You’re not alone if you adore cats but detest having fur all over your furniture. One of the main worries for many pet owners, particularly those who have allergies or lead hectic lives, is shedding. Fortunately, not all cat breeds shed the same amount, with some having very low or no shedding at all.
With these breeds, you can enjoy the company of a cat without having to deal with the trouble of having to clean up fur all the time. There are many lovely breeds to pick from, whether you want less hair to deal with or you’re searching for a hypoallergenic option.
We’ll look at 24 cat breeds in this article that are renowned for having little to no shedding. You will undoubtedly find the ideal feline friend that fits your lifestyle among them, as each one has a distinct personality and charm of its own.
List of cat breeds that do not shed and do not smell
For a considerable amount of time, breeders have been working to produce cats that virtually have no scent of their own and don’t molt. Although the outcome is not perfect yet, you can identify certain breeds that at least partially satisfy these requirements.
Naked cats
The Sphinxes (Canadian, Don, St. Petersburg) and breeding breeds crossed with them (Bambino, Elf, Dwelf, Ukrainian Levka) are examples of naked cats.
These cats have clear advantages. They only have individual hairs that cover their bodies completely or partially and have a maximum length of two millimeters; they essentially lack a woolen covering.
However, this does not absolve them of the responsibility to look after them. This more often than not leads to more problems.
Brown perspiration forms on warm, exposed skin, which needs to be cleaned every day using wet wipes. Additionally, taking a bath is required once a week.
Furthermore, it’s important to keep a close eye on the animals’ diet. Even the smallest nutritional imbalances can cause increased sweating and skin breakouts.
Since hairless cats love the heat and are prone to colds, their lack of fur necessitates the purchase of special clothing. Sphinxes have a faint, distinct smell that some find offensive and others find insignificant.
All sphinxes are peaceful, happy animals by nature, and they have strong bonds with their owners.
Rexes
This category of felines is identified by their tightly packed, short, wavy fur that lies close to the body. They also lack an undercoat and essentially shed very little.
We know of raptors today:
Rexes are lively and playful, practically odorless, and incredibly affectionate toward kids.
These pets don’t require frequent washing or brushing because they are clean. However, you must also keep a close eye on their nutrition. The back and sides may develop dark discharge if the diet is not followed.
Siamese-Oriental group
Breeds without an undercoat are included in it. These animals are all native to warm, eastern regions. Their forefathers didn’t need to "change clothes" because they lived in hot countries in the past.
These animals have short, glossy fur that fits their bodies snugly. You won’t notice the cat’s natural guard hair change if you run your wet hands over its body at least once a day.
This group consists of:
With the exception of the Siamese cat, each of these creatures has a unique personality. They are full of energy, curious, happy, and loyal to their owner.
While the Siamese does not exhibit passivity either, they can exhibit irritability and vindictiveness due to anatomical features such as defects in the tail and, consequently, in the spine.
Your pet may be experiencing stress, a hormonal storm, or an impending illness if they start to shed fur excessively all of a sudden. It’s essential to speak with a veterinarian and heed his advice.
Russian Blue
Despite having a dense undercoat, this amazing ancient domestic breed of natural origin stands out for being less prone to shedding, having exceptionally beautiful coloring, and having almost no odor. The pet has an amazing personality; it loves children and acts as though it is a father to them. It is completely devoted to its owner. It makes sense that this breed is among the ten most well-liked worldwide.
Furthermore, this cat always maintains its amazing fur coat and is extremely clean.
The fur of cats is thought to be hypoallergenic. Because of their structural integrity, hair strands are less prone to bacterial growth and decomposition. Because of their less fragile hair, Russian Blues shed year-round without drawing attention to themselves and almost never lose their undercoat.
The special structure of this cat’s hair should not be harmed by brushing, washing, or chemical grooming treatments.
Nibelung
This is a rare breed, virtually nonexistent in Russia, that shares many characteristics with the Russian Blue. The sole distinction is that its fur is semi-long rather than short.
Under a microscope, the structure of the hair shows that it is identical to the blue. For this reason, the cat is hypoallergenic and does not shed seasonally.
Bengal
The world’s first successful crossbreed of domestic and wild cats is this incredible breed. The Asian leopard cat is the ancestor of the Bengal.
