Cats That Don’t Shed

The Sphynx (also known as the Donskoy) is a unique, social, and playful cat known for its nearly hairless skin, which feels like peach fuzz or suede. Because it lacks a traditional coat, the Sphynx feels warmer to the touch than other cats and tends to seek out warm places.

Although the Sphynx doesn’t have a coat, it can still shed skin flakes. This is because its skin produces more sebum and is more prone to dryness and buildup. In cats with fur, dead skin cells are partially held in place and spread evenly by the coat. In the Sphynx, however, these flakes stay directly on the skin and can accumulate. Regular bathing is necessary to prevent oil buildup and skin issues. Sphynx cats are also sensitive to sunburn and cold temperatures. Additionally, they have a faster metabolism, which means they require more food than average.

Beyond their striking appearance, Sphynx cats are extremely affectionate and intelligent, making them a fantastic choice for owners looking for a loving and interactive companion.

The Devon Rex is a unique, social, and playful cat known for its curly, velvet-soft coat, which is finer and shorter than that of most other cat breeds. Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex lacks a typical outer coat and has only a thin, wavy undercoat. This gives it a texture similar to suede or soft fleece, and it sheds very little.

Because of its thin coat, the Devon Rex offers less protection from cold and sunlight, so it frequently seeks out warm places. It’s not uncommon for these cats to burrow under blankets or cuddle close to their owners for extra warmth.

Since their coat absorbs very little sebum, the skin of the Devon Rex can sometimes feel oilier and may develop mild flakiness, especially around the ears and chin. Regular, gentle cleaning can help prevent the buildup of dirt and oil, though washing too frequently can dry out the skin.

The Devon Rex also has a fast metabolism, meaning it requires more food than other cats of similar size. It remains active and playful well into old age, and its affectionate personality makes it a loving companion.

The Oriental Shorthair is an elegant, slender, and energetic cat known for its smooth, silky coat and expressive almond-shaped eyes. Closely related to the Siamese, this breed shares the same graceful body type but comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Its short, fine coat lies close to the body and contains little to no undercoat, which means it sheds very little and requires minimal grooming. As a result, the coat is extremely sleek and shiny, though it offers less protection against the cold than the thicker coats of other breeds. The Oriental Shorthair therefore tends to seek out warm places and enjoys cuddling with people or other pets.

Although its coat is low-maintenance, the Oriental Shorthair may occasionally develop mild flakiness if the skin becomes dry or sebum builds up, especially around the ears and chin. A diet rich in fatty acids can help keep the skin healthy and supple.

In addition to its striking appearance, the Oriental Shorthair is known for its lively, playful, and social personality. Highly intelligent and vocal, it forms strong bonds with its owner. This breed is perfect for people looking for an active, interactive, and affectionate cat that loves to communicate and be part of daily family life.

The Javanese (also known as the Oriental Longhair) is an elegant, intelligent, and social cat known for its medium-length, silky coat and slender build. Closely related to the Balinese and the Oriental Shorthair, the Javanese shares a graceful body type and vibrant personality. Despite having a longer coat, this breed sheds less than many other long-haired cats. This is because it lacks a dense undercoat, which prevents loose hairs from accumulating and makes grooming easier. Regular brushing helps maintain a shiny, healthy coat, though mats are rare.

Due to its finer coat compared to many other long-haired breeds, the Javanese is more sensitive to the cold and tends to seek out warm spots around the home. Like the Balinese, it may also develop mild flakiness if the skin becomes dry or lacks sufficient essential fatty acids. A balanced diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids supports optimal skin and coat health.

The Javanese is known for its lively, affectionate, and playful nature. It forms a strong bond with its owner and enjoys communicating in a soft, gentle voice. This breed is ideal for people looking for an active, loving cat that enjoys being involved in everyday life and doesn’t like being left alone.

The Sacred Birman is a beautiful, medium-sized cat known for its soft, semi-long coat, deep blue eyes, and distinctive white “gloves” on its paws. Like the Siamese, it has a pointed pattern, with the head, ears, legs, and tail being darker than the rest of the body.

Despite its long coat, the Sacred Birman sheds less than many other long-haired breeds. This is because it lacks a dense undercoat, which means its fur is less prone to matting and relatively easy to maintain. A weekly brushing is usually enough to remove loose hairs and keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Because it doesn’t have a thick undercoat, the Birman is sensitive to temperature changes and tends to seek out warm spots. Its skin is generally healthy, but in dry environments or when fed an unbalanced diet, it may develop mild flakiness. A diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps maintain healthy skin and a beautiful, glossy coat.

In addition to its stunning appearance, the Sacred Birman is known for its gentle, social, and balanced nature. Affectionate and intelligent, it is usually quieter than the Siamese. This breed is ideal for those looking for a loving, calm yet playful companion that gets along well with other pets and children.

The Cornish Rex is a unique, social, and playful cat known for its short, curly coat, which feels like soft velvet or plush fabric. Unlike most cats, the Cornish Rex has only a soft undercoat (the fine, downy layer) and lacks the usual guard hairs. This makes its coat feel much softer and finer than that of other breeds—and it sheds very little.

Although the Cornish Rex does have a coat, it’s very delicate and provides less protection against cold and moisture than a typical cat coat. As a result, this breed often seeks out warm spots and is more sensitive to temperature changes.

