The Peterbald is a Russian hair-losing nudie cat. This cat breed is relatively rare and especially common in Russia. This is a special cat. This is due to a number of factors. For example, this is an intelligent cat breed that likes to play. At the same time the Peterbald is a sociable cat that likes to attract your attention. Not only do they like adults, but they also get along well with children. They also like other animals, even dogs. It is a cat that likes to cuddle with you. Below you can read everything you need to know about the Peterbald.
The origin: a Russian crossroads
The name Peterbald is a reference to the city from which this cat breed originates: St. Petersburg. This cat breed is originally Russian. It originated by crossing two cat breeds: the Oriental Shorthair and a Russian breed called Donskoy Sphynx (also known as the Don Sphynx). Wherever you may remember the Oriental Shorthair, the Donskoy Sphynx will probably be an unknown breed to you. This is a bald cat breed that mainly occurs in Russia.
The crossing between the Oriental Shorthair and the Donskoy Sphynx took place in 1994. This makes the Peterbald one of today’s younger cat breeds. This breed does not have a rich history. It is a losing naked cat. Because of their striking appearance some Russians (often with a sip of vodka too much) sometimes thought they were visited by an alien at night. So it turned out to be a Peterbald.
The character: intelligent, sweet and playful
What immediately strikes you when you have a Peterbald in the house is the fact that this is a loyal cat. They quickly build up a bond with you and they follow you around the house. In terms of behaviour this cat reminds you of a dog. They are very sweet and they love to cuddle with you. This breed can’t stand it well if they have to be alone for too long. They also need their daily dose of attention. If they don’t get this, they might want to attract your attention by whining a lot. This cat thrives on a lot of love and attention. This is also an intelligent breed. With brain games you can also entertain them. This cat is most at ease indoors.
In addition, this is a playful cat breed. They like to be active and they like it when their owner plays with them. It is often underestimated how athletic this breed is. The Peterbald can really enjoy long play sessions. They are vocally present. They dare to speak out if something pleases them as well as if something doesn’t please them. You can have whole conversations with them. Because they like to play and quickly get attached to people, this cat breed gets along well with small children. Make sure that the first interactions with young children take place under your supervision, and build this up slowly. You will also do this breed a favour if there is a playmate present. Whether this is another cat or a dog, this cat doesn’t really matter. The Peterbald is friendly and social.
Appearance: bald and… bald
The Peterbald is bald. That is a fact you cannot ignore. It is their most striking external characteristic. But there are more external characteristics that characterize this breed. For example, their large ears are striking, which in terms of shape are reminiscent of the ears of bats. Their eyes have an almond shape. They owe these characteristics to the Oriental Shorthair. From this ancestor they also inherited their long and slender body. Peterbald cats move around in a graceful way.
The body of a Peterbald is small to medium sized. This is accompanied by an overall length that is medium to long. Wrinkles can be seen on several places on the body. The legs are in proportion to the body, with the hind legs just a bit longer than the front legs. This cat breed is muscular by nature. They are stronger than you might expect. Their beautiful tail is also noticeable. The tail is long and thin with a nice tip at the end. The neck of a Peterbald is long and slim. The average weight of this cat breed is between 2.5 and 5 kg. Most of the time the males are heaviest and the females weigh lighter.
The coat colour and coat patterns of the Peterbald
The Peterbald is known for its baldness. It is not for nothing that the word ‘bald’ is already in the name of this cat breed. Yet not all Peterbald cats are equally hairless. There are variants that are bald all over their body, except on their legs. There are also variants where the whole body is covered with a minimal coat that feels very soft to the touch. If you don’t like brushing your cat, the Peterbald is the cat breed for you. Please note that Peterbalds are often not immediately hairless. Most varieties have lost all their hair after two years.
Nevertheless, the Peterbald can be divided into several types of coats. In total there are four categories:
- Bald: completely bald. This is the only variant that is considered to be show-worthy
- Velvet: a soft coat that feels like a velvet layer.
- Flock: there is a light form of hair present, but the cat feels naked
- Brush: there is a coat with hair that is longer than 5 mm
In addition, the variation in colours is striking. There are white, black, grey, brown, cream and red Peterbald cats. A very diverse breed, if you ask us!
The upbringing: socialisation and attention
The socialisation of a cat is largely the responsibility of the breeder himself. Especially the first 12 weeks are very important for this. That is why it is important that these first 12 weeks are still spent with the breeder. This way they stay in the vicinity of their mother and the rest of her offspring, which promotes socialisation. If you take a Peterbald as a pet, then it is also advisable to let the cat wish for people quickly. If you have children or another pet, let them get used to each other under your supervision. Do this in a cautious way with clear boundaries. In this way you will get used to your child(ren) or other pet, and this will not cause any problems in the future.
Peterbald cats are often compared to dogs. They like to be with you and they prefer to follow you throughout the house. Enough attention throughout the day is important. This not only creates a better bond with your pet, but also makes the cat a lot happier. In addition, your cat needs to get used to human actions. By this we mean, for example, washing the cat or cutting the nails. You don’t want these kinds of jobs to be a hassle every time. By letting the cat get used to this from an early age, you avoid such problems.
