Question 1

What to look for in a breeder?

Accepted Answer

Pay the breeder a visit and assess the environment that the kittens and parents are in. The ideal scenario for a kitten which is going to become a pet, is to be born into a home with people and to experience all of the normal domestic activities that happen in a home.  This helps it to become used to the home environment and not be stressed by it.

Kittens should be in a comfortable environment with lots of toys and things to explore - this enables you to get an insight into their personality.

You need to be able to see the kitten with its mother - this helps to avoid kittens which may have been ‘farmed’.  Ask the breeder how many litters the parents have had - aside from the ethical implications, cats that are intensely bred can produce kittens that are more likely to encounter health issues.

Breeders should be registered with GCCF, FELIS BRITANNICA (FB) OR TICA or equivalent. These bodies set strict standards that breeders should adhere to.

The contract should include a Health and HCM guarantee, ideally for 3 years.

The breeder needs to show evidence that both parents are scanned for HCM annually.  Scans need to have been performed by a veterinary cardiologist

Kittens should not be taken from their mother and released to their new home until at least 13 weeks old and preferably up to 16 weeks.

Kittens should be fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered.

Question 2

What is HCM?

Accepted Answer

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is an inherited disease of the myocardium (heart muscle).  It remains the most prevalent heart disease in ALL domestic cats and is not subject to a single breed, although several breeds have a higher prevalence, including Sphynx cats.

HCM is often asymptomatic until it results in sudden cardiac death, thus making regular HCM screening invaluable.

HCM can develop at any time between the ages of 1 and 8 years old, so although screening is vital, it is not a guarantee against a Sphynx ever developing the disease.

The life expectancy of a Sphynx diagnosed with HCM varies from case to case, and typically with early detection and the use of medication a Sphynx can continue to live several years without complications.

When buying a Sphynx, it’s important to ensure the breeder has a HCM guarantee, ideally for 3 years.

Question 3

Bringing My New Kitten Home.

Accepted Answer

There is an extremely useful article about how to provide your new kitten with a ‘decompression area’ when you first bring them home. Also about introductions to existing pets.  Very kindly provided by KittySitty (fully qualified feline behaviourist, APBC CAB. ABTC (CAB))

She also provides a very useful online ‘Kitty Kindergarten’ course, very valuable in lead up to getting your little bundle of (un)furry joy.  Contact her via www.kittysitty.net

Question 4

Are Sphynx cats hypoallergenic?

Accepted Answer

No, the Sphynx is not a hypoallergenic cat.  Contrary to popular belief, it is not the hair of a cat that is allergenic - the cause of allergy to cats is a protein called Fel d 1 which comes from a cats saliva and the sebum found in the sebaceous glands of cats.

The protein attaches itself to dried skin, called dander, that flakes off and floats through the air when cats wash themselves.

That said, some people who are allergic to cats can tolerate the Sphynx breed better than normal coated cats.

Some tips for those allergic to cats :

* Designate your bedroom as a cat-free zone
* Wash your hands immediately after touching your cat and don’t rub your eyes.
* Eliminate allergen traps such as upholstered furniture and rugs. 
* Ensure plenty of fresh air. 
* Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner on carpets
* Clean the cat box as soon as possible after the cat has used it (cat allergen is found in urine)e household who is not allergic clean the box ( I love this one).
* Wash your cat’s bedding regularly.

Question 5

What should I feed my Sphynx?

Accepted Answer

Sphynx cats love food, and their potbellies prove it.  Some are fussier than others - one of our Sphynx loves cucumber and strawberries as a treat while the other won’t touch them!  - Be aware there are several foods that can be poisonous to Sphynx - Onions, grapes, chocolate to name a few.

Sphynx cats have slightly different nutritional needs than other cat breeds because they have no fur. Their bodies have to work harder to maintain body heat so they tend to have a higher metabolism.  Sphynx cats are typically happy with a grazing style diet where food is constantly available throughout the day - but it is important to monitor their weight carefully.

Your Sphynx cat will need a meat-based diet, high in protein and certain fats, and low in carbohydrates. Some owners may choose to give their Sphynx a Raw diet, while others will rely on high quality commercial foods (Wet or Dry). Each has its pros and cons and the best one for you will depend on your lifestyle and circumstances as well as the needs and preferences of your Sphynx.

There are so many different opinions, so it’s worth doing your own research.

Question 6

Do Sphynx need to wear clothes?

