How to Take Care of a Hairless Cat

If you've had cats before, adopting a hairless cat might be like getting to know a whole different species. Hairless cats, also known as Sphinx cats, look slightly more like aliens than cats with their wrinkled flesh, prominent ears and complete lack of hair. But they don't just look different. You'll find that they require some unusual care for cats due to their hairless nature.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm cat bed
  • Kibble
  • Cat shampoo
  • Washcloth
  • Towel
  • Ear cleansing solution
  • Cotton swabs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Realize that your hairless cat is likely to get chilled in a cold house, especially in the winter. When you're around, your hairless cat is likely to curl up with you, but you'll need to provide a warm bed for when you're not around. A Thermo-Kitty Bed will keep your cat warm, or you can make your own heated bed by filling a cloth bag with rice, heating it in the microwave or oven until warm to the touch, and tucking it under a blanket.

    • 2

      Feed your cat more than you think she needs and make sure to provide high-nutrition food. Hairless cats tend to have higher metabolisms, and so need to eat more than a regular cat. The best way to handle feeding is to provide high-quality kibble for her to snack on whenever she gets hungry.

    • 3

      Bathe your cat once a week because his skin is not protected by his fur. The easiest way to bathe a hairless cat is to fill a bathtub or sink with a few inches of skin temperature water, making sure it's no deeper than his skin. Place him in the water, gently wet his skin with a washcloth, and then pour cat shampoo on the washcloth and massage him. Rinse him and remove him from the water, wrapping him in a towel until he's dry.

    • 4

      Clean your hairless cat's ears monthly, or more often if necessary. The lack of hair leads to waxy buildup in the ear canal, so use an ear cleaner like Vet Solutions Ear Cleansing Solution to remove it. With most ear cleansers, you'll just add a few drops to the canal, massage it in and then clean the exterior parts of the ear---not the canal---with a cotton swab.

    • 5

      Keep your hairless cat indoors year-round. Though they can go out for short periods, they can easily develop frostbite in the winter and sunburn in the summer. They're also much more prone to insect bites than other cats because they have no fur to protect them.