The Peterbald cat is a newer breed that was first discovered in the late 1990s. These cats hail from Russia, specifically Petersburg, which is partly how they got the “Peter” part of their name. The “bald” part of their name comes from the fact that they have such little hair, they look bald at first sight. These cats are extremely affectionate and insist on getting plenty of attention throughout the day.
Though they are sometimes mistaken for breeds like the Sphynx, rest assured that the Peterbald cat is their own unique breed. These cats are unique, interactive, loyal, and attentive, which makes them the perfect pet option for families of all types. Are you thinking about adopting one of your own, or are you just interested in what this breed is all about? Either way, you have come to the right place! Read on to learn all about the Peterbald cat, including what to expect as an owner:
Peterbald kittens are fun to spend time with, but they grow up quickly. We should understand important things such as their expected energy levels, health concerns, and social preferences as adults so that we can understand how to best nurture them from kittenhood.
What’s the Price of Peterbald Kittens?
These cats are not commonly bred like Persian and domestic Shorthair cats are. Therefore, they come with a hefty price tag of usually $1,000 or more. The exact price varies from breeder to breeder. You may be able to find a purebred Peterbald cat that is up for adoption at a rescue center, but the chance is slim due to the value of this breed. But it never hurts to look! If you do happen to find one of these cats at a rescue center, you can have peace of mind in knowing that you’re not only scoring a cool cat as a pet, but you are also helping to save a life.
3 Little-Known Facts About Peterbald Cats
There are many things to learn about Peterbald cats! Here are three of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about this amazing cat breed:
1. They May Be Hairless or Non-Hairless
This cat breed usually has short, fine fuzz that resembles a peach’s skin. However, some cats of this breed have denser or thicker hair. In fact, there are five different types of coats that the Peterbald cat is known to have. The coat of this breed can change as time goes on. If a kitten starts with dense hair, it may lose the hair and develop the fine fuzz and vice versa.
2. They Never Need to be Brushed and They Don’t Usually Get Fleas
Even the Peterbald cats with hair require almost no grooming when it comes to combing or brushing. Also, their lack of a full coat like most cats have means that their chance of developing a flea infestation is minimal.
3. They Have Plenty of Energy
This is the type of cat that will climb up your curtains and scratch up your couch if they do not have plenty of activities to entertain themselves throughout the day. Their active nature means that they will not stay still for too long. Some human interaction, plenty of toys to play with, regular activities such as hide-and-seek, and electronic mice can all help curb the destructive side of this highly active breed.
Image Credit: Natalia Belotelova, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Peterbald Cat
When it comes to intelligence, the Peterbald cat is bright and curious. They prefer to live life on their own terms rather than learn tricks or commands from a human counterpart. These cats always seem to be exploring, playing, or hunting while they are awake. When the sun goes down, they have no problem snuggling up with family members.
Some say these cats act more like a dog, as they will follow their owners around and insist on participating in social situations. These are not cats that will run and hide when visitors come over. Instead, they will be the first to greet those visitors. It can be tough to tell a Peterbald cat “no” because they likely will not listen. Overall, these are fun-loving albeit demanding cats with high energy levels and plenty of love to share with their household companions.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Yes! These cats are extremely good with children of all ages. They will spend time watching over babies and following toddlers and kids around in hopes of a good time. Peterbald cats enjoy spending time with adults and will take every opportunity to be a part of the household action, no matter what is going on.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Peterbald cats get along well with a variety of different types of animals. They can live happily with other cat family members, they can become good friends with dogs of all kinds, and they do not mind sharing a household with smaller pets, like ferrets and guinea pigs. That said, they should start socializing with other animals while still kittens to ensure that they understand how to meet and greet new animals that come into their life later.
Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock
Things to Know When Owning a Peterbald Cat
What does a Peterbald cat eat and how much? What kind of exercise does this cat breed each day? Can these cats be trained? What kind of grooming is required? Are there any health conditions that the Peterbald cat is susceptible to? Let’s explore all these topics!
Food & Diet Requirements
The Peterbald cat enjoys a high-protein diet to maintain strength and energy. They should be offered a high-quality commercial food that has nothing but meat protein and supplements. The more grains, fruits, and vegetables (which a cat does not need to thrive because they are carnivores) the food has, the less nutrient dense it is. Look for foods that include fish, chicken, beef, or pork as the first ingredients in your Peterbald cat’s food.
These cats are extremely active and require daily exercise. They need access to plenty of interactive toys and time to play with human family members every day. You can walk these cats on a leash like you would a dog with a little bit of training. Mostly, this breed wants to explore and adventure during their waking hours, and anything that you can do to entertain them will help provide the exercise that they need for a happy and healthy life as time goes on.
Training 🧶
These cats can be trained but they prefer not to be. Start with simple commands like come and stay. If your new Peterbald cat takes well to that, you can move on to other things, like playing fetch, jumping through arms, and going to bed. However, these cats need no training to become happy, well-rounded, and affectionate cats while spending time around their family members. If an owner should decide to engage in training, they should consider working with a professional trainer to ensure that proper training commands and exercises are being utilized.
Image Credit: Evgeny Haritonov, Shutterstock
Grooming ✂️
Thanks to the short or non-existent hair on a Peterbald cat, there is no need for combing or brushing. However, the lack of hair can be problematic because oils develop on their skin and can attract dirt. Therefore, these cats can use a bath a couple of times a month. Teeth should be brushed or dental treatment should be offered once a week. No other specific grooming tasks are required, as the activity of this cat will keep their nails naturally trimmed.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Peterbald cat is generally healthy throughout their life, but there are a couple of health conditions that they may be susceptible to due to genetics and lifestyles. Here are the susceptible health conditions that you should know about:
Minor Conditions
Progressive retinal atrophy
Serious Conditions
Kidney stones
Male vs. Female
For the most part, both male and female Peterbald cats are affectionate and dependent on the attention of their human counterparts. Males seem to have a harder time potty training, especially in spaces where they feel the need to mark their territory. Females are a little more dependent on human interaction and encouragement to maintain their carefree lifestyles.
Final Thoughts
The Peterbald cat is an amazing breed that can teach us so much about living in the moment and enjoying every incoming opportunity. They are interactive, sociable, loyal, and demanding of attention, which makes them awesome family pets. What is your favorite feature of the Peterbald cat, and why? Is there anything that you do not like about this breed?
Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about!
