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Bambino Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

bambino standing

Bambino Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Bambino is a rarer cat breed 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.

Breed Overview

Breed Overview

Height:

7–8 inches

Weight:

4–9 pounds; males are larger than females

Lifespan:

9–15 years

Colors:

Solid black, white, or cream (though just about anything is possible)

Suitable for:

Families with plenty of time

Temperament:

Outgoing, friendly, playful

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 Characteristics

Energy
+
A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

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Bambino Kittens

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.

The Parent Breeds of Bambino Cat
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 along 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 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!

3 cat dividerThings to Know When Owning a Bambino Cat

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

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 litter box train. Many people report that they do not have any problems training these cats to use the litter box or do any simple tasks.

Grooming ✂️

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

Males 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 sex is not much different either.

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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!

cat paw dividerConclusion

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!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock

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