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Many cat lovers have allergies that generally do not allow them to keep a pet at home. It is challenging for some people to regularly groom a pet that sheds a lot. No matter which problem you have, cats that do not shed too much can be the answer you are looking for! What are 10 breeds of cats that do not shed too much?
10 breeds of cats that do not shed too much are:
- Sphynx
- Thai
- Siamese
- Oriental Shorthair
- Bengal
- Exotic Shorthair
- Bombay
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Burmese
Here we have enlisted 10 breeds of cats that do not shed too much and need little maintenance. Unless you are looking for a cat with little to no hair, like the Sphynx, you will want to learn more about these 10 cat breeds!
The Benefits of Cats That Do Not Shed Too Much
All breeds of cats shed hair. But some shed a lot and others shed extraordinarily little. Both have their own advantages but the benefits of having a cat that sheds very little may outweigh the benefits of cats that shed too much. Want to know how? Let’s go through some of the benefits to understand them fully.
Easier to Groom
No matter what, cats are pretty much independent when grooming themselves, but they still need our attention and care. Keeping a cat that sheds less generally means less grooming as they usually have short hair. You will also not have to invest in grooming. All you need to do is use a simple brush or brush to remove their loose hair before they fall out and bathe them from time to time.
Fewer Worries About Shedding
Cats sit wherever they want whenever they like. When it comes to managing where your cat goes, you kind of have to pick your battles because cats want to go everywhere. This means with breeds that shed more; you’ll see their hair sometimes end up everywhere in your home.
However, one of the apparent benefits of having a cat that doesn’t shed too much is you may feel better about them being on your furniture. Hopefully, you will not have to wipe down your sofa or vacuum your carpet every other day to remove their hair as the cat breeds we will talk about in this blog post should shed way less than other breeds of cats, comparatively speaking.
Better for People with Allergies
There is no cat that does not produce allergens. However, cats transfer more allergens in the environment when they shed more hair and send only a few allergens in the air when they shed only a little. So, if you have an allergy and you still want to keep a cat, then felines that shed the least can be your best companions.
Do Sphynx Cats Shed?
Yes, Sphynx cats shed but they do not shed that much. In fact, Sphynx cats are likely the least shedding feline. Even though Sphynx cats appear hairless, they do have small hairs on their body.
These small hairs can shed, but the Sphynx sheds extremely little. Sphynx cats are commonly considered hypoallergenic; however, they are not hypoallergenic because they still produce the Fel d 1 protein found in cat saliva. Anecdotal evidence points to Sphynx cats being a great choice for most cat lovers who have allergies as many people (but not all people) report not being allergic to a Sphynx.
Sphynx Cats
Sphynx cats are known to be hairless cats, but truthfully, they still have small hairs. The skin of the Sphynx cat is known to feel like suede. This skin is a significant talking point about the Sphynx because taking care of the Sphynx’s skin is essential. The Sphynx still needs grooming since it is necessary to spread the natural oils that can build up on their skin.
Sphynx cats are commonly seen in photos wearing cat clothes, but owners need to be very careful anytime they put clothes on a cat. The reason cat owners may put cat clothes on a Sphynx is that this cat is a hairless variety and can get cold easily or get too much sunlight.
Fel d 1 is a cat protein that is known to trigger cat allergies. Sphynx cats still produce Fel d 1 since it is the saliva. People do tend to report that their allergies are not as affected around Sphynx cats like they are with other cats, but that is anecdotal evidence that Sphynx cats are less allergic.
Do Thai Cats Shed a Lot?
No, Thai cats do not shed too much. Their fur coat is short, sleek, and soft, which does not require a lot of maintenance. Like many other cat breeds, Thai cats like keeping themselves clean so you will not have to worry about grooming them often. However, brushing their fur gently but regularly will help you keep any loose hairs at bay.
Thai Cats
As the name indicates, Thai cats originated in Thailand, where they are well-known to be named Wichien-Maat, which means ‘moon diamond.’ They are very similar to Siamese cats and are also often referred to as the Traditional Siamese.
Thai cats usually have striking blue eyes. Their whole body has a pale color while their face, ears, toes, and tail have pointed coloration. Thai cats generally have a medium-sized body and are known to be shorthaired cats. These cats have a fur coat that is well-suited for a tropical climate. Thai cats do not shed very much, making them a great choice for people who don’t want to spend a ton of time grooming a cat.
They are very friendly in nature and love to talk. You will often find them whining if you don’t give them the attention they seek. Thai cats are active and intelligent. They can learn tricks and manners easily as compared to some other breeds. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them a perfect pet for families that have children. Thai cats are known to live between 15 to 20 years.