One characteristic that sets this breed apart is that it needs very little maintenance. Washing or comb-overs are not at all required.
Kittens start phasing one week after birth. There’s a natural process to all wild cats. The reason for this is that the baby’s vivid color is concealed by a thick undercoat that grows quickly and surpasses the length of the guard hair.
In the wild, the kitten disappears completely, blending in with its surroundings. This is seen in Bengals as the baby starts to lose its brightness and attractiveness.
The animal develops, separates from its mother, starts solid food, and gains knowledge of the outside world. His body gets light and swift as his muscles swell with strength.
And all of the undercoat comes out in one beautiful moment. The ugly duckling transforms into a glittery, shiny, kid-glove-like handsome man by the time he is 4–9 months old. Bengals never grow undercoat again in their lives, so there is no shedding during the seasons or in apartments.
Nature "invented" phasing to shield neon-colored babies from predatory enemies. The baby’s life and health are the mother’s responsibility, even though he is helpless and unable to defend himself. As such, he must remain invisible.
Read a lengthy article about Bengals as well.
The maturing cat is ready for an independent life when his coloring fully emerges and he comes into his own. As a result, the Bengal breed is likewise hypoallergenic, shedding-free, and nearly odorless.
These are gregarious and lively animals by nature, deeply bonded to their owner and home. It is preferable to purchase them in a pair from a cattery as they do not handle loneliness well.
A little about shedding
All cats that have fur naturally lose their "old" hair as it ages. This process is significantly more intense in animals with a thick undercoat and in breeds with long hair.
The lower layer’s fluff has a finer structure, so when it changes, the owners experience even more inconvenience: weightless tufts of fur fly everywhere in the house, landing on furniture and clothing, getting in the eyes, and entering the respiratory system.
Because seasonal shedding happens twice a year—in early spring and autumn when the undercoat changes—it is not too difficult to survive.
But "apartment" shedding is a common occurrence in domestic cats who do not walk outdoors. The cat is warm all the time, and its undercoat sheds almost nonstop.
| Breed | Feature |
| Sphynx | Hairless and low-maintenance |
| Devon Rex | Minimal shedding with soft, curly coat |
| Cornish Rex | Short, curly fur that rarely sheds |
| Bengal | Short coat with low shedding |
| Russian Blue | Dense coat, but sheds very little |
| Oriental Shorthair | Short coat with minimal shedding |
| Balinese | Long-haired but low-shedding |
| Siberian | Thick coat but surprisingly low shedding |
| Burmese | Sleek coat, doesn’t shed much |
| LaPerm | Curly coat, minimal shedding |
| Tonkinese | Short coat, low shedding |
| Singapura | Fine, short coat that sheds little |
| Scottish Fold | Short coat with minimal shedding |
| Turkish Angora | Long coat, but doesn’t shed excessively |
| Javanese | Soft, silky coat, low shedding |
| Egyptian Mau | Short coat, low shedding |
| Burmilla | Short coat with minimal shedding |
| Selkirk Rex | Curly fur, sheds less |
| Japanese Bobtail | Minimal shedding due to short coat |
| American Wirehair | Unique fur that sheds less |
| Korat | Short coat, minimal shedding |
| Havana Brown | Sleek coat, low shedding |
| Chartreux | Dense coat but sheds minimally |
| Lykoi | Patchy coat, sheds very little |
Numerous breeds are available if you’re searching for a cat that doesn’t splatter fur all over your furniture. Sphynx, Russian Blue, and Siamese are excellent companions for individuals who value a tidy home because they typically shed very little.
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that all cats, even those with a reputation for having little shedding, still need to be properly groomed. A balanced diet, frequent brushing, and a little extra attention will help maintain their coat health and minimize stray hairs in and around your house.
In the end, picking the correct breed of cat involves more considerations than shedding. Finding the breed that best suits your lifestyle will take some time because each one has a distinct personality, energy level, and maintenance requirements of its own.
There are 24 breeds of cats that are known for having less shedding if you’re searching for a pet that won’t scatter fur all over your house. For those who prefer less cleanup or who have allergies, these cats are ideal. Although no cat breed is completely shed-free, low-maintenance coats such as those of the Sphynx, Cornish Rex, and Siberian make life easier.
