Sphynx cat breed: the bald cat who loves attention as much as it loves being special

Fortunately, the Sphynx loves attention, as it will certainly grab it easily. Thanks to its special baldness, even those who do not feel at home in the world of cats know it.

Despite its divisive appearance, the Sphynx cat is becoming increasingly popular, and not by chance. Many people fall in love with it because of its extremely special, almost complete hairlessness. It is a very affectionate and kind character who often expresses its love by purring.

History

Hairless cats have always existed, but they were not well known until the 20th century. Baldness is the result of a natural mutation, but long ago many of them did not live to adulthood, because furry mother cats often did not care for hairless kittens. In the 20th century, bald individuals were first reported from Mexico. But they also popped up in France, Morocco, Australia and other countries. However, the breed originates from Canada, as it was there that they first began to deal with its targeted breeding. In 1966, a furry cat named Elizabeth had three kittens, one of them was bald. The kitten was named Prune, and its owner found it so special that started a breeding program for a new breed. They crossed Prune back with its mother, and a naked kitten was born in the litter. A few years later, along with bald kittens found on the street, Prune was the first attempt to create a hairless breed.

The first breeders had rather vague ideas about the genetics of the Sphynx and faced many problems. The genetic pool was very limited and many kittens died. In 1978, cat breeder Shirley Smith found three hairless kittens on the streets of her neighborhood. In 1983, she sent two to Dr. Hugo Hernandez in the Netherlands to cross the two kittens, Punkie and Paloma, with a white Devon Rex named Curare van Jetrophin. To improve the breed’s genetic stock, it was necessary to include hairy individuals in breeding. At first it was referred to as the Canadian Hairless, but eventually it was named after the ancient Egyptian statue.

Breed standard

The Sphynx is a medium-sized, almost completely hairless breed of cat. But not completely, because peachfuzz often covers its body. To the touch, it is as if you were stroking a peach. Its body weight is about 3.5-7 kg. Its head is triangular, short, tapering. The ears are large, wider at the base, and the ends are slightly rounded. Its eyes are large, lemon-shaped. Its whiskers are short and stiff, but sometimes completely absent. The Sphynx physique is muscular, its chest is broad, and its body is somewhat barrel-shaped. Its hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones. The limbs are thin, the forelegs are slightly o-shaped due to the distance between them. Its paws are medium-sized and oval. The tail is proportional to its body, tapered. Its color is given by the pigmentation of its skin; all colors and combinations are accepted. Its expected lifespan is 10-14 years.

Character

It’s good that the Sphynx loves attention, because wherever it goes, it attracts it. It will do anything for its owner’s attention, and is also ideal for shows, as its likes to be the center of attention. They are sometimes used as therapy cats as they enjoy company and care and are happy to reciprocate it. When it is not getting the attention of its adoring fans, the curious and energetic Sphynx will explore its surroundings. It climbs the cat ladder or otherwise seeks heights, chases a bug, or just generally gets into mischief. It is extremely fond of various games that exercise its athleticism or sharp mind. Likes to be petted and purrs profusely at times, and it likes to rub against its beloved owner.

Ideal environment

In the absence of fur, this kitty is only suitable for indoor keeping. Its bare body can easily get cold in winter so many people dress their pet in sweaters, but otherwise the breed is well adapted to its hairlessness. In summer, its body must be protected from the sun, as it can easily burn. It is a very social cat, so you should not leave it alone for a long time. It feels good in the company of other cats and possibly even dogs. Often heard that cat allergy sufferers can keep this cat, but it can easily happen that they are sensitive to it despite the lack of fur. Allergens can be found in the saliva and skin of cats.

Care

The cat’s skin produces oils to protect the animal from pathogens. Unlike furry cats, this layer of sebum is deposited on the body of the Sphynx. Bathe it often to avoid unpleasant odors. It is important to choose a pH-neutral, cat- and skin-friendly product. Oil is deposited more in the ears and on the toes, so these areas must be cared for especially often, i.e. the sebum must be removed. You should wipe its eyes from time to time with a soft, wet cloth. To avoid possible infections, use a separate area of the cloth for each eye. Its claws should be trimmed if they grow too long, and its teeth should also be cleaned regularly. Since all cats are sensitive to the cleanliness of their litter, make sure that the Sphynx’s tray is always spotless.

Common health problems

Although many people would not think, but the Sphynx is not prone to many health problems. You have to pay attention to its skin, because it can develop skin problems. Some individuals may also struggle with heart disease.

(Literature used: János Szinák – István Veress: Cat Guide, Jean-Luc Renck: The Cat, Laura Aceti – Viola Autieri: Our Best Friend, the Cat)