OK, now we know that there are some of you out there that just feel like a cat without fur is just “weird” but we need you to put all those feeling aside and just take a look at how “cool” and elegant this cat is.
Because if you do…
We here at IndulgeYourPet have a very strong suspicion that you may become the proud new owner of a Peterbald cat if you’re not careful.
This is why in this article…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to actually own one of these very unique creatures so that if you’re ever given the opportunity to get your hands on one, you’ll know right away if that’s a good idea or a bad one.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Peterbald Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Russia
Size: Small to medium
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Eyes: Almond shaped
Shape of Head: Wedge-shaped
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Origin of the Peterbald cat breed
Despite the fact that the Peterbald cat breed has somewhat of an “ancient” look about him, they are actually a relatively “new” cat breed that was only recently created in Russian in the latter part of the 1980’s.
It was during this time…
That it is generally agreed upon that the first “Peterbald” kitten was created by cross breeding a Donskoy cat breed with an Oriental shorthair in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The result…
Of this cross-breeding experiment became the Peterbald breed that we know and love today.
Physical characteristics of the Peterbald cat breed
The Peterbald is a Russian breed very different from other cats. These cats can have a coat that feels a lot like a peach or they can be completely hairless as well. These cats have the hairlessness gene or also the gene that alters and diminishes their coats. A small to medium sized cat has the same shape as the oriental shorthair cat however many of them will have “accentuated” angles to the head which some might thing adds to their “odd” appearance but we here at IndulgeYourPet believe this just makes them more handsome.
That said…
It’s pretty safe to say that even if you love the looks of the Peterbald cat breed, it can take some getting used to when touching and patting them because we’re so “programmed” to expect what a “normal” cat should feel like, but once you have got used to them they are a very delightful cat.
Care and maintenance
Due to the fact, the cats have no hair or lack of they will require special care and maintenance.
And as a general rule…
Folks who choose to adopt a Peterbald cat should strictly consider their new cat an indoor cat that will require heating in the colder months by special designed clothing or a heating mat.
This breed of cat…
Should not be in the sunshine they will burn quickly. Most of the hairless breeds will have no eyelashes which will create junk in the corner of their eyes. You will need to wipe their eyes daily with a warm make-up bad or washer pad. Do not use any soaps or any type of baby wipes these will sting the eyes and cause irritation just clean warm water works well.
Some cats can have…
Extra allergens in the corner of their eyes this is easily removed by using a saline solution from the vets or chemist. Make sure you are using a clean pad or washer for each eye and discard after every single use. If there are allergens and germs in the cat’s eye you can re-infect them by re-using the swabs.
Grooming Peterbald cats
Peterbald cats need to be kept clean by bathing at least once a month and then using special wipes for cats to wipe them down each day. If your cat is completely bald they will require more baths than those with a small amount of hair.
Be sure not to…
Over bathing your cat as this can lead to the cat’s skin drying out and causing irritation and sensitivity. For their bath all they require is clean warm water, make sure no water goes into their ears and take care not to scare them too many cats don’t like baths as it is.
Be sure to keep…
An eye on their nail beds as well as they can build up with residue and cause problems. These types of cats a prone to blackheads on their tails so it’s important to keep their tail cleans by wiping down daily. If you start to see some blackheads on their tails a simple blackhead medication can be applied but be sure to monitor for any signs of irritation.
Cats will fight…
When it comes to water so be sure to have everything there and ready and it may help to have someone there to help hold the cat. You need to be wearing wool gloves when bathing the cat as it helps to hold the shampoo and grip the cat so it is easier to hold and wash.
Do not use…
The exfoliating gloves or anything similar as it is too harsh causing discomfort to the cat’sdelicate skin. A good coat with shampoo before putting them into the water can save time and discomfort for your cat
Do a final rinse with warm clean water at the end. Take care when drying them, be sure to just wipe them down gently without harsh rubbing against the cat’s skin.
It can help to trim their nails when bathing as they have soaked up the water and become soft.
Personality
These cats are well suited for a family. They are intelligent and very affectionate not to mention very playful. They’re also very curious little creatures and always found out checking things. The cats will go to the front door to greet visitors and happy to engage in some playtime just like dogs do.
These cats are…
Happy to be in your lap for as long as you want them there. You will always find them sitting next to you during your morning tea and following you out to hang the washing out.
Most Peterbald’s will be…
Highly vocal and will often talk back to you in their kitty talk if you engage in conversation with them. But they’re not trouble makers or bothersome. These cats don’t cause problems although they do prefer to be by themselves they can adapt to dogs but it may take some time.
The Peterbald cats prefer…
To eat small meals during the day to leave a bowl out with some biscuits in there so they can pick at it during the day when they want to. Cat treats tend to be full of salt so if you feed your cat treats be sure to limit them so they don’t end up getting too much salt in their diet.
If you change food or feed them something they don’t like they will simply not eat it and go hungry this can be bad for the cat if they don’t eat for a certain period of time so be sure if you put something down for the cat to eat and it’s still there a few hours later take it away and put down something you know the cat likes.
Health problems associated with the Peterbald cat breed
The Peterbald cat breed is not prone to too many health problems but they can develop a condition called Feline Ectodermal Dysplasia. You need to make sure you are purchasing from a proper breeder to lower the risk of this condition. feline ectodermal dysplasia can cause problems such as lactation problems and malformed teeth.
This condition has been…
Thought to be connected to the dominant gene mutation that causes them to be hairless.
And while…
It’s true that these diseases are not necessarily life threatening, most if not all can become quite expensive to treat particularly if they recurring.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy on their new loved one. This way if they ever do become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the cost of treatment.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies on the market right now, be sure to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
