Cats that Don't Shed

Cats are unarguably one of the most adorable creatures on Earth, and having one as your pet is always exciting. Their gentle purrs and soft meows are wholesome, especially when it’s time for their snack. While we all love cats and want to keep cuddling them forever, there are some issues most cat owners might find very unpleasant regarding healthcare. Though cats themselves are absolutely harmless and one of the cleanest animals, some factors, such as shedding or causing allergies, can be very bothersome and must be considered. 

Generally, pet owners either decide to abandon their cats or may frequently trim their hair as a solution to the hair-shedding problem. However, there’s a better alternative to that! It is obvious why we don’t want cat hair floating in the air, stuck on clothes or even find it in food sometimes. So, let’s find out why cats shed, learn about some preventive measures, and learn about some cat breeds that don’t shed at all!

Why Do Cats Shed?

Ideally, cats shed to remove dead hair and release natural oil in their skin. It often leads to skin irritation and similar problems if they don't. Some breeds, such as British Long Hairs or Persian Triple Coats, also shed their hair in response to the climate conditions. During summers, cats shed a lot to reduce the amount of hair on their body so they don’t feel hot, while in winters, cats shed again to remove dead hair and grow a denser coat to remain warm throughout the season. You might have noticed that shedding reduces to a massive extent during the peak of summers and winters. 

Other reasons why a cat might shed its hair may be due to age, hormonal changes, grooming, fear, diet, and photoperiod. Some of these reasons are unavoidable, but others can be worked on to provide a better healthcare routine for your cat and reduce the shedding as much as possible.

How To Prevent Shedding?

If a cat sheds to adjust to the climate, the only option to prevent it is to keep brushing your cat regularly to help him shed the unwanted fur as quickly as possible since this process can last for several days. It is also a natural phenomenon that should not be stopped through medical procedures as it might cause more harm to cats than good. If your cat is shedding off-season, then it may be worth taking note of some other potential issues that may be influencing them. For instance, a cat’s diet can greatly impact its hair growth. The cheap quality or sometimes homemade foods can disturb your cat’s metabolism and cause him to shed hair more often. 

In other cases, a cat might shed hair due to fear of other cats, guests, and even sickness. This state is temporary and does not prolong the hair shed. However, if it’s because of some illness, your cat might also show some other signs, such as hiding, laziness, and skipping meals. 

A cat might also shed hair due to skin infections, and in most cases, your vet would recommend a medicated shampoo to bathe your cat with. 

Cats That Don’t Shed

Despite everything, there are a few breeds of cats that don’t shed at all or do but very minimally. These breeds, often known as hypoallergenic cats, tend to be a lot better for people who deal with cat allergies. Take a look at our other article to learn more about hypoallergenic breeds!

Sphynx:

Sphynx cats are a completely hairless cat breed that doesn’t shed at all. However, they do need regular baths to keep their skin healthy.

Cornish Rex:

Originally from the United Kingdom, Cornish Rex cats have relatively shorter, curly coats that shed very little. 

Devon Rex:

Also from the United Kingdom, Devon Rex is a short-haired and long-eared cat breed with a slender body. These cats can learn difficult tricks but are hard to motivate.

Russian Blue:

Russian blues are also short-haired cats that resemble the British short-hair and are popular because of their color. They range from shimmering silver to dark gray. Also, their short but dense coat makes them stand out among other cat breeds.

Balinese

A Balinese cat will be perfect for you if you prefer long-haired cats. This breed resembles theSiamese breed, although having longer hair. Interestingly, these cats shed a lot less than the average long-haired cat. 

Javanese

Javanese cats are another beautiful breed of long-haired cats that don’t shed as frequently as other cat breeds do. The Javanese resemble Siamese cats, too, but have a slightly different facial structure mostly associated with their extended nose. 

Siamese

Siamese cats are short-haired with rather dense fur and, therefore, shed less. These cats are one of the most popular cat breeds.

Bengal

Resembling mini leopards, these short-haired cats are popular for their unique leopard-like patterns on their fur. These cats are originally from the United States.

Burmese

These cats are typically more similar to the Siamese but are darker in color. Also, being short-haired, they don’t really need much grooming or constant brushing to avoid hair fall. 

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold has to be one the cutest of all cat breeds. These little kitties have folded ears due to a genetic mutation, and since they are also short-haired, you won’t have to worry about finding cat hair in your soup anymore.