10 Really Interesting Facts About Hairless Cats

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When choosing a cat, the color and length of the fur are often important factors in a potential cat owner making their decision. While some would prefer a short-haired tabby, others may believe that a long-haired blue cat is the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. While fur length and color often play a role in the cats that people choose, it is important to remember that not all cats have fur. There are several hairless breeds that can also make interesting pets. Many people love the look of hairless cats, and they also have some fantastic personality traits that make them a wonderful pet to consider. f you are considering getting one of these breeds, here are 10 really interesting facts about hairless cats that you should know.

1. They Are Not Actually Hairless

I Heart Cats says that calling a cat hairless is actually a misnomer as even hairless cat breeds are not truly hairless. They usually have a very fine layer of hair that is almost invisible, or they may have some patches of a peachy colored down. Therefore, your hairless cat isn’t really hairless at all.

2. There Are Eight Known Breeds of Hairless Cat

When thinking of hairless cats, it is usually the Sphynx that comes to people’s minds. However, this is not the only breed of hairless cats. There are now eight hairless cat breeds that are recognized by the official bodies. Other than the Sphynx, Love to Know these include Elf Cats, Dwelf Cats, Bambino Cats, Donskoy Cats, Ukrainian Levkoy Cats, Peterbald Cats, and Kohana Cats.

3. Genes Cause Hairlessness

Whether a cat is long-haired, short-haired, or hairless is all down to genes. There is no one specific gene that causes hairlessness as this differs from one breed to the next. For example, Peterbald cats are hairless because of a dominant gene. On the other hand, a recessive gene is responsible for hairlessness in Sphynx cats.

4. They Have Sensitive Skin

Cole & Marmalade highlights the sensitivity of a hairless cat’s skin. A cat’s coat offers a layer of protection that a hairless cat does not have. This means that they are prone to sunburn, so you should keep them out of the sun as much as possible, preferably indoors. If they do go outside, it is important to apply sun cream with a high UV protection level.

5. They Are from Cold Countries

It makes sense to assume that cats with no fur would come from hot countries where it matters less that they do not have a coat to keep them warm. However, they come from cold countries. The Sphynx originates in Canada, while Donskoy and Peterbald cats come from Russia.

6. Hairless Cats Can Have Colors and Patterns

A misconception is that all hairless cats are just pink skin color. However, this is not always the case. It is possible to get a hairless cat in other colors, and they can also have patterns on heir skin. These are often black or dark patches on a skin pink background. The patterns are often the same as those associated with a tabby or tortoiseshell cats.

7. They Are Not Hypoallergenic

Sometimes, people choose a hairless cat breed because they believe that they are hypoallergenic, but this is incorrect. As these cats are not truly hairless, it is still possible for them to trigger an allergic reaction in people with an allergy to cat hair. Also, most cat allergies are caused by the saliva of a cat rather than the coat. It is believed that the Fel D1 gene in the saliva is the main cause, so only cats that do not carry this gene are truly hypoallergenic. That is not the case with hairless cats, so you should not choose one of these breeds if you suffer from an allergy to cats.

8. They Are Warmer Than Cats with Fur

According to Mental Floss, another interesting fact about hairless cats is that they have a higher body temperature than cats with fur. They generally have a body temperature that is four degrees higher than a cat with a coat. Learning that they have a higher body temperature is something that surprises many cat lovers who assume they are colder because they have no coat. However, it begins to make sense when you consider that most cat breeds use their coat to raise their temperature when they are cold. A hairless cat needs to have a higher body temperature as it does not have a coat for temperature regulation.

9. Hairless Cats Need Regular Bathing

Many people mistakenly think that they do not need to bathe a hairless cat as it would be the same as applying shampoo and conditioner to a bald man’s head. The truth is that hairless cats need special care of their skin, While they do not have a coat to collect dust and pollen, their skin produces oil that can cause a greasy film over their skin. Therefore, bathing a hairless cat at least once a week is important. This will reduce some of the oil from your cat’s skin and help to keep it healthy and prevent blocked skin pores that can cause nasty skin infections.

10. They Are Prone to Ear Infections

Hairless cats are also prone to ear infections. A cat’s coat has many purposes other than keeping the cat warm. Their hairs help to protect their skin and other body parts from infections. As hairless cats do not have hairs around their ears, it is easy for dirt and bacteria to get into the ear canal. In turn, this can lead to infections. Owners of hairless cats can help by cleaning the outer part of their hairless cat’s ears regularly using a cotton ball. This can help to reduce the likelihood of your hairless cat suffering from an ear infection.