What common
In addition to the missing fur, hairless cats have a number of common characteristics that distinguish them from their furry counterparts:
Extraordinary grace of movement
Developed muscles
What is usually hidden by fur is open for everyone to see in hairless cat breeds. They have an almost ideal physique, pronounced muscles and natural grace.
The cats' movements resemble dance steps, so you can watch them endlessly. Look at the play of the muscles under the skin, they are the ones who provide the unique grace of movement.
Folded and wrinkled skin
The variety of folds and wrinkles, especially on the muzzle, gives them an angry, even aggressive appearance. Most often, this is the main reason why they don’t want to have such cats.
Warning! The absence of wrinkles is considered a serious disqualifying defect.
Character
You won't find more friendly and flexible pets. These unearthly cats are completely averse to aggression and are literally imbued with affection. They demand the same from their owners. They can be too intrusive and get offended if they are not noticed. But if the cat is already allowed into the body, it will try to make itself more comfortable and begin to express pleasure with loud purrs.
Temperament
Hairless cats are incredibly active and more like small, restless monkeys. They have absolutely no imposing quality inherent in cats with thick hair. They are ready to play with anyone: their owner, a toy, other pets. Lovers of climbing, they can tear off curtains or climb onto a closet and throw everything that is there down. Despite this, they are smart and easy to train.
Stress resistance
These gentle and vulnerable creatures are very sensitive. Even a minor change in environment can cause stress. This should be remembered when punishing offenses. And, of course, you should not hit your pet or raise your voice at him.
Metabolism
Increased metabolism is associated with large volumes of food, which help maintain skin temperature at the proper level. Because of this, the cat will empty its intestines more often and, if the litter box is not removed in time, it can cause an unpleasant odor in the apartment.
Wiping the skin with a special sanitary napkin
Special care
Hairless pets require completely different care than their furry counterparts. Sebaceous secretions, due to the lack of fur, accumulate in numerous folds.
If hygienic rubbing is not carried out regularly, it will cause various types of dermatitis. More frequent bathing with a special shampoo will also benefit.
In addition, such pets are more prone to allergic reactions than others.
Who is it suitable for?
If you want to have a cat and mouse at home, then the hairless breed is not for you!
Baldies are temperamental, active and theatrical. They need an audience and attention. Therefore, hairless cats are suitable for people who are able to appreciate their playfulness and who do not mind spending time caring for an exotic cat-flower.
Who doesn’t mind spending money on proper, expensive, high-class food and who has a car (because transporting a bald miracle in public transport is fraught with both the miracle and the transport).
And, of course, hairless cats are suitable for those who are allergic to cat fur. But remember that there are no absolutely hypoallergenic cats.
Don Sphynx
The appearance of the breed is due to chance, which forced a resident of Rostov to pick up a terrible, sick kitten without hair. All the Don Sphynxes came from a cat named Varvara. They are often confused with Canadians or even considered the same breed.
Don Sphynx
Don Sphynxes are powerful, muscular cats. Their hairless gene is dominant, so their offspring are born naked. They differ from Canadians by their pronounced eyebrows and slanting almond-shaped eyes.
The ears, although as large as those of their overseas relatives, are slightly pointed, with a slight tilt forward. The main feature of the breed is hot skin and 4 types of coat:
- actually naked;
- flock - thin, delicate fluff;
- velor - wool about 2 mm in size, which falls out over time;
- brush - sparse, hard curls that completely disappear by the age of two.
Don Sphynxes are real philosophers. As they grow older, they give preference to laziness and idleness, and mischievous games fade into the background. They are very affectionate and loving, it’s not for nothing that they are called “kissing” cats. They do not pose a danger to other pets, so you can safely let your parrot or hamster out for a walk around the apartment.
This is interesting! Don Sphinxes are strong empaths. They identify themselves so much with the owner that if he feels bad, the pet will have no time for fun either.
Canadian Sphynx
Pet character
Such animals are quite cute, calm, although active, but they are more like dogs than cats. Why? Because they have strong feelings for their owners, whom, by the way, they choose themselves. It has also been noted that memory and logic are developed quite well, therefore, like dogs, they are easy to train. It is observed that without much difficulty, cats bring in their teeth what the owner asks for.
Since sphinxes are very friendly, loneliness is unbearable for them, so you should not buy such an animal if you are often away from home. And, for the period when there is still no one in the apartment, buy different toys for your pet so that he does not have to get bored.
If the weather is good outside, then the kittens will happily walk with you, having their own leash.
Canadian Sphynx
Among hairless breeds they are the brightest representatives. It is noteworthy that they are called Canadian only in Russia. The Canadian Sphynx breed appeared as a result of mutation and developed naturally.
There is a small fluff on their body, no more than 2 mm long. Also, sparse hair can be on the outside of the ears, scrotum, tail, between the toes and on the bridge of the nose. The skin is thick and forms many folds, especially on the face. Because of this, the cat never leaves an angry expression. The calling card of the breed is lemon-shaped eyes, large erect ears, and sparse or completely absent mustaches.
