Sphynx

Some Advantages

• Outgoing, friendly and loves to show off
• Very affectionate and intelligent
• Doesn’t shed

Some Challenges

• Rare, and usually on a waiting list
• Extremely curious and prone to mischief
• Must be kept warm and dry
• Requires regular bathing
• Craves companionship and must not be left alone for long periods

Size
Medium

Coat
Hairless/shorthaired

Colors
Every color imaginable, displayed in the skin’s pigment and fine downy hairs

Bald and wrinkly, this cat is not everybody’s idea of love at first sight - but spend a few minutes with this pixie-faced charmer, and the Sphynx is guaranteed to win you over.

You’ll find this kitty to be highly affectionate, sociable and intelligent, getting along nicely with adult humans and most other household pets. The Sphynx is alert and inquisitive and loves to be the center of attention, performing silly antics for your entertainment. It has an abundance of energy and wants to be always either near you, on top of you or showing off for you. In short, your Sphynx craves attention, and if there’s none forthcoming, watch out! This breed is most ideal for adult households where there is always somebody around, but if your schedule keeps you away from home for more than a few hours each day, then your pet would enjoy having a pet of its own – another active cat will be fine company for your Sphynx, and they can entertain each other while you’re away. A stimulating environment with plenty of toys, scratching posts and things to climb on will be much appreciated as well.

Although it’s called hairless, the Sphynx is actually covered with a very fine downy coat, but the hairless look is accentuated by the lack of whiskers or eyelashes. Very warm and soft to the touch, this little snuggler has been described as a 'suede hot water bottle'.

History and Origin

Hairless cats have been known over the centuries to be kept by the Aztecs and others, but the Sphynx is the first hairless cat that has been bred specifically for that trait. Named for its similarity to Egyptian cat sculptures, the Sphynx is also known - less elegantly, but more accurately - as the Canadian Hairless Cat. First bred in Canada, the Sphynx originated from a hairless domestic kitten born in a litter of shorthaired cats in 1966. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat was bred to emphasize that trait. The breed was accepted by CFA for registration and competition in February 1998.

Grooming requirements

While this breed requires no combing (and certainly doesn’t shed), it will need to be bathed periodically to keep the hairless coat healthy. Since there’s no normal fur to draw the natural oils away from the skin, regular sponge baths are a must for removing the skin’s oily residue which can cause sores to form in the skin folds if not kept clean.

In addition, keep in mind that the Sphynx’s “coat” doesn’t offer the same warmth and protection as normal fur, so your Sphynx will always need to be kept warm and dry.

Health Ailments 

A robust breed with few genetic health problems, selecting your Sphynx from a qualified breeder or buying from a reputable pet store can help ensure that your cat will live a strong and healthy life. Maintaining your cat’s proper weight and grooming requirements will also help insure its good health, along with regular checkups at the vet.

While no cat is truly hypoallergenic, the Sphynx is sometimes – but not always - found not to aggravate existing cat allergies. Allergic people are encouraged to visit a breeder to determine their own reaction to the breed.

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