Peterbald vs Owyhee Bob - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

As a newer and rare cat breed, the Peterbald cat’s history is somewhat limited.

The breed was first developed in 1994, when a Russian breeder named Olga S. Mironova crossed an Oriental Shorthair cat with a Don Sphynx cat. This cat was to be known as the Peterbald.

The Peterbald cat is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. It was also accepted by The International Cat Association in 1997.

This breed of cat is a cross between two fantastic cat breeds – the Manx and the Siamese. It’s a cat breed that is recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry.

The Owyhee Bob is also just casually referred to as the Owyhee and it's an experimental feline breed.

It’s from the USA and is polydactyl, which means that the cat carries the genes of the Manx while the other breed used to create them is the Siamese.

Looking a little bit futuristic, with a long, narrow head, almond-shaped eyes and large, pointed ears, the medium-sized, slimly built Peterbald cat can weigh between 3 and 6kg and is essentially a hairless cat.

Although Peterbalds are considered a cat breed that are essentially hairless, not all of them are hairless as there are some that have a very short coat. There are some that are born with quite a bit of hair but they lose this.

In fact, their coat color as well as certain markings can be in various shades and patterns.

Temperament:

Peterbalds are easy-going, social cats with a sweet nature. They are affectionate towards their human companions and are quite vocal too, liking to talk to their owners. They are active and playful and enjoy playing with children and even other pets in the home.

In fact, they are adaptable cats and will slot into different home environments and lifestyles. The hairless variety is best as an indoor cat and this is why they suit living in apartments as well.

They are independent and intelligent, and people who have owned them say their pets often behave like a dog, wanting to be involved in their human's activities.

The cat has spotted or marbled markings on his coat which can be long or short. In fact, the coat can be in all colors and patterns.

Its a medium to large-sized cat, muscular with a round head and medium to large-sized ears that have some feathering around the rounded tips.

The tail too can be long or short but the preferred look is the stumpy tail. The cat has large oval eyes that are wide-set and blue, like one of the parent cats - the Siamese.

Temperament:

The Owyhee Bob is a social cat and very playful. He likes nothing more than to be part of his human family. He is intelligent too and becomes a loving and loyal pet.

The personality of the Owyhee Bob is sweet-tempered and social. They are also these kinds of cats that follow you wherever you go and when you sit down, they’re eager to be in your lap.

These cats don’t do well in homes where their humans work all day, every day and they are left in solitude hour after hour.

Remember that the socialization you give your kitten as well as the environment it grows up in can play a role in the temperament of your cat.

These Peterbalds are very intelligent cats and also very affectionate with their human owners. They are always up for a game and are playful and social.

While they make excellent family pets and companions, one just has to take special precautions with the hairless variety and ensure that they don't become too hot or too cold.

They’re balanced in nature and adapt to the different human personalities in the household as long as its human owners are kind and respectful towards animals. With the right level of love, kindness and respect, they become ideal companions.

The Owyhee cat in your home becomes a wonderful pet. They’ve got such playful, jaunty personalities and they’re clever too.

Social, sweet-tempered, and active, you won’t be disappointed by having such an awesome feline companion in your home.

After all, he has fantastic parent breeds – the Siamese and the Manx – and the two blended together brings out all the most amazing characteristics in the Owyhee Bob cat.

One of the more obvious things to watch out for with this particular cat is his hairlessness. This means he is more susceptible to the cold as well as to the heat. If he is outdoors, you have to be careful with his skin as it could get burned. Rough play with children could also cause scratching of the sensitive skin.

This particular cat is a fairly new breed and so there are few genetically inherited problems to be careful of.

Their large ears might prove to be a problem, and you will need to check the interiors and see that they remain clean. Also, trim his claws. If you fear that you could hurt your cat while attempting to groom him, rather take him along to professional, reputable pet groomers or have your vet do these grooming processes for you.

Whenever your Peterbald is sick you will need to get him to the vet. As it is, as a kitten, he will need to be taken to the vet to have his regular vaccines to protect him from some of the deadly cat diseases there are.

Every cat, regardless of how healthy can get ill. If you don’t want your cat to become a parent, he or she will need to be spayed or neutered as well which comes with a host of health benefits.

If you worry about the cost of vet bills, you can rather pay a small amount each month for pet insurance.

Certainly, as a cat owner, you need to recognize the signs and symptoms of some of the more common illnesses your cat could get so that you can get your feline pet to the vet before he gets too sick by neglecting it.

Cancer:

Cancer is a killer disease where cells grow uncontrollably so that the disease spreads to every area of the body. Cats can get different types of cancer but you need to know some of the symptoms to watch out for.

Your cat may lose weight, you’ll maybe notice a difficulty with swallowing, he has a sore that won’t heal, he doesn’t want to eat, he is losing weight and he may have a new, unusual lump.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV):

This is a tricky illness and cats infected with this disease may not show symptoms until years after they were infected. With this disease, the cat’s immune system is weakened and the cat is open to all kinds of other secondary infections.

Worms:

Parasites can make a cat seriously ill. It is why vets deworm kittens. Infestations of worms can cause a host of symptoms. Certainly, your cat is listless, dull and the hair may even fall out.

Grooming:

The Peterbald cat with its little or no hair is considered to be a low-maintenance cat. Their owners don’t have to worry about excessive shedding. Bathing these cats is important so that oils don't build up and cause skin irritation.

These cats are also best as indoor cats, but then again, some gentle sunshine on the skin will do him the world of good, and he loves the feel of the warm sun.

There are some Peterbald cat owners who gently bath their cats, sometimes once a week to get rid of the oil on the skin. If it isn’t possible to bath your cat, check out at your local vet as you do get special wipes for these cats that are effective in removing dirt and oil.

Also, speak to your vet about skincare and the possibility of moisturizing creams specially made for these cats and which are gentle and non-toxic.

Diet:

This is a slim, athletic cat, and like all other cats, you have to be careful about weight issues. Any amount of weight with this cat can bring on a host of health issues such as extra pressure on the joints, not to mention other weight-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Your Owyhee Bob is a social cat so he will require interest and companionship from his human owners.

Choose the best cat food that there is. Your Owyhee Bob cat is a carnivore and he will require excellent cat food to ensure his health. Make sure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide a litter tray and clean it out every day.

Provide a warm, dry bed for your cat, stimulating toys, a scratching-post, climbing tree, food and water bowls, a collar and grooming accessories.

Get you Owyhee Bob to the vet when he shows any sign of illness. Make sure that he gets his kitten vaccines.