Sphynx Guide Q&A
Below are answers to some questions you may have . Be sure to research as much info as you can about your beloved cat and talk with the breeder you get your cat from for more help. Your vet should also be a great source of help. We are passionate about the Sphynx Cat breed and that is why we are Sphynx Cat Breeders. With that we feel there comes a responsibility to share as much as we can with anyone that is wanting to learn. What about allergies... ?
Many people have allergies and we are often asked if Sphynx are hypoallergenic. Majorities of people with allergies are able to live with a Sphynx.. Each person is different and we cannot guarantee it will be the same for all. It will depend on the individual and the severity of their allergies and whether their environment is kept clean. Also keep in mind the some reactions take a period of time to occur. If you are allergic to cat saliva then you will probably still be allergic to the sphynx breed. What type of temperament do Sphynx have...?
The Sphynx are such an incredible breed of cat and they are very intelligent. Socialization as a kitten makes them very friendly and people loving. They are very dog like in the fact that they will follow you around your house and want to be in on everything that is going on. They usually get along very well with other breeds of cats and dogs as long as the other animal in the house is willing to accept them and you are the new owner have made the proper introduction. They also get along well with all ages of children who have been taught to respect and appreciate animals. Many Sphynx people train their cats to be leash trained and they love to ride in the care and be included in your vacation plans. They have an easygoing personality and love attention and lots of times demand that you play with them and pet them. Do Sphynx need special circumstances to keep from getting cold... ?
Generally if you are comfortable in your home then a Sphynx is usually comfortable. If you are cold and are needing a blanket then so will your cat. Another sign that they are possibly cold is if they are seeking out a computer monitor, top of a TV or are under the covers of a bed. Many Sphynx owners keep a (pet) heating blanket or pads, wrapped with a blanket turned on low so that their Sphynx can find a warm spot if needed. There are also nice pet beds that are produced now and your Sphynx will love that too. Do I need to give my Sphynx a bath...?
The answer to this question is yes. They need to be bathed regularly because they do not have hair to adsorb the natural oils in their skin. By the time you get your Sphynx kitten they should be acclimated to the bathing process at an early age. It is a simple process and many of them will enjoy the arm water and will join you in the tub rather you have asked them or not. How do you bathe a Sphynx ... ?
The ways to bathe a Sphynx are many including sponging them off in the kitchen sink, or wiping them down with a damp washcloth. They can also be soaped up in the bathtub. The latter has been found by many to be the best way. Run enough warm water in the tub that it just touches the bottom of the cat's stomach when they are standing. By using this amount of water the cat isn't able to move around as easily as they would in more shallow water. Always run the water into the tub before you put the cat into the tub to avoid scaring it. If you do not have one of those anti-slip mats in your tub please put a towel in the bottom of the tub so that the surface is less slippery to stand on. Place the cat in the tub and pour water over it's back from a cup. Keep one hand on your cat and begin to lather the cat all over staying away from eyes and mouth. Wipe the cat's face with a damp washcloth making sure to clean the wrinkles on its head and around the mouth area. Once you feel you have thoroughly cleaned the cats’ body all over, pour more water over it to rinse. Make sure that you get all of the soap off from under the cat's neck and armpits or the residue that is left will cause the cat to itch. Give special attention to the armpits and between the toes. Don't lather the front of the kitten's ear to keep soap from getting in it. Talk to your cat in a soothing manner with soft tones. When you are done washing and rinsing the cat wrap it up in a nice dry towel. They love warm towels that are just out of the dryer too. While still wrapped in the towel it is a good time to clean the ears, clip the nails and clean the claw sheaths. Once you are done with this process sit and have some love time! You will both enjoy this special time. How often should you bathe a Sphynx ... ?
It is very hard to get you a set time with this question. Some Sphynx produce more oil than others and it will depend on your cat as to how often you will need to bathe it. Some produce little to no oil and can go several weeks to months without a bath. As a rule many suggest a month bath as a starting point and you can change the schedule as you get to know your cat better. I though all cats were cats frightened of water... ?
By the time you get your Sphynx kitten a reputable breeder will already of been giving the kittens baths at an early age so they are accustomed to a bath before they come into your home. Many actually seem to like the water and will even sit on the edge of the tub when their owners are bathing. They will even play in the water that is left in the shower when you are done. If your kitten is timid at bath time you should be reassuring but also make it clear that he must have his bath. When you are done give him a reward for putting up with bath time. It is a necessary part of Sphynx grooming. How do you trim the nails of a Sphynx ... ?
The pet stores have nail trimmers made especially for animals or you can use human nail clippers. Make sure the slippers are sharp, as a dull one will splinter the mail instead of making a nice clean cut. If the claws are light colored you can see a "pink" area of the nail. You clip up to the pink area but not into it. If you cut into the pink area it will cause pain to the cat and possible bleeding. A human has the same response! If the claws are dark enough that you can't see this pink area, it is best to only clip off the sharp tips at first and with experience you will know how far up you can cut without hurting the Sphynx. In this case less is better. My Sphynx has dark gunk at the base of it's claws should I remove it ... ?
The black or dark gunk might remind some of a type of wax. It is a combination of natural oils produced in the skin and it can cause dirt to get caught between the toes when walking around. You extend the cat's claws and wipe the dirt away with a "Baby Wipe" purchased at Costco, Target or Wal-Mart. The brand you buy needs to have lanolin in it. For some reason the lanolin removes the waxy gunk much easier than anything else. Do I need to clean the inside of the ears of my Sphynx ... ?
Yes you do. Put several drops of ear cleaner into the cat's ears and massage the base to work it down thorough. You might want to put a piece of cotton on the ear so the cleaner doesn't get all over everything when the cat shakes its head. Take the cotton or cloth you are using and wipe out as much wax as you can get with it. Use cotton swabs to get what you can't reach with the cloth. Be very careful when inserting the cotton swab into the cat's ear, and keep it at a vertical angle. Only wipe what you can see, do not try to make blind sweeps or jabs into crevices to avoid damaging the ear. Be careful just like you would with a human ear. What should you feed a Sphynx...?
Your Sphynx cat deserves a high quality diet made for felines. A nutritionally complete diet will add to the quality of live for your Sphynx and also to the health. The cats have a high demand because of their metabolism. A high quality food also required less baths as frequently. They get wet food at least once a day. We also feed them kitten chow their entire life to make sure they get what they need.Some foods can be too rich and can cause unpleasant smells *-), gas, and runny stools. We prefer Orijen Dry Cat Food and Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Wet Food. What is the lifespan of a Sphynx...?
Many of the Spynx live into their late teens and twenties. There can be unfortunate early deaths just as with humans. They also don't suffer from any special health problems. What is the average size of Sphynx cats...?
Generally adult females weigh 6-8 pounds while males are 8-10 pounds, however this can vary to some extent either way. What causes some Sphynx to grow fuzz...?
You need to remember that no cat is truly hairless. Hormone changes may sometimes cause your sphynx to grow a small amount of fuzz time to time as it matures. The genetic background of your cat will can determine how much your cat will get. Early spay/neater will lessen the changes of this happening. It may come and go with the changing seasons or remain intact. There is no way to know that for sure. In time you will know how your cat will be.
