At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
hairless to light down, short-legged
A small, stocky and muscular cat on short legs, with a wedge-shaped head, big wide-set almond eyes and large ears. The skin feels like warm, soft suede and may be completely bare or carry a faint fuzz, and the slim tail tapers like a whip.32
Personality what they are like
A bright, sociable little cat that loves interacting with its people and is happy to be handled. It has a cheeky, lively streak and enjoys games around the house.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Runs, jumps and plays around the home much like a longer-legged cat; daily interactive play suits it well.23
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
With little or no hair, the skin needs gentle baths with warm water and a mild cat-safe wash on a regular basis, plus routine checks of ears, eyes and nails.2
Home where they are happiest
An indoor home kept comfortably warm; a cat jumper in cold weather and shade from strong sun help the bare skin.2
Company who they like around
Very people-focused and thrives on company and shared play.2
The story where it all began
Stephanie and Pat Osborne of Holy Moly Cattery in Arkansas created the Bambino in 2005 by crossing the hairless Sphynx with the short-legged Munchkin. TICA listed it as an experimental new breed the following year.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- TICA
- Experimental new breed since 20061
- REFR (Rare and Exotic Feline Registry)
- Registered breed with a written standard3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bambino. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- 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
You might also like
Sphynx
Munchkin
Dwelf
MinskinLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Bambino cat - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, founders, recognition, name
- Bambino - PetGuide petguide.comused for weight, height, lifespan, care, activity
- Bambino - Rare and Exotic Feline Registry rareexoticfelineregistry.comused for standard, skin, colours, temperament, facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.