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Hairless cats have been around for an extremely long time, there’s even evidence of them dating back as far as the Aztec period. And then from the early 2000s, cats with no hair became very popular and many breeders set about developing new breeds, often created with the breed that’s considered to be the original hairless cat – the Sphynx. Hairless cat breeds are truly unique in appearance, but they also tend to be very affectionate and are known to climb under duvets and inside jumpers for warmth. If you’re thinking about bringing a beautifully bald cat into your home, you may be wondering about how to care for them and what breeds currently exist. Read on to find out you all you need to know. Are hairless cats actually hairless? First things first, you may be wondering if hairless cats are actually completely hairless. Some cats can be totally bald, but it’s far more common for them to have soft, fine, down-like fur which makes them feel like velvet. This fur may be a fine coating all over, or it may be isolated to patches like their tail or between their toes. Interestingly, some kittens can be born with fur and then they may lose it as they grow up. Are hairless cat breeds hypoallergenic? Many believe that because a cat has no hair, it’s automatically hypoallergenic, but that’s not true.

If you’re looking to bring a new four-legged friend into your home and love the thought of petting a soft coat but don’t want all the grooming requirements of a long-haired breed, a short-haired cat could be just what you’re after. Keep reading to discover how to care for short-haired cat breeds and learn all about our favourites and their unique personalities. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your next furry best friend! Grooming short-haired cats Short-haired cat breeds have relatively easy grooming needs as their coat is much less prone to matting and many tend to do a pretty good job of grooming themselves. With that being said, we still recommend grooming them every week or so, to keep their fur and skin in tip top condition and remove any dead hair which can cause those pesky hairballs. 11 short-haired cat breeds Now you know how to groom short-haired cats, check out our favourite 11 breeds below and find the purrrfect companion to add to your life. 1. British Shorthair

When adopting a cat, don't automatically count out older cats. There are numerous benefits to adopting an older kitty, they're much better suited to those with a busy lifestyle, among other things! Keep reading to learn more reasons why you should consider adopting an older cat. If you're thinking of rehoming a cat, don't automatically opt for the usual cute, fluffy kitten. Although we all love these tiny bundles of fun, there are so many benefits to adopting an older cat that many have never considered. A more senior cat may very well be a better fit for a busy lifestyle and will come home with an established, unique personality already fully formed. In shelters, black cats take around 13% longer to find a new home than other cats. It isn't fully understood why this is the case, but the statistics speak for themselves: cats that are black in colour are less likely to find their forever home. Here's just some of the exclusive benefits that come with adopting an older cat, and why and whywelcoming a senior feline into your home could be so much more rewarding for owners looking to rehome a pet. Why adopt an older cat? Just like humans, cats take some time to establish their personality: their likes and dislikes, particular behaviours, preferred routine and adorable character quirks. When adopting a kitten, it will take over a year for the full strength of their personality to shine through. After all, they need to get through those troublesome teenage 'years' too! On the other hand, ashelter will be able to tell you all about the personality of their senior residents. Finding the right fit for your own family and lifestyle will become so much easier when adopting an older cat, as both parties already know what they want out of the relationship. So,if you’re still debating whether to look forsenior cats for adoption, here are some of the reasons why cats in their golden age might make the perfect pet:

You've heard of them and no doubt you've seen them time and again. Tabby cats are adored all over the world, but do you know where their name comes from or what are the marks of a true tabby cat? Find out all this and more here. From stripes to whorls and spots, the tabby cats strut their patterned fur all over the globe. But as familiar as they are to us, there are plenty of tabby cat facts far from the ordinary. In fact, once you get to know them, there is nothing dull about these kitties. Here are a few reasons why. What is a tabby cat? Many people think that tabby cats are a particular breed, but actually Tabby refers to the coat pattern, which can be present on lots of different breeds. In fact tabby cats will not let themselves be easily crammed into definitions. They sport different colours and sizes, exist across many breeds and wear different coat patterns. But there are groups of tabby cats - the secret is the coat pattern. There is the mackerel tabby cat with long narrow parallel stripes running up and down the sides that are said to resemble a fish skeleton, which is where the pattern's name comes from. It is believed that this pattern was the original one for tabby cats. The classic tabby is the most common of all the tabby cats. They have wider stripes that tend to curve to form circular patterns and three large stripes running from the shoulders to the base of the tail. Similar to the mackerel type, this pattern hasn't escaped food comparisons either as many people liken it to a marble cake. The next two tabby cat types have decided to do without the stripes (or the food comparisons). The spotty tabby shows off their distinct round spots against a background of lighter fur and might even display a faint necklace line. And in contrast to all the tabby cats, a ticked tabby cat exhibits hardly any stripes or spots. Although their coat stripes are very thin and barely visible on legs, face or tail, these are tabby cats through and through. It's not the coat but the hairs themselves that are striped.

