Peterbald

Games and sheltered resting places

A rustling tunnel, a ball in an open box or a wand toy may invite a Peterbald to explore. The toy prey can occasionally disappear around a corner and remain still briefly. This gives her a chance to watch, stalk and finally pounce. You should regularly let her catch the attachment. Strings and wand toys should then be put away safely.

It is worth offering places at different heights and in different parts of the home. A securely attached shelf can provide a view, while a den at floor level offers a quiet retreat. Beds for a sparsely coated Peterbald should be soft and free from draughts. She should also be able to reach a cooler place when she feels warm. A radiator or hot water bottle should not serve directly as her sleeping surface.

A window perch can be especially interesting when there is activity outdoors. Windows and balconies should be secured against escapes and falls. An exposed sunny surface is unsuitable for an almost hairless cat, however. You should check whether the sun reaches her resting places at different times of day and makes them too hot. Before bringing her home, a short preparation list can help you arrange climbing routes, resting places and suitable care during absences.

For practical play, food searches and quiet retreats, read Indoor Cat Enrichment: Play, Food Puzzles and Safe Retreats ↗

Everyday cat training: carriers, grooming and confidence ↗

Understanding coat types and skin care

Peterbalds do not all look alike. A fully hairless cat has different care needs from one with a short coat. FIFe’s standard includes flock, a very short velvety fuzz, and brush, a coarser coat that may be wavy. Some cats’ hair coverage changes as they grow. Before taking one home, you should ask how her coat and skin have developed so far.

While stroking her, you can gently check for redness, minor injuries or new crusts. Sparse hair offers less protection from sunlight and scratches. Sleeping surfaces should be kept clean. Whether and how often the skin needs cleaning should be discussed with the veterinary team for the individual cat. A fixed bathing programme based solely on the breed name is of little help. A soft damp cloth may be enough for small areas of dirt when the skin is healthy.

A Peterbald’s whiskers may be curled, short or broken. These sensory hairs help cats detect objects close to them and should neither be cut nor pulled out. Ears also require a gentle approach. An unusual smell, dark discharge or repeated head shaking should be investigated by the veterinary team. You should not try to solve the problem by cleaning deep inside the ear.

From Saint Petersburg to a new home

The breed began in Saint Petersburg in 1994. Olga Mironova crossed a Don Sphynx with an Oriental Shorthair. The first two litters provided important foundation cats for the developing breed. FIFe recognised the Peterbald in 2012. Her slender body, large ears and long, narrow tail reflect the oriental side of her ancestry.

The inherited tendency for changes in hair coverage comes from the Don Sphynx. A Peterbald kitten may be born hairless, with fuzz, with a coarser coat or with straight hair. Some coat types may lose hair later. A photograph of a young kitten therefore does not always show how much hair she will have as an adult.

A kitten should learn about touch, the carrier and necessary care in small, pleasant steps. For an adult, you can ask about familiar routines before bringing her home. If an older cat becomes stiff or has difficulty reaching favourite places, those places should be made easier to access. Such changes should also be examined by the veterinary team. An extra low step can make daily life easier while the cause is investigated.

Kitten, adult, senior: care that changes with your cat ↗