Sphinxes and aggression are two incompatible concepts. They get along equally well with all family members and other pets. The owner is their idol. They become attached to him once and for all, and separation is hard to bear. Cats cannot be called lazy. They are happy to get involved in any games and know how to amuse themselves. Anything can serve as a toy, from your own tail to a crawling bug.
Peterbald
Story
Mentions of cats whose bodies were without hair can be found back in the ancient times of the Mayans, who were well known for their predictions. It was they, according to legend, who began to call this type of cat sacred.
They believed that the Great Spirit himself descended to them in the body of such unusual cats. The first official description of the breed was given by the scientist of natural sciences J.R. Rengger. It is known that a pair of tailed pets named Nellie and Dick were bought from Mexican Indians in 1903. Then, to the surprise of the new owners, these unusual cats gave birth to offspring.
Breeders could not help but become interested in such a “miracle” and began to study cats of the hairless breed. Intensive development and breeding of the breed began in the 1980s. Today there are at least 9 officially recognized breeds of hairless cats known in the world. Breeders never tire of crossing more and more new breeds in pursuit of the most unusual pets.
Peterbald
The result of crossing an Oriental cat and a Don Sphynx took the best parental traits and, naturally, inherited the hairlessness gene.
It must be said that not all Peterbalds have bare skin. Sometimes kittens are born normal, wearing a cat's fur coat. Such offspring are deprived of the treasured gene, but are not considered defective and are recommended for breeding.
Naked Petya, as Peterbald is popularly called, is almost half the size of the Don Sphinx. His weight is kept at the level of 3-4 kg, and his physique is distinguished by the grace inherent in Orientals. In addition, the Nevsky Sphinx is characterized by a flat muzzle shape and fewer folds. Their skin is not so tight and fits loosely around the muscles. Eyes green or blue.
The breed is quite controversial. On the one hand, they are sybarites and lazy people. Lying on a warm pillow all day, taking breaks for lunch, is their favorite activity. But if something that arouses curiosity appears in the field of view, laziness disappears and the cat goes to explore the object of interest. They are not monogamous, like the Don Sphinxes. The main thing for Peterbald is that there is a person nearby to whom he can give the next portion of affection. In general, these are quite patient, accommodating and non-conflict cats.
Kohana
Buy hairless cats
It is possible (and recommended) to buy hairless cat breeds in specialized nurseries. After all, here you will be given documents with a pedigree and a medical card, which will indicate all the diseases and vaccines you have suffered.
A pet-class cat (this means that you are getting a companion and do not plan to breed him or participate in competitions) can be purchased for an average price of 10-15,000 rubles. A show-class cat will cost more - from 50,000 rubles and above.
When choosing a kitten, be guided by the behavior of the animal. A healthy cat will be moderately active, its skin will be dry and without rashes, its coat will be shiny and even, and there should be no discharge on its eyes.
Kohana
The homeland of this amazing breed is the Hawaiian Islands, and its name is translated from the Aboriginal language as “Bald”. They owe their bare skin to a unique gene mutation - the absolute absence of hair follicles. Only about 40 representatives of the breed are known, but it is actively developing and is already recognized by the International Felinological Association.
In appearance, Kohans are similar to Sphinxes with more pronounced skin folds. Sometimes you can't see the cat's eyes behind them. In character they resemble dogs and do not need training at all. They can spend most of their life in a secluded corner. They are friendly, calm and attached to their owner. They are not particularly curious; they try to avoid everything new. Like the Sphinxes, they do not conflict and are patient even with small children.
This is interesting! Because of the secretion, their skin appears waxy. Therefore, Kohana is often called a “rubber” cat.
Bambino
Care and maintenance
The Canadian Sphynx is only suitable for indoor keeping. You can take your cat out for walks for a short time and only in good weather. In winter, a Canadian can get hypothermia, and in summer - burns.
The bare skin of the Sphinx is often covered with a specific coating, leaving greasy marks on the owner's clothing, furniture upholstery and bed linen.
Therefore, it needs to be looked after regularly. You can clean the skin of the Canadian Sphynx by wiping it with wet wipes without alcohol or fragrances. But a more reliable way to get rid of oily plaque is considered to be weekly bathing of the cat using special products or baby shampoo.
On a note. The main part of the sebaceous glands is localized in the upper part of the tail of the Canadian Sphynx. Therefore, it gets dirty faster than other areas of the body and needs daily wiping with a special napkin or a damp towel.
Due to its intense heat exchange, the Sphynx has a reputation as a glutton and requires more food than its furry counterparts. The easiest way to satisfy your cat's need for proteins, fats and carbohydrates is with super-premium dry food.
