Cats Cat Breeds Hairless Cat Breeds

10 Best Hairless Cat Breeds for a Unique Pet Pal

By
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/27/23
Reviewed by
Alycia Washington
Alycia Washington, DVM
Reviewed by Alycia Washington

Alycia Washington is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with nearly a decade of experience as a small animal emergency veterinarian. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board
hairless cat lying on a bed

Wunderfool/Getty Images

Hairless cats are truly sights to behold. There are several recognized breeds, from sphynx to bambino, and each is special in its own way. Some hairless cats have very fine peach fuzz while others are truly smooth to the touch. Note though that since these cats are rarer than your average domestic house cats, they tend to cost more.

Tip

Some people assume hairless cats are hypoallergenic, but that’s not necessarily true. Usually, the cat's most triggering allergens are on a cat’s skin or in saliva. Many hairless breeds develop skin conditions, so instead of shedding hair, they shed dead skin. That's problematic for those with allergies.

Breed Characteristics

Hairless breeds are the result of genetic mutations that have done away with their protective fur. These cats need specific care. They often have difficulties staying warm, requiring sweaters and cold weather gear. And if your cat spends any amount of time lying out on a window sill, their skin needs sunscreen. Additionally, some hairless kitties will need regular baths to prevent oil buildup on the skin. Hairless cats also tend to be more active with a higher rate of metabolism, often requiring a high-quality food to meet their energy needs.

Here are 10 breeds to consider if you're interested in adopting a hairless cat.

  • 01 of 10

    Sphynx

    sphynx cat on a wood floor

    Chaloemphon Wanitcharoentham/EyeEm/Getty Images

    The most well-known hairless cat breed is the sphynx, which originated in Canada in the 1960s. Resulting from a naturally occurring recessive genetic mutation, the sphynx was developed through crossbreeding with shorthair cats to create a healthy, broad gene pool. Some sphynx cats have a downy coat or patches of hair, primarily on the face, legs, and tail.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 10 inches

    Weight: 10 to 12 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Loving, energetic

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; lean build

    Energy Level: High

    Life Span: 8 to 14 years

  • 02 of 10

    Bambino

    hairless bambino cat sitting on couch

    peterpancake/Getty Images

    The bambino is a pint-sized hairless cat, as its name—"baby" or "child" in Italian—suggests. This dwarf feline is a cross between the sphynx and the munchkin. Some might have a little fur, primarily on the face, ears, legs, and tail, while others are totally hairless. 

    Breed Overview

    Height: 7 to 8 inches

    Weight: 5 to 9 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Outgoing, affectionate, playful

    Energy Level: Medium

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; stocky body; large ears

    Life Span: Up to 12 years

  • 03 of 10

    Donskoy

    donskoy cat breed on furniture

    Yolya/Getty Images

    Also known as the Russian hairless, Don hairless, or Don sphynx, the Donskoy is different from the sphynx. The sphynx gets their hairlessness from a recessive genetic mutation. Meanwhile, the Donskoy gets their hairlessness from a dominant gene. Interestingly, some Donskoy cats develop a partial winter coat when the weather cools, and they shed it once the temperatures warm up. 

    Breed Overview

    Height: 10 to 12 inches

    Weight: 7 to 15 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Playful, curious, smart

    Energy Level: Medium

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkles around cheeks; muscular body

    Life Span: 12 to 15 years

  • 04 of 10

    Dwelf

    Dwelf Cat in the Studio
    Thomas Leirikh / Getty Images

    The dwelf comes from crosses among the munchkin, American curl, and sphynx cat breeds. Several mutations created this breed’s hairless, compact, and elf-like appearance, contributing to health issues, including skeletal problems. Still, these cats tend to be highly engaged with their families.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 6 to 7 inches

    Weight: 4 to 9 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Playful, outgoing

    Energy Level: High

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; short or absent whiskers and eyebrows; short legs; curled ears

    Life Span: About 12 years

    Continue to 5 of 10 below
  • 05 of 10

    Elf

    elf kitten

     

