Mary Allen
Are naked cats the solution for allergy sufferers? Or just unnatural torment breeds? We provide the facts about cats without fur.
Already knew? Most hairless or even Sphynx cats are not completely hairless. Almost all breeds have soft downy skin. Through gene mutations, the first cats were born without fur. Today, hairless cats are deliberately bred.
There are cat breeds without fur
The cat breeds Don Sphynx and Peterwald inherit the gene for hairlessness dominantly, so that even crossbreed cats are born without fur. The Canadian Sphynx, on the other hand, only transmits it recessively. Only the Kohona cat, which originally comes from Hawaii, has no hair follicles at all. There is also the short-legged bambino cat, the Ukrainian levkoy, and the so-called elf cat.
That’s how Sphynx cats tick
Although very friendly and affectionate, hairless cats have a mind of their own, which they like to enforce. But despite the temperament, the intelligent cat is easy to train and is very grateful for every cuddly evening on the couch. The cat needs a lot of company and is therefore happy about four-legged roommates.
Are hairless cats suitable for allergy sufferers?
Because hairless cats – in contrast to cats with a magnificent mane like the Maine Coon – have (almost) no hair, they are also suitable for people with an animal or cat hair allergy. But there are exceptions here, too: some people react allergically to hairy cats, and not only to the saliva in the fur. Some people are also allergic to the urine or secretions from the cat’s sebaceous glands. In these cases, even a hairless cat like the Sphynx does not protect against allergic reactions.
You have to keep this in mind when keeping naked cats
Hairless cats need a little more grooming than their hairy counterparts. And there is also something special about the diet. Otherwise, the attitude differs only slightly from that of another house cat.
Higher need for protection
Hairless cats are ideally kept indoors because outside they would be completely hairless and therefore vulnerable to draughts, cold, or sun. In winter cats like the Sphynx are at risk of frostbite, in summer they should be protected from excursions into the countryside with an unperfumed and waterproof sunscreen. Ask your vet what products are best for this to keep your cat or kitten from getting sunburned.
Higher feed requirement
Hairless cats need a little more food: they use a lot of energy to maintain their own very high body temperature. You should take this into account in the diet and always provide your cat or kitten with enough food for adequate nutrition.
Higher care needs
To stay healthy and clean, hairless cats need to be bathed about every two weeks and their claws trimmed regularly. So you have to invest a little more time in maintenance here.
Due to the large ears and missing eyelashes, the ears and eyes of the Don Sphynx breed also have to be cleaned regularly. Always plan a short moment for this care.
That’s why animal rights activists are raising the alarm
All breeds of the Sphynx cat are basically considered torture breeding. However, this is only the case if they also lack whiskers or whiskers. These are important so that the cat can orientate itself in its environment.
The Animal Welfare Act in Germany generally prohibits the breeding of animals that support traits that cause pain, disruption, or damage to normal behavior. Breeding cats without any fur is therefore prohibited.
If you should decide to get a hairless cat, it is, therefore, all the more important that you look for a reputable breeder with healthy and responsible breeding and that you get along well with them. Only buy your kitten if all specifications are really met! The high price for the animal should then be irrelevant to the cat.