Cat Breeds that Don’t Shed

There are several cat breeds that don’t shed, making them good pets for homes where excess fur is problem. Cat breeds that don’t shed do require some grooming to keep them clean and healthy. An occasional bath and daily brushing will keep your non-shedding cat looking and feeling good.

Hairless Breed

The best known cat breed that doesn’t shed is the Sphynx, known as a hairless cat, although it isn’t really completely hairless. The fine, downy fur that covers the Sphynx body is virtually invisible, giving it the appearance of being hairless. This hair is very short and, although it does shed a bit, the hair is so short that it’s not noticeable.

The Sphynx is the best known cat that doesn’t shed and is probably the most popular. These cats make good pets as well, and are known for their intelligence and friendliness.

A hairless cat breed that doesn’t shed offers many advantages, but also requires care. Since these cats don’t have the protection of a typical coat, they must be shielded from too much sun exposure, cold temperatures and drafts. They are best kept as indoor house cats.

Non-shedding Breeds

The Don Sphynx is born with short, fuzzy hair that it loses by the time it is two years old, when it closely resembles the Sphynx in appearing to be hairless.

The Peterbald has a very short coat, similar to the Sphynx breeds. It combines genes from the Don Sphynx and the Oriental Shorthair. Known as the naked cat, its coat can be bald or brush-coated. The bald variety features smooth skin or very short, velvety sparse fur. The brush coat is short and wiry.

These breeds are intelligent, graceful and fun-loving and make good family pets. They are very social and love to be with people.

Low-shedding Cats

The Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex are cat breeds that do have coats but do not shed much at all. The Cornish Rex appears hairless because it has a thin, light coat similar to the Sphynx. The Devon Rex has a curly coat and sheds slightly more than the Cornish Rex.
These are both intelligent, friendly breeds that work well as pets.