MyCatBreeds
As a newer and rare cat breed, the Peterbald cat’s history is somewhat limited.
The breed was first developed in 1994, when a Russian breeder named Olga S. Mironova crossed an Oriental Shorthair cat with a Don Sphynx cat. This cat was to be known as the Peterbald.
The Peterbald cat is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. It was also accepted by The International Cat Association in 1997.
Looking a little bit futuristic, with a long, narrow head, almond-shaped eyes and large, pointed ears, the medium-sized, slimly built Peterbald cat can weigh between 3 and 6kg and is essentially a hairless cat.
Although Peterbalds are considered a cat breed that are essentially hairless, not all of them are hairless as there are some that have a very short coat. There are some that are born with quite a bit of hair but they lose this.
In fact, their coat color as well as certain markings can be in various shades and patterns.
Peterbalds are easy-going, social cats with a sweet nature. They are affectionate towards their human companions and are quite vocal too, liking to talk to their owners. They are active and playful and enjoy playing with children and even other pets in the home.
In fact, they are adaptable cats and will slot into different home environments and lifestyles. The hairless variety is best as an indoor cat and this is why they suit living in apartments as well.
They are independent and intelligent, and people who have owned them say their pets often behave like a dog, wanting to be involved in their human's activities.
These Peterbalds are very intelligent cats and also very affectionate with their human owners. They are always up for a game and are playful and social.
While they make excellent family pets and companions, one just has to take special precautions with the hairless variety and ensure that they don't become too hot or too cold.
They’re balanced in nature and adapt to the different human personalities in the household as long as its human owners are kind and respectful towards animals. With the right level of love, kindness and respect, they become ideal companions.
One of the more obvious things to watch out for with this particular cat is his hairlessness. This means he is more susceptible to the cold as well as to the heat. If he is outdoors, you have to be careful with his skin as it could get burned. Rough play with children could also cause scratching of the sensitive skin.
This particular cat is a fairly new breed and so there are few genetically inherited problems to be careful of.
Their large ears might prove to be a problem, and you will need to check the interiors and see that they remain clean. Also, trim his claws. If you fear that you could hurt your cat while attempting to groom him, rather take him along to professional, reputable pet groomers or have your vet do these grooming processes for you.
Whenever your Peterbald is sick you will need to get him to the vet. As it is, as a kitten, he will need to be taken to the vet to have his regular vaccines to protect him from some of the deadly cat diseases there are.
The Peterbald cat with its little or no hair is considered to be a low-maintenance cat. Their owners don’t have to worry about excessive shedding. Bathing these cats is important so that oils don't build up and cause skin irritation.
These cats are also best as indoor cats, but then again, some gentle sunshine on the skin will do him the world of good, and he loves the feel of the warm sun.
There are some Peterbald cat owners who gently bath their cats, sometimes once a week to get rid of the oil on the skin. If it isn’t possible to bath your cat, check out at your local vet as you do get special wipes for these cats that are effective in removing dirt and oil.
Also, speak to your vet about skincare and the possibility of moisturizing creams specially made for these cats and which are gentle and non-toxic.
This is a slim, athletic cat, and like all other cats, you have to be careful about weight issues. Any amount of weight with this cat can bring on a host of health issues such as extra pressure on the joints, not to mention other weight-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.