Do Siamese Cats Shed a Lot?
No, Siamese cats do not shed a lot and are known to be extremely light shedding cats. Siamese cats have a short and silky coat that gets darker as they grow old. You will not have to spend too much time taking care of their hair as they shed extraordinarily little hair.
You can gently brush a Siamese cat weekly to create a stronger bond with your pet as it loves being brushed.
Siamese Cats
Siamese cats are well-known to be one of the oldest cat breeds and came from Siam, now called Thailand. They were cherished by the royal family of Thailand as well.
Siamese cats have a lean, smart, and long-legged body. Generally, they have a triangle-shaped face that has large-sized ears and beautiful almond-shaped eyes. They have pointed coloration, which means their ears, face, tail, and feet are darker in color as compared to the whole body.
Siamese cats points get darker as they get older with age and are of chocolate brown, blue, or even lilac in color. The body has a cream and sometimes pure white color. Centuries ago, kinked tails and crossed eyes were the two most common features found in them. But they are quite rare in today’s Siamese as they have been bred cautiously by the breeders.
If you love having someone to talk to you, then this cat is the right pick for you. It can talk all day long, sharing its opinion and thoughts about everything. They are quite friendly and enjoy staying in the company of either a human or another pet. They are clever and love climbing heightened places.
Do Oriental Shorthair Cats Shed?
Yes, Oriental cats shed but they do not shed much. As their name suggests, the Oriental Shorthair cat breed has short hair, which needs little attention from a cat owner. You can brush their fur coat once a week to remove loose hair before they shed.
The Oriental Shorthair coat comes in many patterns and combinations of different colors. This cat has fur that feels exceptionally smooth and silky when touched.
Oriental Shorthair Cats
Oriental Shorthair cats are the result of cross-breeding using the Siamese cat as the base breed. This breed was first developed in England in the 1950s.
Like many cats, the Oriental Shorthair can trace its genetic origin to Thailand. They share many similar features with other felines that are derived from Siamese cats, especially a lean and thin body. What makes Oriental shorthair cats different from all other members of the group is their color. They come in a combination of different colors.
Its long and agile body makes the Oriental a great climber. Triangle shaped small faces, broad ears, and almond-like big eyes that come in blue, green, and sometimes odd colors make this breed look very energetic and mischievous.
You can call it an extrovert breed as these cats are very talkative, social, and love going out. They can spend hours playing even when they are alone. They enjoy the company of children, adults, and even other pets, making them a great pick for all those who have a large family with kids and pets.
No matter what age they are, if we consider their playfulness, they remain kitten-like throughout their lives. They are very loyal to their owners and can be your great companions for as long as they live. They usually live a longer life as compared to other breeds.
Does the Bengal Cat Shed a Lot?
No, Bengal cats do not shed much. Bengal cats are well known for having a rich-colored beautiful coat. Their coat is short and sheds surprisingly little. A Bengal cat may have extra shedding in the Spring.
To handle this seasonal shedding, brush the Bengal cat’s fur coat more often and run your wet hand all over your pet’s body to catch loose hair before they fall. These cats usually have an orange or brown colored coat that has dark spots distributed thoroughly all over their body. Some Bengal cats have a shiny effect at their hair tip when they come under bright light. Bengal cats are known to come in many different colors.
Bengal Cats
The Bengal cat is a man-made breed that is a hybrid of domestic cats with the Asian Leopard cat. That is why it has a rugged appearance like a Leopard cat and a tame personality like a domestic cat.
Bengal cats have a wild and exotic appearance, which makes them unique among the other breeds of cats. Their muscular and athletic medium to the large-sized body makes them look rugged and very active. They have a wedged shaped head that has a broad nose, almond-shaped curious-looking eyes, and round at the top medium size ears.
Bengal cats have at least four generations between them and a wild leopard cat. As an intelligent breed, the Bengal cat is easy to be trained. They love playing all day long and are well-known to be pet friendly so if you have dogs, this cat will likely co-exist with them well.
Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Shed?
Yes, Exotic Shorthair cats shed, but they shed extremely little. Their thick and heavy coat makes the Exotic Shorthair excellent cats for cuddling. The Exotic Shorthair’s coat generally does not get tangles and does not need much grooming.
Even though these cats have a thick coat, they do not shed a lot and you can enjoy their company without worrying about picking loose hair off your clothing. Brushing the Exotic Shorthair’s fur once or twice a week will keep them tangle-free. This cat breed is a good choice if you are looking for a low-shedding cat.
Exotic Shorthair Cats
It is said that the Exotic Shorthair breed of cats originated accidentally when a Persian cat mated with an American Shorthair cat in the 1950s. Only a few years later, it was recognized as a breed globally.
