10 Different Types of Hairless Cat Breeds

Hairless cats might look a little different, but many are known for being affectionate, loyal, and full of personality. In some breeds, hairlessness comes from a natural genetic mutation, while in others, it’s the result of selective breeding, which can lead to health issues due to inbreeding. Curious about who’s who? Here are 10 hairless cat breeds worth knowing.

Before bringing home any new cat, make sure you understand the cost and time required to properly care for them. (If you’re curious about which cat breeds are the ultimate floofs, check out these fluffy cat breeds.)

Key traits of hairless cats

• They should be kept indoors only: Because of their sensitive skin, hairless cats are meant to be indoor cats.

• They have many coat varieties: Hairless cats come in several varieties, ranging from completely smooth to those with peach fuzz, or even more velour coats.

• They come in many colors and patterns: Hairless cats can be calicos, torties, solid, and even striped.

• They have sensitive skin: Like any hairless creature, they can sunburn easily outdoors, which means they’ll need pet-friendly SPF sunscreen applied and clothing to protect their skin.

• They have special grooming needs: Hairless kitties need baths, moisturizing, wipe downs, ear and eye cleanings, and warm clothing. This routine might not be for every pet parent — but you’ll never have to brush them or worry about fur on your clothes and furniture.

• They’re expensive: Hairless cats are not just to buy (we’re talking thousands), but to care for long-term, including vet bills, special grooming, skincare, heating pads, sweaters, and even cleaning products. If you’re getting a hairless cat, you’re signing up for a luxury pet with high-maintenance needs to match.

Hairless cat breeds

Julia Isaeva / Stocksy/

1. Sphynx

The distinctive Sphynx cat is the most common choice for folks who want a hairless cat. These cats can have variegated skin tones, but are often a pale pink flesh tone. Hairlessness and wrinkles in these cats are produced by genetic mutations. The Sphynx wasn’t selectively bred for this trait until the 1960s — some displayed it and some didn’t, so by pairing those who were born hairless, it became a consistent trait. These cats are very affectionate and love learning new tricks and spending time with people.

Sphynx cats do get very oily and require regular bathing, or you might end up popping kitty zits — which, for the record, vets don’t recommend because this can make the acne worse or spread infection. Get ahead of the issue with warm suds. They are prone to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Hereditary Myopathy, and periodontal disease, and can also have trouble regulating their body temperature (a great excuse to buy cat sweaters).

Traits

• Height: 8 to 10 inches

• Weight: 6 to 12 pounds

• Type: Naturally hairless origins

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2. Donskoy

The Sphynx and the Donskoy, sometimes called the Russian Hairless, look similar, but their hairlessness comes from different genetic mutations. The Donskoy is usually leaner than the rounder hairless Sphynx, with more sharply almond-shaped eyes. Some Donskoy cats are born with fur coats that they may lose to some degree as they age — distinguished as flocked (nearly hairless), velour, and brush coats. The ones born nude are called “rubber bald.”

The Donsky is considered a bit healthier than the Sphynx. These cats are very affectionate, love to cuddle, and can be as loyal as a dog.

Traits

• Height: 12 to 14 inches

• Weight: 8 to 15 pounds

• Type: Naturally hairless origins

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3. Dwelf

Another carefully bred and costly cat, the Dwelf is a mix of the Sphynx, Munchkin, and American Curl. The Dwelf looks similar to the Bambino, but the most notable visual difference between these hairless cat breeds is the Dwelf’s curly and textured ears.

Because the breed is rare, they have a small gene pool, which makes it harder to breed healthy cats. They are susceptible to health problems such as skin issues, heart disease, spine curvature, and joint disease.

Traits

• Height: 6 to 7 inches

• Weight: 5 to 9 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

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4. Ukrainian Levkoy

This breed is a cross between a Donskoy and a Scottish Fold, which results in a nearly hairless cat with soft, wrinkly skin and large inward-folding ears. They’re often long-bodied and muscular and are most popular in Russia and Ukraine. They come in all different colors but tend to be gray, black, or mixed white and black in a piebald pattern. They’re quite affectionate and social.

Traits

• Height: 7 to 10 inches

• Weight: 8 to 12 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

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5. Elf cat

The Elf cat is a hairless mix of the Sphynx and American Curl. These cats have the same curly ears as the Dwelf, with somewhat longer legs and very soft wrinkly skin folds. They love to climb and play and are quite social and cuddly. They will definitely demand your attention. The Elf was bred by Karen Nelson and Kristen Leedom in 2004, so the breed is quite rare.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 10 inches

• Weight: 10 to 15 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

Julianne Carlile (life.with.lykoi) / Instagram/

6. Lykoi

Lykoi cats, also known as “werewolf cats” can have varying amounts of fur as a result of a naturally occurring genetic mutation discovered in Domestic Shorthairs about two decades ago. When their full coat comes in, it is usually black and gray and sparse, resulting in a lot of skin showing through. This breed usually has large yellow eyes and big pointed ears, with faces shaped similarly to a Sphynx. They bond well with one person and other cats but can be shy at first. Once they warm up to you, they’re great companions and love hunting and playing fetch.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 10 inches

• Weight: 6 to 12 pounds

• Type: Naturally hairless origins

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7. Minskin

The Minskin is another rare hairless cat that is a fairly new breed, who is a mix of Munchkin, Burmese, Sphynx, and Devon Rex. They often have a thin coat, but you can usually see the classic Sphynx skin folds through it. They’re usually quite small with short legs even when fully grown. And since they come from several other friendly breeds, you can expect them to be affectionate and playful, too.

