Cats are sleep together for being enigmas . But even by felid touchstone , hairless cat breed carry a certain mystique . Sleek , slinky , and observably naked , they ’ve enjoyed a cult fanbase ever since the infamous Mr. Bigglesworth glared his way through the “ Austin Powers ” franchise .
If you ’re concerned in hairless cat adoption , there ’s a lot to consider . From disposition to groom to aesculapian needs , here ’s what you should make love about these not - so - furred friends .
Benefitsof Adopting a Hairless Cat
Hairless cats are certainly striking . But it ’s their one - of - a - kind personality that truly coiffure them asunder . Sphynx cats — the most high - profile of the hairless breed — are famously social , play loving , and downright cuddly ( despite not looking the part ) .
“ They bang that skin - to - hide contact , ” says Desiree Bobby , a Sphynx stock breeder and manager of selling for theCat Fanciers ’ Association(CFA ) . “ Once you have a Sphynx , you translate why people are so attached to them . They ’re on you like glue , and the bond is very stiff . ”
However , even Bobby , a devoted hairless cat fan , admits that body high temperature might make for a character in their snuggly nature . “ They do tend to assay out heat more than other cats , ” she says . “ So part of it is probably that you ’re warm . ”
In addition to their come through personalities , hairless breeds are also celebrate for being “ hypoallergenic cats . ”Unfortunately , this is a common misconception , say Dr. Jennifer Coates , a Colorado - based veterinary surgeon who swear out on the advisory board forCat Life Today .
The major allergen responsible for cat allergy , a protein know as Fel d1 , is find in a quat ’s pelt , spittle , and urine , explains Coates . “Fur can play as a carrier for Fel d1 , but even with a hairless true cat , the allergen will present on the cat and around the house , ” she adds . “ And hairless cats do still have a small amount of fur , which will shed in a normal fashion . ”
Hairless Cat Adoption:Things to Consider
Hairless cats make wonderful companions . But there are some authoritative things to consider before assume .
Grooming Needs
If you ’re unexampled to hairless khat , their grooming need may surprise you . Without fur , they have nothing to absorb and redistribute the pelt ’s natural oils .
“ The first affair you should know about caring for a hairless cat is that they need frequent baths , ” says Janelle Marrone , a veterinary technician and manager of tax shelter tutelage atFurry Friends Adoption , Clinic & Ranchin Jupiter , Florida . “ Because of this lack of fur , they have fabulously greasy and sweaty tegument . ”
Hairless cats should be bath hebdomadally , advises Marrone . Due to their sensitive skin , all shampoo rest must be thoroughly rinse away , and they should be quick dry to prevent passion red ink .
Health Conditions
As for health , Sphynx African tea in special are prostrate to some medical atmospheric condition .
“ Sphynxare in general quite healthy , ” says Coates . “ But the breed is genetically predisposed to skin job and a type of nerve disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy . ”
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM)is a disease that causes the walls of a cat ’s heart to inspissate , leading to a decrease in bosom function . Sphynx breeders should skim their cats annually to ensure the circumstance is not passed onto progeny , mark Bobby . Her volunteer organization , Hairless Hearts , advocates for responsible HCM screening , data share-out , and research .
Environment
All cats lead longer , healthier lives when kept indoors . Hairless Caterpillar , however , are especially vulnerable outdoors .
“ Hairless cats should last stringently indoors due to their increased risk of sunburn and difficulties stay warm , ” advises Coates .
Hairless Cat Breeds
There are a turn of hairless cat-o'-nine-tails breeds . The following are officially recognized by either the CFA or The International Cat Association ( TICA ) , which set computed tomography breed and inherited standards .
Sphynx
When hearing the words “ hairless hombre , ” most people reckon of a Sphynx . The Sphynx traces its roots back to 1966 , when a course hairless kitten was bear in Canada . This kitten became the foundation for the stock .
Sphynx cats have different degrees of hairlessness . Some are almost completely smooth - skinned , while others have little patches of hair or “ peach fuzz . ” Their hide can be a mixed bag of colour and is loose on the body , creating their signature wrinkles .
Donskoy
The Donskoy originated in Russia in 1987 with an unusual litter of kittens — although hold with haircloth , they soon began to go bald-pated . A queer stock breeder take sake in the singular qat , and developed an exclusively novel hairless stock .
Donskoy cats may be deliver barefaced , or with varying stage of hair . Some Donskoys will turn a loss their coating entirely over time , while others hold patches of hair . The Donskoy is more muscular than the Sphynx , and sports distinctive webbed toes .
Peterbald
In 1993 , a Donskoy Caterpillar was bred with an Oriental Shorthair , ensue in kittens that would provide the foundation for the Peterbald breed .
While some Peterbalds are hairless , others have coats ranging from pubescent fuzz to wiry curls to “ normal ” whisker . Peterbalds are distinguished by their Oriental Shorthair traits : large , flared ears and almond - shaped eye .
Lykoi
Also known as the “ Werewolf Cat , ” the Lykoi is a newly recognized , semi - hairless breed . Originally hear in feral colonies , Lykoi cats have a singular factor mutation that bring out a sparse , endearingly dishevel pelage .
