Pet owners are beginning to favor bald cats more and more. These unusual cats—such as the Sphynx and Peterbald—offer a unique appearance and character that will warm any home. Although their lack of fur may seem strange, it has unique characteristics and needs to be cared for.
A hairless cat requires particular attention when it comes to its care. Since their coats don’t shield their skin, these cats require frequent washings to get rid of accumulated oil. It is crucial to create a comfortable environment for them because their skin may be more sensitive to temperature changes. Comprehending their necessities guarantees their success as members of your household.
A common question is whether bald cats are a good choice for people with allergies. Although no pet is 100% hypoallergenic, some people discover that hairless breeds cause them to react less. Before bringing one home, though, you should spend some time getting to know these cats to see how your allergies might respond. In this manner, you can make an informed decision that complements your health and way of life.
- The history of hairless cats and the reason for their lack of hair
- Breeds of hairless cats, features of their exterior and character
- Conditions for keeping unusual pets at home
- Equipment of a place in the house, physical activity and walks
- Hygiene and care
- Features of feeding
- Health and life expectancy of hairless cats of different breeds
- Is it possible to be allergic to a hairless pet?
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The history of hairless cats and the reason for their lack of hair
These animals’ original appearances have a long history dating back several hundred years. According to certain scientists, they were around even during the Mayan era. There has only been written documentation of these "naked" animals since the turn of the previous century.
It is significant that these animals are not products of natural selection. History and science cannot agree on the precise way or time of their appearance. According to some scientists, a mutation in the gene that produces the coat can occasionally result in normal cats giving birth to kittens who are completely hairless. The history of hairless cats includes the following significant dates:
- 1830. Naturalist Johann Rudolf Rengger described representatives of this family from South America, on whose bodies there was no hair at all.
- 1903. A pair of "naked" cats named Nellie and Dick were bought from Mexican Indians for further breeding. The chief of the local tribe claimed that these animals were representatives of a special Aztec breed. Subsequently, no offspring could be obtained from them. However, they went down in history as the first hairless cats.
- 1938. French geneticist R. Letard reports that two representatives of the Siamese cat breed gave birth to 2 kittens without a single hair on their bodies.
- 1950. Siamese cat gave birth to 3 hairless kittens. No information about the further crossing of these kittens has survived.
- 1975. An ordinary cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, which the owners, with an extraordinary sense of humor, named Epidermis.
- 1987. A resident of Rostov-on-Don, Elena Kovaleva, returning home, found a couple of boys torturing a cat that had no hair. Having taken the poor animal away from its tormentors, the woman brought it home, washed it and even tried to treat it for the disease that, as it seemed to her, led to its complete baldness. Later it turned out that the new pet was healthy, after some time she even gave birth to the same naked babies. So the street cat, named Varvara by the owner, became the ancestor of the Don hairless cats, and her descendants – the St. Petersburg representatives of this family.
- Mid 90s. of the last century. Breeder Olga Mironova decided to cross the Don "bald" with an oriental cat. The kittens that were born became the founders of all modern Peterbalds.
As you can see, these hairless animals have appeared on Earth at various times and locations. Still, the sphinxes were the first to be recognized globally. Their resemblance to Egyptian cat sculptures in the British Museum and the Louvre gave them their name.
Representatives of this breed are viewed as frightening by some cat lovers, adorable by others, and possessing mystical qualities. These cats, in any event, leave no one unimpressed.
Breeds of hairless cats, features of their exterior and character
There are numerous species of hairless cats in the family Feline. Although they look different, their habits are similar to those of animals. Common characteristics of all breeds include folds on the skin, an unusually large eye, a long tail, and a lack of fur. Amateurs refer to all sphinxes as "naked."
They have spots, are black, purple, or white. characteristics of these hairless creatures’ exteriors:
- Don Sphynx. Animals with a muscular body and a straight back. The head has a wedge-shaped shape, eyebrows, cheekbones and chin are developed. There are many folds on the flat forehead. The muzzle is short and rounded. The ears are set high, their tips are rounded. The eyes can be of any color and shape. Depending on the subspecies (they are divided into hairless, velour, flock and brush), the Don Sphynx may have no fur at all or may have a light fluff.
