The history of hairless cats
The hairless gene, the result of mutations, has been manifested for several hundred years in a wide variety of cat litters. This phenomenon was not tied to a specific country or breed, and was perceived rather as a deviation from the norm.
The hairless cat and cat, bought from the Aztec Indians in the vicinity of New Mexico by Mr. Shinnik, are mentioned in the works of Francis Simpson. The owner of the unusual pets, although he was unable to prolong their family, presented their detailed characteristics. These events gave impetus to more detailed research and new assumptions.
Gradually, Mexican cats were associated with animals from South America, which were mentioned in the works of the German scientist Jozan Rudolf Rengger back in 1830. He suggested that they were brought from Europe back in the 15th century, and the loss of wool was provoked by a sharp climate change.
In the middle of the 20th century, furless kittens appeared from Siamese in France, but their crossing did not bring practical results. Therefore, the ancestor of the breed is considered to be a cat from Canada, born in 1966.
Gradually, his descendants began to be called sphinxes, for which there are many explanations. Some believe that this was due to the external resemblance to the sculpture of the same name, as well as attempts to convey an unusual aura and extraterrestrial appearance. Others are confident that Egyptian writings describe hairless cats, from whom the graceful image was borrowed when creating sculptures and painting the walls of ancient temples.
Hairless cats have their own unique beauty and grace; they are “aliens” of the animal world. We recommend that you read an article about some of the most beautiful cat breeds that exist in our world, long- and short-haired, and, of course, hairless.
Bathing a cat
The skin always requires regular care in these breeds, because it sweats very often. However, you can bathe them no more than once every 14 calendar days.
For many pet owners, bathing involves special efforts and even stress. But, regarding sphinxes, you should not worry too much, since it very often coincides that these cats are very fond of water treatments and even know how to swim well.
There are special shampoos for washing such males, but if you do not have such a product, then you can bathe the kitten using baby soap.
Hairless cat breeds
Over time, hairless cats received official recognition and their own standard. Breeders have learned to breed new varieties of them, among which there are now the Canadian, Donskoy and St. Petersburg Sphynxes, as well as the Ukrainian Levkoy, Elf, Bambino and Hawaiian hairless (Kohona). All of them differ significantly from each other not only in appearance, but also in the nature of the hairlessness gene, which can be dominant or recessive.
For example, Hawaiians lack hair follicles, which makes their skin look like wax, while Canadians' skin feels more like soft velvet with small fibers.
Cohona or Hawaiian hairless cat
Description and breed standards
Three breeds of Sphynx were officially recognized - Canadian, Donskoy and Peterbald. Standards were created for each of them, and specialized organizations were founded to maintain them. The largest of them is ISBFA, the International Sphynx Fanciers and Breeders Association, registered in the USA.
The standard appearance of these cats includes:
- medium-sized body with unusual grace, sophistication and developed muscles;
- almost complete absence of hair, too short and feels like velvet;
- the location of the folds on the skin indicates the species of the animal;
- There may be eyebrows, whiskers or wool tassels on the tail, paws, and ears.
The outlines of the head and body of different cats differ, which allows felinologists to accurately distinguish one representative from another. But what they all have in common is an excellent temperament and devotion to the owner, which only dogs differ.
Read the article about the differences between the Don and Canadian sphinxes.
Colors
In such pets, the colored pigment appears on the skin, and can have any color:
- plain black, white, red, blue-gray, brown, pinkish or purple;
- two-tone gray with white or purple, black with chocolate;
- tabby black, red, cream, blue, lavender, cream;
- tortoiseshell black or brown with red spots, or blue-cream, lilac-cream;
- van, harlequin, bicolor with clearly defined boundaries of the main color and white;
- Siamese colorpoint in different shades.
Due to the lack of hair, sphinxes do not have a smoky color, which is fully compensated by their diversity. The patterns on the skin are completely individual for each cat. Moreover, in moderation, sunbathing will make its colors brighter and more saturated.
Bambino cat health
If cats of this breed are not properly cared for, there can be very sad consequences, including serious infectious diseases, because they do not have fur to warm them and protect them from cold air. If you don’t wash your cat, there may be various inflammations and suppurations, because the bambino’s skin is folded and has many sebaceous glands.
Canadian Sphynx - how long does it live, difference from the Don
The structural features of cats do not affect their health in any way. The only exception may be the disease dysplasia, which some kittens inherited from their Munch ancestors. But this disease is easy to diagnose. If the kittens are weak and their hind legs seem unnaturally twisted, then you should consult a veterinarian, because such an animal is most susceptible to various fractures and dislocations, and there may be problems with the spine.
For your information! In total, cats of this breed live an average of 14 years if they are properly cared for, vaccinated promptly and follow the recommendations of veterinarians.
