List Of The Awesome Cat Breeds That Don't Shed At All

Sridevi Tolety
Mar 28, 2023 By Sridevi Tolety
Originally Published on Dec 07, 2021
Edited by Rhea Nischal
Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit
Beautiful Bombay black cat portrait.

Shedding is a phase and part of their growth cycle where their feline hair will grow, die, and shed.

Cats shed their feline hair every day. The process of natural shedding happens twice a year, in spring to prepare for the winter coat and in fall to grow the next winter coat.

Shedding in cats varies with their breed, inhabitation, and living conditions, like the hours of sunlight exposure and living temperature. Felines living indoors, exposed to both heat and air-conditioning, go through constant shedding as their system is confused by the change in temperature.

Cats are self-groomers who clean themselves, but they tend to ingest loose cat hair, which will end up in intestinal blockage, so they need human help in removing their loose fur. The denser the hair is, the fluffier they add to their cuteness, but more hair comes with more maintenance.

So hairless cats or cats with less hair are other options for minimal shedding.

Hairless cats lose their hair due to a genetic mutation. Cats are loved for their fluffy coats and dense hair, but there are cats that are popular for their hairless coats.

These hairless cat breeds come with unique needs for grooming. Keep reading our article to learn more about cats that don't shed.

If you find this article interesting, go ahead and check out our other articles on cats, cats with big eyes, and cats with short legs. 

List Of Cats That Don't Shed

If you are a cat lover but allergic to cats, you can choose hypoallergenic cats as pets that do not shed much hair or shed less hair and are less likely to provoke allergies.

There are no completely hypoallergenic cats or cat breeds that don't shed at all. These hypoallergenic cats produce fewer allergic reactions compared to normal cats.

Cats produce two allergenic proteins (Fel d 1, Fel d4) through their saliva, and salivary glands, which are deposited in their dander while grooming, causing allergies while the hair sheds.

So, the allergens are not just the dander (shed hair), prominently the saliva.

Shedding cats can cause coughing, nasal congestion, rashes, sneezing, asthma, and rhinitis.

Here is a list of a few cat breeds that are referred to as hypoallergenic and produce fewer allergens: Sphynx, Lykoi, Rex cat, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Russian blue, Abyssinian, Bombay, Bengal, Burmese, Siamese, Oriental, Shorthair, Japanese bobtail, British shorthair, and Peterbald are cats that shed the least.

Hypoallergenic Cats That Don't Shed

Hypoallergenic cats are a healthy option for people who want to pet a cat that is less prone to allergies than cats that don't shed like a shedding cat. Allergies spread through their saliva, salivary glands, and dead hair during their grooming.

So, we can make a suitable choice with the right breed of cat as pets that produce fewer allergens.

Also, it's a cost-effective way to reduce shedding in your house since a kitten doesn't shed. Below is a list of the best cats that are non-shedding or shed minimally.

The Sphynx cats are by nature hairless and have skin with the texture of chamois leather, as it has fine hairs. All the cats' skin excretes oil, but their coats absorb the oil. As Sphynx doesn't have a coat, it may find this where the cat lounges.

Also, regular brushing and baths are required. Sphynx must not be exposed for long periods of time to sunlight as they are prone to sunburn and skin damage.

Sphynx cats are known for their high levels of energy, curiosity, and intelligence. Sphynx are devoted and lovable to their owners. They also have dog-like behavior when greeting owners at the door, and they are friendly with strangers.

Lykoi is partially a hairless cat and is bare in some areas, like the face. This cat breed is fun-loving and intelligent, and they shed their coats less than once weekly and a few times a year, but less compared to other cats.

The Cornish Rex, related to the Rex cat family, is very short with a curly coat and sheds less hair compared to other breeds. Cornish Rex coats come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

The light-colored coats are suitable for indoors and warm temperatures. The Cornish Rex is intelligent, adventurous, with good energy, and a playful pet who likes to play fetch, run and do acrobatic jumps.

This cat breed is suitable for someone who needs an active playmate or pet. The Cornish rex is referred to as the 'Greyhound of cats' because of its sleek body and running skills.

A Devon Rex is a medium-sized cat related to the Rex cat family with a curly-haired breed with a soft short coat. This cat breed seeks attention and creates a tight bond with the owner.

Devon Rex sheds very little and doesn't flood your home with dander. The Devon Rex is an independent breed ideal for working families and is easy to groom. The Devon Rex is an intelligent breed and a faithful companion.

Devon Rex is a fantastic jumper and enjoys jumping high and picking high spots in the room. They also enjoy leaping on their owner.

Russian Blue is famous for its blue or gray, soft, and shiny coat. Russian blue cats are short-haired with minimal shedding, less than once weekly and once or twice a year.

Russian blue cats are intelligent, playful, shy around strangers, and get along well with other pets and children in the house. Russian blue is a compact size, easy to train and groom.

An Abyssinian is a long, lean, medium-sized, short-haired cat with a fine, dense, soft, and silky coat with individual hair branded with different colors. These cat breeds display unusual intelligence and playful nature. They seek attention and are closely bonded with their families.

Bombay cats have short hair colored all black with copper-green eyes closely related to Burmese. Bombay cats are independent, social, brave, and intelligent. Bombay cats get attached to their families, and they crave attention. They are also good with children around.

Bengal cats appear large, wild, with gold shimmer spots as traces of their leopard cat ancestry. These cats have spots on their coats in the patterns of rosette, marbling, or arrowhead markings.

