10 Cat Breeds That Don’t Shed
Owning a pet has many benefits, especially when it is an adorable cat. Aside from all the awesome features their soft and snuggly bodies bring their fun and playful nature would always bring joy to your home. Like all pets, cats can be pretty adventurous, and aside from their random scratches and purrs, some cats are serial shedders. As adorable and cute as they are, keeping a pet cat means you are most likely to encounter hair almost everywhere they go, from your couch right down to your car.
Whilst the majority of households today have pets, most pet owners and some families are known to have some allergy to their animals. Proteins contained in the dander of some animals, dead skin, urine, and saliva are known to trigger allergies. It can be, therefore, frustrating especially for pet owners who have dander allergies to keep pets.
Now, the big question is do all cats shed? The answer is most likely yes; however, many shed less than others. Having a pet that doesn’t shed much is of great importance, as it can lower your risk of triggering allergies. That’s why we have shared a list of ten cats that shed the least – which you can consider if you are looking for pets that would not leave your home reeling in fur anywhere.
The Siberian
If you are after only the best low shedding cats to keep as a pet, our best choice is the Siberian. A typical forest cast commonly found in Russia, it features a thick, triple coat for protection against cold. Siberians are known to be exuberant and warm, with an amazing and gentle personality making it one of the most preferred cat breeds today. Siberians can weigh more than 20 pounds, and measure up to 25 inches in length. For pet lovers with allergies, the Siberian is a great choice, as dead hair doesn’t shed but remains on the cat’s undercoat until you comb them out. Although Siberians are relatively large cats with fluffy hair, they don’t shed as much as other cats do, and are great to have around, whether for playing games or for occasional walks.
Japanese Bobtail
One of the cats that shed the least is the Japanese Bobtail, an athletic medium-sized feline that makes a great pet. It features a notably and popular short tail that makes it look like a rabbit. With a light undercoat supporting its silky and soft hair, the Bobtail comes across as an incredibly sweet and intelligent feline breed that loves to play and be around people. Though the Bobtail has varieties for long hair and short hair, they don’t tend to shed as much hair as other cats, as they have a single coat. Taking care of the Bobtail doesn’t require much too, a random brush or bath and you are good to go. Bobtails are known to be very friendly and get along with other cats and dog breeds.
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Sphynx
Popularly known as the hairless cat, the Sphynx is a gentle and playful feline you would love to own. Despite its almost bald body frame, the Sphynx actually has not-easily-visible soft and fine hair covering its skin, only it doesn’t stand out like other cats’ do. For people with dander allergies, you would find the Sphynx a good fit, as it doesn’t shed hair much. It however required regular cleaning and skincare, as their almost bald body makes them susceptible to sunburns. They make great pets, however, and are known for their charming personality and adorable nature. They are easy to play with and pretty intelligent too.
Birman
Cats are generally adorable and lovely creatures, but some breeds take adorable to a different level, and the Birman is one of such. A good-natured beauty with a soft, silky coat and gold tinged white fur, the Birman cat is loved by many pet lovers and although they appear to have much hair, they don’t necessarily shed as much and would need routine grooming to keep them looking fresh always. Taking care of the Birman isn’t much of a trouble, as you are not likely to have matting and tangling of its hair, due to the fact that Birmans do not have thick undercoats like other kitties with long hair do. Known to be intelligent and playful, the Birman is a fast learner and can be trained to perform basic tricks.
The Siamese Cat
One of the oldest domestic cats in the world, Siamese Cats are not only adorable to behold, but they also make great pets too, and for pet lovers who are not cool with having cat hair everywhere, they are a great choice and the best fit. The Siamese cat has a coat that collects dead hair on its skin, and only needs regular brushing of the fur would get rid of the dead hair easily. They also well-known companions and intelligent pets too.
Oriental
Quite similar to the Siamese breed, Orientals are athletic, quick and most importantly great pets and do not shed hair so easily. Their pointed ears and a rather athletic, muscular build gives the Oriental a sporty look on top of its other great features. Orientals have short hair and just like the Siamese, do require regular brushing to get rid of dead hair on their skin.
Cornish Rex
Cornish Rex is a well-known cat breed with long legs and noticeably large ears. They are pretty lively and fast kitties, with leaping and climbing onto shelves and lockers one of their easily noticeable playtime qualities. The Cornish Rex is known to not shed much hair, as it has a rather short, soft and silky hair quite close to its body. Although some pet lovers believe Cornix Rex’s don’t shed hair, the fact is that they actually do, like all cats, only the shedding is not as frequent as other cats’ and do not trigger allergies as easily as other breeds that shed do
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex easily passes for a hypoallergenic kitty that is playful, adorable and does not shed much hair. With thin curly hair covering their body, the Devon Rex doesn’t need much grooming as other breeds need, and being such a smart, friendly and agile cat with rather large ears and imp-like eyes, it spends more time being your loving and smart pet than it does spreading hair all-around your home.
Russian Blue
Blues are also well known low shedding cats and do not need much grooming effort too. With a silky double coat and long standing hairs being their most noticeable trait, Russian blues are also athletic and have a gentle nature. Unlike other breeds, the Russian blue doesn’t shed within a period of up to three weeks, once or two times in a year. For pet lovers, the Russian blue makes a great intelligent pet and can be trained rather easily too.
Peterbald
Another great choice for a cat that don’t shed and one that almost every pet lover would adore. At first glance, the Peterbald looks much like the Sphynx, with seemingly little or no fur on the skin. A closer look would reveal a layer of short, soft and fine hair on the skin. The Peterbald is a unique non-shedder, as most of their breed is known to lose the little hair they have as they grow older. Also featuring rather large ears and a slender body, the Peterbald is a curious kitty with an adorable and spirited temperament.
Conclusion
Although many pet lovers and animal scientists view that some pets are hypoallergenic, it is not entirely so, as dander allergens are not only caused by shedding fur. For people with such allergies owning a cat that sheds often can be challenging. However, that should not be a show stopper. You can still have a great feline friend that sheds relatively less hair than most and would expose you to less risk of allergic reaction that others that shed hair most.
Having said that, all cats shed hair – shedding is important for cats, as it helps them to replace dead hair on their skin. Some breeds like the Sphynx, are almost bald, do not have much hair to shed. That does not mean an occasional hair would not find its way into your sofa or carpet. Most cats shed fur from time to time, what is key however is that some cats shed fur faster and easier than others, and with many breeds of cats that do not shed as much hair, you can be sure to find one that is a good fit for you.
Even though having cats that do not shed would save your home from hair lying all around, you are still likely to have some hair in unwanted places, especially if you own a cat. One way to deal with your cat’s shedding is regular grooming. You can use a brush to gently stroke your cat’s fur to remove dead hair on its skin, whilst using a carpet cleaner to get rid of stray hair that may have found its way into your sofa, bed, carpet or car. For cats with short hair, you can use a grooming glove a couple of times a day to help collect loose fur off your cat’s skin before it gets shed.
