short legs, and love to play.

Outstanding features of Bambinos:

• Wrinkled, hairless appearance
• Short legs
• Some may have furry tails, like a lion’s tail
• Big eyes look like Gollum (Lord of the Rings)

Bambinos are currently recognized by TICA as an experimental variety

Do hairless cats have special needs?

Typically, cat hair provides protection against cold temperatures and sunburn, so special attention must be paid to the care of your hairless cats.

Hairless cats are best kept indoors or in cat cages as they are essentially indoor cats as they do not have the ability to easily regulate their body temperature.

This means they are susceptible to colds. Likewise, sunburn is a very real risk if they are exposed to too much sunlight. Many people like to dress their cats in hairless clothes, and purpose-made coats will help protect them from the elements.

Hairless cats need regular bathing (weekly or monthly). This is because the lack of body hair encourages oil buildup that can cause skin conditions. Oil can also stain clothes and fabrics.

The absence of hair in the ears can also cause problems with infections, so cleaning the ears regularly with some cotton balls soaked in apple cider vinegar is an important preventative action.

Hairless cats are extremely active and tend to have a high metabolism, so it’s important to provide plenty of high-quality nutrition for their energy needs.

Hairless cats need companionship and you need to reciprocate that affection or have other companion animals to keep them company. They will wilt if left untreated for too long.

Although hairless cats are at risk for heart disease, if you buy from a reputable breeder and take care of your cat, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t live a long, healthy life.