Bengal cats are an energetic breed that needs play and exercise. Bengal cats produce fewer allergens than average-producing and shedding cats, making them suitable for people allergic to cats.

A Burmese is a small, short cat with a fine coat. Burmese are also one of the cat breeds with minimal shedding. The Burmese gets closely bonded to its owner and family, seeks attention but doesn't demand their attention.

Siamese cats have an elongated, tubular, and muscular body with a long neck and a slender tail. Siamese are intelligent, affectionate cats that are social by nature. Siamese develop a strong bond with their owners and seek attention.

Siamese have a unique cry, like a human baby. Siamese have low- maintenance coats that don't need much grooming. Just brushing with a comb to remove their dead hairs will do it, and they will have minimal shedding.

The Oriental shorthair is an exotic medium-sized cat. This cat breed has short hair and elongated, slender, and muscular bodies. This cat is social, intelligent, and very playful. They are vocal, fond of chatting and never leave a conversation unattended. These breeds' coats come in various colors and patterns.

British Shorthairs look powerful with a dense blue coat, like a quiet cat, not very playful. They are affectionate and devoted to their owners. British Shorthairs don't shed more, they shed less compared to other cats. They shed seasonally in the spring and fall. They are easy to groom and maintain.

An Exotic Shorthair is a Persian cat with short hair. The Exotic Shorthair has a thick and dense coat with minimal shedding. This cat's hair needs grooming with regular brushing to remove any dead hair. The Exotic Shorthair is an affectionate, calm, relaxed cat breed that adapts to living conditions.

The Japanese bobtail is a bright, playful cat with great energy. It has a unique bobtail that is more like a rabbit tail than a cat's tail.

This cat is affectionate by nature, communicates with a soft, chirpy voice, is good with their families, and is a well-chosen pet for children. This cat breed has minimal shedding due to its short fur and doesn't need much grooming. These breeds are loyal and make great companions.

Peterbald is a hairless cat with a slim and muscular build. Peterbald has a narrow and long head with a long tail. Peterbald is affectionate, intelligent, sweet-tempered, energetic, and is a suitable pet for children.

Do Persian cats shed?

Persian cats are a calm cat breed and are pretty happy to relax. They are not very active and are called 'high-maintenance pets' and are portrayed as beautiful divas.

Pets naturally tend to shed. Shedding is a natural process in their cycle of growth. There are a few exceptions, such as non-shed pets, which are a suitable option for people with allergic reactions.

Persian cats are quite a contrast to non-shed cats or cats that don't shed. They are high-maintenance cats that require a lot of grooming.

Their long and dense hair tends to shed quite often and is hard to keep clean. However, we can minimize the shedding with grooming and extra care.

Keep brushing your cat's hair every day to remove the loose or dead hair. Assist them with professional guidance, like a professional hair trim.

There is a hair trend for Persian cats, called the 'lion cut', where the body hair is trimmed, but the head, legs, and tip of the tail are kept at their regular length, which minimizes the shedding. Give them regular brushing and baths to avoid mats as their long and dense hair is prone to catching.

Do Siberian cats shed?

Siberian cats are long-haired cats, with three types of feline fur, guard hair, awn hair, and down hair. This fur helps them cope with extreme climates.

Siberians are medium-sized to large-sized cats. They are the ancestral cats of all modern long-haired cats. This breed is from Siberia and is named after the country.

Siberian cats are strong and well-built with strong, well-rounded paws and hindquarters, making them exceptional jumpers. They have large eyes, large ears, and a large tail. Their large eyes cutely roll their expressions.

Siberians have a slight arch in their backs, as their hind legs are slightly longer than their front legs. This shape bestows on their sport and athleticism. Siberians are in various colors.

Siberians are hypoallergenic cats that don't shed much or shed minimally once or twice a year. In spite of their long and bountiful coats, these cats shed less hair compared to other breeds and are known to be minimal-shedding cats.

It is observed and recorded that the Siberian coat has decreased dander qualities.

Pet owners and breeders recommend Siberians as safe from many allergies. Since females of the feline family produce fewer allergens, they are suggested for adoption by people who are prone to allergies.

Many tests and results claim that this breed produces fewer allergens.

All Siberian cats tested were found to produce some Fel d1, the primary allergen present in cats, and were found to have Fel d1 levels lower compared to other breeds, while some Siberians were considered very low in creating allergens, except for the Silver Fur Siberian, which was high compared to other Siberians.

Thus, Siberians, as hypoallergenic cats, are suitable pets for people allergic to cats.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for cat breeds that don't shed, then why not take a look at cats with blue eyes or Ragdoll facts.

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Written by Sridevi Tolety

Bachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

Sridevi Tolety picture

Sridevi ToletyBachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

With a Master's degree in clinical research from Manipal University and a PG Diploma in journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sridevi has cultivated her passion for writing across various domains. She has authored a wide range of articles, blogs, travelogues, creative content, and short stories that have been published in leading magazines, newspapers, and websites. Sridevi is fluent in four languages and enjoys spending her spare time with loved ones. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, cooking, painting, and listening to music.

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Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

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Nishtha DixitBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Nishtha is an experienced SEO writer and editor, with a passion for writing and self-expression. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate major in Literature and Communication and a minor in Political Science from the University of Delhi. Nishtha has completed a certificate master course in English from the British Council and has been appointed as the editor for the bi-monthly magazine of the University of Delhi.

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