Exotic Shorthair cats have a large and round face. The Exotic Shorthair’s fur gives them a rounded bear-like appearance. They have full cheeks, a flat nose, small ears, and round eyes, which make them look very innocent and cute. Their body is medium-size but heavy, has small thick legs, and a similar short tail makes them look like a sweet teddy bear.
The Exotic Shorthair’s nature resembles their facial features a lot. This means they not only look gentle and innocent; they are soft and innocent. These cats enjoy following their human friends from one room to another, so you should expect a feline shadow. While reading a book or watching T.V., you will often find these cats crawling into your lap.
Exotic Shorthair cats rarely talk, but when they do, they have an incredibly soft voice. These cats do not live that long and have a life expectancy of 8-11 years.
Do Bombay Cats Shed a Lot?
No, Bombay cats do not shed a lot. Bombay cats shed very little cat hair and do not require much maintenance from their owner. A Bombay cat owner can bathe their Bombay cat occasionally to remove dirt and brush its hair gently to remove loose hair.
One of the Bombay cat breed’s distinctive features is its pitch-black coat that is silky, thick, and short, which gives it a mini-panther-like appearance.
Bombay Cats
The Bombay cat is another man-made breed that originated in Louisville, Kentucky, when a black American Shorthair cat was bred with a Burmese.
Their rounded body and head make them cuddle-worthy. They have full cheeks, Roman nose, medium-sized wide ears, and golden to silver color catchy eyes. Their body size is medium but when they are lifted, they feel heavier than they look. They have an athletic body and come in only one color: black. Even their paws are pure black.
Bombay cats have a lively yet sweet nature. This cat is not only friendly with its owners but also enjoys the company of strangers. Bombay cats love playing different games and you will often find it playing with your children. This is an easy-going cat and this cat breed is known to be trainable. Bombay cats enjoy being around other pets.
Do Cornish Rex Cats Shed?
Yes, Cornish Rex cats shed, but they only shed a small amount. Cornish Rex cats have an incredibly unique fur coat that is wavy throughout their body. This short and curly hair coat does not need much maintenance from your end, but you should always be gentle to their fragile fur coat.
It sheds little so if you are not fond of cat hair, then it is another great cat breed. Some Cornish Rex cats even have curly whiskers. The Cornish Rex cat breed is found in many colors and patterns. When touched, it feels incredibly soft like silk. The fur coat is noticeably short and lays down near the skin of the body. Unlike many other breeds, it does not have guard hairs, which means its coat is fragile.
Cornish Rex Cats
The Cornish Rex cat breed was first found in Cornwall, England. They have a long and slim bony body and are known to come in 40 colors and patterns. Their prominent feature is their large, broad and far apart ears that stand tall over the head. They have an egg-shaped face that has high cheekbones, round eyes, and a Roman nose. Their long, slender legs make jumping easier for them.
Cornish Rex cats are not known to shed much and a special fur coat that requires a cat owner to be very gentle when they touch it. We talk more about the Cornish Rex and their fur coat in our article about the Cornish Rex and shedding.
The Cornish Rex cat breed can be your perfect partner to play with. They are super energetic so while their fur coat is gentle, Cornish Rex’s like to act strong and are known to have great endurance even after playing for hours. These cats like being the center of attention and are not fond of being left alone. Cornish Rex cats get along with children and other pets.
Do Devon Rex Cats Shed?
Yes, Devon Rex cats shed, but not much. Devon Rex cats have a shorthaired coat that is curly in nature. Devon Rex cats do not have many guard hairs and require little maintenance.
You can live stress-free if you have this breed roaming around your home. This is because they do not shed much at all and you will not need to clean their loose hair. You can brush the Devon Rex’s wavy fur coat extremely gently from time to time to distribute hair oil thoroughly and catch loose hair in the brush.
Devon Rex Cats
You can tell by its name that this great cat was founded in Devon, England. What makes it look different from other breeds is its bat-like big ears that stand tall over the wedge-shaped face. Its face has prominent oval eyes that look sharp. Like the hair all over this cat’s body, its whiskers and eyebrows are also short. You can learn more about the Devon Rex and its fur coat in our article.
The Devon Rex is highly intelligent and that makes her a perfect candidate to be trained easily. You can train them to stay on a leash, sit in a cat backpack peacefully, and even fetch a ball like dogs. They enjoy getting attention and playing with the people around them.
Devon Rex cats are affectionate cats and are good with both children and pets. These cats can be destructive though if they are left alone since they do not deal with loneliness well.
Do Burmese Cats Shed?
