Hairless Cat BreedsBare-skinned cats and how to care for them

How cats become hairless

Hairless breeds trace back to spontaneous mutations that breeders then developed. The Sphynx began in Canada in the 1960s from a recessive gene, so both parents must carry it. The Donskoy, from Rostov-on-Don in Russia, carries a different, dominant hairless gene, and the Peterbald was created in St Petersburg by crossing the Donskoy with Oriental-type cats. The Ukrainian Levkoy combines hairlessness with folded ears.

The Lykoi is a special case: it is only partially hairless, with a patchy, roan coat and bare areas around the eyes and muzzle, which earned it the nickname werewolf cat. Many hairless cats are not completely bald either. They often have a fine peach-fuzz down, and some Peterbalds and Donskoys have a brush coat or grow more hair in winter.

Daily care is different, not less

Hairless does not mean low maintenance. Without fur to absorb skin oils, these cats need regular care:

• Bathing: most need a gentle bath or wipe-down roughly every week or two to remove oily buildup.
• Ears and nails: wax and oil collect in the ears and nail folds, so clean them often.
• Warmth: they lose body heat quickly, so provide heated beds, blankets and, in cold homes, cat sweaters.
• Sun protection: bare skin can burn, so keep them indoors and limit strong direct sun.
• Food: a higher metabolism means many hairless cats eat more than coated cats of the same size.

Hairless cats and allergies

Hairless cats are not hypoallergenic. The main cat allergen, a protein called Fel d 1, is made mainly in the skin and saliva, not the hair itself, and spreads when cats groom. A hairless cat leaves less shed hair around, which helps some people, but it still produces the allergen. Allergen levels also differ between individual cats. If you have allergies, spend real time with the breed, ideally with the specific cat, before committing.

Welfare considerations

Hairlessness can come with missing or curled whiskers, which cats use to sense their surroundings, plus a higher risk of skin problems and sunburn. Some European welfare authorities have raised concerns about breeding hairless cats, and rules differ by country. The Ukrainian Levkoy also carries the folded-ear trait, which in the related Scottish Fold is linked to cartilage and bone disease. The Sphynx is known to be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so ask breeders about heart screening.

Personality

Hairless breeds are known as some of the most social cats. The Sphynx, Donskoy and Peterbald tend to seek out laps, follow their people and dislike being alone. They suit households where someone is home often or where a second cat can keep them company.