Sphynx cats are known worldwide for its hairless coat. They are one of the few hairless breeds in the feline world. However, they do not lack hair completely. Fine down covers their skin which gives their skin a suede-like or chamois texture. Their light hair is visible on their nose and the back of their ears.
This cat breed adores attention and usually attracts it wherever they go. They are curious, highly intelligent, extremely friendly, and sociable, which makes them a great choice for families. Sphynx cats are dedicated and loyal to their owners. They make a very loving feline companion to people of all ages. These adorable cats are warm and soft to touch and can frequently be found napping with their owners. Coined as a "Velcro lap cat", Sphynx cats desire to be with their person all the time. Furthermore, these sociable cats love to greet every new person visiting their home. They get along well with children, dogs, and other cats.
Sphynx cats are active, agile, and alert kind of breed. Their comical antics is a constant source of entertainment in a household. They are often referred to as being "elf-like". Kittens and young adults are playful and silly. They can entertain themselves for many hours, especially if playing with another cat. Remember to keep an eye to these silly cats as they use their long toes to open cupboards, doors and anything that gets their attention. Throw them some plastic mice, and they love a game of fetch or chase.
A Sphynx cat's main feature is its lack of fur, and additionally, they don't have whiskers or eyelashes. Their head is similar to Devon Rex, another very similar cat breed. Their lemon-shaped eyes are deep-set, and their fine-boned body is muscular and has a barrel chest. Their long legs are slender and have a bow-legged appearance caused by the barrel chest. Their long tail is tapering and hard to the touch. They are warm and soft to touch. It is impossible not to want to snuggle or cuddle up with a Sphynx cat, especially in cold weather.
They are medium-sized cats with a wrinkled face and body and satellite-dish ears. Sphynx cats weigh three to six kilograms and come in almost any colour or pattern, including solid, pointed, tabby and tortoiseshell.
Breed Information
- Grooming: Once a Week 2/10
- Shedding: Low 2/10
- Hypoallergenic: Intensive 10/10
- Activity Level: Medium 6/10
- Playfulness: High 10/10
- Friendliness to other pets: High 10/10
- Friendliness to children: High 10/10
- Affection towards it’s owners: High 10/10
- Vocality: High 10/10
- Intelligence: High 10/10
- Independence: Low 2/10
History
During the mid-sixties, Sphynx cats were first developed and produced in Canada, and it occurred rather by accident to begin. This happened when a domestic shorthair cat had a litter of kittens, one of which was born hairless. This particular kitten was a male and was named Prune. When Prune was old enough, he was bred back to his mother that resulted in a litter of hairless and normal coated kittens. Some of the hairless kittens were brought to Europe, where cat breeders continued to develop and produce these fantastic cats.
It was not until 1988 that the first female Sphynx named Tulip was presented to the United Kingdom, having been bred and produced in Holland. Tulip was exhibited at several cat shows and was an instant success with cat breeders, judges, and cat lovers.
The cat breed was awarded full Championship recognition from the GCCF. Today, Sphynx has gained many fans, not only in the United Kingdom but globally
Appearance
Sphynx are medium-sized cats with a stunning appearance, known for their hairless, wrinkled skin and large ears. They have a sleek, muscular body that is dense and heavy for their size.
Their triangular head has wide-set eyes and prominent cheekbones that are similar to the cats of ancient Egypt. This feature inspired the naming of this cat breed. Apart from being hairless, the Sphynx's most notable feature is her large, triangle-shaped ears like those of a bat.
While Sphynx appears to be bald at first glance, it will reveal a very fine, short coat that gives the skin the feel of fine suede at a closer inspection. It is the hairlessness that primarily marks a Sphynx, combined with colour and pattern in their skin's pigmentation patterns. Their colour and markings can vary widely and can come in nearly any colour or pattern, including solid, tabby or tortoiseshell.
The amount of hair or down covering this cat breed's body rests on several things, including their genetic predispositions and hormones and climate. Although their skin feels that much warmer to touch than other cat breeds, they don't have a higher body temperature. Male Sphynx tend to be prominently larger than their female counterparts. Kittens are born very wrinkly, but their folds begin to disappear as they grow and mature through a few wrinkles do stay, especially on their head.
Personality
Sphynx cats are known to be energetic, an acrobatic performer who loves showing off for attention. They have a fantastic sense of humour that often looks even funnier because of their stubborn expression.
Like other cat breeds, they are also known to be very vocal and will hold conversations with their owner at every chance they can. Sphynx cat loves to snuggle up at any time of the day, that is when they are not playing.
