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Sphynx cat

Description

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Description

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Home

Sphynx cat

Description

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Description

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Sphynx cat

The Sphynx is a breed of cat that originates from Canada. The most striking characteristic of this breed is its lack of fur and its thin and slender appearance. The Sphynx was the first breed without fur recognized by feline associations that keep a genealogical registry of purebred felines. Currently, it shares the exclusivity of being one of the only three hairless breeds, along with the Peterbald and the Donskoy.

Size

Moderate

length

28-36

11-14.2

cminch

cm inch

hight

20-25

7.9-9.8

cminch

cm inch

weight

2.7-6.4

5.9-14.1

kglbs

kg lbs

life span

8-15 years

country of origin

Canada

fur length

breed origin

size

features

Recognized by: 6 registers

ACFA CCCOFA CCA-AFC ACA GCCF LOOF TSACC CFSA ACF FIFE WCF NZCF TICA CFA

Appearance

The Sphynx is a medium-sized cat with firm and powerful muscles that give it a solid appearance. The legs are medium in proportion to the body, robust, and muscular, with the rear ones slightly higher than the front ones. The tail is thin and long in proportion to the body, whip-shaped, wide at the base, and tapering towards the tip. The head of the Sphynx has a triangular shape with prominent cheekbones and rounded cheeks. The ears are very large and wide at the base, open and oval-shaped, and have great mobility due to the cat's sensitive sense of hearing. The eyes are quite large, rounded like a lemon, and lack eyelashes and eyebrows. Although Sphynx cats are known for being hairless, they do have a soft fuzz similar to peach skin. The skin can be of any color and takes on the color of the hair the Sphynx would have had.

Coat type

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Head shape

Tail

Size

Coat type

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Head shape

Tail

Size

Gallery

View 11 more photos

Gallery

View 11 more photos

Origin

The Canadian Sphynx breed was initiated in 1966 in Toronto, Ontario, when a hairless male kitten named Prune was born to a black and white domestic shorthair queen named Elizabeth. The kitten was mated with his mother, a practice known as backcrossing, which resulted in the birth of another naked kitten. Along with a few more naked kittens found later, Prune was one of the first attempts to establish a hairless breed. In 1966, Ridyadh Bawa, a science graduate from the University of Toronto, acquired these cats and initially referred to them as 'Moonstones' and 'Canadian Hairless'. He collaborated with his mother Yania, a seasoned Siamese breeder, as well as Keese and Rita Tenhoves, to develop a breed of cats which was later renamed as Sphynx. However, the first breeding attempts of Sphynx cats were not successful due to the breed being rare and breeders lacking experience in breeding hairless cats. The first noted naturally occurring foundation Sphynx cats originated as hairless stray barn cats in Wadena, Minnesota, on the farm of Milt and Ethelyn Pearson. The Pearsons discovered hairless kittens in several litters of their domestic shorthair barn cats in the mid-1970s. Two hairless female kittens, Epidermis and Dermis, born in 1975 and 1976, were sold to Oregon breeder Kim Mueske and played a significant role in the Sphynx breeding program. The breed is recognized by various felinological organizations in the United States, including TICA, ACFA, and others.

Parent animals

African Wildcat

Breed origin

Mutation

Origin countries

Canada

Temperament

Sphynx cats have a peaceful temperament. They are sweet, friendly, curious, and intelligent, and usually prefer a calm and quiet environment. However, they are also very active, constantly moving and exercising. Sphynx cats are very dependent on their owners, seeking constant physical contact with them. They tend to follow their owners around and enjoy sitting on their laps. It is also common for these cats to show affection by rubbing their face against their owner's face. Another notable characteristic is their constant purring, which can be quite loud. Sphynx cats are curious and relatively easy to train. They quickly learn their name and respond when called. They are also capable of learning new things on their own and are adept at opening doors. In the evenings, they tend to be more active, enjoying running and jumping around the house. With strong hind legs, they can jump up to 2 meters vertically, allowing them to climb high furniture or perch on doors to observe their surroundings. Sphynx cats are fond of warm places and prefer staying indoors during the winter as they are sensitive to temperature changes. In colder months, they can often be found near radiators, stoves, or even snuggled inside their owner's bed.

Behavior:

Friendly toward other pets

Loyal to owner

Friendly toward humans

Activity Level:

Calm

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences

Reproduction

Grooming

Common health issues

Diet preferences

Reproduction

Grooming

Common health issues

Sphynx cats can be fed either dry or wet high-quality cat food that is rich in proteins and fats. Due to their higher body temperature compared to other cats, Sphynx cats require a high-calorie diet, especially in cold weather. It is also important to provide them with free access to fresh and clean water to ensure they receive adequate nourishment daily.

Sphynx kittens must receive the mother's colostrum in the first hours of life, as it provides them with antibodies against infections and diseases. The young should be kept with the mother, as she will feed and protect them. In addition, kittens must be kept warm due to the lack of hair or the little presence of it, and also due to their thermoregulatory inability. Owners can use thermal blankets to help the mother keep her young warm. The kittens sleep most of the day. They open their eyes at 4 or 5 days of age, earlier than other breeds, and begin to walk earlier than other breeds. The nursing period lasts 2 months, and kittens start to learn using the litterbox from the age of 2 months.

Although Sphynx cats do not need to be brushed, they require special care. They are more sensitive to the cold compared to other breeds due to their lack of hair, making them more susceptible to respiratory diseases. To prevent these issues, it is recommended to use thermal blankets to help them stay warm. Due to their minimal fur, Sphynx cats have a higher body temperature and produce more sebum on their skin. Therefore, regular baths are necessary to maintain their hygiene. If the cat does not tolerate bathing, using alcohol-free and hypoallergenic wipes can be a suitable alternative. It is essential to pay attention to the cat's wrinkles where oil tends to accumulate. Additionally, they require regular eye cleaning as they lack eyelashes and are prone to sebaceous secretions from glands on their eyelids. The delicate skin of Sphynx cats can easily get sunburnt, so it is important to limit their exposure to sunlight. Using creams is common for these cats, and their sun exposure should be closely monitored. In colder environments, Sphynx cats may experience various health issues beyond respiratory problems. They may develop more hair in certain areas like the tail or legs to protect themselves from the cold. The ears of a Sphynx cat are another sensitive area that requires special care. Regular cleaning with appropriate products is necessary as wax can accumulate in the ear canals. Additionally, the nails of the cat can also collect dirt and wax, so keeping them clean and trimmed regularly is important to prevent injuries when the cat supports its weight on its limbs.

Shedding:

Infrequent

Grooming intencity:

Requires lots of grooming

Sphynx cats are known to be prone to various health issues, many of which are specific to the breed. Due to their lack of eyebrows and eyelashes, they often experience eye problems such as secretions, the appearance of the third eyelid, conjunctivitis, and inflamed eyelids. Additionally, hearing problems are common in Sphynx cats, manifesting as discharge, itching, inflammation, and head shaking. Respiratory diseases are more prevalent in Sphynx cats compared to other breeds, likely due to their reduced tolerance to cold weather. Symptoms may include abnormal breathing, sneezing, coughing, or nasal secretions. Viral infections like herpesvirus and feline calicivirus can also affect the respiratory tract of these cats. Dermatological and gastrointestinal issues are also frequently observed in Sphynx cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a serious heart condition that affects the left ventricle, leading to symptoms like lethargy, leg swelling, breathing difficulties, and fainting. Hereditary myopathy, causing muscle weakness and affecting the nervous system, is another common health concern in this breed. Despite these health challenges, with proper care and regular veterinary check-ups, Sphynx cats can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.