Sara Nelson
Do you love animals, but can’t stand the thought of dealing with hair? If so, you’ll love our list of top 10 hairless animals!
These creatures were a trend and don’t require any extra grooming. From the adorable naked mole-rat to the sleek Sphynx cat, get to learn more about these hairless animals.
So if you’re looking for a pet that is low-maintenance and adorable, be sure to get a hairless dog or cat. But before that, check out this cool list of the top 10 hairless animals!
1. Hairless Dogs
There are a few hairless dog breeds to consider. Some, like the Chinese Cresteds, have just a little bit of hair; others, like the Xoloitzcuintli (that’s Xolo for short), have no hair at all.
American hairless terriers, the Khala, and Peruvian Incan orchids are three other rare breed dogs that lack fur.
The majority of hairless dogs in existence are bred purposefully for their unique baldness, but occasionally hairless puppies are produced when prematurely born. When this happens, breeders usually refrain from breeding the affected dog.
Related: 40+ Best Hairless Dog Names
2. Hairless Cats
Sphynx and Peterbald cats are two genetically unique hairless breeds that have recently begun to appear in the pet market in high numbers. There are many more furless cat breeds, but whether they are genetically distinct from sphynxes and peterbalds is unknown.
Related: Best Sphynx Cat Names
These tiny naked cats are adored by pet owners. They’re obnoxiously pleasant (or maybe it’s because they want to use our laps for warmth—we may never know) and often very colorful.
3. Featherless Chickens
Scientists in Tel Aviv developed featherless broiler chickens to provide a viable food source in tropical countries. Unfortunately, the birds did not grow as large as normal meat chickens and could not reproduce on their own where the roosters lacked the balance required to mate.
While the Tel Aviv project was a failure, several featherless chickens did find their way into the pet population.
4. Hairless Cattle
Hairless calves appear frequently, but farmers usually slaughter them off at the start since they are more prone to health problems and rarely survive adulthood.
Occasionally, hairless calves can mature successfully. These cattle are similarly prone to sunburn as other hairless animals, and they are less able to withstand colder weather than regular furred animals.
5. Spineless Hedgehogs
This is Spud, the world’s only spineless hedgehog, all balled up. He was given to the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in the United Kingdom, where he currently enjoys many warm baths and plenty of attention from staff and visitors.
6. Hairless Rabbits
At Texas A&M University in Kingsville, hairless rabbits are being bred for meat production. The facility houses around 50 individuals who are being bred to create a rabbit that can survive tropical heat.
The goal is to utilize these resilient bunnies as a food source in developing countries.
Rabbits with no fur have also been observed in the wild, but they usually die from severe illnesses sooner than later.
7. Hairless Hamsters
Hairless Syrian hamsters (sometimes known as alien hamsters by enthusiasts) may appear strange to some, but they’ve been in the pet trade for years.
Fur-free hamsters are becoming increasingly popular as pets rather than as feeders. Unfortunately, they catch colds more readily than their furry relatives and may go into hibernation when other hamsters would not.
8. Hairless Horses
In 1860, the first hairless horse was discovered among a herd of zebras in South Africa. The horse was captured and studied before being exhibited. She moved to England in 1894, where she performed in a circus, went on fox hunts, and stayed at London’s Crystal Palace.
What became of the first known hairless horse is a mystery, but many more have since been found in other nations in both feral and domestic populations.
While they may not be able to keep you warm in winter, they’ll certainly make you laugh with their funny looks and quirky personalities. Do you have a hairless pet? Share your photos with us in the comments below!
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings