Things to Know Before Getting a Sphynx Cat

In today’s topic, we are going to tell you about a very special cat breed that is known all over the world. It is somewhat of an acquired taste and we are talking about the ever-famous Sphynx cat. In this article, we will discuss the things to know before getting a Sphynx cat and what Sphynx cat owners should be aware of about their special felines. What extra precautions do they need to take when they have a Sphynx cat?

History of Sphynx Cat

Hairless cats have been studied in history for long periods. But they were officially bred and recognized around 50 years ago in Canada. So this is where the mutation was found, where someone thought it would be a good idea to make this cat an official breed. Because they thought that the hairless feature of the cat was desirable. So now whether or not you find this hairless feature desirable is completely a matter of taste. For many people, this thing in cats is an acquired taste and they love their Sphynx cats. But for other people, this hairless cat is usually associated with comedy. This is mainly because it was featured in some popular shows around the world.

Sphynx are the most Popular Hairless Breed of Cat

Regardless of your choice, everyone should know that Sphynx cats are the most popular hairless cat breed in the world. Although it is worth noting that they aren’t only the hairless cat breed in the world, they are by far the most popular one.

They aren’t Completely Hairless

Another thing you should know about Sphynx cat is they aren’t completely hairless. Most Sphynx cats do have sparse hairs on their bodies. But they are usually very fine hairs or hairs that grow only in specific areas in small tufts and they usually don’t last very long. They easily dislodge and fall off. So this is why the Sphynx cat is termed a hairless cat. You might find some people saying that the sphynx cat isn’t truly hairless and they are not entirely wrong. However, for convenience in the use of terminology, they are often referred to as hairless cats.

No Cat is Truly Hypoallergenic

Now the other thing you need to know about Sphynx cats is they have a genetic defect. In other words, if this cat is out in the wild or if Sphynx was a stray cat their quality of having no hair would be a disadvantage for different reasons. But when kept as pets, this is sometimes seen as a positive especially, for some people who have cat allergies. Because cat fur is a very good source of allergens spreading around your house. A cat that doesn’t have any fur would negate this drawback. But this isn’t always the case as we saw that they will still shed dander. So remember that no cat in the world is truly hypoallergenic.

Cat’s Fur and Thermostat

The trademark of Sphynx cats as we’ve mentioned is their lack of hair. But this is also their Achilles heel. When a cat doesn’t have hair or fur, they are essentially not afforded any of the benefits of hair or fur. Cat’s fur makes them look very fluffy and cute and helps us identify our pets.
Another important function of cat fur is thermoregulation. So fur works to keep animals warm. If a cat starts feeling cold what usually happens is the cat’s fur will stand up. Because the fur is attached to a muscle, which will contract to raise the fur. So when a lot of fur rises together, the air gets trapped in between the fur and gets warmed up by the cat’s body heat.

The Comfortable Ambient Temperature Range for Sphynx Cat

The Sphynx cat naturally lacks any fur. So they are very poor when it comes to managing cold temperatures and this is something cat owners should be well aware of and should know all basic requirements for their cute Sphynx cats in the cold environment. These cats love warm environments. So if you own a Sphynx cat you have to be very mindful about the temperature in your house.
The comfortable ambient temperature range for mostly healthy adult cats is 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, this is the range in which most cats are comfortable. Many other healthy adult cats that do have fur and no underlying health issues can tolerate temperatures as low as 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. However, the Sphynx cat, no matter how healthy they are, not afford this luxury. So you have to be very careful with your thermostat settings.

Management in Harsh Weather

If you have a Sphynx cat and if you live in a country or region where you experience harsh winter weather, you have to be very careful with your Sphynx cats. It will go cold sooner than other cats would, so in this condition, pet clothes are suitable and useful. In addition to pet clothes, you have to monitor the thermostats inside your house. Ideally, offer your cat a lot of sources of warmth such as a very nice comfortable bed with an extra blanket.

Overexposure to Sunlight can Cause Sunburn

Because Sphynx cats lack fur, they naturally love the sun, as the sun gives them warmth. However, your cat can sunburn. Another function of fur which is often overlooked is that it helps cats when they are in the sun as well. Because fur will deflect sun rays away from the cat’s body and by doing so it protects the cat from the sun’s harmful rays. This deflection is very important because there are some cancers in cats that can be perpetuated or have an increased likelihood of happening if a cat is overexposed to sunlight. The most common one of all these is known as squamous cell carcinoma.
In most cases, you would find this cancer usually somewhere on their face. The reason is that there are parts of the face that aren’t well covered by hair. Therefore these areas are more prone to damage from the sun. Now because Sphynx cat lacks fur everywhere, you have to be very cautious in sunlight if you do own this cat. Simply the best solution is to keep them out of the sunlight and course, use pet clothes.

How Often Should You Bathe a Sphynx Cat?

Sphynx cats need more baths than most regular cats do. The reason is again because they lack hair, they usually get a very high build-up of all their sebaceous gland secretions on their skin. Then what owners might notice is when their cute Sphynx cat sits anywhere or walks against the wall or any surface, they leave oil spots all over the house, and it becomes a little unpleasant. Cats start to feel a bit sticky and oily when they interact with their cats. So Sphynx cats do need extra baths and the frequency depends on the personality of your cat. Most people recommend at least two to three baths per month.

Sphynx Cats are more Prone to some Hereditary Conditions

Aside from the obvious issues with a lack of hair on Sphynx cats and the problem that arises from not having hair. As a Sphynx cat owner, you should know a few other things. However, these are issues that can usually be mitigated with responsible breeding. Sphynx cats are prone to some hereditary conditions. But these are avoidable if you are very careful when you are selecting a breeder, who you’ll get your Sphynx cat from.
There are some heart conditions that Sphynx cats might be prone to and these heart conditions might have genetic components. However, these conditions can happen in many cats not just the Sphynx cat. One more genetic condition you should be very mindful of is known as muscular dystrophy. This is inherited muscular syndrome, which inhibits the cat from properly synthesizing proteins needed for muscle building, growth and development. So these cats usually have issues with muscle weakness. They might have issues walking properly and in severe cases, this eventually leads to paralysis and inhibits the locomotive capabilities of the cat.
Also, Read How to tell if your cat is overweight or obese. Major health concerns for a fat cat

Frequent Asked Questions