Do cats that do not shed exist?
Sphynx
The Sphynx (also known as the Donskoy) is a unique, social and playful cat that is known for its almost hairless skin, which feels like peach skin or suede. Because it lacks a coat, it feels warmer than other cats and also likes to seek out warmth.
Although the Sphynx has no coat, it can lose skin flakes. This is because its skin produces more sebum and is more sensitive to dehydration and the build-up of dirt. Normally, dead skin cells in coated cats are partly held by the coat and spread evenly, but in the Sphynx they remain directly on the skin and can build up. This means it needs to be washed regularly to prevent grease build-up and skin problems. In addition, Sphynxes are sensitive to sunburn and cold temperatures. They also have a faster metabolism, which means they need more food.
Besides their striking appearance, Sphynxes are very affectionate and intelligent, which makes them a great choice for owners who want to share lots of interaction and love with their pet.
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a unique, social and playful cat that is known for its short, curly coat, which feels like soft velvet or a plush fabric. Unlike other cats, the Cornish Rex only has an undercoat (the soft, fluffy layer), without the usual guard hairs. This makes it feel softer and finer than other breeds and it hardly sheds.
Although the Cornish Rex has a coat, it is very fine and provides less protection against cold and moisture than a normal cat coat. This is why it often seeks out warm places and is sensitive to temperature changes.
Because of the thin coat, the skin can produce more sebum, which in some cases leads to slightly greasier skin or mild flaking. In cats with a normal coat, sebum is better distributed over the hairs, but in the Cornish Rex it can build up on the skin, especially in folds and around the ears. Regular care, such as gently cleaning the skin and ears, is needed to prevent this.
In addition, Cornish Rex cats have a fast metabolism, which means they often need more food than other breeds. Because of their playful and energetic character, they stay active well into later life and enjoy interaction with their owner. Besides their distinctive appearance, Cornish Rex cats are very intelligent, curious and affectionate, which makes them a great choice for owners looking for a playful and loving cat.
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a unique, social and playful cat that is known for its crimped, velvety-soft coat, which is finer and shorter than that of most other cat breeds. Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex does not have a normal topcoat, but only a thin, wavy undercoat. This makes it feel like suede or a soft fleece fabric and it hardly sheds.
Because of the thin coat, the Devon Rex has less protection against cold and sunlight, which is why it often looks for warm places. It is not unusual for these cats to crawl under blankets or snuggle close to their owner for extra warmth.
Because their coat absorbs little sebum, the Devon Rex’s skin can sometimes feel greasier and mild flaking can occur, especially around the ears and chin. Regular, gentle cleaning can help prevent the build-up of dirt and sebum, but washing too often can actually dry out the skin.
In addition, the Devon Rex has a fast metabolism, which means it needs more food than other cats of a similar size. It stays active and playful into old age, with an affectionate character.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is an elegant, calm and intelligent cat that is known for its thick, double coat with a distinctive silvery-blue colour. Its coat is short, dense and velvety soft, with a unique double layer that gives it a luxurious and almost plush look. Despite the dense coat, the Russian Blue sheds less than many other breeds, because it has an even hair cycle.
Thanks to its dense coat, the Russian Blue is well protected against the cold. This also means it is less prone to temperature changes than breeds with a thinner coat, such as the Rex breeds or the Sphynx.
Although the Russian Blue does not shed excessively, it can show mild flaking if its skin becomes dry or if it does not get the right nutrition. Regular brushing helps remove dead hairs and skin flakes and stimulates healthy skin.
Besides its beautiful coat, the Russian Blue is known for its gentle, intelligent and sometimes reserved character. It is often cautious around strangers, but develops a strong bond with its owner. It likes calm, structure and a stable environment, which makes it ideal for people looking for an affectionate but not demanding cat.
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair is an elegant, slender and energetic cat that is known for its smooth, silky coat and its expressive, almond-shaped eyes. This breed is closely related to the Siamese and has the same graceful body type, but comes in a wide range of colours and patterns.
The short, fine coat of the Oriental Shorthair lies close to the body and contains almost no undercoat, which means it sheds little and needs very little maintenance. This makes the coat extremely smooth and glossy, but it offers less protection against cold than breeds with a thicker coat. The Oriental Shorthair therefore often seeks out warm spots and likes to lie close to people or other animals.
Although its coat needs little care, the Oriental Shorthair can show mild flaking if the skin becomes dry or if sebum builds up, especially around the ears and chin. Good nutrition with enough fatty acids helps keep the skin healthy and supple.
Besides its striking appearance, the Oriental Shorthair is known for its lively, playful and social character. It is very intelligent, talkative and becomes strongly attached to its owner. This breed is ideal for people looking for an active, interactive and affectionate cat, that likes to communicate and be part of everyday family life.
Balinese
The Balinese is a graceful, intelligent and social cat that is known for its soft, medium-length coat and its expressive blue eyes. It closely resembles the Siamese, but has a longer, silky coat, which gives it an elegant and refined look.
Despite its longer coat, the Balinese sheds less than other long-haired breeds. This is because it has no dense undercoat, which means loose hairs build up less quickly and it is easier to care for. Its coat rarely mats and only needs occasional brushing.
Because it lacks an undercoat, the Balinese’ skin is sensitive to temperature changes. It therefore likes to seek out warm places in the home. Although it sheds little, it can occasionally show mild flaking if its skin becomes dry, especially around the ears and back. A diet rich in fatty acids contributes to a healthy coat.
