Sphinx cat

Dry cat food cleans cat teeth and protects gum health, but make sure your sphynx has plenty of water to drink after a meal to prevent dehydration. Tougher cat chews can also be found at your local specialty pet store and work well to promote healthy gums.

Some sphynx cat owners opt for a raw food diet and claim numerous health benefits. Experts suggest for cats a high quality kibble or wet canned food that contains high amounts of proteins, moderate amounts of fat and a minimal amount of carbohydrates.

Diet and Nutrition

Sphynx cats love food, and their potbellies prove it. They will eat anything you offer them. You should still pay close attention to their nutrition, though.

Sphynx cats have a high metabolism and a sensitive digestion system, so small meals in regular intervals throughout the day is ideal. Serving food this way prevents cats from getting disinterested with their meals, too.

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.

Sphynx cats love to play, jump, and may even fetch once trained. Social and smart, sphynx cats respond well to positive reinforcement training.

Despite its hairless appearance, grooming is an important part of sphynx care. Because they have no fur to absorb their body oils, the sphynx cat’s skin must be groomed regularly to maintain a healthy balance of oil and prevent skin problems and oil spots on furniture. You should bathe your sphynx cat at least once a week to remove oil build-up. You will need to scrub in-between their plethora of wrinkles and folds.

Sphynx Cat Care

Sphynx cats are loyal and full of love for their humans and can often be spotted following them around or snuggling up while wagging their tail. Even though they would almost always rather be cuddling, sphynx cats are natural athletes and playful pals. Though sphynx cats are exceptionally active felines, their exercise needs are low.

These cats are happy to entertain themselves for hours at a time, but some might love to have a buddy. If you are away from home for most of the day, you might want to get two sphynx cats. Sphynxes get along with other pets, too, so you can rest easy knowing they will be happy if you have another animal they can snuggle with at home, including dogs.

The sphynx breed was recognized by The International Cat Association in 2005, the Cat Fanciers Association in 2002, and several independent cat clubs in Europe, though standards for the breed all differ slightly.

Some purebred feline registries will not recognize the sphynx cat based on the idea that the breed’s hairlessness is a genetic abnormality that could be harmful to individual cats’ health and longevity.

History of the Sphynx Cat

While the ancient Aztecs bred hairless cats hundreds of years ago, the sphynx cat we know today is actually a Canadian breed originating in Toronto in 1966 from a random genetic mutation leading to hairlessness. Some breeders took a liking to the hairless cat and decided to breed individuals that produced consistently hairless offspring.

Originally called the Canadian hairless, the breed made its way to America and experts bred cats with this newfound hairless gene to create hairless sphynx cats. The sphynx cat continues to be a popular pet choice in North America and is gaining popularity in western Europe.

Breed Overview

WEIGHT: 6 to 12 pounds

LENGTH: 13 to 15 inches, head to tail

COAT: Hairless

COAT COLOR: White, black, red, chocolate, lavender, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, pointed, and mink

EYE COLOR: Varies

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 8 to 14 years