You sweep, vacuum, and use a lint roller on every item of clothing you own. Yet, the stray fur never seems to go away.
Some cat parents accept the fact that they’ll live in homes covered in fur forever. Others pick cat breeds that don’t shed to save their sanity (and their favorite black pants).
Does the second option sound good to you?
In this post, you’ll find a list of hairless and short-haired breeds that won’t cover every surface in your home with fur.
Table of Contents
11 Mostly Hairless Cat Breeds
Less hair = less shedding and zero hairball issues
Let’s find you a breed of cat with no fur!
1. Sphynx
Even if you don’t know a lot of hairless cat breeds, you’ll at least know the Sphynx.
Many hybrids came from this breed over the years, but let’s start with the good ol’ sphynx that’s been around since the 1960s.
This lady in the pretty pink coat might be completely hairless or with a bit of peach fuzz here and there. Her first ancestors were bred in Toronto, and they happened to get a random genetic mutation that kept them from growing hair normally.
Thanks for the brilliant Sphynx, Canada!
2. Don Sphynx
See this grumpy-looking fella? You could call him Don Sphynx, Donskoy, or the Russian Hairless Cat. The last name should give you a clue about the first difference between the regular Sphynx and the Donskoy: Their origin.
Plus, the Donskoy can be slightly less muscular. However, he could still be 100% bald or with some fuzz, much like the Sphynx.
3. Peterbald
One glorious day in 1994, a breeder crossed a Don Sphynx (low shedder) with an Oriental Shorthair (medium shedder). The result was the affectionate Peterbald (low shedder), who is either bald or covered in short, velvety hair.
You might even find an “ultra-bald” Peterbald with no eyebrows or whiskers!
Also Check: 10 Fluffy Cat Breeds That Will Melt Your Heart
4. Bambino
Bambinos couldn’t be more aptly named. They’re teeny, tiny babies!
Once you look at the parent breeds, you’ll understand why this girl looks like a Sphynx on short legs. She’s a hybrid between the Sphynx and the Munchkin.
In case you didn’t know, the Munchkin is one of those breeds that don’t seem to grow. Munchkins are also medium shedders. Lucky for you, the hairless Bambino takes after the Sphynx side of the family, shedding-wise.
5. Elf
Do you see that curled ear? If you know your breeds, you’ll probably guess that there are some American Curl genes at work here. And you’d be spot on!
The Elf gets his signature curled ear from the American Curl. The low-shedding coat and the hairless look? Those are all Sphynx genes.
6. Dwelf
The Dwelf is quite a complex kitty. He’s got Sphynx, Munchkin, and American Curl genes. This means a hairless body, short stature, and elf-like ears.
7. Minskin
Oh boy, we’ve got another complicated hybrid. Sphynx, Munchkin, Devon Rex, and Burmese cats were all involved in the development of this breed.
Minksins are partially hairless, though. They have sparse, fine hairs on the “points” only. Think ear tips, tails, and nose. Do you know what those patches of hair feel like? Cashmere, baby!
8. Ukrainian Levoky
Maybe you love Scottish Fold cats but can’t handle their moderate shedding. In this case, I’d love to introduce you to the Levoky, a Donskoy-Fold hybrid.
He’s got the slender, hairless body and the cute folded ears all in one playful package!
9. SphynxieBob
For all I care, the SphynxieBob is a regular Sphynx without the whip-like tail. This new hybrid is the result of crossing a Sphynx with a Bobtail.
So, you’ve got little to no shedding and zero chance of having your pal wrap his skinny tail around his leg.
10. BamBob
This guy looks tall, right? Well, he’s not.
This is the BamBob, a cross between the Bobtail and the Bambino. So, his neck isn’t long at all. His legs are just short, but I’m not complaining.
Related: 11 Inspiring Cat-Proof Furniture Ideas For A Peaceful Home
11. Kohana
The Kohana is a Sphynx-type cat from Hawaii. It’s not a fully recognized breed, and there’s some debate about its origin.
First, people thought a natural mutation in a wild litter gave us the Kohana. Then, some experts said the Kohana is a cross between a Donskoy and a Sphynx.
Either way, these hairless babies are often docile, playful, and affectionate.
3 Short-Haired Cat Breeds That Don’t Shed Much
Not a huge fan of the naked cat look? Check out these alternative breeds:
1. The Werewolf Cat (AKA Lykoi)
The name “werewolf” usually implies that someone is super hairy. Since minimal shedding is what you’re after, you might think the Lykoi is a bad choice.
However, Lykois don’t shed much and don’t even require heavy brushing. Their grooming and care routine is closer to that of the hairless breeds than that of the short-haired ones.
2. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex sports a pretty open-wave coat that feels like suede in some areas. And this pretty coat of his doesn’t shed heavily, either.
3. Cornish Rex
Like the Devon Rex, this breed has a lean build, wavy hair, and a low shedding rate. That said, the Cornish Rex’s coat texture can be slightly more fine.
Final Thoughts
Finally, I’d like to point out that just because a cat is hairless and doesn’t shed much doesn’t mean she’s automatically hypoallergenic. The real culprit behind pesky allergies is the saliva and dander (skin cells). Even naked kittens have those.
Plus, hairless cats still require some grooming to keep the skin nice and clean!