- Canadian Sphynx. They are among the most unique breeds. These cats have a medium-sized body and a pear-shaped belly. The muscular paws are of different lengths: the front ones are shorter than the back ones. The fingers are very long with thick soft pads. The head is wedge-shaped, medium-sized, the muzzle is round, high-cheekboned and wrinkled, the ears are large, set wide apart. The eyes are lemon-shaped, set at an angle, and match the color of the animal. They have one feature – an unusual "moon" shine. The Canadian Sphynx does not have any fur at all. It is not visible, but it covers the entire body with light fluff.
- St. Petersburg Sphynx (Peterbald). Representatives of the species have a muscular, stocky body with a strong long tail and an elongated neck. The head is elongated, the eyes are almond-shaped, light, the cheekbones and forehead are flat, the ears are pointed. The skin is folded, can be covered with light fluff or devoid of cover depending on the type of cat (naked, flock, velour, brush point). A distinctive feature of Peterbalds is the presence of whiskers and eyebrows in some individuals.
- Ukrainian Levkoy. The species is not recognized by all breeders. Its representatives have soft, velvety skin, on which there is absolutely no fur. There are numerous folds on the head and neck of cats. The head is angular, small, the paws are long. The ears are large, set high, the eyes are almond-shaped. The tail of these cats is long with a narrow tip.
- Bambino. This is the name of unique hybrids with short, dachshund-like legs. The folded skin can be white, dark or spotted. The muzzle is round, the eyes are blue or green. The tail is long and thin.
- Elf. Hairless cats with velvety skin. They have short muscular paws, a long thin tail, a medium-sized oval-shaped head with a flat forehead and a round skull. Their ears are curved, like those of fairy-tale elves,.
- Kohona. These are amazing animals with delicate folded skin, similar to wax. They have a firm, strong body. The head is the same as that of sphinxes. The long tail is always curled into a tight ring, pressed to the side.
See also: A description and gallery of the ragdoll cat breed, along with information on the animal’s characteristics, care, and feeding.
Conditions for keeping unusual pets at home
The average body temperature of a sphinx is approximately 38 degrees. This breed’s kittens can reach a body temperature of 41 degrees, making them even hotter. Cats and cats without hair need particular housing conditions.
Animals should not live in rooms that are colder than 21 degrees because they are afraid of drafts and the cold because they do not have fur coats. The pet should purchase clothing if such a temperature cannot be maintained.
Equipment of a place in the house, physical activity and walks
Since hairless cats enjoy being warm, it is best to keep them near heating sources and away from drafts in the home. During the colder months, it is a good idea to place a heating pad in the animal’s favorite sleeping spot.
You can harden a cat that doesn’t have fur. It will be simpler to maintain a sissy if you can teach it to be fearless in the face of cold. Walking the animal every day helps to aid in the process of hardening off. The pet will receive the necessary moderate physical activity from these procedures at the same time.
The apartment needs to have a sports corner equipped for the pet in order to keep it active. The animal can be left alone because it will gladly play with toys or in a maze.
Cleaning the toilet is a crucial part of keeping the pet’s life in order. It should be done as frequently as possible because the skin of breed members is extremely sensitive and becomes infected with fungi when it comes into contact with urine or excrement.
Hygiene and care
Particular care must be given to bare skin. The animal requires a weekly bath because its sebaceous glands are active and dust adheres to sweat and sebum. This is especially important because some "naked" breeds of dogs enjoy swimming. If bathing the pet was not possible for some reason, you should use wet wipes to at least clean its skin.
The cat can easily get burned if you let it remain in the sun for an extended period of time. Representatives of hairless breeds have extremely sensitive skin. It responds right away to bad things. It is never appropriate to squeeze out pimples that appear on it. In this situation, you ought to speak with a veterinarian; he can advise you on how to handle the illness.
