Sphynx cats gained popularity at the end of the last century. They are chosen by those who dream of a special pet with an original appearance. Hairless, big-eyed, with large ears and numerous folds on the body, they look like aliens from another planet.
Representatives of this breed have a soft and calm character. Sphynxes are very affectionate, love their owners and find loneliness difficult. Sphinxes are suitable for both single people and families with children. They will be comfortable with an owner who spends a lot of time at home, is not too busy with work and is ready for constant communication with their pet. The Sphynx cat requires attention, but she herself will definitely repay it with affection and love.
What is their character?
These are truly extraordinary animals. It seems that they have their own consciousness and intelligence. If you look into their eyes, you will immediately notice their mysterious depth. Hairless cats seem to be able to see right through your soul. They differ in a certain set of qualities, but each four-legged friend is an individual.
Curiosity
From the moment it appears in your home, familiarity with the space begins. The pet will not hide under the bed or hide in a corner. First, he will explore the living space and look into every crack.
From time to time he will cuddle up to you without leaving a single step. After a short break, he will resume his journey. Every day the baby will try to learn something new. He is attracted to everything - indoor flowers, books, slippers, scraps of paper. The Sphinx will definitely get to everything within its reach.
Lovingness
These are very affectionate representatives of the cat family. They love to rub their foreheads against their owner, expressing their trust in him. They are ready to lick your entire face, hands and ears to show their warmth towards you. Sometimes you don't even have to pet your hairless friend. He will jump onto your lap or climb onto your shoulder and start purring. At first he will follow you on your heels.
Activity
Mobility and passion for fun are another distinctive feature. If the kitten is not sleeping, then it’s time to run around the apartment, climb curtains, and jump high in order to reach the desired object. When your pet has few toys, he will find something to occupy himself with. It will bite your fingers, hunt your legs, ruffle your pant leg or sock. The energy is in full swing. Adults also love to play. They will not sit in one place for a long time.
Tendency to diseases
Don Sphynx cats are predisposed to the following genetic diseases:
- congenital entropion of the eyelids (treated surgically);
- microphthalmos - reduction in the size of the eyeball (vision deteriorates);
- syndrome of “falling asleep kittens” (due to underdevelopment of the thymus gland, babies die);
- curvature of the caudal spine, causing a number of other pathologies (problems of the skeletal system, underdevelopment of the intestines, etc.);
- nipple hyperplasia in cats (if drugs to suppress sexual desire were used);
- undershot - shortening of the lower jaw (affects quality of life);
- skin vasculitis (inflammation of the vascular walls of the skin).
Most often, Don people have skin problems caused by excessive production of sebaceous glandular secretions. These may be the following diseases:
- dermatitis;
- eczema;
- trichophytosis;
- acne.
Absolutely naked individuals are susceptible to skin diseases more often than those with fur.
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Features of care and feeding
An animal without hair is not adapted to independent life. It completely depends on the person. The bald inhabitant of your home needs the care of its owner . Keeping a pet will not be difficult if you study the rules for handling it:
- Teach all hygiene procedures from early childhood. Then your pet will not experience stress during the next attempt to get it in order.
- Build sincere relationships. If your baby trusts you, he will allow you to do whatever you need with him.
- After trimming nails or bathing, praise and stroke the head. After this, give him a treat. This way you will teach the kitten to calmly react to such executions.
- Before toilet training, get a few napkins soaked in the scent of the litter box from the breeder. This will help the baby find the right place faster.
- Don’t be lazy to rinse it right away when your four-legged friend learns where to go when he needs to. Sphynxes are very clean, so they can make a puddle nearby if you don’t clean it up in time.
- Give food on a schedule, immediately accustoming it to order. Feed 6-8 times daily until 10 months of age. Then divide the portions into 3-4 parts.
- Provide a comfortable temperature – 25-30 degrees. Pebbles do not tolerate cold and drafts well.
They are more adapted to apartment conditions, but this does not prevent you from allowing your ward to breathe fresh air or sunbathe. Half an hour a day is enough for this if the weather is warm outside.
How should a Sphynx eat?
Its digestive system is designed in a special way. It is not intended for digesting human food - spices, smoked or fried foods, confectionery or sausages. All this is poison for the cat’s body. It is not recommended to feed her only dry food, even if it is expensive.
Representatives of this breed move their jaws very actively when eating, swallowing quickly. But this does not mean that they need to be overfed. This is another feature of hairless cats - they eat this way not because they are hungry. Pebbles can eat anything you put on their plate, so be selective. Give only what is useful.
The diet should include fresh meat. Kittens are given it boiled, and adults are scalded with boiling water to prevent worms. Once a week they need boiled fish, from which all the bones are removed before serving. Marine varieties are preferred. You shouldn’t do this more often, so as not to plant buds that are forced to process a lot of liquid after your friend tastes the inhabitants of the ocean depths. Cereals include buckwheat, rolled oats, and rice. They contain microelements that support health. Milk can only be given to kittens up to 3-4 months old. Then it is better to feed him cottage cheese or fermented baked milk. The best vegetables are carrots, zucchini, and pumpkin.
Origin story
The most popular varieties of sphinxes are:
- Canadian;
- Peterbalds or St. Petersburg;
- Don;
- Devon Rex;
- Cornish Rex.
They owe their names to the places where the first individuals of these breeds were discovered.