TOP 10 breeds of hairless cats
To date, nine varieties of hairless cats are known, only three of which were obtained naturally - the Donskoy, Canadian Sphynx and Cohona. They arose as a result of a spontaneous mutation, for which different genes are responsible in each case.
Crossing these representatives with others made it possible to obtain:
- Peterbald from Donskoy and Oriental;
- Bambino from Canadian and Munchkin;
- Levkoya from Donchak and Scottish Fold;
- Minskin from Munchkin, Canadian, Devon Rex and Burmese;
- Elf from the American Curl, and Dwelf with the addition of the Munchkin gene.
Canadian Sphynx
The Canadian Sphynx is the most popular among felinological organizations in all countries, as well as among amateurs.
It can be characterized as follows:
- thick skin is dense and soft to the touch, sometimes has fluff;
- folds on the forehead, neck, and paws smooth out slightly with age;
- muscular pear-shaped body with thin legs;
- the whip-like long tail is curled in a semicircle;
- wedge-shaped head with prominent cheekbones;
- large rounded ears;
- expressive eyes resemble lemons in outline.
Thanks to its unearthly appearance, the Canadian is often called the “moon cat” and is considered one of the most beautiful representatives of the hairless cat.
Also read the article about Canadian Sphynxes.
Don Sphynx
Don cats, originally from Rostov-on-Don, were called “Russian hairless” for some time. A distinctive feature is the presence of different types of hair:
- its complete absence;
- thin “flock” fluff (like a peach), disappearing by two years;
- more noticeable “velor” hairs 2-3 mm long;
- short-haired “brush” with sparse, coarse hairs.
They can also be identified by their medium-sized body with folds in the groin, neck, forehead and paws. The short wedge-shaped head has expressive cheekbones, serious almond-shaped eyes, and large, slightly pointed ears.
More about the Don sphinxes.
Peterbald
The cat, originally from St. Petersburg, has a physique reminiscent of an elegant Oriental, and the skin and undercoat are soft suede. Therefore, he is considered the most elegant hairless representative, and belongs to the group of oriental cats.
The slender body is elongated, fine-boned, has developed muscles and a proud posture, thin and long limbs. The muzzle is narrow, high cheekbones, with slanted green or blue eyes and huge ears. Folds are present mainly on the scalp, and the fur can be of different types, like the Donchak, but the color is often dark.
Also read the article about the St. Petersburg or Neva sphinxes.
Ukrainian Levkoy
In Kyiv, as a result of crossing, a fold-eared kitten without hair was obtained. Its muzzle has a very unusual structure: a wedge-shaped head with five edges, an elongated neck, slanting green eyes, and, as a highlight, curved ears in the shape of a leftover flower, which is where the name came from.
This cat is flexible and graceful, with a slender body and limbs. It is acceptable to have a small fluff, as well as not too deep folds on the stomach, head and neck.
Read more in the article about Ukrainian Levkoys.
By the way, did you know that Levkoi are prone to aggression if they are not given enough attention? Read about this, as well as about other cat breeds that may turn out to be evil, on our portal Mister Cat.
Elf
Unlike the previous representative, the Elf has rounded ears that are curved not forward, but backward, which is reminiscent of mythical characters. Cashmere folded skin without hair may have wool tufts on the paws.
The body type is typical for hairless cats. The head is wedge-shaped, without vibrissae, with slanted almond-colored eyes.
This cat was bred in 2006 and has not yet become widespread, so it is found in only a few nurseries in North America.
Dwelf came out very similar to him, in whose gene pool there are also traits of the short-legged Munchkin. Short limbs, ears curved to the back of the head and almost complete absence of fur make his appearance very cute and funny. But this breed appeared not so long ago, in 2009, so it is still experimental.
Dwelf
More interesting and educational information about Elves on the Mister Cat portal.
Bambino
With a long body and short legs, the Bambino closely resembles a dachshund. The rounded muzzle with large lemon-like eyes takes on a slightly childish expression, which explains the name. And the ears are large, like all hairless ones, slightly tapering towards the tips. The skin is completely covered with soft folds and has no fur.
These cats themselves are small, weighing no more than 4 kg. And, despite their peculiarity, they are quite playful and agile.
Read about Bambino cats.
Minskin
Another experimental variety is Minskin, which is very similar in appearance to Bambino. Therefore, many experts agree that it is only an analogue of the one obtained earlier. It can be distinguished only by its short fur, slightly longer in the area of the ears, paws, tail and muzzle. Only the stomach always remains bald.
Cohona
The Hawaiian Hairless is one of the few cats whose hairlessness gene was obtained naturally. It is also called rubber because of the characteristic skin that resembles wax to the touch. This is not visible in the pictures, but you can verify everything in person.