Due to its thin coat, the Cornish Rex’s skin can produce more sebum, which may lead to slightly oily skin or light flaking. In cats with normal coats, sebum is more evenly distributed along the fur, but in the Cornish Rex, it can accumulate on the skin, especially in folds or around the ears. Regular care, such as gently cleaning the skin and ears, helps to prevent this buildup.

Cornish Rex cats also have a fast metabolism, meaning they often require more food than other breeds. Thanks to their playful and energetic nature, they remain active well into their senior years and thrive on interaction with their owners. In addition to their unique appearance, Cornish Rex cats are highly intelligent, curious, and affectionate—making them a wonderful choice for anyone seeking a lively and loving feline companion.

The Russian Blue is an elegant, calm, and intelligent cat known for its thick, double-layered coat with a distinctive silvery-blue hue. Its fur is short, dense, and velvety, with a unique plush texture that gives it a luxurious appearance. Despite having a dense coat, the Russian Blue sheds less than many other breeds due to its consistent hair growth cycle.

Thanks to this thick coat, the Russian Blue is well protected against the cold. It is also less sensitive to temperature fluctuations than breeds with thinner fur, such as the Rex breeds or the Sphynx.

Although it doesn’t shed excessively, the Russian Blue may develop mild dandruff if its skin becomes dry or if its diet lacks proper nutrients. Regular brushing helps remove dead hair and skin flakes and supports a healthy coat and skin.

In addition to its stunning appearance, the Russian Blue is known for its gentle, intelligent, and somewhat reserved nature. It may be shy around strangers but forms a strong bond with its owner. This breed thrives in quiet, structured environments and is ideal for those looking for an affectionate yet low-maintenance cat.

The Balinese is a graceful, intelligent, and social cat known for its soft, medium-length coat and expressive blue eyes. Closely resembling the Siamese in body type, the Balinese has a longer, silky coat that gives it an elegant and refined appearance.

Despite its longer fur, the Balinese sheds less than many other long-haired breeds. This is because it lacks a dense undercoat, which means loose hairs don’t accumulate as easily and the coat is easier to maintain. Its fur rarely mats and only needs occasional brushing.

Due to the absence of an undercoat, the Balinese is more sensitive to temperature fluctuations and often seeks out warm spots in the home. Although it sheds very little, the Balinese may occasionally develop mild flakiness if the skin becomes dry, especially around the ears and along the back. A diet rich in fatty acids helps promote a healthy, shiny coat.

In addition to its beautiful appearance, the Balinese is well known for its highly social, playful, and talkative personality. Extremely affectionate, it loves following its owner around the house, often using a soft, melodic voice to get attention. This breed is perfect for people looking for an active and loving companion that dislikes being alone and enjoys being part of daily family life.

The Siamese is one of the most recognizable and oldest cat breeds, known for its slender, elegant build, striking blue eyes, and short, silky coat. It features a distinct pointed pattern, where the head, ears, legs, and tail are darker than the rest of the body. This is due to a temperature-sensitive genetic trait—cooler areas of the body develop darker coloring.

The Siamese coat is very short, smooth, and lies close to the body. Because it lacks a dense undercoat, it sheds less than many other cat breeds and is easy to maintain. Occasional petting or wiping with a soft cloth helps remove loose hairs and maintain its natural shine.

Due to the absence of an undercoat, the Siamese is more sensitive to cold and temperature changes. It often seeks out warmth and enjoys cuddling close to its owner. While its skin produces less sebum than hairless breeds, it can still develop mild flakiness, especially in dry environments or when fed a low-fat diet. A diet enriched with fatty acids helps support healthy skin.

In addition to its beautiful appearance, the Siamese is known for its highly social, vocal, and intelligent personality. Extremely affectionate, it loves to communicate with its signature loud voice. This breed is ideal for people seeking an active, loving, and playful cat that wants to be involved in everything its owner does—and dislikes being left alone.

The Sphynx and Peterbald shed the least, as they don’t have a true coat. If you’re looking for a cat that sheds minimally but still has fur, the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Balinese, and Oriental Shorthair are excellent choices.

Want a cat with minimal shedding but a longer coat? Then the Balinese and Javanese are ideal, as they lack a dense undercoat.

Cat allergies are usually caused by a reaction to the Fel d 1 protein, which is found in saliva, sebaceous glands, skin flakes, and urine. When cats groom themselves, this protein spreads over their fur. When hairs and skin flakes are shed, the allergens are released into the air and onto surfaces.

While no cat is completely hypoallergenic, some breeds produce less Fel d 1 or shed less, which reduces allergen exposure.

• Looking for a low-allergen cat? The Balinese or Siberian (known for lower Fel d 1 production) may be suitable.
• Looking for a cat that sheds less? Consider the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, or Oriental Shorthair.
• Want a hairless breed? The Sphynx is an option, but be mindful of sebum and skin flakes.

Since people react differently to allergens, and you don’t want to rehome a cat after adoption, it’s wise to spend time with the breed beforehand.

A cat breed that sheds less offers several benefits, both for the owner and the household. Here are the main advantages:

• Fewer loose hairs on furniture, clothing, and floors
• Reduced spread of hair, dander, and allergens
• Lower risk of hairball formation
• No matting and easier coat maintenance