• Benefits from an experienced owner
• Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat

• Very talkative cat
• Lean and elegant cat
• Requires grooming once a week
• Indoor cat

• Not ideal for family homes
• Can be regularly left for a few hours
• Needs a calm environment

 

These hairless cats were discovered in 1966 when a genetic mutation produced a hairless kitten in a litter of domestic shorthair cats in Ontario, Canada. There have been hairless cats known throughout history – in fact the Aztecs were said to keep them – and the hairless gene wherever it occurs (known also in dogs, guineapigs, mice and rats) has always appealed to some humans as an attractive feature to selectively breed for in pet animals.   Most of the modern Sphynx cats today are descended from two kittens found in Minnesota in 1975, and three kittens found in Toronto in the 1978.    Although often described as suitable for allergy sufferers, this is only true of the most hairless examples, and only true if the sufferer is allergic to hair, rather than cat saliva or dander.

 

 

 

Whilst the Sphynx cat is athletic, active and strong, and would love the space the outdoor world provides, the fact is without a protective fur coat they are not suited to outdoor living. Consider this an indoor cat, who requires a warm home, and would benefit from access to a heated ‘catio’ or even from supervised trips outdoors if you have the patience to teach them to walk on a lead and harness. 

 

 

 

Being home with you and able to engage and interact with you frequently is the Sphynx cats idea of heaven. Provide plenty of toys, food dispensing puzzles, cat trees and jungle-gyms, but even with this level of in-house entertainment, expect your Sphynx to amuse themselves with classic cat hobbies such as ‘Pushing Things Off Surfaces’ and ‘Running Away with Pens’ and ‘Sitting on Important Documents’. The Sphynx very much needs amusement and the more you provide, hopefully the less your Sphynx will go ‘self-employed’. You can train Sphynx cats using positive reinforcement, but they retain a strong sense of humour and mayhem, which you’ll need to embrace fully to be a happy Sphynx cat owner. 

 

 

 

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it’s not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain ‘ideal body condition’ in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes. 

 

 

 

The Sphynx cat’s sparse fur and skin does need regular bathing and maintenance so get your kitten used to being bathed or sponged, and particularly to having ears cleaned, from a very young age so that this is an enjoyable bonding time and not a battle. As with all cats, this breed needs regular vaccinations, parasite control and annual health checks. 

 

You might assume that a cat with little-to-no fur wouldn’t require much grooming, but in fact, the sphynx cat needs more grooming than many other normally furred breeds. Because they have no hair to absorb their body oils, the sphynx cat’s skin must be washed regularly to maintain a healthy balance of oil and prevent skin problems and oil spots on furniture.  You should bathe your sphynx cat weekly or biweekly to remove oil buildup. Use a gentle shampoo formulated specifically for cats to avoid skin irritation or excessive dryness. Most breeders of sphynx cats accustomed the kittens to regular baths, so the majority of these felines are quite agreeable to submersion in water, unlike many other breeds of felines.  Another area to focus on is your sphynx’s ears. Due to the lack of fur, these cats tend to accumulate quite a bit of wax and dust inside their ears, which is both unsightly and potentially a source of infection. Use a cotton ball—not a swab—to gently remove wax and grime from your pet’s ears once per week. If you notice redness, sores or scabs, excessive debris, or a bad smell, it’s time for a call to your veterinarian.

 

 

Because they’re hairless, sphynx cats don’t shed like other cats do, and you don’t need to worry about getting fur on your furniture or clothes.  Contrary to popular belief, sphynx cats are not completely hypoallergenic. They may look hairless, but these cats are actually covered in a very fine, suede-like coat. Doctors may, however, still recommend a sphynx cat as a solution for cat lovers who are searching for a breed that carries less allergens on their fur than others. 

 

 

 

For those like an extreme cat, who requires more attention than the average feline, the Sphynx may be ideal, however they are not brilliant with very young children and they do need access to a variety of warm spots, beds to snuggle up in, and heating on in cooler weather. Not for the chilly home with doors and windows open all year round! 

 

 

 

Petting a sphynx cat is often compared to stroking warm, purring suede. These hairless cats are extremely affectionate and devoted, loving nothing more than a cuddle in your lap or a nap in your bed, preferably with you beside them. They enjoy playing, but do not demand a tremendous amount of exercise. Still, these intelligent and outgoing felines get along well with humans young and old, other cats, and most dogs.  Because Sphynx’s hate to be alone for long and do require quite a bit of attention, it’s best to choose another breed if your lifestyle requires you to be gone from home for long periods, or if you don’t have the time or the desire to groom your cat regularly.  

 

 

Loving, playful, loyal Gets along well with other cats and dogs Hairless, so no shedding 

 

 

– Prone to sunburn and can’t tolerate cold temperatures.          

– Allergens are still secreted through the saliva and skin.