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A fluffy white Maltese and a pink hairless Sphynx cat face each other nose to nose on a grassy lawn at golden hour. 8 / 31

A Fluffy Maltese Has Just Met a Hairless Cat, and Both Are Curious

AI imagemaltesesphynx catfirst meeting

The grass is warm with late sun, and a fluffy white Maltese has just met a pink, wrinkly Sphynx cat. They stand almost nose to nose, the dog's silky snowy coat the opposite of the cat's smooth, soft-looking skin. The Sphynx's huge ears point skyward and her amber eyes are wide, while the Maltese looks on with dark, careful eyes. Potted plants and a wooden fence stand quietly in the background.

We might call them Cotton and Peaches. It is a first hello, so everything is slow and curious, with no barking, hissing or bolting. Each simply takes the other in. The evening light makes the whole lawn glow.

Introductions are best taken gently. Let the animals sniff each other at their own pace, and keep the dog on a leash or in a calm sitting position the first time. Sphynx cats have no coat to speak of, so they get cold easily and need warm blankets, and they are not meant to spend much time outside, so supervise any lawn visit and keep them out of strong sun, which can burn exposed skin. Maltese dogs have long hair that needs regular brushing, and they tend to be affectionate lapdogs. Keeping sessions short and ending on a good note builds trust.

Judging by those calm faces, Cotton and Peaches are already off to a very promising start, with plenty of afternoons ahead.

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