Bambino
The result of crossing Munchkin and Sphinx turned out to be very funny. The cat's appearance is similar to that of a dachshund. From Munchkin she got short legs and a long body, and large erect ears and a long tail are the merit of the Sphinx. Bambino's weight does not exceed 4 kg. What’s interesting is that his offspring can be born not only with short legs, but also with normal limbs.
Cats of this breed are very inquisitive and curious. Bambinos are absolutely conflict-free; anyone can get along with them. They have a close emotional connection with their owner and are happy to get involved in any mischievous games. But they can also be capricious. Especially in terms of comfort and care. The breed is prone to overeating and obesity, so you should create a feeding schedule for your pet and strictly follow it.
Dwelf
Names
It often happens that owners of hairless cats carefully select names for their beloved pets. Since they are special, the name must be accordingly.
If you purchased a kitten from a breeder or a nursery, then you need to look at the passport of such an animal, because it happens that the former owners give the pet a name in advance. Or it may only indicate a letter, which means what his name should start with.
Most often, scientists say that it is easy for females and males to remember names that contain the letter K and other sibilants. This is explained by the fact that cats easily respond to the call “ks-ks-ks”.
Dwelf
The breed has a history of three parents: Munchkin, Canadian Sphynx and American Curl. That's why the cat turned out fantastic. Traits of all parent breeds appear in her appearance.
Dwelfs are distinguished by their miniature size and low body weight. Even adult cats weigh no more than 2 kg. However, in combination with developed muscles, they look more than impressive. The body may be covered with short fuzz anywhere, including the tips of the ears and the scrotum. Their main feature is large, curved back, elven ears.
The Dwelf pet can support a fun game, but by nature he is closer to a calm lifestyle. To entertainment, he prefers the cozy lap of his owner, which he will massage, purring with pleasure. Any noise can bring him to stress, he especially does not like to sort things out between family members. The same applies to children who may hurt him while playing. The kind and unforgiving Dwelf will not show aggression, but he himself can become seriously ill. He treats other pets the same way they treat him.
Minskin
Minskin
Minskin breaks all records in terms of the number of ancestors. His genetic map includes the Canadian Sphynx, Munchkin, Burmese and Devon Rex. This is how we got a short-legged velor cat with ears sticking out on the top of its head. On the paws, tail, ears and muzzle the hair is longer and curls exactly like the Devon Rex. Only the stomach remained completely bald.
Minskin easily makes contacts and is patient with children. They cannot stand loneliness and become very attached to their owner. When they are left alone for a long time, they begin to suffer. They have a high level of intelligence and the ability to find innovative ways out of different situations. The breed is considered experimental, but is already participating in exhibitions.
Elf
How to choose a kitten
To buy a purebred Canadian Sphynx, it is recommended to start your search for a kitten by choosing a nursery. It is better that it be a monobreed and registered in one of the international felinological systems.
It is recommended to take the Canadian Sphynx from his mother no earlier than he is 3-3.5 months old. By the time of sale, the kitten must have received its first preventive vaccinations and issued documents confirming its origin.
The small Canadian Sphynx is a miniature version of the adult representatives of the breed and has a slender body, a wide chest, a convex belly, a short head, large ears and lemon-shaped slanting eyes.
Elf
Another experimental breed came from crossing the Canadian Sphynx and the American Curl. Because of the strange shape of their ears, they were called Elves. They have a lot in common with Dwelfs, but the Elf's ears bend back at the most incredible angle, and their paws are of quite normal size.
Possessing a sociable and friendly character, such a pet will easily get along with all family members and other pets. He has a special connection with his owner. The Elf is ready to follow him closely and take a direct part in all matters. He even prefers to sleep next to him.
Ukrainian Levkoy
Ukrainian Levkoy
Who will you get if you cross the Scottish Fold and the Don Sphinx? The result of the experiment is the Ukrainian Levkoy, a fold-eared hairless cat. Unlike previous breeds, they are quite large. The weight of an adult cat reaches 5 kg.
In addition, they differ in the structure of the skull. If other breeds have a wedge-shaped head, then in Levkoy it is more likely to have a pentagonal shape. Their uniqueness lies in their wide, slightly forward-curved ears, reminiscent of the flower after which the breed is named.
By nature they are more dogs than cats. They are also curious and devoted to their owner. They are loving, allow themselves to be stroked and squeezed by every family member, and are patient with children. Instead of noisy games, their favorite pastime is to sit on their owner’s lap or bask in the sun by the window. They take change calmly and easily adapt to new conditions.
Bathing a cat
The skin always requires regular care in these breeds, because it sweats very often. However, you can bathe them no more than once every 14 calendar days.
For many pet owners, bathing involves special efforts and even stress. But, regarding sphinxes, you should not worry too much, since it very often coincides that these cats are very fond of water treatments and even know how to swim well.
There are special shampoos for washing such males, but if you do not have such a product, then you can bathe the kitten using baby soap.
