Hairless cats are gorgeously unique and often make perfect family pets for households with young children and other pets. They can have soft, downy fur or be completely hairless, and they’re often considered a sign of wealth. Hairless cats are usually like marmite: you either love them or hate them. For those who fall into the category of loving them and are considering welcoming one into their families, there are multiple breeds of hairless cats to choose from.
To put it simply: hairless cats can be characterised as having significantly less hair than traditional cats. They can either have no hair at all or very little fuzz – but that doesn’t mean they’re free of all grooming requirements! Actually, most hairless cats need special grooming routines to protect them from the sun, heat, and cold.
However, most owners say that the extra effort is well worth it for their gentle temperaments. While a lot of cat breeds are considered independent, hairless cats tend to be much friendlier and snugglier.
Many people automatically consider Sphynx cats the only hairless cat to consider, but there are actually plenty of other breeds that deserve just as much love! Here are five of the most popular and loveable hairless cat breeds in Australia:
Weight: 3.1 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 14 to 20 years
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The Ukrainian Levkoy is an incredibly playful cat who will love playing with most people – whether they’re family members or complete strangers! They have lots of energy and are therefore great for playing with kids with fast-paced personalities. You can even train Ukrainian Levkoys new tricks and play new games, with some of their favourites being laser-point chasing and fetch. This cat isn’t very independent though, so they might not be best if you’re out of the house all day. Leaving them for too long can lead to anxiety, which then might turn into feline depression.
Weight: 20.3 to 25.5 cm
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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The Peterbald is an incredibly affectionate cat with other positive traits such as loyalty, playfulness, and an outgoing personality. This cat loves nothing more than being the centre of attention, so if you have other pets (even bigger dogs!) you’ll need to make sure they’re comfortable with another big personality in the home. Peterbalds are incredibly loyal to their owners, so proper socialisation with kids and pets is essential to make sure there’s no battle for your affection. Peterbalds are also more than happy to live in single-pet households.
Weight: 3.6 to 7 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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Donskoy cats are both friendly and intelligent, which might come as a surprise to some as their appearance tends to cause a preconceived negative attitude towards these cats. It just goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover, as the Donskoy is a lovely sociable breed who gets along with most other pets and family members. However, you need to be careful when introducing Donskoy cats to other cats in the household as they might get defensive if they think another breed is vying for the spot of Top Cat in your home.
Weight: 2 to 3 kg
Lifespan: 9 to 12 years
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The Bambino are very active cats despite their shorter legs, so they’ll need plenty of toys for mental stimulation and room to run around. Make sure you keep on top of your scratching post to make sure it’s still effective enough for them to use, as otherwise you might find your furniture and walls getting damaged! Once they’ve got their energy out, Bambino cats are very sociable and will often come for a cuddle on the couch. They’re quite sensitive at heart, too, so they’re not always considered best for families with young kids.
Weight: 4 to 5 kg
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
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The Sphynx is one of the most well-known and popular hairless cat breeds, so you might’ve heard of them before. These cats are naturally sociable and love the sound of their own voice, so be prepared to have plenty of conversations with them while you’re cooking or cleaning! Sphynx cats are affectionate and generally gentle, but they might start to get a little standoffish if they aren’t given enough space when they want it. They might also become destructive if they’re not treated properly, so don’t leave them alone for too long, make sure they’re groomed enough, and stop them from getting too cold.
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