Cats shed hair for many different reasons, including biological and environmental factors. For instance, seasonal changes from winter to summer are enough to make a feline lose some hair. Also, like human beings, cats can deal with stress, allergies, a poor diet, or diseases that cause them to shed. While all cats shed, there are some that do so in smaller amounts.
While cleaning up hair is just par for the course of having a cat, here is a list of cats that are less likely to subject you to a daily vacuum cleaning.
The 15 Cat Breeds That Shed the Least
1. LaPerm
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Short, long |
| Weight: | 8–10 pounds |
LaPerm cats are known for their curly locks, hence the name. As unique as their hair coat may be, it also tends to shed less than other cat breeds, making them more ideal for allergy sufferers. But that doesn’t mean you don’t still have to groom. The long-coated variety will especially need regular brushing.
2. Siamese
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–14 pounds |
The Siamese is among the oldest cat breeds, tracing their origins to Thailand, and they all appear with the pointed color pattern in a variety of shades, including chocolate, blue, seal, and lilac. They have fine, short hair that is less likely to shed, except during seasonal changes. Shedding can be best managed with regular grooming.
3. Korat
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
Korats are low-maintenance cats with a single-layer hair coat, meaning they tend to shed less, mainly after the winter season. This infrequent shedding makes them better for allergy sufferers, although it’s important to note that no cat is truly hypoallergenic. If allergic reactions have been the main inhibitors to you getting a cat, consider a Korat.
4. Sphynx
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Hairless |
| Weight: | 6–14 pounds |
Having the Sphinx on this list may seem funny because they do not have hair in the first place. But they’re certainly a feline that sheds less! Their hairlessness is a result of a genetic mutation, and isn’t completely correct. Most Sphynx actually have a covering for fine peach fuzz that can shed. They should still be washed regularly since they can be prone to developing greasy skin.
5. Burmese
| Shedding Amount: | Seasonal |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 8–15 pounds |
Burmese cats were once seen as a symbol of good fortune. They are indeed fortunate because this cat does not shed much fur, meaning grooming is easy, low maintenance, and occasional.
6. Ocicat
| Shedding Amount: | Seasonal |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–15 pounds |
These cats have very short fur that happens to not shed much. Their physical attributes mimic those of their parent breeds, the Siamese and the Abyssinian. Other than their many super qualities, such as intelligence and friendliness, the Ocicat adds more joy to the owners because you will not spend much time cleaning them. And when you do, grooming takes less time.
7. Siberian
| Shedding Amount: | Seasonal |
| Coat Length: | Long |
| Weight: | 12–15 pounds |
If you want a long-haired breed that tends to shed less, consider the Siberian. These kitties have a triple coat that does shed but typically only seasonally. While your home won’t be completely hair-free, it will be less so than with other long-haired breeds.
8. Singapura
Shedding Amount:
Infrequent
Coat Length:
Short
Weight:
4–8 pounds
Their name is derived from their country of origin, which is Singapore. They have a very short coat length and shed very little compared to other breeds, requiring less maintenance and grooming. One or two weekly brushings should be enough to control their loose hairs.
9. Bengal
| Shedding Amount: | Seasonal |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 8–15 pounds |
The Bengal is a crossbreed of the Asian leopard cat and other domestic cats. They are less likely to shed their spotted hair coat, although changes in season can cause them to lose a lot of hair. The short hair implies that they are more manageable in grooming and cleaning, and they may be easier to deal with allergy wise.
10. Somali
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Long |
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
Shedding is relative when you’re dealing with long-haired cat breeds. Fortunately, the Somali is one long-haired breed that tends to shed less than others with a similar length of hair coat. You can still expect them to shed more with seasonal changes, but this can be best managed with regular grooming.
11. Cornish Rex
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
This cat has a wavy or curly hair coat as the result of a genetic mutation. Besides the luxurious curls, this coat stands out because it lacks the guard hairs and is made up of only the soft undercoat. Like other cats that shed lightly, they require minimal maintenance and grooming.
12. Tonkinese
| Shedding Amount: | Occasional |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–12 pounds |
The Tonkinese is a crossbreed between the Siamese and Burmese cats. Since both parent breeds tend to shed less, it only makes sense that their offspring will too.
13. Bombay
| Shedding Amount: | Seasonal |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 8–15 pounds |
Keeping a Bombay cat is the closest you will ever get to domesticating a panther. These low shedders are low maintenance, only needing occasional grooming.
14. Colorpoint Shorthair
| Shedding Amount: | Occasional |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 5–10 pounds |
Colorpoint Shorthairs have short hair, as their name suggests, and experience minimal shedding. The short, silky fur can make do with little maintenance. Other than washing them, you can opt to run a comb through to remove dead hair quickly. The grooming should be done moderately to avoid hair damage and loss.
15. Devon Rex
| Shedding Amount: | Infrequent |
| Coat Length: | Short |
| Weight: | 6–9 pounds |
The Devon Rex is another breed with the rex mutation that creates wavy or curly hair. This short-haired breed sheds less fur, making them very low maintenance as far as grooming goes. In fact, their hair coat is fairly delicate and can actually be damaged by too much brushing.
Final Thoughts
While no cat is fully shed-free, there are some cat breeds that lose less hair than others. Also, keep in mind that no cat is hypoallergenic, but there may be some correlation between the amount of shedding and a cat’s ability to trigger allergies. Regular grooming is the best way to deal with shedding, and be sure to contact your vet if you think your cat’s shedding is abnormal.
Interested in learning more about different cat breeds? Check out:
Featured Image Credit: Dmitruj, Shutterstock
