Solid black, white, or cream (though just about anything is possible)
Suitable for:
Families with plenty of time
Temperament:
Outgoing, friendly, playful
The Bambino is a rarer breed of cat that is also a bit controversial. They are a mix between the hairless Sphynx cat and the short-legged Munchkin. This makes them very short, hairless cats. In this sense, they are unique–something you’d expect from the child of arguably the two most unique cat breeds around.
This is a newer breed, so their temperament isn’t exactly set in stone yet. They are currently being developed by several breeders, though there is some controversy that surrounds their development
Bambino Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…
This breed is a mix between a Sphynx and a Munchkin. They often have short legs, upright ears and are typically hairless. They can vary quite a bit, though. Some don’t have very short legs, and some have quite a bit of hair.
These cats are quite outgoing and active. They love to run around, and many seem not to be held back by their shorter legs. They love to play and often stay very kitten-like throughout their life. They do best in families that will pay plenty of attention to them, as they are entirely dependent on their people.
They aren’t the healthiest breed but are generally okay as long as you properly care for them. They do need some special care due to their hairless skin and short legs. This care is essential to ensuring that they grow into relatively healthy cats.
What’s the Price of Bambino Kittens?
These cats are scarce, so they are quite expensive. They average about $1,800 to $3,000. These cats are extremely expensive because they are difficult to find. It is a simple matter of supply and demand. More people want these cats than they are available, which drives the price up quite a bit.
How the cat looks will affect the price. Those that are hairless and have short legs are often more expensive, as they are also quite rare. You may pay less if you choose a cat with hair or with average-length legs.
3 Little-Known Facts About Bambino Cats
1. These cats are not always hairless.
These cats are not always hairless. Many of them can have just a tiny bit of fur. Other cats can have a full coat. These are called “coated Bambinos”.
2. These cats don’t always have short legs.
Similar to their hairlessness, these cats do not always have short legs. Some of them have moderately short legs, and others have normal-length legs.
3. Bambino cats are very expensive.
These cats are rare, so they are quite expensive!
The Parent Breeds of Bambino Cat: Image Credit: (L) MDavidova, Shutterst | (R) Igor Lukin, Pixabay
Temperament & Intelligence of the Bambino Cats
These cats are brilliant and friendly. They are bred as companion cats, so they are quite friendly and tend to get along with just about everyone. They love their people, whether it is playing or cuddling. They are very affectionate overall.
They get around with just about everyone, including dogs. Many are very friendly towards dogs, even those that are a bit hyper. They are very adaptable, so they do well in just about every home. They are okay with changes to their environment and even do well with travel.
They are quite intelligent and even a bit trainable. They can be a bit stubborn so that they won’t listen to you all the time. They are a high-energy breed, so they need a lot of playtime. They require many toys to keep them entertained and happy. You should have plenty of time to pay attention to them if you decide to adopt them.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Yes. They are very good with most families. They are quite affectionate and friendly. They get along well with just about everyone and bond quickly with practically everyone. They are okay with children as long as they are gentle.
For these reasons, they are quite loving with their family members and do well with many different families.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Yes. They get along with just about any pet out there. They are fine with other cats and dogs. They do have hunting instincts, so they should not be left alone with rabbits, rats, or other small animals. They may decide to hunt them, which will not end well!
These cats do not require any particular nutrients. They do just fine with any high-quality cat foods out there. They need a lot of protein and fat, just like any other cat breed. For this reason, we recommend foods with a lot of meat. Meat is naturally high in protein and fat, which is exactly what your feline means.
As you might imagine, grain is not necessarily suitable for these cats. A bit is okay, but it should not be a significant component of your cat’s food.
Exercise 🐈
These cats are very active. They tend to like a lot of playtime. For this reason, you should expect to play with them to wear them out. Kittens are even more active. Lots of cat toys are necessary. You should have many different types, at least until you know what your cat likes.
Climbing trees are also the right decision. These cats like to climb. It is always best to give them something appropriate to climb, or they may find their fun place to climb – which may not be where you want them to climb!
Training 🧶
These cats are very people-pleasing. They are incredibly trainable for this reason. They like to do just about anything you ask them to do. They aren’t brilliant, but they are smart enough to learn most commands.
They are easy to litterbox train. Many people report that they do not have any problems training these cats to use the litter box or do any simple tasks.
These cats are typically furless. For this reason, they do not need regular grooming. They don’t need to be brushed like a typical feline. However, they do require some other grooming that you need to keep an eye on.
They are an adaptable breed, so they don’t require too much grooming. There are some things to keep in mind, though.
They require weekly baths. They are okay with keeping themselves clean. However, they do need a bit of help with some of their grooming. Bi-weekly baths may work for some cats, especially if they don’t tend to get very dirty. A cat’s hair usually absorbs many of its excess oils, but Bambinos do not have their fur to help them in this way.
You will need to bathe them with water and mild soap. The soap needs to be made for sensitive skin, as they often have susceptible skin. Aloe and oatmeal soap are the best, but other kinds can work as well.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Despite some of the common misconceptions, these cats are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a severe heart condition. This comes from the Sphynx breed and is genetic. If the kitten’s parents are affected by this, the kitten is more likely to be affected by this problem. This is one reason why genetic testing is so important. You need to choose a kitten from a qualified breeder to prevent these health problems.
These cats have a high metabolism, so they are somewhat sensitive to the cold. You may need to put them in a sweater or something similar.
Minor Conditions
Sensitive to cold
Serious Conditions
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Male vs Female
Male and females of this breed are very similar. Males are a bit bigger. However, there is no significant difference between these breeds beyond this.
The price between each gender is not much different either.
Conclusion
These short, hairless cats are unique. Because of this, they require some special care, like regular baths. They are also quite rare, which makes them expensive.
While these cats are hairless and have very short legs, not all are hairless, and some have average-length legs.
These cats are incredibly active. They require a lot of playtime and attention. For this reason, they should only be adopted if you have plenty of time to commit to them!
Featured Image Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