Traits

• Height: 5 to 7 inches

• Weight: 6 to 9 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

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8. Peterbald

The Peterbald cat originated in Russia and became popular in the mid-1990s. They’re still popular, making them both rare and expensive. They come in different colors but are most often gray or with the color-point pattern of a Siamese cat. They’re sometimes compared to an Oriental shorthair in build, but they have that neat hair-losing genetic mutation. They can be quite friendly and talkative.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 12 inches

• Weight: 7 to 13 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

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9. Sphynxiebob

If you want a cat that is both hairless and tailless, the Sphynxiebob — a mix between a Sphynx and a Bobtail cat — is for you. April Arguin debuted this breed, which looks remarkably similar to a Sphynx with the adorable little short tail of a Bobtail, in 2015. Described as Velcro kittens, they make wonderful family members because they love human company and will follow you around the house to get their much-needed daily dose of attention.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 10 inches

• Weight: 6 to 12 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

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10. Bambino

A Bambino cat is a Sphynx crossed with a Munchkin, a cat that naturally has short, stubby legs. This bald cat breed generally looks like the Sphynx but with smaller legs. Cats of this breed can also inherit health problems from both the Sphynx and the Munchkin. The Sphynx is susceptible to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Hereditary Myopathy, and periodontal disease, while Munchkins are susceptible to bone deformities, such as those along the spine.

These health issues make them a controversial new cat breed of their own, having only been launched in 2005. Like the Sphynx, the Bambino is vulnerable to the sun, the cold, and skin conditions.

Traits

• Height: 7 to 8 inches

• Weight: 5 to 10 pounds

• Type: Selectively bred

Tips on caring for a hairless cat

Hairless cats require a slightly different level of care than typical furry cats. Here are a few grooming and care tips to get you started on the right track.

Regular baths

One of the big demands of having a hairless cat is bathing them. Without fur, oil can quickly build up on their skin, and they must be regularly cleaned to prevent acne or rashes. Luckily, most hairless cats are amenable to gentle bathing, especially if you get them used to it at a young age.

Vets will have recommendations, but choose a pet shampoo without a strong scent and use warm water — never hot. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and then pat them dry afterward. Because they have no fur, they need to be kept warm and not left moist. If they do get an acne breakout, use a mild antibacterial soap for pets and contact your vet if things don’t improve.

Sunscreen

Hairless cats have sensitive skin that can easily get sunburned when exposed to UV rays. Pet-safe sunscreen can help protect their skin from damage, which can lead to discomfort, pain, and even skin cancer. To avoid sunburn and associated skin problems, apply whenever they’re outside or spending a good amount of time toasting in the window.

Nail and ears

Hairless cats need help with the typical things a cat does for grooming, such as nail cutting. They especially need ear cleaning. They have no hair in their ears, so they can easily have a wax build-up that blocks their ear canal entirely.

Adopt a hairless cat

Don’t assume you have to shell out thousands to find a hairless cat. These cats can absolutely end up in shelters and rescues, whether because people adopt them without realizing how much care they need, or a mixed-breed cat is born with an abnormality (yes, this happens). Breed-specific rescues are a great place to start. If you’re patient and keep your search wide, you can certainly adopt a hairless cat. Start your cat search on Adopt a Pet.

Commonly asked questions

Why are Sphynx cats hairless?

One reason Sphynx cats are hairless is because of a genetic abnormality called hair follicle dysplasia, which means their follicles don’t work right, so the hair either never grows, grows super thin, or falls out really fast.

Do hairless cats get cold?

Yes, hairless cats get cold easily and need help regulating their body temperatures. In the winter, it’s good to have some cozy cat outfits and sweaters for them or make sure your home is appropriately heated. If the temperature is too cold for you to be comfortable while naked, it’s probably too cold for your hairless cat.

Are hairless cats hypoallergenic?

There’s no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic cat, but because hairless cats don’t shed, that can help with some allergy sensitivities. All breeds of cats can produce the protein that causes allergic reactions in their dander, saliva, and even their urine. Some cats within select breeds, including some hairless cats, naturally produce less of the protein that triggers cat allergies in people. Regularly bathing your cat will clean up dander and other protein-carrying dust on the cat’s body.

Are there different types of hairless cats?

Yep, there are different types (breeds) of hairless cats. The 10 most common types of hairless cat include the Canadian Sphynx, Bambino, Donskoy, Dwelf, Elf, Lykoi, Minskin, Peterbald, Pixiebob, and Ukrainian Levkoy.

Many hairless cats are available for adoption at local shelters and rescue groups across the United States. Start your search for a friendly hairless cat at Adopt a Pet.

References

“Peterbald Facts - Wisdom Panel^TM Cat Breeds.” Wisdompanel.com, 2021, www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/cat-breeds/peterbald. Accessed 17 June 2025.

‌“Sphynx | Pet Health Insurance & Tips.” Nationwide Pet Insurance, www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-breeds/cat-breeds/sphynx/.

‌“Genetics: Sphynx Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).” Veterinary Hospital, hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/services/small-animals/genetics/sphynx-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-hcm/.

‌Genovese, David W., et al. “Histological and Dermatoscopic Description of Sphynx Cat Skin.” Veterinary Dermatology, vol. 25, no. 6, 11 Aug. 2014, pp. 523-e90, https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12162. Accessed 19 Nov. 2021.

TICA Donskoy

TICA Sphynx

VioVet. “Bambino Facts and Information | VioVet.” VioVet, 2025, www.viovet.co.uk/breed_information/1-13/Bambino.

‌“Why Are Sphynx Cats Hairless?” BBC Science Focus Magazine, www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-are-sphynx-cats-hairless/.