The Peterbald is often referred to as “dog-like” because of their affectionate and loyal nature. 

This breed is unique in that between individuals, there’s a wide variation of hair types. Some individuals have wiry hair, others have soft hair, and some have the hair loss gene making them completely bald. 

Peterbald Cat Breed Overview

Height	8-12 inches
Weight	7-14 lbs
Lifespan	12-15 years
Colors	Cats can have any color or pattern type, and can also be a completely hairless breed.
Suitable for	Families of all types, children, elderly, and singles
Temperament	Playful, affectionate, loyal

Breed Traits Overview

Lifespan	4/5
Energy	5/5
Sociability	5/5
Health	4/5

History Of The Peterbald Cat Breed

The Peterbald is a Russian breed that Olga S. Mironova first developed by crossing an Oriental Shorthair with a Don Sphynx in 1994. 

At first, they were centralized in St. Petersburg, Russia, and grew from there. The Oriental Shorthair makes its genes known through the long body type, oblong head, and wedge-shaped muzzle. The variation in hair comes from the Don Sphynx, along with the dexterous front paws and wrinkled skin. 

It wasn’t until 1997 that The International Cat Association officially recognized the breed. In 2005, the association granted the Peterbald championship status. 

Later in 2008, the brush coat variety of the Peterbald was granted championship status. The breed is now recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association but continues to be a rare breed. 

How Much Does A Peterbald Cost?

The average price for a Peterbald can vary depending on the quality of breeder or location however, they usually cost $1,000. 

Peterbald breeds are difficult to track down and it can be difficult to find a breeder in your region. 

Before purchasing or opting to buy a different breed because you can’t find a Peterbald, check all of the shelters in your area and try to adopt. 

Many cat owners dislike hairless breeds and therefore will surrender them once they’re adults. This may be beneficial for those looking to give a loving home to one of these affectionate cats at a lower price point. 

Personality Traits Of The Peterbald

Peterbald cats are incredibly fun felines to have in the home. They can easily get along with other cats or dogs and have no problem interacting with children. 

Since these cats have very sensitive skin, they’re more prone to injury and scratches. You can prevent this by ensuring play doesn’t get too aggressive. 

This breed enjoys being part of the family and will likely want to participate in household activities. They’re the ideal breed for cat enthusiasts looking for a very interactive breed. 

They’re also quite vocal and will use their voice a lot to try to tell you what it wants. They won’t be shy to tell you when their food bowl is empty or when something is wrong in the home. 

They have high energy levels and require frequent play. They can be very independent and won’t have a problem entertaining themselves as long as you provide toys and enrichment. Take the time to do a training session or playtime at least once per day to continue strengthening the bond between you and your cat. 

This will exert more of their energy and ensure they aren’t feeling too bored during the day. 

If you work outside the home, you won’t have to worry about this breed having separation anxiety. They’ll be more than happy to interact while you’re home, but also perfectly fine to curl up and nap while you’re away. 

As long as you’re providing ample food and the right temperature to keep their bare skin warm, you’ll find that your cat is loving and energetic all day. 

If you start to notice lethargy, take them to the veterinarian immediately as this is out of character for the breed. 

How To Take Care Of A Peterbald

The Peterbald’s needs vary greatly depending on their coat type. Those with less hair have more specific grooming needs than individuals with a full coat. Therefore, cater the care of your feline based on how they grow and change throughout the maturation process.

Diet

The Peterbald has a high metabolism which fuels their appetite. As long as you provide high-quality food, hairless cats won’t gain excessive weight although you may need to feed them more frequently than cats with a full coat. 

You can prevent obesity by providing a diet that’s high in protein, low in carbs, and packed with the highest quality ingredients. You should look for food with real meat, rather than byproducts, which are low in grain content. 

If you invest in cheaper cat food that has a higher grain content, you’ll find that your Peterbald becomes overweight quite quickly. This can lead to heart disease and other common issues in obese cats. 

So, while the breed doesn’t require any specific diet, you’ll want to buy the best quality you can afford. 

Grooming

Grooming needs vary extensively based on coat type. Peterbalds can experience shedding regardless of having an ordinary cat coat or not. As long as you’re keeping up with grooming, shedding won’t be as prevalent as breeds that have full coats.

If your feline has an ordinary coat, thoroughly brush them every week to reduce shedding and dead hair buildup. If your cat is hairless, give them a bath then wipe their body down weekly. 

By shampooing and cleaning their delicate skin, you’re able to maintain their health and keep their skin protected. 

If you’re feeding a primarily wet diet to your cat, you should be brushing its teeth at least once per week. 

This can feel challenging when you first start however, the Peterbald is very trainable and will adapt. On top of its teeth, you should be maintaining its nails weekly. 

