Hairless Cats - Images and resources about the hairless cat.

Hairless Cats

Images and resources about the hairless cat.

"Hairless pets. Wierd!"
--Doctor Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ghostbusters II.

Hairless Cat

History of the Hairless Cat
Hairless cats, whether you love them or think they're just plain weird, you have to admit--they sure are interesting! But where did they come from?
Although hairless cats are now bred to be what they are (hairless), you may be suprised to know that hairlessness is actually a natural occurance that has appeared as a spontaneous mutation several times over the last one hundred years. According to one web site on the topic, "there are reports of this [hairless cat] mutation occurring in France, Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Australia, Canada, USA, Mexico, Morocco, Russia and Hawaii."

Breeding Hairless Cats
The hairless cat is thought to have first been bred in Canada in 1966 when a domestic short-haired cat produced a hairless kitten. Although they were called by many names ("The Canadian Hairless", "Moonstone Cats", "Canadian Sphynx", etc) their "official" title is "Sphynx".
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) did not accept the hairless breed of cat until 1998! Once they were accepted they were able to be entered into official competitions.
The Earliest Hairless Cat?
Hairless cats have been around for a long time.
The picture below was found in Francis Simpson's "The Book of the Cat", printed in 1903. This pair of cats became famously known as the "Hairless Mexicans". We're sorry to say that this particular breed is now extinct.
Hairless Cats

I have allergies. Should I get a hairless cat?
That is a common misunderstanding. Sphynxes are not hypoallergenic. Allergies to cats are caused by a protein that a hairless cat has just like any other kind of cat. So no, don't get a hairless cat only because you think your allergies wont be bothered by them. They probably will be.
In fact, here's a quote regarding this from another web site:
"Contrary to what some people believe, Sphynxes are not hypoallergenic. These cats still produce the protein to which allergic people react and shed it in their saliva and dander. The lack of hair may help to reduce the reaction in some people, but others are just as allergic to Sphynxes as to other cats."
Less hair means less maintenance, right?
Wrong! Hairless cats excrete an oil on their skin and need to be bathed just like any other cat. As you can image, the lack of hair makes them more prone to the cold, so you need to keep them in a warm environment. No "putting the cat out" on cold winter nights. :)
Beyond that there's not too much special knowledge that you need in order to care for your hairless cat.
More Hairless Cat Pictures and Images
Here are a few more pictures of hairless cats I found on the world wide web. If you have any pictures you'd like to add here, send me an email.
Another Interesting Hairless Cat Hairless Cats photo Picture of a hairless cat Another cat that is hairless
My Other Sphynx Cat Pages

Hairless Cats · Hairless Cat Photos · Sphynx Cats · Hairless Cat Links

Hairless Cats Images and resources about the hairless cat.
"Hairless pets. Wierd!" --Doctor Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ghostbusters II.

History of the Hairless Cat Hairless cats, whether you love them or think they're just plain weird, you have to admit--they sure are interesting! But where did they come from? Although hairless cats are now bred to be what they are (hairless), you may be suprised to know that hairlessness is actually a natural occurance that has appeared as a spontaneous mutation several times over the last one hundred years. According to one web site on the topic, "there are reports of this [hairless cat] mutation occurring in France, Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Australia, Canada, USA, Mexico, Morocco, Russia and Hawaii." Breeding Hairless Cats The hairless cat is thought to have first been bred in Canada in 1966 when a domestic short-haired cat produced a hairless kitten. Although they were called by many names ("The Canadian Hairless", "Moonstone Cats", "Canadian Sphynx", etc) their "official" title is "Sphynx". The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) did not accept the hairless breed of cat until 1998! Once they were accepted they were able to be entered into official competitions. The Earliest Hairless Cat? Hairless cats have been around for a long time. The picture below was found in Francis Simpson's "The Book of the Cat", printed in 1903. This pair of cats became famously known as the "Hairless Mexicans". We're sorry to say that this particular breed is now extinct. I have allergies. Should I get a hairless cat? That is a common misunderstanding. Sphynxes are not hypoallergenic. Allergies to cats are caused by a protein that a hairless cat has just like any other kind of cat. So no, don't get a hairless cat only because you think your allergies wont be bothered by them. They probably will be. In fact, here's a quote regarding this from another web site: "Contrary to what some people believe, Sphynxes are not hypoallergenic. These cats still produce the protein to which allergic people react and shed it in their saliva and dander. The lack of hair may help to reduce the reaction in some people, but others are just as allergic to Sphynxes as to other cats." Less hair means less maintenance, right? Wrong! Hairless cats excrete an oil on their skin and need to be bathed just like any other cat. As you can image, the lack of hair makes them more prone to the cold, so you need to keep them in a warm environment. No "putting the cat out" on cold winter nights. :) Beyond that there's not too much special knowledge that you need in order to care for your hairless cat. More Hairless Cat Pictures and Images Here are a few more pictures of hairless cats I found on the world wide web. If you have any pictures you'd like to add here, send me an email. My Other Sphynx Cat Pages Hairless Cats · Hairless Cat Photos · Sphynx Cats · Hairless Cat Links