Most Lykoi ’s sport what is known as a “ pitch-dark roan ” pelage , a mostly non-white motive accented with bloodless hairs that lend a baseless , wolf - like appearance .
Other Hairless Cat Breeds
Some breeder offer “ alien ” naked cats , including the Bambino , a cross between a Sphynx and the controversial , short - limbed “ munchkin ” Arabian tea . However , these hairless strain are not recognize by CFA or TICA .
“ Through cross - breeding , you could make any cat-o'-nine-tails hairless — but that does n’t mean you should , ” says Bobby . “ There are a lot of cool reckon hairless cat being produced , but no one is ascertain that these are healthy big cat . If you retrieve a stock breeder advertizement hairless Savannah cats , you should be very questioning . ”
Where to Adopta Hairless Cat
Hairless computerized tomography are relatively rarefied , and are not frequently useable at public kat shelters . “ In my eight years at Furry Friends , I have never regard one in our tax shelter , ” says Marrone .
Many shelters will be happy to send word you if a hairless breed does become available — and who have it away , you might fall in love with another breed while you look ! However , if your nitty-gritty is set on a hairless cat , a purebred cat rescue is a good topographic point to take up .
“ Though Sphynx are still a fairly rarefied strain , we are construe them more and more , ” aver Kirsten Kranz , conductor ofSpecialty Purebred Cat Rescue(SPCR ) , a foster - based governance with volunteer throughout the Midwest . “ The stock is becoming more pop , but is not healthy — and as a result , rescues like ours are see the fallout . ”
Bobby echoes this sentiment . More the great unwashed are breeding hairless true cat , but not needs with proper health protocols . “ It ’s difficult to retrieve a healthy Sphynx in saving , ” she say . “ creditworthy breeders have clauses in their contracts that require unwanted cats to be return to them . ”
However , Kranz stresses that this is notalwaysthe case . Like other purebred rescue pets , some hairless cats are displaced due to their owner ’s health or caparison effect . “It is absolutely possible to adopt healthy cats through rescue , ” says Kranz . “ We do it every sidereal day , and have been doing it for over 20 years . ”
To line up an adoptable Sphynx or other hairless strain in your region , Kranz recommend using acceptance sites such asPetfinderandRescue Me ! , which feature available deary from thousands of tax shelter and rescues across the body politic . Once on the site , you may filter by breed , location , geezerhood , and other factor .
Adopting a hairless cat breed necessitate patience , but asking local shelters to apprize you if they get one in , expanding your search surface area , and asking friends and family appendage to keep an middle out for hairless guy that call for home , can help move thing along .
Hairless CatAdoption Prices
Purebred adoption fees vary widely between organisation , strain , and eld . Prices for adopting the most in - need computed axial tomography — such as purebred Himalayan kitten — are frequently high-pitched than those of honest-to-god or more common cats , state Kranz . The same can be said for rare hairless cat stock like Sphynx and Donskoy cats . This is to offset the significant medical cost that rescues such as SPCR bump .
“ On average , we spend$15,000per monthon veteran bill for our cats , ” says Kranz . “ These bills are brook entirely by adoption fees and donation . ”
Adoption fees at SPCR range from $ 50 up to $ 600 , a fee reserved for the rarest , 100 percent purebred African tea . As is standard with rescues , all cats are spayed / castrate , microchipped , up - to - date on vaccine , and have had recent veterinary evaluation . Additionally , senior cats undergo blood - work panels , and many kat have had dental cleansing and procedure .
“ We often secern people we are doing the ‘ heavy lifting ’ in terms of vet updating so they can take home a sizable fellow traveler , ” says Kranz . “ Any creditworthy rescue would say the same . ”
assume a hairless quat will be importantly less than purchasing one from a breeder — it just may take longer to find your cat companion .
Hairless Cat Adoption:Essential Products
Like all cats , hairless breeds require some basic starter supplying :
to boot , you ’ll want to have the following products on deal :
Cat shampoo : Because of their delicate pelt and frequent bath , hairless cats requirea gentle shampoo . Marrone urge using a product recommended by your veterinarian specifically for your computed axial tomography . Before using any extra conditioner , bathroom products , or lotions , refer your veterinarian .
Bathtub Master of Arts in Teaching : Slippery porcelain can be stressful for cats . Purchase a no - strip matt to make bath clock time more well-situated .
ego - heated bedding : Without a pelt coat , hairless cats tend to get parky . Coates recommendsself - heated cat beds , which are made from thermal materials that absorb , trap , and reflect torso heat . galvanic warming pads and bottom can cause burn .
Sweaters : If your cat tolerates clothing and seems moth-eaten in your home , Coates also recommends investing in cat sweaters .
T - Shirts : reckon on the temperature of the household and the individual pet , not all hairless cat will involve clothing . Regardless , you may need to provide a lightweight T - shirt , says Bobby . Even when bathed on a regular basis , some hairless cats may leave crude marks on article of furniture .
Hairless cats are special pets for special homes . If you settle a baldie breed is right for you , consider rescue . While it may take a while to assemble your lucifer , these strange cat are surely deserving the wait !