By staying consistent with these upkeep tasks, you won’t deal with over-scratching of furniture or painful scratches due to overgrown nails. 

Training

The Peterbald is specifically known to be an incredibly easy-to-train breed. This is in part because of their dog-like personality and eagerness to be around their humans.

You’ll have an easier time teaching your cat new things when it is young. You should train them to use their litter box right away as this is an easy first task for them. 

You can also train them to use a scratching post, cat tree, or perch to avoid them scratching your furniture. 

Health

The primary health issues to be concerned about in the Peterbald come from their lack of hair. As a hairless cat breed, if owners aren’t wiping the skin of the cat down and giving baths at least once per week, oil will build.

If excessive oil builds on the skin, your cat will start to have irritation leading to more scratching and potential skin damage. 

Even if your cat doesn’t have the hair-losing gene, keeping up their skincare routine is vital. More scratching, irritation, and sun exposure will cause the skin to itch. They will lick and scratch more if they have skin irritation, which can cause skin infections and yeast growth.  

The breed’s sparse coat type also makes them more susceptible to skin diseases like cancer. Because of this, they shouldn’t go outside. 

In harsh cold climates, Peterbalds may be at risk of hypothermia due to their thin coats in colder weather. It’s a great idea to provide plenty of blankets or even a heated cat bed to help them stay warm. 

Make sure you’re keeping up with your veterinary visits to prevent many common illnesses. Ensuring your cat is fully vaccinated will prevent disease spread and frequent checkups will reduce the chances of urinary tract diseases or skin abnormalities. 

Physical Attributes Of The Peterbald

This cat breed has very unique features which set them apart from most common house cats. While their ancestors are very obvious by looking at the breed, their attributes are distinct outside of their parent breeds. While these cats have many seemingly strange features, they have a very elegant and sleek body type.

• Head: Their heads are an oblong shape with a wedge-shaped muzzle. They’re proportionate to the rest of their body size and have the same hair quantity as the rest of the body. They have normal whiskers despite sometimes being hairless. 
• Body: The body of the Peterbald is long and sleek. While they’re small to medium-sized cats, the body appears extended in proportion to the rest of the cat. Due to their longer midsection, they can more easily put on excessive weight. 
• Ears: Their ears are distinctly large and set on the side of the head. The base of the ear is wide, and it tapers to a point. Compared to the rest of the head and body, you’ll find that the ear size is quite large. 
• Eyes: Their eyes are set further apart and rest right at the base of the ears. They’re thin and almond in shape. Eye color can vary considerably between individuals. Since hair quantity and color differ so much, some cats have green or yellowish eyes while others have brown or blue eyes. 
• Legs and Paws: The legs of this breed look short when compared to the body length. Back legs are slightly shorter than the front with petite paws. Their legs are muscular and athletic despite not being extremely long. 
• Tail: The Peterbald’s tail can vary depending on the hair quantity of the cat. Often they look fairly hairless and the tip of the tail tapers to a point. The tail isn’t as long as the body length, but not proportionally too short. 
• Coat: This breed can have straight coats, wiry guard hair, or no coat at all. They vary depending on the genetics of their parents.
• Color: The color and pattern of these cats also varies. Some are patterned, while others are one solid color. There’s little consistency.

What Is The Difference Between A Peterbald And A Sphynx?

Many people will get confused between a Peterbald and an Oriental Shorthair. Take a quick look at the two and it’s easy to see why. So what are the main differences between the two? More on that below.

The Peterbald is definitely its own breed. The current Peterbald is outcrossed to Orientals and the Thailand breed Siamese, which enables it to maintain good health and longevity within the breed. 

They do share similar personalities and you can expect the Peterbald to be as outgoing as the Siamese and equally as vocal. They actually share similar traits to our canine friends, making it very easy for them to fit into any family. 

Peterbald Compared To The Sphynx

While they might look similar at first, a closer look will have you realize they are quite different. It’s easy to see a hairless cat and think they are all the same breed. 

If I can get a bit scientific here, the gene that makes the Peterbald hairless is the more dominant gene. With the Sphynx, the gene that makes them bald is a recessive gene. The bottom line is they are a different breed. 

Their coats are also different from one another. A Peterbald can have a variety of lengths to it, from sticky and bald all the way through to a brush feeling coat. The Sphynx will feel like a chamois or fuzzy peach if you will. 

The Peterbald will have an elongated head, while the Sphynx will have facial features of a shorter, wider face. A sphynx will also have lemon-shaped eyes, while the Peterbald will have almond-shaped eyes. 

Their bodies are slightly different also, with Peterbalds having longer bodies and limbs. Even the ear set will be lower on a Peterbald. 

Okay so you get the point, there are several differences between these two breeds that make them individual. 