The care: does a hairless cat automatically mean little time?
The Peterbald is hairless. This means that you won’t waste any time brushing this cat breed. It does mean that you will have to protect your cat in a different way. Because of the lack of hair this cat is not very resistant to the sun. As soon as the sun shines, you will need to protect your cat’s skin with sunscreen. This cat breed also needs extra protection in winter. That is the disadvantage if you are a cat without fur.
Combing and brushing may not be necessary, but that does not mean that nothing needs to be done about the external care of this cat. A Peterbald cat needs to be washed on a weekly basis. The advantage of a coat is that it also absorbs the oils from a cat’s skin. With a Peterbald cat this is not possible. This makes their skin a bit greasier and it attracts all kinds of dirt faster. That is why weekly washing this cat is a must. If you don’t do this, this cat breed may start to stink. This will not make anyone happy. Avoid this by regularly washing this cat breed.
The food the Peterbald needs
Most cat breeds are sensitive to overweight. The Peterbald is no exception to this rule. Fortunately you can prevent obesity by feeding your cat the food in a dosed way on a daily basis. Even a day too much food can lead to a small belly. Overweight in a cat can lead to heart problems and is also bad for their legs. For this reason, always give their food in a dosed way.
Cats are carnivores. They like to eat meat and also the Peterbald cats thrive best on a diet consisting mainly of meat. However, this breed has a fast metabolism, which allows them to eat more than an average cat. Make sure that the cat also gets enough exercise in addition to eating. The combination of healthy food and sufficient exercise ensures that your cat stays healthy for a long time. It is therefore important that you always look carefully at the label so that you know what nutrients your cat is getting. Too much is never good, but too little should also be avoided.
Common diseases
The Peterbald is a healthy cat breed. They do not suffer from hereditary diseases and they are also less susceptible to other types of diseases. Because of the lack of coat you have to protect these cats better against the sun by using sunscreen. If you don’t do this, this cat breed has a high risk of developing skin cancer. You will also have to protect this cat better in the winter because of their lack of coat. Failure to do so can lead to pneumonia. With all its consequences. A cardigan or jacket is therefore highly recommended.
A striking feature of the Peterbald is their ability to heal faster than average. This cat breed has an enormously fast metabolism. This is also reflected in their average body temperature. Where the body temperature of other cat breeds averages around 37.7 – 37.8 degrees Celsius, the body temperature of a Peterbald goes towards 40 degrees Celsius. The fast metabolism also ensures that they recover faster from small wounds and scratches.
How old can the Peterbald get?
A Peterbald can live to be between 14 and 18 years old. A Peterbald is one of the healthiest breeds at the moment. Above we have already told you that there are no hereditary diseases, that this breed is very resistant to other diseases and that they can quickly heal small wounds and scratches. Moreover, their ancestors are also known for their ability to reach an advanced age. The average life expectancy of a Peterbald is therefore between 14 – 18 years. If your cat stays healthy for a long time and you take good care of the animal, it is even possible to reach the limit of 20 years. Of course you want to keep your pet with you for as long as possible. You will potentially enjoy this cat breed for a long time.
What you need to know before you take this cat into your home
Some cat breeds are not suitable for certain situations. For example, there are several breeds that cannot cope well with small children. Fortunately, the Peterbald does not belong to this category. The Peterbald is even recommended for people with small children and people who have had a baby for the first time. This breed is sweet and quickly accustomed to new additions to the family. A Peterbald is also happy when there is another pet in the house, even if it is a dog. This cat thrives better with a companion in the house. In terms of family composition, this cat breed fits in everywhere, from a single person to a large family. Another plus: the lack of hair makes it an ideal cat for people who are allergic to cat hair.
Hairless cats are naturally pricey. In addition, the Peterbald is relatively rare. Yet it is a good indicator of quality when the price is high. Cheap is expensive, especially when it comes to buying a cat. Breeding pedigree cats is pricey. If you can buy cats for a low price, then this is often not a good sign. Always check the breeder beforehand. You can also check the kittens when you are going to see the litter. This way you can immediately see how the kittens are doing. Also questions about deworming and vaccinations are always a smart idea.
What price do you have to think of?
For a Peterbald you pay on average around $4000. The Peterbald is one of the most expensive cat breeds at the moment. This is not surprising, given that this breed originated from a cross between two cat breeds that are also quite pricey themselves. Moreover, you will have to import this cat breed from Russia, because outside Russia this cat is rare. Because of this you will soon have to pay a price of around $4000 for this cat. This sweet and intelligent cat is more than worth its price. Please note that this is the bald variety, or the one that is showworthy. Another variant will often cost you a little less. Think of a price between $850 and $1400.
Will you also choose the Peterbald?
Bald cat breeds such as the Peterbald are often described as an ‘acquired taste’. You either love them or you don’t like them. Some people find the naked appearance of this cat special. Yet this naked appearance is home to a very sweet cat that can become a beloved pet. Maybe you can talk about this. But even if you are considering taking this cat breed into your home, we would love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to share your story and respond to this article below!
