In the event you’re contemplating getting a cat however don’t desire the duty of regularly vacuuming up hair, or not too long ago watched Austin Powers and located your self entranced by Mr. Bigglesworth—performed by the fantastically named Ted Nudegent—you sound such as you’re contemplating adopting a hairless cat. And, if that is the case, you possible have your eye on a sphynx cat, the most typical hairless cat breed, in line with Kirsten Kranz, the director and founding father of Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue.
“It is a fantastic breed in its personal approach. I really like them … nevertheless it’s a high-maintenance [cat],” says Kranz, who owns three sphynx cats.
However as tempting as these furless felines could also be, they do have some explicit care wants and distinct personalities that will not make them a match for everybody. Here is what else you must know earlier than bringing house a brand new wrinkly, bald buddy.
Hairless Cats Aren’t Hypoallergenic
Loads of allergy victims desire a pet—this creator amongst them—however a hairless cat is not a straightforward approach out. Having little to no hair to shed is useful, however hairless cats nonetheless produce the widespread allergen present in dander and saliva.
Kranz says individuals will generally flip sphynxes over to her rescue due to their extreme allergic reactions. Folks can react to allergens in cats’ pores and skin, and hairless cats are nearly nothing however pores and skin.
“There are such a lot of elements to allergic reactions,” she says.
In the event you undergo from allergic reactions with a hairless cat in the home, you may comply with Cats Safety’s recommendations on residing with a cat: making your bed room a cat-free zone, washing your palms after touching the cat, and eliminating furnishings and rugs that “entice” allergens.
The Finest Cats for Folks with Cat Allergy symptoms
Hairless Cat Breeds
Whereas the sphynx is the preferred hairless breed, it is hardly the one one. Here is a fast rundown of all of the breeds of hairless cats in your perusal:
Sphynx
We have lined them already, however yet another enjoyable reality: Sphynx cats will generally develop a really high-quality layer of hair, just like peach fuzz.
Peterbald
Peterbald cats can put on a spread of coat sorts, and their bones are a bit extra delicate than the sphynxes, Petfinder says.
Donskoy
A Peterbald-Siamese combine with webbed toes that shares their persona with the sphynx.
Minskin
Tiny legs! These are a mixture between a sphynx, munchkin, Burmese, and Devon rex breeds and can usually have extra hair on their face and legs.
Elf Cat
If in case you have your coronary heart set on naming your cat Dobby, that is your greatest wager. A mixture between the sphynx and American curl.
Dwelf
A cross between a sphynx, munchkin, and American curl, a dwelf has brief legs to go together with their peach-fuzz hair.
Ukrainian Levkoy
This cross between donskoy and Scottish fold cats, this hairless kitty’s trademark is her folded ears.
Bambino
One other member of the tiny-legs membership, Bambinos are a cross between the munchkin and sphynx breeds. They’re just like minskins however not fairly the identical.
Hairless Cats’ Personalities
As a mother to 3 sphynxes, Kranz is an knowledgeable in caring for “very, very energetic” hairless cats. “These guys are very a lot a unique type of persona,” she says.
Most cats are thought-about low-maintenance pets, particularly when in comparison with canines, however the sphynx persona is extra on the canine aspect of the spectrum: “very busy,” Kranz says.
The sphynx has been described as a “snuggly and affectionate” cat who all the time needs to be close to you. They will comply with you from room to room to “assist” with no matter you are doing.
They’re definitely enjoyable, Kranz says, however they don’t seem to be for everyone.
Caring for Your Hairless Cat
On-line, house owners of hairless cats will see loads of suggestions to wash their cats repeatedly to stop the buildup of pores and skin oils. Nevertheless, too many baths can dry your cat’s pores and skin out, Kranz says.
She hardly ever bathes her sphynxes, opting to wipe them down in the event that they get oily. Nutritious, high-quality meals will assist maintain their pores and skin from getting oily, she says. It is a false impression that it’s a must to consistently wash them.
Kranz says you have to be certain your vet is accustomed to hairless breeds and their therapy. You will wish to severely think about pet insurance coverage, too, as a result of they will have particular medical wants.
The very best-equipped house owners of hairless cats are ones who’ve owned cats earlier than, have carried out their analysis, and manage to pay for to supply for his or her cat, she says.
Many individuals aren’t as ready. They will see one on tv—maybe when Rachel Inexperienced introduced house Mrs. Whiskerson—after which attempt to undertake one, Kranz says. “It is the novelty issue greater than the rest,” she says.
