Sphynx Cat - Breed Facts and Personality Attributes

Sphynx Cat History

The Sphynx Cat breed is not the first incident of hairlessness in domestic cats. Instead, this genetic mutation has been witnessed in various locations worldwide for more than a century now.

In 1903, the book of the Cat by Frances Simpson mentioned gray and white hairless cats. They were called the ‘Mexican Hairless’ and look exactly similar to today’s Sphynx Cat. However, these two cats died without producing any offspring.

There occurred various health issues leading many kittens to die. In 1971, CFA withdrew the recognition status because of the breed’s health problems. The last kitten of this breed was sent to Holland.

However, two hairless female kittens were found in Toronto in 1978 and 1980. They were sent to Holland to be bred with the last surviving male descendant. One of the female cats conceived but lost the litter. After that, none of the descendants become the Sphynx breed we know today.

In 1975, the farm owners in Minnesota discovered that two hairless kittens had been born to their normal farm cat. They were sold to an Oregon Breeder who used them to develop the cat breed.

Moreover, a Siamese breeder of Toronto, Canada, in 1978, also found three hairless kittens. The descendants of these breeds in Canada became the foundation of today’s Sphynx breed.

Most people welcomed this breed unique and exotic, while others wish that Sphynyx put on some clothes. Thus, it has also drawn some negative attention as most reputable breeders consider hairlessness as a disorder in the gene pool. With this, the cat was more susceptible to both heat and cold.

This breed rapidly got acceptance by the TICA for the championship in 1986. Similarly, CAA and ACFA also recognized Sphynx for the championship in 1992 and 1994, respectively.

Later in 1998, CFA also recognized this breed for registration and accepted it for the championship in 2002. Now the Sphynx Cat is recognized by all North American shorthair cat associations, Governing Council of the Cat Fanciers, and the Fédération Internationale Féline.

Sphynx Cat Physical Attributes

Below-given are the physical attributes of the Sphynx Cat breed.

Sphynx Cat Personality and Temperament

The Sphynx cat is an energetic, friendly, loving, and loyal breed that follows you around the house. He tries to involve himself in whatever the owner is doing and grab the opportunity to curl up in the lap.

They are also an acrobatic performer who loves to show off for gaining attention. Moreover, a great sense of humor is often at odds with the dour expression.

This cat breed is also curious, playful, intelligent, talkative, cuddly, and people-oriented. Because of this, they get along with children and other pets. Furthermore, they also greet their owners when they come homes and like to sleep with them.

The body temperature of a black Sphynx cat is almost two degrees above the average of normal cats. For this, they have different appetites leading to heat loss. Typically, they don’t like to be in cold places and prefer central heating. However, if they go outside, they may get sunburn on their pale skin.

Lastly, this cat breed also performs monkey-like aerialist feats from the top of bookshelves and doorways.

Sphynx Cat Care and Grooming

If you are attracted to the Sphynx’s big personality, the next factor is to consider the cat’s care. The hairlessness of this breed does not mean that they require less grooming than cats with fur. Instead, they have some specific health and skin-care needs that are discussed below.

• Bathing

  The hairless cat lacks long hair to absorb body oils from their skin. Thus, they need regular baths. If they are not properly and regularly groomed, they may end up having a sticky buildup on their body. Similarly, they are also prone to develop many skin problems.

  To avoid this, use shampoos formulated for cats. Owners should aim to bathe their cat at least once a week and clean the eyes gently by using a wet cloth.

• Skin Care

  They usually get blackheads on their chin because of the oily skin. For this, scrub softly with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap recommended by your vet. Then rinse it off with cool water and wipe it with a cotton ball. If left untreated, the cat may get inflammation of the hair follicles that require serious medical treatment.

• Ears

  The ears of this breed need to be cleaned too. They can easily get dirty as there is no hair in the ear to filter out dirt. It can lead to a complete blockage of the ear canal.

  Thus, make sure to clean it after a bath with a soft cloth. You can also use ear cleaners for cats.

• Nails

  These cats do not have hair on their feet, which makes them susceptible to dirt and dust. Therefore, the nails are needed to trim regularly. Ensure to use a cat nail clipper and don’t go too far down on the claws to avoid any injury.

