If you like cats, but the thought of fur everywhere in your house discourages you, then raising a hairless or shorthair cat may be your best choice.

Varieties with finer or very short hairs usually shed less than varieties with long hairs or thicker hair shafts. However, it is important to understand that no cat breed is completely "free hair removal".

In an interview with Newsweek, Vicki Jo Harrison, President of the International Cat Association (TICA), said: "Most hairless cats are not really bald, but have peach-like fluff.

Teresa Keiger of the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) told Newsweek: “If it has hair, it will eventually die and fall out, just like our own hair.”

Hairless breeds do need a little more care. The chairman of TICA said: "The hair of cats allows their fur to absorb the oil from the skin. Therefore, cats with almost no fur need to bathe regularly. Make sure to use a shampoo specially formulated for cats."

The TICA chairman pointed out that hairless varieties may also be more sensitive to sunlight and cold temperatures. Therefore, it is important to keep them warm in winter and limit their time in sunny places (such as windows and doors) during peak sun hours.

Here are some hairless and shorthair cat breeds that do not leave fur anywhere.

TICA says that this elegant Russian breed is characterized by an alien appearance, with wrinkles that make them look "extraordinarily old and shriveled."

Although some people have mottled fur or very short peach-colored undercoat, the Donskoy is mainly considered a hairless breed.

Some kittens are completely hairless at birth, while others will shed hair over time. TICA explained that although some people may grow a winter coat, it is usually good and not suitable for very cold winters.

According to TICA, Lykoi cats are known for their similarity to wolves. Their name comes from the Greek word Lycos, which means wolf.

It is a partially hairless breed characterized by a mixture of hair, ranging from almost black to almost white.

"Lykoi's coat is sparse and may be almost completely coat like kittens. Their fur will shed, so sometimes they may be almost naked," TICA said. These cats must be washed frequently, but bathing is easy because they don’t have much hair.

The fur of Peter's bald cat ranges from completely bald to full-haired. According to TICA, grooming methods vary greatly depending on the type of coat, but no method requires a lot of grooming.

Hairless varieties should be bathed more frequently, but the owner should be careful not to wash too frequently to avoid producing oil on the skin.

"All other types of coats should be combed with a fine-toothed comb once a week to remove dead hair," TICA said.

This eye-catching breed is not completely without hair. TICA said: "The skin of most Sphinx cats is covered with fine hairs, giving the skin a suede or suede-like texture." Light-colored hair can also be seen behind their noses and ears.

Although they should be bathed regularly, one of the biggest misconceptions about this breed is that they need to be washed once a week. But excessive bathing can disrupt the skin's natural PH balance, "leading to excessive production of sebum for self-regulation," TICA warns.

CFA's Keiger pointed out that although they may have almost no hair to fall out, Sphynx is not "maintenance-free." Skin oils that are usually dispersed in the fur are located on Sphynx's skin. So they need to "wipe gently" to keep the skin clean and prevent oil accumulation.

TICA said: "Bath them with natural mild shampoo every few months to remove the oil accumulated in the body, which is enough to keep the skin healthy and the furniture clean."

CFA’s Keiger said that the most distinguishing feature of Cornish Rex is its single coat—short, curly undercoat—so there are fewer hairs that need to fall off overall.

CFA describes that its short, curly coat is close to the body and very soft, similar to the feeling of "cut velvet, Karakul lamb, rabbit hair or silk".

Keiger said that Bombay cats have a tight, shiny coat that requires regular grooming to prevent loose hair.

Its short coat rarely comes off, so it does not require much maintenance. TICA recommends that occasionally taking a bath will help keep the coat sharp, while a quick wipe with a rubber brush can remove loose hair.

According to the CFA, the Bengal shorthair is known for its unique marble pattern and is the only domestic cat breed with rosettes on its fur, such as the leopard, jaguar, and leopard cat.

Roeann Fulkerson of TICA said: “The short-haired Bengal tigers don’t need much grooming because their short hairs hardly fall out.

Singapura means Singapore in Malay and comes from Southeast Asian countries.

CFA pointed out that this breed is characterized by a unique combination of fur patterns and dark brown, both of which are native to Southeast Asia.

Their short-haired coats require little maintenance. "If the cat is healthy, there is no need to take a bath. Brushing their teeth frequently is something they like," said Fulkerson of TICA.

TICA says that snowshoes have a short coat and are easy to comb. Unless they feel uncomfortable or stressed, they usually comb themselves.

TICA’s Fulkerson said: “It’s a good idea to brush the coat once a week to remove dead hair and disperse skin oils.”

Devon Rex jackets range from large curls to soft suede. Some kittens lose most of their fur during their developmental stages, while some adult cats' fur will change with the seasons.

TICA’s Fulkerson said: “There is a short wavy jacket in Devon with improved fur and very little undercoat. They fall very little.”

CFA stated that although these low-maintenance, "wash-through" cats do shed hair, their shed hair tends to be less noticeable than other cats.

Fulkson said: "They don't need too much touch-up. In many cases, they only need to brush the coat with their hands."

There are several ways to help minimize cat shedding around the house.

Grooming your cat regularly is the easiest way to reduce cat hair loss. "Regular brushing can also remove dirt, dead hair and dander, all of which increase the chance of your cat's unhealthy skin," said TICA Chairman.

CFA’s Keiger said: “Grooming/grooming your cat regularly can also remove dead hair that your cat would otherwise shed.” She added that it also allows you to have a good “one-on-one” communication with your cat. Keep their coats in good condition.

Keiger said that nutrition is essential to cat fur. "Keeping cats in good health is a great help in keeping the cat's fur healthy, thereby reducing the rate of shedding.

The chairman of TICA stated that simple dietary changes, such as adding more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, can improve the overall health of cat hair follicles and reduce shedding.

Keeping your cat adequately hydrated can improve the overall condition of their fur and help reduce shedding.

The TICA chairman said: “The amount of water a cat needs depends on the weather, the cat’s weight and activity level, but a general rule of thumb is that it needs about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water for every 5 pounds of body weight.

"Cats prefer clean, cold tap water. It is best to change the water at least once a day," she added.

Stress, allergies, arthritis, and obesity can cause your cat to shed more hair than normal.

The TICA chairman said: “Major changes, such as moving into a new house or adding new babies or pets, and changes in family routines will cause cat anxiety and increase shedding.”

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