Due to the mutation, the cat’s fur is completely absent, as are the hair follicles in it. Therefore, she cannot have a mustache, eyebrows or other vegetation. The folds are very expressive on the cheeks, forehead, neck and paws. The eyes are almond-shaped.
History of this breed
The history of the Sphynx Bambino breed originates in Arkansas, USA. The owners of a nursery with sphinxes bought a hairless kitten back in 2005, not even suspecting that the baby with short legs would become the founder of a new breed (which was named babmino in honor of this kitten). The owners realized that the animal was different from all other sphinxes when it began to grow. They managed to find out that the baby's parents are a Canadian Sphynx and a Munchik. The kitten got short hair from one parent, and short legs from the other. This is how the breed was born, which was loved by all breeders.
Bambino is a cat descended from the Sphynx
For your information! In 2006, the first documented litter of bambino kittens appeared and were given experimental breed status by the World Cat Association. Later, people began to seriously select these cute cats, guided by the advice of geneticists.
Mr. Cat recommends: personality traits of hairless cats
All cats without fur have a warm disposition and a pleasant character. Whether this was the result of experiments, or whether it was inherent in nature, many people compare such pets primarily with dogs, always faithful, devoted and affectionate. Very quickly becoming attached to the owner, they have a hard time with a change of environment or a long separation, or constant loneliness.
These are sociable cats, very smart and inquisitive. Some of them are able to carry small objects and are easy to train. They understand human speech well and the tone in which their owners speak to them. They love affection and give it in return.
The good nature of pets will come in handy if there are small children or other animals in the house. They do not show aggression, so they will never offend children or bite or scratch.
Read about the best cat breeds for children.
Moreover, there is an opinion that they have a positive effect on people’s health and psyche.
Character and behavior of bambino cats: advantages and disadvantages
York chocolate cat: breed
Cats of this breed took the best qualities from their ancestors: sphinxes and decoys. They are incredibly smart, very easy to teach, they are curious, at the same time they are very attached to their owners and love to play. They have a very strong psyche, they are not afraid of guests and new environments. You can safely take them, for example, to the veterinarian, without fear for their emotional state.
Note! Bambino is a breed both for those who are looking for a good friend for their child, and for those who need a pet that faithfully obeys its owner.
Because of their short legs, bambinos seem very clumsy, but in reality they are not. Despite the fact that they cannot jump, bambinos love to run, and any cat will envy their agility and speed.
They often play all the time they are awake. These are the cats that need a special house where they can climb, and many different toys.
Cats spend all the time free from games and sleep with their owner, following him around the house. They definitely require a lot of attention and will not be able to stay home alone for a long time.
Bambino the cat will follow the owner's heels
Care and maintenance
Such special animals will require more careful personal care, and the absence of hair does not make life easier for the owners. That is, you need to be prepared that your pets will often sweat, secrete a brownish coating, sunbathe in the summer and freeze in the cool season.
The basic rules for their content are related to this:
- several times a week, wash off the specific brown plaque from the skin that accumulates near the ears, claws and paw pads with a special lotion;
- regularly clean your eyes and ears with a cotton pad or cotton swabs;
- bathe at least once every 2 weeks using shampoos or baby products intended for this purpose, and dry thoroughly with a soft towel;
- trim claws with a nail clipper to avoid animals injuring themselves.
If you take proper care of your pets, you can get the most loyal and sweetest family members.
Consequences of injury
Observing a cat after it has fallen and been severely injured, you will notice that it has also lost a lot of hair on some parts of its body. Sometimes injuries are visible and easy to diagnose, but they can also be hidden, which is even more dangerous.
Hair loss is sometimes the only visible symptom of internal injuries. Therefore, having detected the appearance of alopecia after a fall of a pet, you need to immediately report this to the veterinarian observing the cat.
Bald spots in combination with fearfulness and wariness quite accurately indicate the stress the cat has experienced. With this state of psychological health, the pet does not want to be handled, does not allow itself to be petted, looks for secluded corners, and may flinch from sharp and loud sounds.
IMPORTANT! As you can see, bald spots on a cat’s body always indicate some kind of health problem, so this symptom cannot be ignored.
Health and allergies
The lack of fur makes hairless cats prone to colds and dermatitis. To avoid this, you should follow these recommendations:
- it is necessary to maintain a temperature regime of 20-25°C in an apartment or house, since their body temperature reaches 40-42 degrees;
- In summer, monitor your exposure to the sun to prevent burns or heat stroke;
- ensure the absence of drafts, special clothing for the winter period, and limit access to hot radiators and heaters;
- regularly perform hygiene procedures, while checking the ears for the presence of mites, the eyes for signs of tearing and inversion of the eyelids;
- streamline your diet to prevent obesity and stomach problems;
- carry out vaccination in accordance with the vaccination calendar at 8 weeks, and annually after a year.
