The Sphynx Cat
 |
|
Sphynx Cat
Photo by Retha Scholtz
|
History
The Sphynx Cat, sometimes called the Canadian Hairless, is probably one of the youngest cat breeds, and it was developed by Mother Nature herself! The earliest known Sphynx cat was named Prune and she was born in 1966, sadly she died without any descendants. In 1967 some hairless kittens were born in Toronto, Canada. Two of them were sent to Europe and they were bred with a Devon Rex, where their hairless genes remained the dominant genes, thus creating the Sphynx cat as we know them today.
Disposition
Sphynx cats are very outgoing, highly intelligent and people oriented. They love putting on a show for their owners, and walk-about with a "Look at Me" attitude. They crave being the center of attention which is probably why they are so popular at the Cat Shows.
Sphynx cats do well in multi-pet homes, and get on well with other cats and dogs. They are known to follow their owners from room-to-room watching your every move with intense curiosity. This curiosity can sometimes lead to mischief, especially when they've decided that the toilet paper looks so much prettier all about the house than it looks on the roll! Because they are hairless they do enjoy sleeping curled up with you on the sofa, or under the covers of your bed. If you have other pets, and you are unavailable for their nap-time, they will sleep curled up with someone else. But, don't take it personally, they would so much rather be with you - but you were unavailable, and Fido is so warm, they just couldn't resist.
 |
|
Sphynx Cat up Close
Photo by Retha Scholtz
|
I've had many a Sphynx owner tell me that they've never had a more loving, affectionate, or devoted cat than a Sphynx cat. The breed is known to crave companionship, and will not do well in a home absent of people, or where its owners are out all day at work. Sphynx cats do best in homes with another companion cat, or dog and in a multi-person household. They are also particularly sensitive to negative environments. Much more so than other breeds. They will suffer in a house where there is a lot of fighting, anger or yelling. As such, I do not recommend this cat if you are in an unhappy, or unstable marriage, or union of any kind.
Grooming
Hairless cats require special attention when it comes to Grooming. Firstly, because they don't have hair (or have very little of it - almost like a peach) their skins natural oils tend to accumulate on the surface. As such, weekly bathing is recommended. Read Cat Grooming 101for more detailed instructions on how to bathe the Sphynx, as well as care for their, ears, eyes, and teeth. Additionally, because they are hairless they lack natural sunscreen that hair provides. So, it is very important to put sunscreen on the cat when it is outdoors as their skin can burn very easily. It is also important, not to let them go outside unsupervised, or for too long periods of time, as hair not only protects cats from the sun it also protects them from getting scratched from bushes, for example, or from getting bitten by mosquitoes. Sphynx cat are strictly indoor cats, and should never, ever live outdoors!
 |
|
Sphynx Kitten
Photo by Retha Scholtz
|
While some folks claim the breed is Hypo-allergenic, that is not really the case. You see it is dander from a cat's skin that generally causes allergies, and not the hair itself. Having said that, many allergy sufferers do find the Sphynx breed more tolerable than others, some even say it is the only breed they can live with. You should really test whether or not this is the case with you before you commit to one, and then find yourself putting the cat up for adoption a year later because you can not live with it.
General Health and Lifespan
Despite the extra care needed with a Spynx cat's skin, the breed is actually quite strong, and not prone to as many ailments as other breeds. They generally live over 15 years if properly cared for. They can sometimes develop a pot belly later in life, so keep an eye on their diet and feed them natural, healthy foods.
|