If you suffer from allergies you may have given up hope of ever owning a cat, but did you know that there are certain hypoallergenic cat breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If you have a cat allergy, you may have completely given up on the hope of ever owning a pet cat. Some people find that the presence of a cat is enough to bring on itchy eyes and sneezing. But did you know there are actually hypoallergenic cats that might not provoke your allergies? It's important to understand that there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat, probably because there's no such thing as a typically allergic person! Different people are allergic to different things, so some cats that set off your allergies may not affect other people. However, there are certain cat breeds that provoke fewer reactions in people, which may be suitable for those of us who have allergies. Keep reading to find what commonly causes these allergic reactions and discover if any of these hypoallergenic cat breeds are for you. What causes cat allergies? There are many different causes of cat allergies: some people are allergic to cat hair, while others have an allergy to the household dust that is carried within the fur. But it's thought that many people are allergic to the 'Fel d 1' proteins found on cat hair, skin, saliva and dander (dried flakes of skin). All cats produce this protein and male cats actually produce more than females, especially if they're not neutered. Because there are technically no anti-allergy cats, it's recommended that if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around your chosen breed to find out if they trigger your allergies or not. This will give you peace of mind and then you'll safely be able to commit to share your life and home with them. Keep reading to find the most common hypoallergenic cat breeds.

We're often relieved to see the friendly side of our feline companions, but did you know that some breeds show it off more often than others? Here are some of the friendliest cat breeds you can wish for. "Does my cat love me?" Many cat owners have asked themselves this question, feeling slightly apprehensive to find out the honest answer. But while the mystery of a cat's true feelings is likely to endure, we know that they do have a friendly, affectionate side. Felines might not win the dog's long-time title as "a human's best friend" anytime soon, but some cat breeds come pretty close. Whether you're looking for the friendliest cat breed you can bring into your life or you already have a lovely cat to come home to and want to see how they measure up against other feline friends, here are some of the most affectionate cat breeds. Abyssinian - the "You Only Live Once" cat

We're a nation of pet lovers, and rightly so! Cats and dogs offer unconditional love, affection and friendship, as well as a host of therapeutic benefits, such as improved general health and wellbeing - after all, who doesn't like a cuddle from a furry friend at the end of a long day? Choosing between getting a cat or dog can be a tough decision, but generally speaking, dogs require more attention while cats are more independent. But if you like to have a cuddle with your furry friend - and not just when it suits your cat, then perhaps a dog is the right choice for you. Pet owners have lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure and are less likely to suffer from stress, depression and anxiety. A study by the US Department of Health has even shown that owning a pet significantly improves the chances of surviving a heart attack, while a UK study found that people who own a pet deal with stress and loss better than those that don't. So owning a pet is good for more than just cuddles!

With so many cat breeds in the world today, have you ever wondered which one you'd be? Take our quiz here to find out which cat breed matches your personality. Many people don't realise that there are so many different breeds of cat. There's a huge amount to choose from and each have their own unique characteristics and personality traits. Some kitties are friendly and affectionate, while others are aloof cats that prefer spending time alone. There are even cats that act a little bit like dogs! Have you ever wondered what cat breed you are? Well now you can find out! Take our cat breed quiz below, add up your results as you go along and find out what cat breed you are at the end! 1. How do you feel about other people? a) They're great! b) I like people, as long as I'm the centre of attention. c) My family are the only people who matter. d) I don't really mind them. e) Eww, other people. 2. How would others describe you? a) Playful. b) Charming. c) Kind. d) Chilled. e) A loner. 3. Your friends want to hang out, what do you suggest? a) Let's party! b) Shopping, of course. c) I don't mind, I'll let someone else decide. d) Going for a walk somewhere in nature. e) Ugh, no thanks. I'll pass.

