15 Cat Breeds That Shed the Least (With Pictures)

Cats shed fur because of different reasons, like biological and environmental factors. For instance, seasonal changes from winter to summer are enough to get a feline to shed some fur. Like human beings, cats also undergo stress, allergies, poor diet, or diseases that cause them to shed fur. Cats can have different lengths or amounts of hair on their bodies. Thus, some shed a handful while others can fill a bucket.

Here is a list of cats that won’t subject you to daily vacuum cleaning.

The 15 Cat Breeds That Shed the Least

1. LaPerm

This breed is originally from the United States. It sheds a little fur as a natural process where dead skin falls off or when suffering from ailments or allergies. Since the fur in LaPerm cats varies in length, there isn’t one solution that fits them all. Ensure that the grooming technique and schedule you are using fits your cat.

2. Siamese

The Siamese is among the oldest cat breeds, tracing its origin from Thailand, and they appear in varied color coatings like gray, ebony, white, cream, chocolate, and silver. As compared to other breeds, Siamese also shed little fur bi-annually when seasons change. You can control the shedding if you handle them properly.

3. Korat

Korats are low maintenance cats with a single layer of fur, meaning they do not shed much. They usually shed their fur after the winter season. The short coat length makes them hypoallergenic, implying that they cannot affect people allergic to fur. If allergic reactions have been the main inhibitors to you keeping cats, get a Korat.

4. Sphynx

Having the Sphinx in this list is satirical since it does not even have fur in the first place. But we are concerned about felines that lose little or no fur at all, right? Its hairlessness is a result of genetic mutations. Though it’s primarily identified as hairless, it is covered with fine fur. It should be washed regularly since it is prone to contracting diseases.

Its hairlessness makes it unique, and a Sphynx is darling to many.

5. Burmese

Cat owners with this breed attest that its attributes are as beautiful as its Thai name, which means beautiful and fortunate. They are indeed fortunate because this cat does not shed much fur, meaning those baths are easy, fun, and occasional.

6. Ocicat

They have very short fur, meaning they do not shed much. Their physical attributes border those of the parent breeds; the Siamese and the Abyssinian cats. Other than its many super qualities like intelligence and friendliness, the Ocicat adds more joy to the owners because you will not spend much time cleaning it—and if you do, grooming takes less time.

7. Siberian

You’re probably wondering why this Russian cat has made it to the list because of its long and thick coat. It does shed a lot of fur. However, the process happens seasonally, like twice a year, meaning it is as good as the short-haired ones that do not shed much.

Moreover, they are hypoallergenic. Siberian felines have a three-layered coat and need little maintenance.

8. Singapura

Its name is derived from the country of origin, which is Singapore. It has a very short coat length and sheds very little compared to other breeds, requiring less maintenance and grooming. They are rare because they are categorized as a natural breed with minimal genetic diversity. One or two weekly brushings should be enough for the cat.

9. Bengal

The Bengal is a crossbreed of the Egyptian Mau, Asian leopard cats, and other domestic cats. They are less likely to shed their short fur. The older they get, the more they tend to shed. One unique feature about Bengals is that they like cleaning themselves. The short hair implies that they are more manageable in grooming and cleaning. They are also hypoallergenic.

10. Somali

This is one of the most beautiful, lively, and intelligent cats that humans have ever kept. It is highly adaptable, too. It is of African descent and has long hair, which sheds twice within a year. It has a close relationship with the Abyssinian, a short-haired, improved version of the Somali breed.  They develop a thick coat during the winter season and lose it when spring comes. This means they need more care and attention during spring.

11. Cornish Rex

It has a wavy and curly light coat as a result of crossbreeding. The coat makes it stand out more because, while other felines have three distinct hair types, the Cornish Rex only has one—the undercoat. This characteristic explains the soft and wavy appearance. It is also the reason why they are very delicate now that they lack guard hairs. Like other cats that shed lightly, they require minimal maintenance and grooming.

12. Tonkinese

The Tonkinese is a crossbreed of Siamese and Burmese cats. The breed does little shedding, hence minimal care. They usually clean themselves, so you only need to wash and brush them occasionally, just to remove the dead hair. Since the Tonkinese is a short-haired breed, it is considered hypoallergenic, although no cat is truly hypoallergenic.

13. Bombay

Keeping a Bombay cat is the closest you will ever get to domesticating a panther. It is one of the Burmese-linked breeds and sheds little fur occasionally. Did you know that the Bombay loves swimming? Talk about pets that can replace human friends!

14. Colorpoint Shorthair

Colorpoint Shorthairs have short hair, as the name suggests, and experience very little shedding. The short, silky fur can do with little maintenance. Other than washing them, you can also opt to run a comb to remove head hair quickly. The grooming should be done moderately to avoid hair damage and hair loss.

15. Devon Rex

The Devon Rex cat breed is relatively rare, originally from England. It is one of the most intelligent cat breeds, and its wavy coat earned it the name “poodle cats.” Though they are not entirely hypoallergenic, their wavy coats reduce allergic triggers. The short-haired breed sheds less far, making it friendly to first-time cat owners who may be novices on issues of attending to their cats.

Final Thoughts

It almost sounded like a broken record that cats with a short coat length shed less fur, making them easy to maintain. However, giving minimal care does not mean neglecting your pet because it does not shed a lot. Always handle the cats carefully but be gentler when grooming them when they are shedding because their skin is more delicate in such times. Finally, always keep in touch with a vet and be certain whether the shedding is normal or the cat is sick.

Interested in learning more about different cat breeds? Check out: 

• 15 Cat Breeds with Huge Eyes (with Pictures)
• 10 Lazy Cat Breeds (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Dmitruj, Shutterstock