As a result of the majority of members of this rare breed lacking eyelashes, a clear fluid builds up in the corners of their eyes. Use a cotton swab soaked in either tea leaves or cool, boiled water to clean it. The reason secretion builds up in the sphinx’s ears is because they are hairless. Using a cotton swab, it should be removed once a week. Vegetable oil soaked napkins also work well. You must only wipe the ears from above when cleaning the hearing organs because you cannot reach deep into the ear openings.
Paying attention to the condition of the claws is another aspect of care. It looks like the cat is constantly gnawing on the claw. Using specialized forceps to cut the claws is an alternate method. On the other hand, it is preferable for the veterinarian to demonstrate how to do the procedure if you are performing it for the first time.
Features of feeding
Naked breed representatives stand out for having an insatiable appetite. Because their bodies lack wool, they require an extra energy source to stay warm, which is why sphinxes and their bald brothers consume twice as many regular cats as humans.
Also see: only Scottish or British are bars; photos; breed comparison; how Scottish and British cats differ from each other
Pets with exotic diets should also have a balanced diet. The animal diet should include vegetables, eggs, boiled fish, dairy products, and oatmeal. Fit for him, along with dry food. Hairless cats must be fed in moderation and in accordance with the regimen since they are unaware of food measurements.
Infants of the Sphynx breed start receiving food at 1.5 months of age. They will require three meals a day after they stop drinking their mother’s milk.
The Sphynx and Peterbald are two examples of bald cats that make unusual companions due to their lack of hair and individual personalities. This article discusses common worries, such as the possibility of allergies to these pets, and examines several breeds of hairless cats. It also emphasizes the particular care needs of these pets. We hope to provide prospective owners with information and advice that will help them better understand what it means to live with these interesting, hairless friends.
Health and life expectancy of hairless cats of different breeds
Hairless cats can live up to 20 years if given the right care, according to breeders. Healthy adult animals can be easily identified. They seldom become ill and get better fast. It is advised that young people receive vaccinations. For a Sphynx, an inactivated vaccine is the best choice.
Kittens belonging to "naked" breeds are delicate and gentle animals. Purchasing a kitten under the age of 12 weeks carries a significant risk because they frequently pass away before then.
Cats of hairless breeds are most vulnerable on the skin. Animals that are neglected frequently develop lichen and other dermatitis, including allergies. These breeds of cats have delicate ears and eyes. Animals are typically afflicted by inversion of the eyelids and ear mites.
Is it possible to be allergic to a hairless pet?
There is a belief that allergies are not triggered by hairless breed pets. But this isn’t totally accurate. Allergies to hairless cats do not manifest as frequently as those to Persian or Siberian cats. Intolerance, however, is not limited to hair. Animal sweat and saliva can cause an adverse reaction in an extremely sensitive organism.
On the other hand, the protein secreted on hairless cats’ skin can be frequently cleaned off. Many owners of hairless pets who are prone to allergies get along well with one another in the same home as long as they give the pet several weekly baths.
Breed | Features |
---|---|
Sphynx | Affectionate and playful, they need regular skin care and warmth. |
Peterbald | Energetic and friendly, they enjoy companionship and require social interaction. |
Donskoy | Curious and loyal, they |
Bald cats with playful and loving personalities, such as the Sphynx and Peterbald, provide exceptional companionship. They stand out due to their lack of fur, but maintaining clean, healthy skin also requires extra attention. Preventing oil buildup requires regular skincare regimens and baths.
Although some people may be concerned about allergies, hairless cats may be a better choice for those who experience allergies. Allergies are caused by proteins found in cat saliva and skin, not by fur. Individual reactions to these breeds can differ, but many people find that they react to them less.
It can be satisfying to own a hairless pet, but it’s crucial to comprehend their requirements and traits. Bald cats may be lovely additions to any home if given the proper care and attention, offering happiness and company without the inconvenience of having to deal with fur loss.