Sphynxes are one of those cats that leave no one indifferent. They cause wild delight among fans of the breed and a desire to have such a hairless beauty at home. Others associate “hairless” cats with either a rat (the tail is to blame) or with aliens. Their emotions can be described as “ugh, what an abomination, such a cat will never be in my house.”
Sphynx cat with her offspring
Interestingly, Sphynx-haters can change their opinion 180 degrees by talking to these cats in person. Naked, hot, loving – it’s all about them, about sphinxes, and not what you thought.
Let's be honest - hairless cats are loved (or not loved) primarily for their unusual appearance. The character of Sphynx cats is the last thing people are interested in. More often they ask questions not about the peculiarities of temperament, but about everyday issues - is it difficult to maintain, how good is the health of sphinxes, is it true that there are no allergies to them.
We will talk about all this in this article, but I urge future owners to study first of all the temperament of their favorite breed. If the pet is loved, then no amount of caring for it will seem like a burden. If, on the contrary, the characters do not match, then no amount of external beauty or unpretentiousness of the cat will please the owners.
Author of the article: Olga Shiltsova, practicing veterinarian, author of the books “Dachshund of Fate” and “Tails of Fortune”
Character of Sphynx cats: pros and cons
Sphynxes are primarily cats. Yes, without fur, but cats. Therefore, they are characterized by many typical cat habits - a love of boxes, innate curiosity, a wary attitude towards their relatives. But there are also peculiarities. Each character trait can be considered a plus or a minus, depending on what you are looking for in an ideal pet.
Affectionate
All cats from the Sphynx group are human-oriented. They are happy to seek communication with the owner and enjoy stroking. The Sphinx will willingly climb into your arms and sleep under the blanket, cuddling with its hot side.
Affectionate blanket cat
Such a cat will never become an indifferent sofa cushion (as the British are sometimes accused of). Sphinxes run to the door to greet their loved one, like dogs. These are truly affectionate and gentle cats.
Playful
Sphynxes are fairly active cats. They are not as reactive as Abyssinian cats or Cornish Rex cats, but they are no less mischievous when young. The problem is that hairless cats are not suitable for walking, and they can get bored in an apartment.
The owner will have to devote time to his Sphynx. If you don't satisfy the need for play, your pet will start entertaining itself, and you won't like it. Playful and intelligent, Sphynx cats make excellent companions for children. They can be taught to fetch a toy in their teeth and perform other simple tricks. All kinds of teaser fishing rods, balls and mice will help you, although an ordinary bow on a string will delight a bald hunter.
Little sphinx exploring his new home
Not aggressive
All the sphinxes that I have ever treated behaved more than worthy. The owners confirm that these cats are not prone to aggressive behavior. If the sphinx has an escape route, it will run away rather than attack.
Although Sphynx cats are friendly to people, they may not get along well with other cats and dogs. Much depends on whether the owners introduce the animals correctly, as well as on the size of the territory.
The Canadian Sphynx delicately accepts a treat
So, the advantages of sphinxes: they are active, curious, affectionate and patient pets. You won't get bored with them. But you definitely need to take into account the features of hairless cats that may seem unacceptable to you:
Annoying
Sphinxes do not feel the line when the desire to communicate develops into importunity. Imagine that the cat jumps onto your lap every time you sit down. He grabs it with his paws. No claws, but it gets in the way when you're trying to brush your teeth, apply makeup, or eat. Purrs and butts, demanding attention. And he gets offended when you push him off the laptop or drop him from your hands onto the floor.
Pet the cat!
Not all sphinxes behave this way. But before you adopt a naked kitten, imagine being pestered around the clock with breaks for sleep and food. If this is exactly what you want from a cat, great. If you don’t expect your pet to follow you around, take a look at more independent breeds.
Thieves
Sphinxes spend a huge amount of energy heating their bodies. Perhaps that is why they are so voracious. These cats not only eat the food in the bowl with appetite, but also demand more. The bald-skinned miracle will, without a twinge of conscience, encroach on any food left unattended. It won't be easy to stop the sphinx from climbing tables.
So, what do you have here? Pizza?
Cat, hurry up! A giant rat in the kitchen is stealing food! Oh, no, this is the cat.
Ukrainian Levkoy became interested in pancakes left on the table
Talkative
Not all sphinxes are the same. Peterbalds, which are roughly called bald orientals, are considered the most talkative. The Canadian Sphynxes meow no less, in the breeding of which Devon Rexes were actively used. Don Sphynxes are considered the most silent and not as “crazy” as Canadians.
It is worth noting that all varieties of hairless cats are characterized by high sexual activity. Cats come into heat early, and hoarse howls during this period greatly depress the owners. The cats begin to mark their territory, and the urine becomes odorous. Therefore, it is recommended that all sphinxes not participating in breeding be neutered before puberty.
You can read more about estrus in cats here (link will open in a new tab).
Any problems?
