The Sphynx is one of the rarest and most unusual cat breeds. For some people, their bald appearance is terrifying. However, there are those who adore this wrinkled but charming creature. In any case, it’s worth getting to know such an extravagant cat better.
The Sphynx is not a completely hairless cat. There are fine hairs on her skin that can be compared to the surface of a peach or suede. Another feature of the breed is the size of the ears. They can reach 7 cm. Sphynxes are medium-sized cats, with strong, well-developed bones. They need to be bathed frequently. This is due to the lack of hair, which absorbs sebum secretions.
How did hairless cats appear?
Each breed of hairless creatures has its own history, but the first mentions of these unusual creatures are associated with the Aztec civilization, so Mexico was considered their homeland. Animals were sacred, and the Aztecs believed that they gave their wool to their owners, saving them from the cold. Mexican cats were first described in the Book of Cats at the beginning of the last century. However, the last hairless Mexican cats, Nellie and Dick, left this world back in 1930.
But, as it turned out, Mexico is not the only country where strange hairless creatures lived, which appeared as a result of natural mutation. They lived in warm countries: Paraguay, India, Iran.
Hairless cats differ from their counterparts not only in their unusual appearance. They have very thick skin, so giving them injections, especially in the withers area, is very problematic. Interestingly, they feel virtually no pain.
Another feature of cats is that, due to the lack of a “fur coat,” they seem hot. But in fact, the body temperature, like other cats, is 39 degrees.
The following fact cannot be ignored. Hairless kittens can suddenly appear in an ordinary short-haired cat, or even a purebred one. Breeders are still working on developing new breeds. So perhaps the story of hairless cats is just beginning.
Buying a Sphynx kitten
Experts do not advise giving kittens to new owners before 3-4 months. Before this age, it is necessary to complete all vaccinations and create conditions for the full social and physical development of kittens. You should also have their health checked by a veterinarian.
In order for Sphynx kittens to be absolutely healthy, they need to be provided with a good diet, which will have a high content of protein and other nutrients.
The cost of a kitten of this breed depends on many factors, namely:
- pedigree of the kitten;
- health;
- temperament;
- personality.
You should not choose the Sphinx just for its exclusive appearance. Behind each such appearance lies individuality, curiosity, energy, and insight. This cat is very attached to people. She will sleep with her owner, and she also loves to attract attention and can use various means to achieve this goal. So you need to prepare for his antics.
The Sphinx is a treasure that requires careful maintenance. The best option would be an enclosed space with regular street walks in warm, not sunny weather. By surrounding him with sincere love and care, you will ensure your pet a long and happy life.
Sphynx cat breeds: description and characteristics
There are nine varieties of cats in the world that are classified as hairless breeds.
Canadian Sphynx
The history of the breed began with the birth of a kitten named Prune from an ordinary short-haired cat in 1966. Four years later, the breed was officially recognized, but soon it faced complete degeneration. However, in 1975, with the appearance of the hairless kitten Epidermis, its restoration began, and in 1979 the Canadian Sphynx was registered again.
The Canadian Sphynx has a large head, elongated towards the nose, large ears and beautiful sapphire eyes. The skin is dotted with “old woman” wrinkles.
These cats are not completely naked. They have a little hair on the muzzle, tail and paws, but no whiskers. It is assumed that they are genetically close to Mexican hairless cats.
Don Sphynx
The ancestor of the breed is considered to be a cat named Chita, born from Varvara, who began to go bald at six months, and a European shorthair cat. The first hairless kittens appeared after her mating with her son Hannibal. In 1996, the breed was registered.
Don Sphynxes come in flock, velor, brush and simply bald. They have not too large ears with sharp tips and almond-shaped eyes. Owners claim that their pets are so cute that they always make you smile.
Peterbald
The first representatives of the breed appeared by crossing the Don Sphynx and the Oriental. The selection was short-lived, and in 1996 the breed was already registered with the Breeding Felinological Federation.
Peterbalds have an oriental-type body with almost no folds, a long neck, and slanting eyes. Brush, velor or flock cover is often found. Some animals even have mustaches and eyebrows.
Elf
The breeders decided to take the Canadian Curl and the American Sphynx as the basis for the breed, but the efforts of the breeders led to success for a long time. The first kitten of a suitable phenotype was born only in 2006, 10 years after the start of work. Another year later, the standard was registered, but the improvement of the breed continues.
In body type, elves resemble Canadian sphinxes, but their ears are curved, like curls. They are considered a very expensive breed, the price of a kitten reaches up to $3,500.
Dwelf
Dwelf got its name from the words dwarf and elf. This is one of the most unusual breeds of hairless cats, which was obtained by crossing an Elf, a Bambino and a Canadian Curl. The selection lasted from 2007 to 2009, quickly producing results. Babies with short legs and curled ears were born. In addition, representatives of the breed always have fluff on their bodies.
Bambino
The breed resembles a dachshund with a long body and short legs. Nothing is known for certain about its origin, except for one thing: the bambino appeared after crossing a munchkin and a Canadian Sphynx. But whether the breed was bred through selective breeding or whether nature was just “playing around” is unclear.
