Donskoy Cat Breed Information - Everything You Want To Know

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The Donskoy is a hairless breed of cat that originated in Russia.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not related to the famous Sphynx, which is hairless because of a genetic mutation in its Keratin Gene 71.

The Donskoy is an even-tempered Cat, famous for its ability to befriend anyone that seems nice and engaging.

They can also be mischievous at times, so don’t be fooled by their cute side.

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Donskoy History

The Donskoy originated when a hairless cat was discovered in the Russian city of Rostov on Don by the famous breeder named Elena Kovaleva.

Elena rescued a kitten that, at the age of four months, started shedding all of its fur, and eventually became hairless.

This cat eventually mated with a local tomcat and produced a litter of four kittens that became the founding stock of the Donskoy breed.

Later this stock was crossed with European cats such as the British Shorthair.

The Donskoy took a while to be officially recognized by international cat associations.

The WCF accepted it in 1997, while TICA accepted them as an official breed in 2005.

The Donskoy is also responsible for producing the Peterbald breed, which resulted from crossing the Donskoy with oriental shorthair.

Donskoy Key Facts

As a hairless breed, the Donskoy may require your help to keep it warm when the temperature drops.

It is usually best to have a sweater or blanket at hand, especially during the winters =, in case they become cold.

You should also ensure that they spend most of their time indoors to avoid getting hurt.

The Donskoy is an active and curious breed that loves playing and interacting with others.

They may want to spend a lot of time with their family and follow their owner around the house.

If you are usually busy and don’t have much time to engage with your Donskoy, you may want to keep a few interactive toys to keep your cat busy while you are away.

How Big Do Donskoy Get?

The Donskoy is a medium-sized cat. Your cat’s exact weight and height can vary depending on its specific genes.

But on average, a Donskoy can weigh between 6 – 15 pounds and reach a height of up to 12 inches.

If your cat is overweight, make sure you become more conscious of your feeding pattern, as obesity can lead to early death.

Donskoy Lifespan

The Donskoy is a loving, relaxed, and active cat. This makes them super chill and stress-free. They only become stressed when they are left alone for long periods.

Due to their good health, a Donskoy can live between 12 – 15 years. You can ensure that your cat lives towards the upper end of this scale by taking good care of them.

How Much Does A Donskoy Cost?

The average price of a Donskoy ranges between $800 – $2,000. These prices can vary depending on the breeder you are buying from.

Reputable breeders usually charge more as they spend more time and effort to ensure that their cats are free from any genetic disadvantages.

Other costs include things like accessories, medical bills, and food.

Donskoy Personality

The Donskoy is perhaps one of the most caring, loving, and gentle breeds in the world. They are known to have friendly behavior with humans and other pets.

This makes them excellent family pets, especially for households with children.

These hairless felines love to be lifted by their human, which is unique to this cat, as most cats love to be left alone.

But the Donskoy loves to be the center of attention.

One of the most important things to consider while buying or adopting a Donskoy is that this breed requires constant companionship.

Leaving them alone for long periods can prove detrimental to their mental health.

Caring For A Donskoy

The Donskoy has all the basic needs similar to other cats, but as a hairless breed, there are certain things that you need to be careful about when dealing with the Donskoy.

One of the most important things to consider is their bare skin, which can easily get rashed or bruised if you don’t take proper care.

So, keep reading as we tell you how you can care for your Donskoy.

Donskoy Nutrition

The Donskoy has a higher body temperature to keep itself warm, as there is no coat to keep the temperature at optimal levels.

This rise in body temperature means that the Donskoy has a higher or faster metabolic rate that requires more energy to maintain.

So, what does all that mean? Put simply, you have to feed more food to the Donskoy as it has higher nutritional requirements.

How To Groom A Donskoy?

Grooming the Donskoy is a simple and easy task with certain things that might require extra effort.

As the Donskoy doesn’t have any hair to care for, you can relax about the shedding and the brushing.

But on the other hand, they have the problem of having exposed skin throughout their body.

This exposed skin can be subject to problems like rashes, insect bites, and burns.

Additionally, you also have to keep in mind that cats produce oils on their skin, which are normally removed by their hair, so, in the absence of hair, the cat removes it by licking.

You can help your cat in this process by bathing them with a high-quality shampoo every month or twice per month.

Donskoy Activity Levels

The Donskoy is a relaxed yet fun-loving cat. They love to play and have fun whenever they get a chance to.

This playfulness makes the Donskoy a fun and active cat. If your furry fellow is left to its own devices for long periods, it can become neurotic and bored.

So, ensure that you have some toys to keep your kitty engaged.