So, the sphinx may turn out to be a loud thief, prone to pouring urine on your house and making hellish noise at night. But they are so beautiful, so unearthly. By default, such a cat is forgiven a lot. Let's move on to the next logical question - how difficult is it to care for a naked pet?
Description of breed standards
If a cat's body is not covered with hair, this does not mean that he is a representative of the Canadian Sphynx. Even the smallest deviation from official standards turns the animal into an ordinary hairless cat. Features of the appearance of the Canadian Sphynxes are as follows:
- The size of the pet is small. As a rule, they weigh no more than 6 kg. Females are somewhat smaller than males. Their weight is about 4 kg.
- Animals are distinguished by a muscular and strong physique, but at the same time they have soft and smooth body contours. They captivate with their grace and elegance. Sphynxes have a round belly that resembles a ball.
- The chest is quite wide, which is why the pet’s paws are always widely spaced. The limbs are medium in size, thin and strong with long fingers, on which sparse fluff may remain. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, which makes the gait special.
- The head is wedge-shaped, medium in size, with prominent cheekbones.
- The bridge of the nose is wide, the nose is small, slightly covered with short hair.
- The ears are set far apart and may droop. They are large with a wide base and rounded ends without brushes.
- The eyes are large, deep and very expressive, shaped like a lemon. Color may vary. Usually it harmonizes with the color of the animal, but most often the bright green shade predominates.
- The tail is long, sometimes with a tassel at the end. Animals most often roll it up and press it to their body.
- Mustaches are practically absent, but their presence is allowed.
- The nose, the area behind the ears and the tip of the tail are the only places that may be covered with short hair or fluff. Canadians' skin is quite soft and velvety.
- The color can be absolutely anything: monochromatic or in various combinations. Black, purple, silver, white and other shades are allowed. Due to their susceptibility to pigmentation, tri-colored individuals are often found.
One of the peculiar features of Sphynx cats is that they have interesting folds that do not straighten out even if the cat is pulled out to its full length. The presence of folds on the forehead, neck and limbs is considered mandatory.
Caring for a Sphynx cat
The obvious difference between Sphynx cats and other cats is the complete or almost complete absence of hair. At first glance, this should have made them easy to care for. There is no need to comb your pet, give it malt paste, the fur does not fly all over the apartment. In fact, caring for a Sphynx is somewhat more difficult than caring for an ordinary cat.
Rub your eyes
The eyes of sphinxes lack natural protection in the form of eyelashes. Because of this, their cornea is intensively washed with tears. A tear mixed with dust oxidizes in the air and a brown jelly can be seen in the inner corner of the eye. This discharge should be removed with a damp cotton pad every day.
This is the Don Sphynx. The eyes are deprived of natural protection in the form of eyelashes
Clean ears
Naked-skinned sphinxes produce a large amount of skin lubricant. And just as actively, brown secretion is formed in the ears. In a healthy cat, dark brown discharge is not accompanied by itching or redness of the skin. They are removed using a special softening lotion and a cotton pad.
The Sphynx's ears must be kept clean.
Bathe
If the Sphynx is not bathed, brown skin discharge will remain everywhere - on the bed linen, on the white windowsill, on the furniture. In addition, the specific smell that comes from hairless cats intensifies.
You need to wash your Sphynx with a special shampoo for hairless cats. Human products are not suitable because they disrupt the pH of the skin.
Ukrainian Levkoy in the bath (he is not happy about bathing)
The frequency of bathing is determined individually. Some unspayed cats require frequent bathing - every 2 weeks. Other cats can be washed once every 1-2 months, and some even once every six months. It all depends on the desire of the owner and the health of the skin. Typically, a cat is bathed when a specific smell becomes too strong.
As for the smell, every Sphynx owner has his own opinion about what his hairless cat smells like. Odors include cheese, boiled potatoes, mushrooms, popcorn, cooked rice and even iodine. Some cats smell so sweet that their scent is reminiscent of milk and cookies. Some are neutral, that is, leather, evoking associations with a sheepskin coat. The smell intensifies when the cat warms up under a blanket or near a radiator.
Sphynx bathing
Care for claws
To prevent your pet from scratching you, the furniture, or itself, it is better to trim its claws with a special nail clipper. It is enough to do this once every 2-3 weeks. In addition, you need to ensure that brown discharge and dirt do not accumulate in the claw bed (the fold of skin around the claw).
Nails are not trimmed
And this sphinx had a manicure done. Claws grow quickly.
Protect from cold
Completely devoid of hair, sphinxes are not adapted to our climate. But in a city apartment they are quite comfortable, if you do not wrap the kitten in clothes from childhood.
The Sphinx must be provided with a warm house, a bed or a hammock on the radiator.
The Sphinx needs his own house!
In the cold season, you may also need clothing - a soft sweater is most comfortable.
