Non Shedding Cat Breeds

Are there any, completely, non shedding cat breeds?

I know, I've asked myself that question a few times.

Having a cat means dealing with lots of hair. And for some, this may be a problem.

So if you want to adopt a cat but shedding is an issue, consider cat breeds that shed less hair than others.

What about hairless cats? Read all about it below.


Here non shedding kitty, kitty…

Actually, there’s no such thing as a non shedding cat. All cats shed some hair. But there are a few cat breeds that shed very little.

Why do some cats shed less than others?

The cat’s coat consists of three layers: the top layer (also known as guard hair), the middle layer (known as awn hair), and the undercoat (also known as down hair). The following cat breeds have fewer layers of fur; therefore, they have less hair to shed.

Cornish Rex

The leggy Cornish Rex has been compared to a greyhound dog or a snippet. These cats not only look sophisticated, but they’re also very intelligent and friendly.

The Cornish Rex has a very thin, soft, and curly coat. And because this breed is missing the guard hairs, it sheds very little. On the down side, these elegant kitties have less protection against the cold.

Devon Rex

Even though the Devon Rex has a similar look to that of the Cornish Rex, these two breeds are not related. The Devon Rex also has a thin, curly coat that is very easy to maintain. Indeed, these cats require very little grooming.

Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex is also missing the guard hairs. But Devon Rex cats can shed a little more than the Cornish Rex. Overall, they are a good option if you want a cat that sheds less than your average cat.

Hairless Cats

Are there cats with no hair? The totally hairless cat is rare, but you will find a couple of breeds that have "bald cats". There are also some breeds that have coats with very short and fine hair. These breeds shed very little. So even while these cats shed – albeit a little, you will barely notice it.

So which are these feline wonders?

Don Sphynx

A relatively new breed, the Don Sphynx (also known as Donskoy or Don Hairless) originated in Russia during the 1980s. Although it has a similar look to that of the Sphynx, the two breeds are not related. The Don Sphynx has a very short and fuzzy coat which falls off during the first two years. It can be said that the Don Sphynx is the closest to being totally hairless.

Peterbald

The Peterbald also originated in Russia. It is the result of a cross between a Don Sphynx and an Oriental Shorthair. The coat of these unique felines comes in a variety of lengths: from the totally bald, through a velour texture, to a unique short and curly coat.

Sphynx

Even though the Sphynx appears to be hairless, it does have an undercoat (down hair). But this layer is so thin and short that you can barely see it. These "hairless cats" are the result of a naturally occurring mutation. In other words, they were born like that. One of the Sphynx’s salient characteristics is its disproportionately large ears. Sphynx cats are one of the most vocal and social of the cat breeds.

Non shedding cat breeds need extra care

Obviously, these breeds have less protection against the elements, so it is recommended to keep them indoors. Not only they get cold easily, they can also get sunburned very quickly. These cats require extra care, so keep that in mind when choosing one of these non shedding cats.

Get a Short-Haired Cat

Not ready to go with an exotic, non shedding cat breed? Another option - if you want less cat hair in your life - is to adopt a low maintenance cat. Short hair cats require less grooming and you have many options to choose from. Here are some ideas:

  • Abyssinian
  • American Shorthair
  • Balinese
  • British Shorthair
  • Havana Brown
  • Oriental Shorthair
  • Siamese

Non shedding cat breeds vs. Hypoallergenic

Some people believe that they are allergic to cats’ hair. But in fact, what causes allergies is not the hair, but a protein in the cat’s saliva. The saliva gets into the cat’s hair and dander during their grooming sessions. So getting a non shedding cat will not alleviate allergic reactions. If you are allergic to cats, you would have to get a so-called "hypoallergenic" cat.

Grooming helps with shedding

Grooming your cat on a regular basis will not only help her maintain a beautiful and healthy coat, but it will also reduce excessive shedding.

There are many combs and brushes in the market to help you with this, and many are very good. There are also "deshedding" tools you can use.

I hope this list of non shedding cat breeds helps you find the right cat for you and your family.




Related Topics



Hypoallergenic cat breeds

Large domestic cat breeds

Rare cat breeds

Cat allergy symptoms

The beautiful Siamese cat


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