You've probably imagined all the cuddles you'll have and the games you'll play with your new fluffy friend, but remember that your cat will be a big part of your life for a long time to come, so it's important you do your homework before you fall in love with the first cat you see. You'll need to make some decisions such as whether you want a cat or a kitten, whether they'll be an indoor or outdoor cat, who will have what responsibilities for them and what type of cat will fit in with your lifestyle. So, where do you start and what can you expect from a feline addition to the family? The benefits of adopting a cat There's no doubt about it, cats make great pets. After all, what's better to come home to at the end of a tough day than a contented purr from a loving bundle of fur?

Buying a kitten can be a bit of minefield. There's so much to consider such as how to find a reputable breeder to begin with and what questions should I ask? At Purina, we've created this guide, complete with handy checklists to give you all the information you need. If you're looking to buy a pedigree kitten from a breeder, there are numerous factors to consider. Before even beginning the search, you'll need to make sure that you have enough time in your busy schedule to dedicate to a new kitten from this day onward, as they mature into a wonderful adult cat. For those that are seriously considering buying a kitten from a breeder, we've created this guide to lead your through the entire process, so you can come out with a healthy and happy four-legged friend to cherish for many years to come. Buying a kitten checklist Before you start thinking about buying a cat, you'll need to consider your own personal circumstances. You need to ask yourself the following questions: • Are you ready for a cat? • Are you prepared to deal with the costs? There are vet fees to bear in mind, such as neutering/spaying and vaccinations. If you choose a long-haired breed there may be grooming costs. Additionally, there will be daily costs such as feeding to consider too. • Are your circumstances right for a cat? This includes your current working hours and your home environment - if you work long hours, is there someone else at home to care for your cat?. • Can you make a lifelong commitment to a cat? On average an indoor cat's lifespan will be between 13-17 years, so you'll need to be able to commit for this amount of time. You'll need to ensure that you can answer yes to all of the above questions, otherwise a cat may not be suitable to you. Which cat breed is right for me? Whilst you may already know what cat breed you want to get, you may find yourself unable to choose (which is hardly surprising as there are so many cute cats out there!). Each breed of cat has their own characteristics and care requirements to bear in mind. These are some good questions to consider:

You've decided to give a cat from a shelter a forever home-a fantastic thing to do! There are so many pets in the world that have been abandoned, abused or simply had owners that were no longer able to take care of them. All of these animals are looking for a second chance at a loving home. Whether you're looking to adopt a kitten or an adult cat with a fully formed, unique personality, there are many things to consider before bringing your new family member home. Find out how to adopt a cat and what you'll need for your new arrival with this guide. How to adopt a cat When considering how to adopt a cat, the first thing you need to do is locate a suitable shelter or charity with an established reputation. You can easily find plenty of these by searching for your local centres online. Once you've located a rescue centre, most have online directories of the cats they currently have up for adoption, alternatively you can speak to the staff at the centre for advice on the kind of cat which will suit you.

Cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people all over the world, but which cats actually have blue eyes? Keep reading to find out more and discover what can cause them. There's something special about a cat with blue eyes. Dazzling baby blues are a fairly unusual feature in the feline world and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to them. Blue eyes in cats are generally caused by a lack of pigment, and all kittens are born with blue eyes because cats don't develop eye pigmentation until they're around six weeks old, when the production of melanin kicks in. Some cat breeds with blue eyes (especially pointed breeds) have a recessive albinism gene, which means that they'll always have bright blue eyes. Whereas other breeds have an extra gene which also blocks the coat colour, so these cats will not only have blue eyes but they'll also be white in colour. Here at Purina, we've created a list of cat breeds with blue eyes for all you blue eyed admirers. Balinese This blue eyed cat breed is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. The Balinese has a silky, flowing coat and gorgeously deep blue eyes. The breed's long and elegant body makes the cat incredibly graceful, and it's thanks to this elegance that they're named after the exotic dancers of Bali. The Balinese are known to be an affectionate breed and are extremely friendly toward their owners. They are willing to shower anyone who gives them attention in lots of love. Birman The Birman is a cat breed with blue eyes that's hard to resist. Their glossy blue eyes gives them a sweet appearance which will have you bending over backwards for them. Their common characteristics are gentle, affectionate and playful, making them ideal as family pets.