If these recommendations are taken into account, the pet's life expectancy will be 10-17 years. Some individuals lived to be 20, sometimes more.
Hairless cats are often chosen by allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people with similar problems. It is important to remember that among them there are no hypoallergenic ones, although attempts have been made to breed them. Scientists have found that in 80% of cases, an allergic reaction is provoked by the Fel D1 protein, which is produced in the sebaceous glands of cats of all breeds. It is found in cat saliva, urine, dead skin cells, and gets onto the fur during washing. Therefore, if a person is allergic not to wool, but specifically to this protein, then the best way to combat the disease will be to limit contact with the animal. Read the article about hypoallergenic cats.
Features of caring for the Sphinx
The main rule of caring for a Sphynx is the need for regular water procedures - at least 2 times a month. First, remove dirt from the animal using soapy water and a soft washcloth, and then rinse it. After bathing, the sphinx is dried with a towel using soft “blotting” movements and wrapped warmly. Too frequent water treatments are not good for the animal - water washes away the natural lubricant that prevents the development of inflammatory processes. In addition to water hygiene procedures, the skin of hairless animals is treated daily with soft wipes.
Sphynx cats also require regular manicures, as sweat mixed with dirt quickly clogs the space under their overgrown claws. The visible parts of the ears also need to be cleaned of dirt. This should be done using cotton swabs soaked in warm water.
Nutrition
Representatives of the Sphynx breed have an excellent appetite. They are not too picky about food and can happily eat even plant foods. The owner must control the frequency and balance of food intake. Sphynx cats should be fed 3 to 4 times a day. The diet must include raw fish, meat (beef and lamb), boiled liver, fermented milk foods, and fresh plant products.
Sphynx cats love to try new foods
Walk
Sphinxes should not be allowed to roam during the cold season. In the mid-season, animals should be dressed in overalls or use a carrier. With the arrival of warm days, you can take walks every day. Hairless animals love to bask in the sun; the owner’s task is to prevent the pet from getting burns.
Toilet
There are no special recommendations for arranging a toilet for the Sphinx. It is better to choose a plastic tray; it should be washed frequently, but without using disinfectants, the smell of which can scare away the animal. The filler can be anything - the main thing is that the pet likes it. Some people make do with just a tray.
Video: features of the breed and its care
Nutrition
Due to the lack of fur, hairless cats spend twice as much energy to maintain body temperature. Therefore, they need to eat much more nutritiously than ordinary pets.
The diet must be balanced taking into account the requirements:
- Special super premium or holistic granules should not contain many vitamins. Active substances necessary for the growth and maintenance of fur can only harm hairless beauties. Read our review of the best foods for cats and kittens.
- Any food should have a large amount of fat necessary to maintain body temperature. And only proteins and carbohydrates remain at normal levels. So before purchasing ready-made food for kittens, you should carefully read its description.
- Natural food is selected taking into account all requirements, and contains raw beef or poultry, boiled meat, liver and vegetables, and dairy products. They can be mixed into liquid feed, made into a pate, or given pure.
Cost of kittens
The price of an exotic hairless cat will vary depending on its pedigree, color, age, class.
When choosing such a pet for yourself, you should be prepared for the following prices (thousand rubles):
- Canadian: 8-15 pet, up to 40 brid and 40-100 show class;
- Peterbald: 10-45;
- Don Sphynx: 8-45;
- Elf from 35 and Dwelf up to 100-120;
- Ukrainian Levkoy 5-30;
- Bambino 25-80;
- Each Cohon kitten has an individual value due to lack of distribution.
It is worth noting that such a cat can only be purchased from nurseries whose specialists are able to preserve the hairless gene and check the health of the animals on offer.
These are not pets that you can simply pick up, as they are quite difficult to breed at home.
An adult becomes so attached to its owner that after separation it will be sick for a long time and refuse to eat. Therefore, you should carefully consider the decision to bring such a kitten or cat into your home.
Pet character
Such animals are quite cute, calm, although active, but they are more like dogs than cats. Why? Because they have strong feelings for their owners, whom, by the way, they choose themselves. It has also been noted that memory and logic are developed quite well, therefore, like dogs, they are easy to train. It is observed that without much difficulty, cats bring in their teeth what the owner asks for.
Since sphinxes are very friendly, loneliness is unbearable for them, so you should not buy such an animal if you are often away from home. And, for the period when there is still no one in the apartment, buy different toys for your pet so that he does not have to get bored.
If the weather is good outside, then the kittens will happily walk with you, having their own leash.
