Sphynx cats are a breed of hairless cat that has been around since the 1960s. This unique cat comes with some unique needs that should be considered before deciding to bring one home. Our Thornton vets explain some of the needs of this breed that you need to know before bringing home a Sphynx kitten.
Sphynx Cats Are Very Social
Sphynx cats are one of the most social and outgoing breeds of cat that there is.
Along with being very social, sphynx cats are also known to be one of the more vocal breeds of cats, which is important to know before you decide to bring home a sphynx kitten.
Sphynx cats are one of the most outgoing breeds and may be suitable for some people but anyone expecting a quiet self-sufficient breed of cat should not consider bringing home a sphynx kitten.
Sphynx Cats Need a Large Amount of Care
If you decide that the personality of the sphynx cat is right for you, you must stop to consider the other needs of this incredible breed. While being a hairless cat, this breed still requires a large amount of grooming care.
Diet Affects Their Skin
The fur is obviously not the main concern when it comes to grooming the sphynx cat, you will need to focus on their skin and keeping it soft and healthy.
The skin of sphynx cats can be directly affected by their diets and your kitten vet in Thornton can help recommend what diet will be best for keep your sphynx cat healthy.
It is common for sphnyx cats to leave oily stains in the areas that they frequent around the home.
Sphynx Cats Need Help Staying Clean
While diet does help control a Sphynx cat’s overall greasiness, they will occasionally need baths to remove accumulated dirt and grime. Choose gentle cat shampoos that are soap-free and made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, oatmeal and aloe.
As soon as bath time is complete you must dry your cat with a warm towel in order to keep them warm and their skin healthy. You also don’t want to bathe a Sphynx too often because that will dry out their skin.
If you have a sphynx cat, your routine at-home care will include thoroughly cleaning them frequently and ensuring that the problem areas such as their ears and paws are free of wax and grime.
Sphynx Cats Are Known To Have Health Issues
Like many purebred cats, Sphynx cats can develop genetic health problems. Both Dr. Verrilli and Kranz mention that the Sphynx cat breed is prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.
Have your sphynx cat screened on a regular basis for any possible heart conditions. As your sphynx cat ages, these issues will become more likely and early diagnosis will be key for successful treatment.
Sphynx cats commonly have dental and oral health concerns as well so routine dental care is a must for this breed. Dental care may possibly need to be proactive which can be costly but routine dental care by your kitten vet will help to prevent further complications down the road.
It is important to keep in mind that you may not recognize some common symptoms of certain conditions in sphynx cats as they do not have any fur. You must be diligent in the regular care of your sphynx kitten.
Sphynx Cats Need Sun And Weather Protection
Another issue that stems from Sphynx cats’ hairlessness is that these kitties get cold more easily than their fuzzy cousins. Kranz says that if you’re cold, your Sphynx cat is also cold. There are plenty of options for keeping these kitties warm.
Cat apparel made from soft fabrics can keep your cat warm without irritating her skin. However, clothes soak up those skin oils, so they must be washed fairly often to keep them from getting grungy.
There are also cat beds that can keep cats warm, like a cat heated bed or a cat covered bed. If your house is particularly cold, you can pre-warm beds with things like microwavable heating pads. And never underestimate the value of a snuggly blanket!
It’s also worth noting that Sphynx cats shouldn’t be let outside. Beyond the issues that come with regulating temperature in cold weather, Sphynxes’ lack of fur means they’re very prone to sunburn.
Sphynx Cats Are Not a Hypoallergenic Breed
If you are looking to adopt a Sphynx cat because you think they are the only type of cat that won’t bother your allergies, you might want to reconsider.
Many people adopt these cats because they think they are hypoallergenic, which is not the case—the lack of fur does not make them hypoallergenic. Usually, humans allergies are secondary to the allergens on cat skin.
Your vet at our Thornton veterinary hospital can help recommend breeds of cat that may be more suitable for those with allergies.