Dressing up naked cats is a special pleasure
There is an opinion that sphinxes climb into people’s arms precisely in search of warmth, and not out of great love. And a naked cat will definitely want to sleep with you under the blanket!
Mur-mur of tenderness - the Canadian Sphynx cuddles up to its owner
Origin story
There are many different legends about the Sphynx cat breed. It is believed that the cat first appeared in ancient times. The history of the breed goes back to ancient times, when they were revered as servants of deities and guides to the afterlife. How much truth there is in this is difficult to say.
How the Canadian Sphynx appeared is another story. In 1966, in Ontario (Canada), a cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, which was later named Prunta. Subsequently, the hairless cat gave birth to several more kittens. The breed was specially bred with hairless cats and female cats in order to preserve this unique gene.
Unfortunately, the Prunt gene was interrupted due to the fact that the kittens were born weak, and the breeders had little experience in working with this type of cat.
The furless kitten reappeared in 1975 in two different cats. Three more kids were found on the street. Already from this period, breeding of Canadian Sphynxes continued. In 1998, hairless cats were officially recognized.
Sphinx health
The absence of fur creates a feeling of fragility and defenselessness. Fortunately, this impression is wrong. With good care, sphinxes are long-lived, with an average lifespan of 15-16 years.
It is recommended to adopt a kitten at the age of 3 months – after the second vaccination. Annual vaccinations should not be neglected, even if the pet does not leave the apartment.
Sphynxes can be real long-livers
All bare-skinned breeds are young, but information has already been accumulated about some hereditary diseases of sphinxes. It should be remembered that Canadian and Don Sphynxes are completely different breeds. And their genetic diseases are also different. You can read more about the Canadian Sphynx in a separate article.
How to choose a kitten
The main advice is the same for all purebred animals: do not try to save money on your purchase by going to the “bird market” or responding to a random ad. Only the best nurseries and breeders with an impeccable reputation will guarantee that you will receive a healthy pet, the origin of which cannot be doubted. After all, the Canadian Sphynx is not just a lack of hair, but a graceful, beautifully built, affectionate and intelligent creature that will live next to you for the next few years.
If you do not plan to participate in exhibitions, it is enough to make sure that the chosen baby is healthy and active, easily makes contact with people, without showing fear or aggression. The rest will be determined by the available documents (pedigree, veterinarian’s report, vaccination card). We recommend getting to know the parents and looking at the living conditions - they will say a lot about the breeder’s attitude towards the cats.
Is it true that there are no allergies to hairless cats?
The most persistent and harmful myth is that hairless cats are hypoallergenic. People believe they are allergic to cat hair, and adopting a hairless pet seems like a good solution. Unfortunately, most often the allergy is caused by a special protein that is found in the saliva, urine and skin secretions of cats.
The Sphynx's skin contains sebum, a protective skin lubricant. This brown substance may be an allergen. If a person is allergic to cat saliva or fur, then he will be able to live in an apartment with a naked pet. All you need to do is wash your hands thoroughly after touching the cat.
Hypoallergenic? what are you saying?
Reviews from Sphynx owners
“Pink naked happiness has been living with me for 12 years now. Cheddar is very clean. We wipe the eyes as necessary to remove discharge. He endures it calmly and purrs like a tractor. I love him immensely. He hugs, presses his hot body, asks to be held. He stretches out his paws and says “me-me” (sounds like mom!).”
“We have two cats - a yard, long-haired and the second is a Canadian Sphynx. We love both. But a cat is on its own, it has a character, it has its own interests. And the bald one is a member of the family, a smart friend, adored by everyone. Sphinxes are amazing! I recommend"
“My Don Sphynx is velvety to the touch and does not require complicated care. I love buying him clothes, he's so funny in them. We've already collected a whole gallery of pictures. In the summer he walks on the balcony - sunbathes, it becomes darker. In a word, there is not much more care than for an ordinary cat, but there is no hair anywhere!”
“My Sphynx daughter is 2.5 years old. The kindest cat. Loves everyone - dog, children. I wash it once a month, almost no resistance. I trim my nails regularly, once every 2 weeks. I have never regretted starting one. The only thing was that it took a long time to select food, there were problems with stool and skin. Now she eats expensive holistic food, but it's worth it."
“I took an adult, completely hairless cat. If you are too lazy to wash it, ironing becomes unpleasant, your hands are covered in brown grease. And it started to smell noticeably. I take her to the bathroom - she screams like a fool and pees on me. She didn't like to wash. At the same time, I miss her immensely, it’s been two years since she passed away. Not a single cat slept under the blanket with me, except this one.”
“Katie the Don Sphynx is the most sociable cat I’ve ever had. The squeaky one is scary - she meows for any reason. Curious. He greets and sniffs guests, but will not hold them in his arms. A mannered imaginary - she acts like a peahen, falls apart picturesquely when you pay attention to her, swags her tail importantly. She’s not aggressive at all, she’s never bitten or scratched anyone in her life.”