Sphynx cats are giddy, fun-loving, natural-born entertainers who will do everything silly to get your attention. This social, playful cat breed prefer affection as much they adore attention. They will spend hours glued to their owner's side. A Sphynx cat is a real lap cat who enjoys cuddling up with their family or cuddling under a warm blanket. This cat breed needy nature can be a challenge for some cat owners, but this beautiful and affectionate cat rewards their owner patience and kindness with the best companionship. Sphynx cats are devoted, dedicated pets who will love you all their lives.
Sphynx cats are often labelled as being very "child-like" because they love to be involved in everything that goes on in their surroundings. They are very curious and would follow their owners from room to room. They would even get the chance to perch on your shoulder or curl up in your lap. And because of their inquisitive and intelligent nature, they can be a bit of a handful.
While quite demanding, Sphynx cats are easy going when it comes to living with other dogs and pets. They are friendly by nature and do not like being the only pet, so they prefer either be with another cat of their own kind or other pets.
Trainability
The Sphynx is known to be outgoing, people-orientated, and loves and craves attention. These cats habitually greet their owners when they come home and are very talkative. They are highly intelligent, playful, cuddly and can learn new things quickly.
Because they are so intelligent, Sphynx need to be kept busy when they are not napping. This means buying lots of high-quality toys for them to play with. Challenge their bright minds and keep them focused by teaching them commands, games and tricks. Give them many puzzle toys and other interactive toys that will reward them with kibbles or treats when they learn how to operate them.
They also like tall scratching posts and high platforms wherein they can look down on the world below from favourite vantage points.
This is an energetic cat breed that loves playing, climbing, and jumping. As they are adept at perching and climbing, expect them to be above your bookshelves or other high surfaces at your home. So, remember to provide cat trees that will act as scratching surfaces together with places to climb and perch.
These good-natured and friendly cats are sociable and loving cats that get deeply devoted to their human companion. When a Sphynx cat is appropriately socialised and trained during their kitten-hood, they will thrive on being a well-rounded and well-mannered feline companion.
Coat & Care
Because Sphynx cats do not have any hair, they are low maintenance. This does not mean you do not need to take care of their skin, because specific attention should be provided to the folds and wrinkles around their heads and bodies. This will ensure that there is no extra grease build-up that could lead to painful sores and infections. Sphynx cat's lack of coat means that their body oils do not get absorbed by its fur. That is why they require to be gently washed off regularly. Fortunately, Sphynx cats like warm baths and shine on their attention as they are being washed.
It's also crucial to check the Sphynx cat's ears regularly and clean them when needed. If too much wax builds up, this can lead to a painful and severe infection that can be harder to clear up and treat. So, it is always better to take action to prevent than cure its ear infections. Many cat breeds often suffer from ear mites that can be a real problem. That's why it's so critical to check their ears regularly.
Brush their teeth weekly to prevent the risk of having periodontal disease. While daily dental hygiene is best, weekly brushing is better than doing nothing. Use a vet-approved pet toothpaste to clean it. For their beautiful eyes, wipe its corners every day with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any discharge. Make sure to use a separate area of the cloth for each eye to prevent the risk of spreading any eye infection.
If your house has an outdoor enclosure where your Sphynx cat can sunbathe, make sure to apply cat-safe sunscreen to their skin to prevent sunburn.
Like other cats, Sphynx cat does not like a dirty litter box. Make sure to clean it regularly. They are very particular about the cleanliness of their litter box.
It is a good idea to buy your Sphynx cat a nice, warm sweater to keep them warm and retain the heat. While it feels warm to touch their skin, they do not have a fur coat to keep themselves warm. Because of this, it is a good idea to keep your Sphynx as an indoor-only cat to protect them from the cold. It will also guard them against dogs who are not fond of cats or passing vehicles.
Health
A Sphynx life expectancy is ten to fifteen years if properly cared for and provided with a high-quality diet. However, both pedigreed cats, like Sphynx, and mixed-breed cats, have different degrees of health problems that may be genetic. Sphynx cats are commonly healthy, though the following diseases have been seen in the breed:
- Urticaria pigmentosa - is a skin disease that causes crusty sores on their body.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - is a form of heart disease that is congenital in some cat breeds.
Children & Other Pets
Active and social Sphynx is an ideal choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They learn tricks quickly and enjoy their attention from children, who treat them politely and with respect. But it is still best to always supervise younger kids to avoid accidents and won’t hurt the cat by pulling their skin or twisting their tail.
Sphynx are contented to live with other cats, especially their kind and cat-friendly dogs in the same home. It is always recommended to introduce pets gradually and in controlled environments to make sure that they learn to get along well together.
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