The first mentions that have come down to us are found in historical chronicles of the 4th century. BC e. In Ancient Egypt, they were endowed with the ability to communicate with the gods, as well as the dead who had gone to the afterlife. According to one version of origin, these cats descended from the hairless Mexican cat, tamed by the ancient Aztecs many thousands of years ago. Modern Sphynxes have their own history, each type of breed has its own history. Canadians arrived in Ontario in 1966. The first representative's name was Prune. Breeders managed to breed healthy kittens, which marked the beginning of the widespread distribution of Canadian Sphynx cats around the world.
In 1975, in the USA, in the city of Vaden, a kitten named Epidermis was born. In 1976, another hairless cat appeared here; these animals became the founders of the Canadian breed. Breeders and breeders will soon receive registration and standardization of the new breed from international felinological organizations.
Don Sphynxes are not genetically related to Canadians; they are an independent breed that appeared in Rostov-on-Don in 1987, that is, more than thirty years ago. A woman picked up an ordinary stray cat from the street and sheltered it in her home. After some time, the cat completely lost its fur. Veterinarians were unable to detect any health problems and attempted treatment for shingles, but this was unsuccessful. The cat brought three kittens, completely hairless. Only a girl survived, who received the nickname Chita. She is considered the founder of this breed. The breed received its official recognition, as well as approved appearance standards, in 1996.
The St. Petersburg Sphynxes owe their origin to the professional felinologist M. Mironova. She crossed the Don Sphynx with an Oriental cat. This happened in St. Petersburg. The kittens received the gene responsible for the absence of hair from their father, and from their mother - the features of their physique, paws, and skull shape. They received official registration from WCF in 2003. Each breed has its own history of origin, however, the general description of the Sphynx is the hairlessness gene, which all representatives have. Geneticists have their own version of its appearance - a spontaneous mutation of an animal gene that occurred in different places and at different times.
Peterbald is cream colored.
How much does a kitten cost?
You can buy a naked baby at different prices. The amount is influenced by membership in a particular club, pedigree, the number of documents confirming compliance with breed standards and good health. The final cost could be as follows:
- $50-60 provided that you take the baby from your arms;
- $130-220 for an animal with a passport;
- $500-700 per offspring of champions.
If you want a Sphynx as a pet, you just need to make sure that he is healthy. It is easy to recognize by its appearance and behavior. When a bald creature actively runs and plays and shows interest in everything, this is a clear sign of good health. Then there is no point in overpaying. Those wishing to take part in exhibitions will have to pay a large sum.
There are also budget options for those who really want to make friends with a naked man, but cannot afford it financially. Kittens have very sharp and long claws. During the game they often injure each other. The most vulnerable place is the eyes. Approximately 1% of every hundred babies have one eye injured or missing. They are given into good hands for no reason or for a nominal fee.
Description of the breed
These are completely hairless animals. Light fluff appears only in winter. The skin is wrinkled. It feels very soft and velvety to the touch. When you touch your pet, you feel how hot it is. In the armpits, on the legs and tummy, the skin gathers in folds. The high legs have elongated toes, between which membranes are clearly visible.
Various color options:
- Cream – very sensitive to sunlight.
- Black – all shades of tar and gray.
- Chocolate – rare, not typical for this breed.
- Red is a warm and rich tone of beige.
- Tortoiseshell - typical only for girls.
- Transitional - a mixture of the previous one with white.
- Siamese - with a smooth transition of gray to dark.
- Blue is very similar to shades of black.
The muzzle has a rectangular shape, the eyes are slanted. They can be any color. The chin is strongly pronounced. The ears are rounded at the tips, the distance between them is no more than the width of one of them. Boys are much larger than girls. Immediately after birth, babies have weak and soft hair that falls out over time. They also have curled antennae and eyebrows – vibrissae.
How to educate correctly?
In the process of developing and shaping the character of a hairless cat, you need to take into account the characteristics of his psyche in order to raise an obedient and healthy member of your family. Learn to trust each other and you will succeed.
What to do about bad behavior?
He absolutely does not perceive rudeness. He may only become offended or become even more agitated, so it is necessary to punish carefully. If your baby climbs into prohibited places or scratches the wallpaper, use a spray bottle. Fill it with warm water, spraying your pet with a thin stream every time he tries to play pranks. Be careful not to get it in your eyes or ears.
Talk to him. Animals perfectly understand strict and confident intonation. There is no need to shout - it’s still useless. Try to distract the prankster with a new toy or interesting activity, switch his attention. It's a win-win. In adolescence - at 7-8 months, attempts will begin to establish their dominance over you or their own rules. Biting your hand or attacking your heels will become a common occurrence. Determine in advance what is acceptable for the kitten. What he is allowed to do now, he will do in adulthood.
Ways to encourage
Don't forget to praise your friend for being calm during nail trimming or bathing, and for being obedient. Stroke him on the head and back, say kind words. Be sure to give a treat - a piece of meat or cheese. Then the baby will learn that good behavior is pleasantly rewarded.
The Sphinx chooses its own leader in the family, to whom it will obey. This must be a person with a stable psyche and strong willpower. The pet will treat everyone else as his friends. Don't let the animal manipulate you, otherwise it will become a habit. Look for compromises and set your own rules without giving in to provocations.
Sphinxes are incredible creatures. They will always feel sorry for you if you feel bad. They love company and are always ready to establish contact with those who like them. These are true friends for creative, energetic and kind people. Unpretentious cats will not take up much of your time; caring for them is quite simple.
