Sphynx Care
Whilst the Sphynx cat is without a coat it does not mean it requires less maintenance or grooming than a cat with hair. The grooming is just carried out differently.
Body
In the case of a hairy cat, oils that the body produces to keep the skin protected and healthy are absorbed by the hair, in the Sphynx cat these oils tend to build up on the skin. Therefore, most Sphynx require regular baths to prevent this build up of oils and in turn prevent them leaving dirty oil marks on your soft furnishings, window sills and clothing. The frequency of bathing varies from one cat to another. Most of our cats enjoy their baths and have been used to having them from an early age but occasionally we have an odd one that doesn’t, in these rare circumstances we will advise you on how to keep your kitty clean.
Ear and Eyes
Sphynx do not have any hair in their ears and as a result will have a build up of wax if left untreated. We recommend weekly cleaning with a product recommended by us or your veterinary surgeon.
Any “sleep” in their eyes should be wiped gently away with wet cotton wool (one piece for each eye).
Feet
Again, due to their lack of hair, dirt builds up in their nail beds around their claws. This can be easily removed weekly by wiping them with baby wipes. Their claws should also be trimmed to prevent them catching or growing into their pads.
We will demonstrate bathing and cleaning your Sphynx ensuring you are happy with the procedures before you take him/her home.
Indoor Cats
Due to their lack of coat and their inquisitive nature, Sphynx cats must not be allowed outdoors unattended. They have no protection from the sun and have limited means of conserving their body temperature when the weather turns cold. There are a million and one hazards outside your door, busy roads, poisonous plants, toxic substances, fatal viruses and other animals to name a few.
Sphynx cats are also very confident and sociable and would think nothing of approaching the nearest passerby and walking home with them. However, they are usually easily trained to walk out in a harness and lead should you wish to spend time out in the garden with them.
Your Sphynx cat can get sunburnt indoors as well as outdoors, the lighter coloured cats are usually more susceptible. If you are unable to limit your cat’s exposure to the sun you should use a sunscreen product made especially for animals, I recommend Petscreen SPF23 which is readily available through your vet, most pet shops and online. Do not use any sunscreen designed for human use as your cat will wash him/herself and these products are usually dangerous when ingested.
As Sphynx cats are extremely energetic and playful, being indoor cats you must ensure they have plenty to keep them occupied and in good physical condition. We have hundreds of toys for our cats including catnip cigars, ping pong balls, feather sticks and chirruping mice, it is important to tidy away the toys and bring them out afresh each day as cats are very habitual animals and lose interest in toys if they’re just left around the house for them. Scratching posts and activity stations are also a must for any cat owner, they are great fun for the acrobatics and will also mean your lovable little minx is less likely to exercise his/her claws on your lovely sofa. Scratching posts come in all sizes, shapes and colours to suit your room but we recommend you invest in one of a robust quality that will last more than a few weeks.
Health
As a breed Sphynx are generally very healthy cats.
All our kittens leave with 4 weeks complementary insurance with Pet Plan, we strongly advise that this or another suitable policy is continued for the duration of your cat’s life.
It is vital that you continue the vaccination regime of your kitten/cat throughout their life, this applies even though your cat lives indoors. All kittens and cats leaving us will have an up to date record of his/her vaccinations.
HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) is a disease where areas of the heart muscle enlarge and thicken and any cat regardless of breed or age. Many breeders scan for the disease regularly in their cats to remove positive-testing and high risk cats from their breeding programs in the effort of reducing the incidence of HCM within the breed as it is a hereditary disease. Our cats are scanned annually.
Even though your Sphynx cat has no coat they can still fall victim to fleas and other parasites. Measures should be taken to prevent/treat them as necessary. As for all other cats they should be regularly treated for parasitic worms with a product recommended by your vet.
Diet
Sphynx cats have a higher metabolic rate than other breeds due to their lack of coat, they need to produce more energy to keep themselves warm. Therefore, they require a high quality balanced diet.
My cats have Royal Canin and Techni-cal dry food available at all times, with the addition of Applaws tinned food offered at intervals during the day. They also have a weekly treat of cooked chicken or fish.
We supply the new owners of our cats with packs including a selection of the foods they have been eating whilst with us. We strongly advise that this food be continued when the kitten or cat reaches his/her new home. If, however, it is necessary to change the diet it should be done very gradually to prevent any unnecessary stomach upset that may occur as a result of the change.
Fresh water must always be available for your cat, we have a mixture of bowls and drinking fountains as they enjoy drinking running water, there is also suggestion that this assists in the prevention of urinary problems as it encourages your pet to drink more frequently.
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