Besides its beautiful coat, the Balinese is known for its very social, playful and talkative personality. It is extremely affectionate and likes to follow its owner around the house, often with a soft, melodic voice to ask for attention. This breed is perfect for people looking for an active and loving companion, that does not like being alone and likes to be part of family life.
Javanese
The Javanese (also known as the Oriental Longhair) is an elegant, intelligent and social cat that is known for its medium-length, silky coat and slender build. It is closely related to the Balinese and the Oriental Shorthair. Despite its longer coat, the Javanese sheds less than many other long-haired breeds. This is because it has no dense undercoat, which means loose hairs do not build up as quickly and it is relatively easy to care for. Regular brushing helps keep its coat glossy and healthy, but mats are rare.
Because its coat is thinner than that of many other long-haired cats, the Javanese is sensitive to cold and likes to seek out warm spots. In addition, like the Balinese, it can sometimes show mild flaking if its skin becomes dry or if it does not get enough essential fatty acids. A balanced diet with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps keep its skin and coat in optimal condition.
The Javanese is known for its lively, affectionate and playful character. It becomes strongly attached to its owner and likes to communicate with a soft voice. This breed is perfect for people looking for an active, loving cat, that likes to be involved in everyday life and does not like being left alone.
Siamese
The Siamese is one of the most recognisable and oldest cat breeds, known for its slim, elegant build, intense blue eyes, and short, silky coat. It has a striking pointed pattern, where the head, ears, legs and tail are darker than the rest of the body. This is caused by a genetic trait that is sensitive to temperature: the cooler parts of the body become darker in colour.
The coat of the Siamese is very short, smooth and lies close to the body. Because it has no thick undercoat, it sheds less than other cat breeds and is easy to care for. Occasionally stroking it or running a soft cloth over its coat helps remove loose hairs and maintain shine.
Because it lacks an undercoat, the Siamese’ skin is more sensitive to cold and temperature changes. It therefore often seeks out warm places and likes to lie close to its owner. Although its skin produces less sebum than hairless breeds, it can sometimes show mild flaking, especially in a dry environment or with a low-fat diet. Food with added fatty acids helps keep the skin healthy.
Besides its beautiful looks, the Siamese is known for its very social, talkative and intelligent character. It is extremely affectionate and likes to communicate with a distinctive, loud voice. This breed is perfect for people looking for an active, loving and playful cat, that likes to be involved in everything its owner does and does not like being left alone.
Birman
beautiful cat on the table, gray-black, elite cat, small Depth of field
The Birman is a beautiful, medium-sized cat that is known for its soft, semi-long coat, deep blue eyes, and distinctive white “socks” on its paws. It has a pointed pattern like the Siamese, where the head, ears, legs and tail are darker in colour than the rest of the body.
Despite its long coat, the Birman sheds less than other long-haired breeds. This is because it has no dense undercoat, which means its coat mats less quickly and is relatively easy to maintain. A weekly brush is usually enough to remove loose hairs and keep the coat glossy and healthy.
Because the Birman has no thick undercoat, it is sensitive to temperature changes and likes to seek out warm places. Its skin is generally healthy, but in dry air or with an unbalanced diet it can show mild flaking. Food with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids contributes to healthy skin and a beautiful, glossy coat.
Besides its beautiful appearance, the Birman is known for its gentle, social and balanced character. It is affectionate and intelligent, but usually a bit less vocal than the Siamese. This breed is ideal for people looking for a loving, calm, but playful companion, that gets along well with other pets and children.
Bengal
The Bengal is an exotic, athletic and intelligent cat that is known for its short, silky coat with a unique leopard-like pattern. This breed originated from crosses between domestic cats and the Asian leopard cat, which resulted in a noticeably muscular build and an energetic character.
The coat of the Bengal is short, dense and extremely smooth, with a luxurious shine that sometimes shows a “golden shimmer”. It has little undercoat, which means it sheds less than many other cat breeds and needs little maintenance. Occasionally rubbing the coat with a soft brush or cloth helps remove dead hairs and maintain its natural shine.
Because the Bengal has hardly any undercoat, it is less prone to matting, but it can show mild flaking in dry air or with a low-fat diet. Food rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps keep the skin and coat healthy and glossy.
Besides its striking appearance, the Bengal is known for its active, playful and intelligent character. It is very energetic, loves climbing and playing and can even fetch or learn to walk on a harness. Without enough stimulation, it can show unwanted behaviour, such as climbing or urinating in unwanted places, destructive play or excessive meowing. Daily interaction, challenging toys and enough space to climb and run help prevent problem behaviour.
Peterbald
The Peterbald is an elegant, slender and intelligent cat that is known for its unique coat variations. This breed originated from a cross between the Donskoy and the Oriental Shorthair, which means it inherited both the hairless gene and the graceful build.
The Peterbald can have different coat types, from completely hairless to a light, velvety down layer or even a very fine, brush-like coat. Cats that are completely hairless or almost hairless feel warm and soft, similar to suede or rubber. Because it lacks a coat, it likes to seek out warmth and is sensitive to cold and sunburn.
Because the Peterbald has little to no hair, its skin can produce more sebum, which can lead to greasy skin or flaking. Regular care, such as wiping the coat with a damp cloth or occasional bathing, helps keep the skin clean and healthy.
The Peterbald is known for its social, playful and affectionate character. It is very people-oriented, intelligent and active, and can show dog-like behaviour such as fetching or following its owner everywhere. This breed is perfect for people looking for an affectionate and interactive cat and who are willing to pay extra attention to skin care and warmth needs.