Yes, Burmese cats do shed but they shed quite little. Their coat is extraordinarily smooth and short so it will not need much grooming like longhaired cats. You can occasionally lightly brush this cat and that should help distribute oil that will improve fur coat and skin health.
The Burmese cat breed is highly suitable for feline lovers who like cats that shed extraordinarily little.
Burmese Cats
Burmese cats came from Burma to America, where it was bred with the Siamese cat breed for the first time and produced kittens of two different colors.
The Burmese cat’s round body and round eyes give them a very innocent and sweet look overall. It comes in a variety of colors from chocolate brown, cream, red, to lilac, and many more. It has a round to oval face with beautiful eyes that they use to easily convey a message. Burmese cats have a beautiful fur coat that we talk about more in our article about Burmese cats and how they shed.
The Burmese cat’s ears are broad and medium in size. They have a sturdy, medium-sized body that may feel heavier than it looks on account of this cat’s muscularity.
Burmese cats are social in nature and do not like to be left behind at home. If you live in an apartment and often stay busy at work, then you may want a second cat around your Burmese to keep her company when they are alone.
The Burmese likes to talk to people and share what it did throughout the day. It has a charming nature and can be trained easily. If you like putting on cute pet dresses, then this cat breed might not mind wearing comfortable cat clothes.
What Are Some Examples of Hypoallergenic Cats?
People tend to think some cats are hypoallergenic, meaning non-allergenic, but this really is not true. Some cats do produce less allergens though. People who have allergies are more prone to allergens produced by cats – usually cats with longer hair.
Some cats that are much less allergenic, and probably better for people who have cat allergies, are the Sphynx with its little to no hair, the Cornish Rex, and the Devon Rex.
It is the allergens present on the cat hair that cause allergies. Cats have an allergen called Fel d 1 in their saliva and their sebaceous glands present in the skin also produce them. When cats groom themselves, these allergens get on their hair and then spread in their surroundings when they shed hair. The more hair cats shed, the more allergens will be in the environment.
Do Munchkin Cats Shed?
Munchkin cats are known for having noticeably short legs. These short legs are because of a genetic mutation that happened to them naturally.
Many people that are interested in owning a Munchkin are drawn to them due to their short legs. They have a round face that has beautiful oval-shaped eyes. Their ears are of medium size and their tail is medium to large. They come in many colors and fur coat patterns. Munchkin cats do shed a decent amount since they are related to the domestic shorthair.
Their curious nature does not let them sit peacefully. They will explore every corner of your home. They may not have long legs like other breeds of cats, but it still does not stop them from showing off their tricks and running fast like small squirrels. They enjoy the company of kids and friendly pets.
Munchkin Cats Fur Coat
The Munchkin cat breed can come as a shorthaired or longhaired. This cat has a thick undercoat and if you have a longhaired variety, you could see more hair being shed.
Munchkins shed hair more than the cat breeds that are mentioned above. Due to this reason, they need more care and grooming. You will have to brush their hair often to catch loose hair. Longhair cats may shed more than the shorthaired ones, so you will want to brush them more and bathe them regularly.
Do Domestic Shorthair Cats Shed?
Domestic Shorthair cats have a medium-sized body with average height. Their round face and eyes give them an innocent appearance. Their ears are medium in size and are not as prominent as other breeds, such as the Cornish Rex. Domestic Shorthair cats have sturdy, broad, and muscular bodies. They come in a variable range of fur colors and coat patterns.
Domestic Shorthair cats are friendly in nature and enjoy the company of strangers as much as they enjoy their owner’s company. They love chasing shadows, paper balls, and almost anything that is moving on the floor. They are active and release their energy by playing for hours.
My Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, will meow at me if it has been a few hours, and she wants to be held or played with. So, these cats can be vocal and will definitely bond with their human. I have found that my Domestic Shorthair cat does shed a decent amount pretty consistently.
Domestic Shorthair Fur Coat
Domestic shorthair cats have short hair that is very thick and sheds often. They require more maintenance and grooming as compared to other shorthair cats like Oriental Shorthairs. You can use a metal slicker brush to remove loose hair from their fur and distribute hair oil evenly. As they shed more, they may not be the right pet for people who have allergies.
Summary
Whether you are looking to own a cat that does not shed much or just want to learn more about our low-shedding feline friends, this article provided some great information for learning. If you are still having a tough time deciding which low-shedding cat breed to choose, you should consult your local veterinarian for their educated opinion.
If you own a hairless cat or a cat with a special coat, like the Cornish Rex, you should always remember to treat these cats extremely gently when petting or grooming them as their skin or fur coats are fragile. It is still important to groom a hairless cat, like the Sphynx, so its natural oils spread evenly around her skin. They will also appreciate the pets!
