Sphynx Cat

Care

In addition to weekly or at least regular bathing as mentioned above, excellent cat care would also include cleaning ears just after the bath. This is, in part, necessary as the ears do not have the usual “ear furnishings” which are functional, preventing dust etc. from entering the ear canal. Obviously this is done with great care and one should only clean what is seen (i.e. obviously don’t prod a Q tip down the ear canal). Although this breed is robust and healthy it is wise to keep your cat indoors for 3 reasons a) they will feel the cold more and like about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (typical indoor temperature) b) as they can get sunburned it is wise to keep them indoors and c) they are rare and may attract undesirable attention.

The Sphynx needs to be washed periodically as the skin (which feels like heated chamois) becomes oily due to the lack of a coat. Gloria Stephens (legacy of the cat) says that the cleaning is to remove dirt from the depressions of the wrinkles. The Sphynx cat is meant to be wrinkly.

Also for people who are allergic to cats but who love cats they may find this breed acceptable (the Siberian cat has some of this quality as well it seems but this would appear to be anecdotal). But allergy to cats is caused by “dander“, a mixture of saliva and skin flakes that are an allergen to some people. As a consequence being hairless does not remove the possibility of the cat producing the allergen. I am sure Sphynx cats groom themselves like any other which means saliva on their skin and fine hair.

Points of interest:

• the cat feels the cold more than usually but some breeders say this is not true. I would have thought this must be the case and if so this might appeal: Cleo Pet Deluxe Radiator Cat Bed (Scallop) – pamper your pet with this luxury radiator bed!
• Conversely, she is warm to the touch due to a release of energy by heat loss through the exposed skin.
• To some (me included) at first they look a bit ugly. You’ll find you warm to them and they feel warm and smooth too. You might like to read what I had to say after I got up close to a Sphynx Cat
• Here’s a page about Sphynx cat rescue

Photo: © skithund

Sources:

• Messybeast
• Wikipedia
• CFA
• Sphynx Cat Club – UK {link}
• Breeder sites – various
• Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens