hairless to lightly coated, in four coat types (rubber bald, flock, velour, brush)
A medium, strong-boned and muscular cat whose skin feels warm and velvety, with generous wrinkles on the face and body. Coats range from completely bare from birth (rubber bald) through a chamois-soft flock and a velour type that loses its hair gradually, to a brush coat that keeps more wiry hair. Many grow a light fuzz in winter that disappears again in summer. Large ears, almond eyes and long, slender, slightly webbed toes give it an elfin look.21
Coloursany colour or pattern, shown on the skinexamples: white, black, blue, red, silver, brown, grey23
Personality what they are like
The Donskoy is a warm, loving cat that wants to be part of everything its family does and will happily trail its people from room to room. It is bright, inquisitive and gentle, picks up routines and tricks quickly, and usually gets on well with children and other friendly pets.231
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active and inquisitive. Plan roughly 20-40 minutes of play a day with wand toys and chase games, plus climbing spots such as a cat tree.32
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Without a full coat, skin oils build up, so wipe the skin down regularly and bathe every one to two weeks with a gentle shampoo, avoiding over-bathing. Trim nails, clean ears and brush teeth as routine. Protect the skin from strong sun and keep the cat warm in cool weather.231
Home where they are happiest
Best as an indoor cat in a warm home, with cosy beds or blankets and shade from strong midday sun; a light cat jumper can help in cold weather.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, high-quality, protein-rich cat food. Hairless cats tend to burn more energy keeping warm, so portions should suit the individual's condition and activity.3
Company who they like around
Very social and dislikes long stretches alone; does best with company at home, human or another friendly pet.21
The story where it all began
In 1987 Elena Kovaleva rescued a young blue tortie kitten in Rostov-on-Don who began losing her fur at a few months old. That kitten, Varvara, later had hairless kittens, and breeders including Irina Nemikina built the Don Sphynx from her line, naming it after the Don river. The Donskoy's hairlessness comes from a dominant gene, unlike the Sphynx's recessive one, and it was later used to create the Peterbald.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
The whole breed traces back to one rescued kitten called Varvara.1
2
Its hairless gene is dominant, so it is a genetically different hairless cat from the Canadian Sphynx.1
3
Crossing Donskoys with Oriental Shorthairs produced another Russian breed, the Peterbald.1
4
Its long, slender, slightly webbed toes are often compared to little fingers.2
5
Some Donskoys grow a soft winter fuzz that falls out again when it warms up.1
Where the name comes from the story behind it
The breed name 'Donskoy' comes from the Don River in Russia, where the first hairless kitten was found in the city of Rostov-on-Don. The breed is also called Don Sphynx because it is hairless like the Sphynx cat.4
I follow my human from room to room, my paws padding softly. When they sit, I climb onto their shoulder and rub my cheek against theirs. They laugh and give me a gentle scratch. I investigate a new bag they brought home, sniffing every corner. Then I find my favorite wand toy and bring it to them, meowing. We play for a while; I leap and twist, catching the feather. Later, I curl up on a warm blanket, basking in the afternoon light. I watch them work, then hop onto the desk to sit beside the keyboard.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised breed (Wikipedia gives recognition in 2005)1
FIFe
Fully recognised, Category 4 (code DSP); standard last modified 20125
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Donskoy. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
BathSkin oils build up without fur to absorb themevery 2 weeks
Ear checkClean waxy ears gentlyevery week
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayDaily playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Donskoy tip
Keep treats to under 10% of daily calories and choose simple, single-protein options, as Donskoys can be prone to food sensitivities. Always ask your vet before introducing new treats.
These crunchy biscuits are made with simple ingredients and are a healthier alternative to many shop-bought treats, helping to manage weight when given in moderation.
You need
1 tin of tuna in water (undrained)
1 egg, beaten
250g plain flour (can be gluten-free)
Extra water as needed
How
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Blend the tuna until smooth using a food processor or hand blender.
In a large bowl, combine the blended tuna and beaten egg.
Add the flour and mix thoroughly to form a dough. If too dry, add a little water.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut out small biscuits using small biscuit cutters and place on the lined tray.
Bake for 20 minutes or until crunchy.
Allow to cool completely before storing.
How much: Treats should be given in moderation, not exceeding 10% of daily food allowance. Reduce main meals accordingly.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Donskoy, and at what times?
Feed a high-quality protein-rich cat food; portions depend on your cat's activity and condition. Since Donskoys burn extra energy keeping warm, adjust amounts as needed. For timing and exact portions, check the food label and ask your vet.3
What should a Donskoy eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Feed a complete, high-quality protein-rich cat food. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol, these are especially risky for cats. Always check with your vet for a full list.36
Does a Donskoy need baths?
Yes, Donskoys need regular baths because skin oils build up without fur. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every two weeks using a gentle shampoo. Avoid over-bathing to keep skin healthy.231Pet Wiki plan
How often does a Donskoy need brushing?
The Donskoy is mostly hairless, so brushing is not necessary. Instead, wipe the skin regularly to manage oil buildup. If your cat has a brush coat, a soft brush can be used sparingly.231
How do I trim a Donskoy's claws, and how often?
Trim your Donskoy's claws every two to three weeks. Furry Diary's plan suggests every 21 days. Start slowly, trimming one or two claws per session, and use a proper cat nail trimmer.2317Pet Wiki plan
How much play does a Donskoy need?
Your Donskoy needs about 20 to 40 minutes of active play each day. Use wand toys and chase games, and provide a cat tree for climbing. Daily play keeps this bright cat happy and healthy.32Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Donskoy's teeth and ears?
Brush your Donskoy's teeth daily if possible; Furry Diary's plan suggests every two days. Check ears weekly and clean gently if waxy. Use vet-recommended products for both.231Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Donskoy live?
A Donskoy typically lives between 12 and 15 years. With good care, many enjoy a long, healthy life.3
Is a Donskoy good with children and other pets?
Yes, the Donskoy is gentle and usually gets on well with children and other friendly pets. It's a warm, loving cat that enjoys being part of the family.231
Can a Donskoy be left alone?
Donskoys are very social and dislike being left alone for long periods. They do best with company, either human or another friendly pet. If you're away often, consider a companion.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Sphynx
Peterbald
Ukrainian Levkoy