Bambino (Italian: ambino-baby) are baby cats that weigh on average 2-3 kg. They have “bulging” eyes, which are quite often heterochromic, that is, different colors. The folds on the body are not very pronounced, and the color varies from white to dark, sometimes with spots.
Cohona
"Kohona" translates from Hawaiian as naked, undressed. Her homeland is Hawaii. The founder of the breed, the cat Cleopatra, was chosen from three hairless kittens left without a mother by veterinarian V. Smith. After crossing a cat with a Canadian Sphynx, she produced kittens of the appropriate phenotype. In 2002, the breed standard was approved.
The cojona's muzzle is wide and flat, the folds on the skin are not too deep, and are symmetrical. A distinctive feature of the breed is the complete absence of fur, eyebrows and eyelashes. All kittens are born completely naked, without a hint of brush or velor, with waxy skin. They remain like this all their lives.
Minskin
The breed originated in the American city of Boston. The breeder crossed a munchkin, a sphinx and short-legged cats with short hair. The result was kittens with folds and very short hair. The covering on the body resembles cashmere to the touch, and on the head and ears the fur is almost the same as that of ordinary short-haired cats.
Minskins are very affectionate and intelligent creatures. They love their owners and are always ready to play with children.
Ukrainian Levkoy
The beautiful name of the breed comes from the name of the flower - gillyflower. Its first representative, Levkoy Primero, appeared after crossing the Scottish Fold and the Don Sphynx.
The peculiarity of the breed is its massive body. The head has a wedge shape, which is decorated with charming hanging ears. The color is white, but can be in other shades.
Interesting facts about Sphynx cats
- Each Sphynx has a pattern on its nose, just like a person's fingerprints, it is unique.
- Surprisingly, an allergic reaction to Sphynx cats can also be detected. Because dust is carried on the animal's skin.
- Cats love walks in the fresh air and are not afraid of water treatments.
- Photos of the Sphinx are popular. Photographers explain this by saying that this breed is more photogenic and looks more textured in photographs.
- At birth, kittens have drooping ears, which begin to straighten a month later.
- Sphinxes may feel hot to the touch. This is due to the fact that due to the lack of fur, their normal body temperature is 38-39 degrees.
- In ancient Greek, the breed means “strangler.” The reason for this name remains a mystery.
Character and psychology of hairless cats
All hairless cats are extremely sociable and want affection. They seem to want to warm up in the arms of their owners, so much so they love to climb onto their laps and demand to be stroked and caressed.
Bald people do not tolerate loneliness very well. Therefore, single people who are busy with work all day are not recommended to start a relationship. For sphinxes, a large family is most suitable, in which every person, from the head of the family to a small child, is ready to tinker with a hairless pet.
Sphynx cats are not only affectionate, but also smart cats. Almost any breed is highly intelligent.
Health and susceptibility to disease
Hairless cats are extremely vulnerable to any climate change. For example, at low temperatures they should never be left outside unattended, since the lack of fur makes it impossible to retain sufficient body heat. Exposure to the sun can quickly cause burns on their skin. They are also very susceptible to allergic reactions. The Sphynx's skin requires regular care. Otherwise, there may be problems with it too. Animals should be bathed at least once a week.
There are people who claim that Sphynx cats are hypoallergenic cats because... they have no wool. This statement is erroneous, since the allergic reaction is not caused by wool, but by a certain protein released through saliva, dandruff and sebaceous glands. Some people with allergies prefer hairless cats. However, the breeder cannot guarantee that his pet will not cause allergies.
A hairless cat should be protected from exposure to cold and heat. To protect her from cars, attacks from other animals, and diseases that can be transmitted by other cats, it is best to keep her indoors.
Features of caring for sphinxes: how to avoid skin problems
Although it seems that hairless cats of hypoallergenic breeds do not need to be given as much time to care for their fur-coated counterparts, this is not so. You don't have to comb them, but you do need to bathe them more often and carefully monitor their skin.
Fat and dirt that accumulate in the folds must be constantly removed by wiping the skin with damp cotton pads or a natural cloth. The tail requires special attention, which is wiped every day.
A real pleasure for hairless pets is bathing. If you put them in a warm bath, they will be reluctant to leave it. You will have to bathe cats with a special shampoo, which must be washed off with your hands, and not with a shower. After bathing, the skin is thoroughly dried and lubricated with oil.
The large ears of Sphynx cats also require special care. For this purpose, special drops are purchased. They are instilled into the auricle, then the ear is massaged and wiped with cotton wool soaked in lotion intended for the ears.
There is also a special lotion for cleaning the eyes, which is often replaced with chamomile decoction. Cotton swabs are soaked in it and the cat's eyes are thoroughly wiped.
How and what to feed the Sphynx
Sphynx cats love food and their bellies prove it. They will eat whatever you offer them. However, you should still pay close attention to their diet.
Sphynx cats have a high metabolism and a sensitive digestive system, so small meals at regular intervals throughout the day are ideal. This method of serving food also prevents cats from losing interest in their food.
