While fluffy or short-haired cats might prove popular with potential owners, hairless cats are also now becoming increasingly common . Despite the name, some hairless cats might have soft, downy fur – either in a fine coating all over, or isolated to patches like their tail. Some kittens can be born with fur and then lose it as they grow up. Other cats are completely devoid of fur.
While they lack fur, hairless cats aren’t the low maintenance pets you’d imagine. In place of endless brushing, they still need routine skin maintenance and extra care to protect them from the sun, heat and cold.
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) does recognise the Sphynx cat breed, which is a hairless or nearly hairless cat. However, the GCCF discourages breeding and owning other hair deficient breeds, and they have no intention to register any other such breeds.
Among the most concerning new ‘breeds’ is the Bully Cat, which has been developed from the Sphynx and the Munchkin cat to produce a cat which resembles the XL Bully dog. These cats have shortened legs, excessively wrinkled skin and curled ears.
Any one of these body types is likely to cause painful health and welfare problems. Currently the Bully Cat is not a breed recognised by the UK’s leading pedigree cat registration body, the GCCF.
While bully cats are not banned currently, there are some serious concerns about the welfare of these cats. ‘Bully cats’ are sadly expected to have a short life expectancy and will likely face serious health issues during their life. We are campaigning to educate people about extreme physical traits or characteristics like those seen in the Bully Cat, and are calling for the breeding of such traits to be banned. You can help us by signing our petition.
As they lack the protection that fur provides, some hairless cats tend to suffer from skin conditions. Sphynx cats, for example, can struggle with excess oils and dirt causing skin problems. Hairless cats may continue to groom themselves, even though they have no fur to groom. This can leave the skin irritated, inflamed or infected. Hairless cats are also prone to sunburn as they don’t have fur to protect them. It is important to follow sun safety advice for your hairless cat to ensure they don’t get burnt.
If you are concerned about your cat’s skin or notice anything unfamiliar, it is important to seek the advice of your vet.
Hairless cats are not able to regulate their body temperature effectively, which can easily lead them to get cold in chillier weather. You can keep your hairless cat warm by turning up the thermostat, or offering extra blankets.
Likewise, the are more likely to get overheated in warm weather too. Make sure they have plenty of cool areas to stay comfortable and keep them out of the sun.
Unfortunately hairless cats are just as susceptible to fleas as cats with fur. Their lack of hair doesn’t protect them from flea infestations
To prevent fleas in your hairless cat, use a flea treatment prescribed by your vet and check your cat’s skin regularly for signs of infestation.
Despite what their name suggests, hairless cats are not hypoallergenic. While they don’t shed fur, they still produce Fel d1, an allergenic protein that causes people to be allergic to cats. This is released via their saliva and skin and can trigger allergic reactions in some.
Hairless cats have a shorter life expectancy – for example, sphynx cats live on average for around 6.8 years in comparison to other breeds like a Burmese, who have an average lifespan of 14 years old. This could be due to the fact that hairless cats are at increased risk of various diseases.
Hairlessness can lead to health problems, a poorer quality of life, and higher vet bills. We’d encourage owners to look elsewhere when they are choosing a new cat or specific breed.
If you’re looking for a cat with a particular personality, we have plenty of wonderful cats looking for new homes. Contact your local Cats Protection and we’ll help you find your match.
If you currently have a hairless cat, you’ll need to keep a careful eye on their health. This includes: