So I’ve been looking into getting a hairless cat, but IDK much about them. I know they look kinda weird, but they seem super affectionate. Are they high maintenance? Like, do they need special care compared to normal cats? Also, are they really hypoallergenic or is that just a myth?
Sphynx
Donskoy
Bambino
Elf and Dwelf
Peterbald
Minskin
Yeah, they need way more care than furry cats. Since they don’t have fur, their skin gets oily, so you gotta bathe them at least once a week.
Phoenix said:
Yeah, they need way more care than furry cats. Since they don’t have fur, their skin gets oily, so you gotta bathe them at least once a week.
Wait, seriously? You have to bathe a cat every week? I thought cats hated water lol.
@Rowan
Yeah, no fur means the oil just sits on their skin. If you don’t bathe them, they get all sticky. Most hairless cats get used to it though.
Oh and don’t forget about their ears and eyes. They don’t have fur to keep them clean, so you gotta wipe their eyes and clean their ears regularly.
Adley said:
Oh and don’t forget about their ears and eyes. They don’t have fur to keep them clean, so you gotta wipe their eyes and clean their ears regularly.
How often are we talking? Like every day or just once in a while?
@Patton
Eyes—wipe them when needed, but ears should be cleaned twice a week with a cotton swab and cat ear cleaner.
They’re NOT actually hypoallergenic. The allergies come from a protein (Fel d 1), not fur. Hairless cats still have that protein in their saliva and skin oils.
Layne said:
They’re NOT actually hypoallergenic. The allergies come from a protein (Fel d 1), not fur. Hairless cats still have that protein in their saliva and skin oils.
Damn, I really thought they were allergy-free. So there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat?
@Patton
Nope, all cats have it. But since hairless cats don’t have fur to trap dust and pollen, some people with dust allergies react less to them.
If you get one, make sure they stay indoors. Their skin is super sensitive to sun and cold. You might even need to get them little sweaters lol.
Keagan said:
If you get one, make sure they stay indoors. Their skin is super sensitive to sun and cold. You might even need to get them little sweaters lol.
A cat in a sweater? That’s kinda cute. But won’t they get too hot?
@Phoenix
Yeah, you gotta take it off when it’s warm inside so they don’t overheat. It’s really just for cold weather or if they’re in a sunny spot too long.
There are a bunch of different hairless cat breeds. Sphynx is the most well-known, but you should check out Donskoy, Bambino, Elf, Peterbald, and Minskin too.
Ori said:
There are a bunch of different hairless cat breeds. Sphynx is the most well-known, but you should check out Donskoy, Bambino, Elf, Peterbald, and Minskin too.
Never heard of most of those. Are they all totally hairless?
@Patton
Not always! Some have a little peach fuzz, like the Peterbald, and Donskoy can grow a winter coat that sheds in summer.