The Peterbald Has 5 different Coats.

• Bald — Somewhat sticky to touch, they have no hair, whiskers or eyebrows. 
• Chamois — They will feel like a chamois, about 90% hairless. Not sticky to touch.
• Velour — With a coat up to 1mm in length or 70% hairless. 
• Brush — This is unique to Peterbalds, they will feel like velvet to touch. Their hair can be up to 5mm long.
• Straight — No hair loss gene present, and they will have a short coat with whiskers. 

How Do You Groom A Peterbald Cat?

Some people would think that grooming a Peterbald would require no effort at all due to their lack of fur. However, that’s not entirely true when grooming a Peterbald. Because they have no hair they actually require special attention when grooming. 

Another factor to consider is that these cats should be kept indoors due to their lack of hair. They find it hard to keep warm in the colder months of the year and you should consider getting them a heat mat if you live in extreme weather. 

It’s recommended that you bathe a Peterbald once a week to maintain their coat and skin. You can also use cat wipes daily to remove any dandruff or dirt that sticks to them. 

Be careful not to overdo it with them as this can cause their skin to dry out and will irritate them. If you own a Bald fur type, they will need extra attention as their skin can become very oily or dry. It’s always a good idea to ask your vet for a grooming routine recommendation if you are unsure.

Getting them used to water at a young age is a very good idea, as you may be aware most cats aren’t going to enjoy bath time. The younger you introduce it the easier your life will be later on. 

Make sure to give the ears and paws a really good clean, a lot of bacteria can build up here. The same goes with the tail, give that a good wash as the tail can actually be prone to blackheads. 

Bathing Steps

Have everything you need to be prepped before you begin bathing. A good routine will look like the following:

• Prefill the sink with warm water.
• Have a container of clean water handy, and a clean towel.
• Apply some oil or cat shampoo to your cat before putting them in the sink. Pay attention to their underlegs, belly, ears, and tail. 
• Place them in the sink and give them a further bathe, working the shampoo into a lather then do A rinse. 
• Finally, rinse them off with the clean container of warm water. 
• Grab your soft towel and dry them off. 

If you find yourself struggling you can buy some winter gloves to help hold your cat. They also hold the shampoo and are gentle on your cat’s skin. 

Do I Need To Bathe A Peterbald Cat?

Yes, as covered above in the grooming routine you absolutely need to bathe your Peterbald. At the very least if you can’t manage to bathe them at home use cat wipes. When they need bathing and you can’t do it you should ask your vet on your options. 

They Love Attention

When I say love attention I mean they will constantly seek you out for attention. Whether you’re sitting down for breakfast or trying to read a book in a quiet corner, the Peterbalds will want to be with you. 

If they can’t be with you they will definitely make themselves heard. They are very vocal cats and constantly want to have a conversation with you. They have been compared to dogs with how affectionate they are. 

So if you’ve had a bad day and want a best friend to come home to, the Peterbald is your friend in need. 

They Get Along With Other Cats And Dogs

The Peterbalds are a highly intelligent breed and love affection. They’re playful and retain their kitten-like behavior into their adult years. 

Their character traits make them great with babies and other pets. Being active and outgoing they will be right at home playing fetch with their canine friends. 

When it comes to sleep time, they will seek you or their other furry friend for cuddles. If you have guests over on a regular basis they’ll be there to greet them at the door. 

They really do make for a great all-round pet!

Diet And Nutrition Requirements

Just like other cats, Peterbalds need a healthy balanced diet to remain in peak physical condition. They’re susceptible to weight-related issues such as heart disease or obesity. They will require a high protein diet and regular play. 

They have a high metabolism, meaning you will probably see them eating quite regularly. Not to worry though as their high energy and love of play allows them to burn the calories needed. Their natural high metabolism also helps them recover fast from any injuries they might sustain. 

Conclusion On The Peterbald Cat Breed

You’ll find that your cat follows you around and is eager to cuddle and play with you throughout the day if you adopt a Peterbald.

These cats may look rough around the edges due to their coat type, but they’re one of the most playful and loyal breeds you can find. With a high level of intelligence, you won’t have any problem with training either!

Overall, the breed is low-maintenance outside of their skincare needs. For those with the proper time to put into skin maintenance, this breed is worth investing in. 

FAQ’s

Do Peterbald cats have hair?

Although technically bald, the Peterbald can have a very fine coat up to 5mm in length. There are 5 different variations of coats.

How much is a Peterbald cat?

Peterbalds can fetch as much as $1000 from a breeder. Look into adoption before contacting a breeder.

Are Peterbald Cats Hypoallergenic?

Despite their lack of a coat, Peterbalds aren’t a hypoallergenic breed. Anyone who is allergic to cats can have a reaction to the Peterbald.