• Sensitivity to Temperatures

  Hairless Sphynx cats are very sensitive to both the cold and the Sun. Dress your cat in a sweater so that they can stay warm in winter. Similarly, protective clothing, a shade, and limited sun exposure can also help the cat stay healthy. In case of sunburn, never use sunscreens for humans on cats.

Diet and Nutrition

The Sphynx cats have high metabolism rates. For that, they need the right amount of food to keep them nutritionally balanced and satisfied. But the proportion of the nutrients depends on age, lifestyle, and health conditions.

• Protein

  This breed loves to eat and needs a lot of protein. Most owners follow a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet that includes raw chicken, rabbit, heart, liver, and fish. Most vets recommend that there should be almost 35-45 percent in a Sphynx diet.

• Fats

  Fats are the most important nutrient of your cat’s diet. It improves the absorption of the Vitamins K, D, A, and E. It also proves a high energy source because it provides almost twice the energy of carbs and proteins.

  Fats are present in the below list of foods.

  • Soybean
  • Flaxseed
  • Beef
  • Krill oil
  • Pork
  • Corn oil
  • Poultry
  • Safflower
  • Fish oil

Ingredients that Should be Avoided

Some ingredients should be avoided to keep your cat safe.

• Chemical preservatives including BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), Ethoxyquin
• Cornmeal and Carb fillers
• Meat byproducts
• Rendered meat products
• Onions
• Garlic
• Raisins
• Grapes
• Chocolate
• Tea
• Coffee

Keep in mind; a Sphynx kitten has different dietary requirements than a fully grown cat. Thus, it is important to follow a proper diet plan to keep a healthy digestive and support system.

As kittens are growing rapidly, they need three to four meals a day along with fresh water. Similarly, it is also better to stick to high-quality pet food for your kittens.

Sphynx Cat Health Problems

Here are some of the major health problems that these cats might suffer from.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

It is a kind of a heart problem commonly diagnosed in fat Sphynx cats. It can lead to a thickened ‘pump muscle’ that gradually causes breathing issues. However, this condition can be cured with the help of proper and timely treatment.

Respiratory Issues

The baby Sphynx cats are more prone to lung infections and other respiratory issues due to a lack of hair. Diagnosing and getting the right treatment can help your kitten overcome this disorder.

Hereditary Myopathy

This health condition results in the weakening of the muscles that may cause difficulties while walking. However, this cat breed can live a normal life with specialist guidance.

Digestive Problems

Sphynx cats may tend to develop a wide range of gastrointestinal problems. However, the majority of these can be cured easily.

Ocular Infection

Eye infections are very common in this cat breed. The treatment usually involves the use of medicated eye drops, or sometimes it requires long-term therapy.

How Much Does a Sphynx Cat Cost?

Sphynx Cat Breeders set the prices of their cats according to the color and lineage of the parents. A purebred Sphynx cat costs between $1500 and $10000. However, the cats that are intended for breeding are of the highest prices.

Similarly, the Sphynx Kitten for adoption costs $75 – $175. Whereas a Sphynx Adult price ranges between $75 and $175. The following are the average Sphynx Cat prices according to their quality.

Be careful with the breeders offering Sphynx Cat for sale or at cheap rates. The chances are that the breeder is not registered or the parents or kittens are not healthy. Thus, research thoroughly before you adopt a Sphynx cat.

Also, make sure to calculate how much you will need to spend on your cat every year. Prefer to buy this breed from Sphynx cat rescue groups or shelters.

Sphynx Cat Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Sphynx cat breed.

Should I Get a Sphynx Cat Emotional Support Animal?

Are you planning to buy a Sphynx cat and wondering whether they can make great ESAs? The answer is yes! This cat breed may work for you, especially if you are dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

For those who struggle with some days of their life, Sphynx cats can be happy and make a bright presence for them. They are intelligent, calm, and affectionate companions that provide comfort to their owners. These reasons make an emotional support Sphynx cat an ideal choice.

If you are sure about adopting this cat as an emotional support cat, prefer to buy from a registered breeder. All you need to do is consult a mental health professional. They will prescribe your cat as your ESA.

Similarly, an authentic ESA letter will allow you to live and travel with your Sphynx cat without paying any extra charges.

So what are you waiting for? Get a professional letter from RealESALetter.com within 24 hours.