Hairless Pets Video

Caring for Hairless Dogs and Cats: Key Takeaways

In this Teaching Moment, Dr. Cliff Faver, DVM explains why hairless pets, such as the Chinese Crested, American Hairless Terrier, Xoloitzcuintli and Sphynx cat, need more oil on their skin, not less.

• Hairless pets belong with the short-coated group. Like short coats, they need more oils for protection because there is no hair to shield the skin.
• Drying products work against you. Hairless pets often get pimples, cysts and debris on the skin, and the instinct is to reach for drying products like benzoyl peroxide. But the cysts form because the sebum is already drying out, so drying the skin further makes it worse.
• Healthy hairless skin should feel supple. Many hairless pets have skin that feels dry and leathery instead.
• For cysts, use CLOSE-OPEN-CLOSE. Conditioner, shampoo, then conditioner helps break down old, hardened sebum so it can be washed away.
• Add gentle warmth. Wrapping the pet in a warm towel during the first conditioning step raises skin temperature slightly and helps open the follicles so the products can work.

Dr. Faver’s Prevention Routine for Hairless Pets

1. Bathe about every two weeks, since hairless skin needs a little more care.
2. Use a mild shampoo that does not strip oils, such as Black Passion Shampoo.
3. Follow with Black Passion Conditioner, which contains argan oil.
4. Apply argan oil daily to keep the skin supple and help prevent cysts.

The good news: hairless pets are easy to bathe and dry quickly. Shop the Black Passion line and read why replacing the sebum layer matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you bathe a hairless dog or cat?

Dr. Faver recommends bathing hairless pets about every two weeks with a mild shampoo and an oil-rich conditioner, plus daily application of argan oil.

Why do hairless dogs get blackheads and cysts?

Cysts and blackheads form when the sebum on the skin dries out and hardens. Drying products can make this worse, so the skin needs more oils, not fewer.

Should I use benzoyl peroxide on my hairless pet’s skin?

Drying products like benzoyl peroxide can dry already-dry hairless skin further. Dr. Faver recommends restoring oils with gentle bathing, conditioner and argan oil instead. Ask your veterinarian about any medicated treatment.