PeterbaldCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The breed was born in the second half of 1994 in Saint Petersburg, from an experimental mating made by the felinologist Olga S. Mironova: a Donskoy male, Afinogen Myth, and an Oriental Shorthair female and world champion, Radma von Jagerhov.

The first two litters gave four Peterbald kittens, which became the foundation of the breed. The Russian federation SFF adopted the breed in 1996, TICA in 1997, WCF in 2003 and FIFe in 2012. Today the breed is developing towards the modern Oriental and Siamese type: a long muzzle, large ears set wide apart and an elegant body on long legs.

How the breed developed

• 1994 – the first Peterbald kittens, in Saint Petersburg.
• 1996 – standard in the Russian federation SFF.
• 1997 – recognised by TICA.
• 2003 – recognised by WCF.
• 2012 – recognised by FIFe.

• People who spend a lot of time at home. French Wikipedia says it copes badly with being alone.
• Families with children and other pets. It lives in harmony with them.
• Warm homes, indoors only. Hairless cats need warmth and protection from the sun.
• Check the law. In the Netherlands, breeding hairless cats has been banned since 2014.

Its body resembles that of the Oriental Shorthair: slender and muscular, with long legs. French Wikipedia gives 3–7 kg.

General appearance

The head is narrow and long, with a straight profile, a wedge-shaped muzzle, almond-shaped eyes and large ears set wide apart. The tail is long and thin like a whip. It has oval paws and long toes, with which it can grab objects and even open doors with handles.

Kittens can be born completely hairless, with a very fine down (“flock”), with a short, velvety coat (“velour”), with wiry hair (“brush”) or with a straight coat. Those born with hair, except the straight-coated ones, may lose it over time. All colours and patterns are accepted.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Donskoy gave it the dominant gene for hairlessness. The Oriental Shorthair gave it its body. The Sphynx looks similar, but has a different, recessive mutation.

Wikipedia describes it as gentle, affectionate, peaceful, curious, clever and energetic. It meows moderately and follows its owner everywhere.

Socialisation

It usually lives in harmony with other cats and animals and with children. French Wikipedia says that, like the Siamese and the Orientals, it copes badly with being alone and needs a lot of attention.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is energetic and curious; it needs daily play in a warm home.

Tips for a balanced life

• Keep it indoors, in the warmth.
• Protect it from strong sun.
• Do not leave it alone for many hours.

Coat care

Hairless cats have no coat to brush, but the skin needs care: the skin oils are no longer absorbed by hair and must be cleaned off regularly, following the vet's advice. It must be kept warm and protected from the sun.

Common health problems

Wikipedia warns that the dominant gene that causes hairlessness in the Peterbald and the Donskoy could, in cats with two copies of the gene, lead to ectodermal dysplasia: weak teeth and problems with nursing or sweating.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test required for the breed. Ask the breeder how the pairs are chosen, so that no kittens with two copies of the gene are born.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• It opens doors. With its long toes it can grab objects and press door handles.
• Five types of “coat”. Hairless, flock, velour, brush or straight.
• Four founding kittens. The breed descends from four kittens born in 1994.
• Championship since 2009. The breed received championship status in 2009.

Are all Peterbalds hairless?

No. They can have flock, a velour coat, wiry hair or even a straight coat; many lose their hair over time.

Is it good with children?

Yes, it usually lives in harmony with children and other animals.

Does it feel the cold?

Yes, easily; it needs a warm home.

How much does it weigh?

French Wikipedia gives 3–7 kg.