    R.Tsubin / Getty Images

    When you cross a sphynx and an American curl, the product is the friendly and playful elf cat, a larger version of the dwelf. These cats typically have a downy feel to their soft skin, similar to peach fuzz. Some have light patches of hair over the ears, nose, paws, or tail.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 10 inches

    Weight: 10 to 15 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Smart, affectionate

    Energy Level: Medium

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless; muscular body; prominent cheek bones; wrinkled skin; curled ears

    Life Span: 8 to 14 years

  • 06 of 10

    Lykoi

    Male Lykoi Cat
    Angela Emanuelsson / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Also known as the werewolf cat, the lykoi isn’t always hairless. Some lykoi cats are entirely covered in the breed’s distinctive black-gray coat, while others are predominantly hairless. Most of these cats lack hair around their faces, on the backs of their ears, and their legs and feet. 

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 10 inches

    Weight: 4 to 7 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate

    Energy Level: High

    Physical Characteristics: Partially hairless (sparse on face and legs); short tail; black-gray coat

    Life Span: 15 to 20 years

  • 07 of 10

    Minskin

    Minskin kitten

    Paulmcsorley / Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 3.0

    The minskin is a short-legged, hairless cat developed from a breeding a munchin and a sphynx. These cats often have sparse, fine fur on their bodies, especially at the “points” (the nose, ears, legs, and tail). Their bellies are almost always hairless.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 7 to 8 inches

    Weight: 4 to 6 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, athletic

    Energy Level: High

    Physical Characteristics: Short legs; sparse hair only on the points (ears, nose, legs, tail)

    Life Span: About 12 years

  • 08 of 10

    Peterbald

    peterbald cat

    GlobalP/Getty Images

    The Peterbald is an elegant feline with prominent features and long limbs. They originated from a cross between the Donskoy and Oriental shorthair. Not all Peterbalds are born hairless. Some kittens have a fine, downy coat that they either shed or retain for life. Occasionally, a Peterbald is born with a full coat like a typical cat.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 10 inches

    Weight: 6 to 10 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, outgoing

    Energy Level: Medium

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless or short fuzz; almond-shaped eyes; large, pointed ears

    Life Span: Up to 15 years

    Continue to 9 of 10 below
  • 09 of 10

    Sphynx Hybrids

    Sphynx mix

    Linnea Sandbakk / Unsplash

    Breeders continue to use the hairless mutation in sphynx cats to produce new hybrids. For instance, the sphynxiebob is a cross between a sphynx and an American bobtail and emerged in 2015. It looks nearly identical to the sphynx, but it is either tailless or has a short, bobbed tail. Although most hybrids aren't officially recognized breeds, they broaden the range of hairless cats.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 10 inches

    Weight: 10 to 12 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; bobtail (sphynxiebob)

  • 10 of 10

    Ukrainian Levkoy

    ukrainian levkoy cat breed sits on hind legs before white background

    Pavlo Vakhrushev / Getty Images

    With its hairless body and inward-folding ears, the Ukrainian levkoy has a unique appearance. These cats were the result of a cross between the Donskoy and Scottish fold cat breeds. Many can even get along well with other pets.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 7 to 10 inches

    Weight: 8 to 12 pounds

    Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, playful

    Energy Level: Medium

    Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; inward-folding ears; slender, long body

    Life Span: About 12 years

Breeds to Avoid

If cat hair is your archnemesis, then you likely want to steer clear of breeds that are fluffy or shed a lot. Some of the highest shedding felines include the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric. 

13 Convincingly Cute Sphynx Cats
FAQ
  • How much are hairless cats?

    Depending on the breed and your location, hairless cats cost from $1,500 to $3,000.

  • Why are hairless cats hairless?

    Hairless cats resulted from a genetic mutation. Modern hairless cat breeds are generally a mix of hairless and short-haired breeds.

  • Why are hairless cats so expensive?

    Because they are purebred and hard to find, hairless cats will cost more. Demand generally exceeds supply.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Dwelf | International Cat Care.

  2. Minskin | The International Cat Association