Dry cat food cleans your cat's teeth and protects gum health, but make sure your Sphynx has plenty of water to drink after eating to prevent dehydration.
Harder cat chews can also be found at your local specialty pet store and work well to promote gum health.
Some Sphynx cat owners choose a raw food diet and claim numerous health benefits from this diet. Experts suggest alternating a diet of raw fish such as tuna or sardines in addition to kibble and wet canned food for cats.
Keeping hairless cats
Considering that cats begin to freeze quickly, they are always kept warm. If the house is not too warm, animals spend most of their time near the radiator or heater. At the same time, owners need to take care that the pet does not get burned. It is possible to cover the battery with a thick cloth.
When taking your pets for a walk, they should be dressed in winter cold. The main thing is that there is no irritation from the suit. In the summer heat, make sure that the skin does not burn, for which purpose a protective spray is applied to it. It is better to walk in the summer in the morning or in the evening so that the skin is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Hairless animals have a faster metabolism than cats with fur, so they eat more. The diet should be compiled based on the age of the pet. It is also affected by the cat's illness or pregnancy.
If the diet includes natural food, the cat should be given low-fat chicken, cereals, and offal. It is also good to add vegetables, parsley and crackers to your diet to clean your teeth.
Diseases of hairless cats
Diseases of hairless pussies primarily include acne. Most often it occurs in blue and red cats. If acne appears, it can be easily cured with the help of special medications.
Allergies are also common among bald people. Moreover, it can be for anything: detergents, flowers, fabrics. You can get rid of it only by eliminating the source.
During estrus, cats sometimes develop seasonal dermatitis. But, as a rule, it passes as quickly as it begins.
Unlike common and easily treatable diseases, hairless cats suffer from hereditary diseases that are almost impossible to cure: gum hyperplasia, carp bite, underdeveloped tail vertebrae, respiratory tract obstruction syndrome. There are also defects of the eyeball (the eye has to be removed) or entropion of the eyelids, which requires surgical intervention. In females, nipple hyperplasia and mammary gland diseases are sometimes observed.
Cats sometimes give birth to kittens that begin to “sleep” two weeks after birth. The babies practically fade away before our eyes and it is impossible to save them, and the reason lies in an abnormality of the thymus.
Despite this “bouquet”, with proper care, cats live on average 14-15 years, and can only suffer a mild cold in their entire life.
How to choose a kitten
When choosing a kitten, you need to pay attention to its health. Such an animal should show playfulness, activity, and curiosity towards a new person. He should not have any discharge from his eyes or ears. The release of eye fluid is allowed, but only transparent and odorless. Also, the new pet must have all the documents, which include its pedigree, veterinary passport, and current vaccinations, which the breeder must provide it with.
How much do Sphynx kittens cost?
Purebred kittens are purchased only in nurseries. Such organizations have all the documents and deal only with verified animals, buy sick or not purebred. A kitten without documents and history can be bought from advertisements on the Internet for just a few thousand. The price for animals from the breeder starts from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles.
Reviews of hairless cats: what owners say about hairless pets
Some owners, when purchasing cats, do not go into the intricacies of the breed and have little idea of how, for example, a Sphynx differs from a Rex. Only after the kitten appears in the house is it truly appreciated. Moreover, upon closer acquaintance, people begin to like bald people more and more.
Frejdis
writes that she did not plan to have a pedalboard and knew nothing about these amazing cats until the pet appeared to her “by chance.” These animals are affectionate, intelligent and understand their owners well. The Peterbalds are real intellectuals, which is evident even from their looks. They quickly learn to follow commands and understand what not to do. The pet, for example, quickly realized that it was impossible to make noise when a small child was sleeping. It is also very important that cats do not shed, and you don’t have to pick up their fur all over the house.
https://otzovik.com/review_1073932.html
Krasotulya
I really appreciated the Ukrainian Levkoy after I took him into my home. The cat gives its affection to all family members, without singling out anyone. She never shows aggression. Although friends are surprised that one can love this alien creature, the owner is sure that her hairless family member cannot be compared with other breeds. My favorite immediately got used to the tray, doesn’t scratch, and understands everything right away. If anyone doubts whether to take the left one, the answer is clear - take it.
https://irecommend.ru/content/ya-byla-ravnodushna-k-semeistvu-koshachikh-poka-u-nas-ne-poyavilos-doma-eto-chudo
Sphynx cat character
At first glance, if you look at a photo of a Sphynx cat, it may seem that the pet is very unfriendly and rude. In fact, Sphynx cats have a character characterized by unimaginable warmth and love for their owner; they are very bored in his absence.
Cats quickly get along with other pets, if any, and show care and friendliness, not even allowing the thought of causing harm. They get along well with children, because they love to be the center of attention. Pets are amenable to swaddling in children's games and will not be angry if a child decides to decorate a cat's body with a design.
Sphynx cats are one of the most peaceful, unforgiving and altruistic breeds. Despite all the significant advantages, if you don’t give your kitten enough attention and affection, the animal can become embittered and aggressive.