Accepted Answer

Sphynx bodies have to work harder than cats with an insulation of fur in order to maintain heat.  If your Sphynx avoids walking or sitting on cold surfaces like wooden floors, it could be a sign that they are chilly.  If they are spending more time than usual snuggled in blankets or clinging to their humans then it could be a sign that they are seeking extra warmth.

What works for us, but of course you will find your own routine. Is that we pop a shirt on them after they have woken in the morning and had their morning groom.  We find that the cooler part of the day is from breakfast, till around mid afternoon/tea-time when the heating comes on/the house warms up and we have the hustle of family life.  The shirt will usually come off at this time.

We also pop a shirt on (see the UV+ shirts) when they go into the catio, or we take them out for a walk as they are surprisingly susceptible to sunburn.

We never pop them in a shirt overnight as they get toasty warm in their thick fluffy blankets and we never leave them unattended in clothing.

Some people also like to use a shirt as an alternative for a ‘thunder jacket’. For some cats that may be a little nervous in certain situations, ie thunder, vets visit then a shirt can have a calming effect.

At the Sphynx Cat Clothing co, we make tops from various materials, including light and medium weight cotton lycra and winter squish fabrics. We also make UV protective tops to help prevent sunburn. And of course we are passionate about the one-hole design which we feel is far more comfortable for Sphynx to wear and causes less rubbing under their arms than the two-arm design.

Question 7

Where does the Sphynx breed originate from?

Accepted Answer

Contrary to popular belief, Sphynx cats do not originate from Egypt - although they were named after the Egyptian legendary sphinx (although spelled with a "y" instead of an "i") because of their sophisticated look and graceful nature.

However they do in fact originate from Toronto in Canada, when in 1966 a random genetic mutation lead to a hairless breed of cat. The breed made its way to America and Europe and experts bred cats with this newfound hairless gene to create the hairless Sphynx cats that we know and love today.

Question 8

Claws and ear cleaning

Accepted Answer

We clean our boys ears weekly.  Luckily the build up in their ears is not excessive (too excessive may require a vet visit to rule out any underlying issues).  George loves his done, Mildred not so much.  We use a gentle baby cleaning wipe and role up to a soft point.  We were shown by our breeder how to do this (Breeder bonus points). People do use cotton buds, but as with us, super care must be taken not to go too far into the ear canal and cause damage - we stick to wipes for this reason.

Oils build up a lot on their claws, so we need to keep them clean, they also become sharp quite quickly as they are not out and about like a lot of outdoor cats with differing surfaces to keep them filed down.  About fortnightly we give the boys claws a good clean and trim.   Again, this is like a little pamper session for them (again shown by our breeder).  We swaddle them and pop out one leg at a time and use the same gentle baby wipes to clean the claws individually before trimming.   Use a trimmer specifically for cat claws and be cautious not to trim too short and catch the vessels and nerves that run down the centre of the claw.

I am not a fan of claw caps, though I’m sure they have their place for some people. And never, ever, EVER have a cat de-clawed.

Question 9

How often should I bath my Sphynx?

Accepted Answer

Contrary to popular belief, Sphynx do not need bathing weekly.  Again, you will find what works best in your situation,  but their oily body secretions can be made worse by more frequent bathing.    We find that monthly works well for us.

Try to make bath time a chilled affair, lots of soft gentle encouragement, a big fluffy warm towel, to wrap in afterwards and treats.   Some cat may like a few toys in the bath for distraction - ours don’t,  they just patiently wait for it to be over as quickly as possible.

Some people find that a washcloth/flannel wrung out in the bath water and placed over the back can create a calming sensation if your cat if a little stressed by bath time.

You will find all sorts of information on what to use in your Sphynx’s bath.  We use a very very mild, organic formula baby bath, the smallest amount just to create a few gentle bubbles (which the boys like) and a gentle exfoliating glove, to gently stroke them and give them a gentle clean (paying particular attention to under the arms and their grubby behind!).  This won’t be in agreement with everyone, but as always do you own research and find what works best for you.  On no account use dish-soap to cut away the grease - yes honestly I have seen this mentioned in groups!

Question 10

What Toys/Enrichment Should I Give My Sphynx?

Accepted Answer

Toys come in many shapes and forms, from expensive electronic toys, to cheap bouncy balls. By our experience, cats don’t care of the cost of the toys!

Consider different types of play, floor prey and air prey toys as well as a laser which can cover both bases (lasers can cause frustration though as there is no actual kill reward sensation so use carefully and limit play ending on a soft toy they can actually catch!).

Rotate toys on a regular basis so cats do not become bored, you can spray them with catnip/valerian too for differing effects.

Matatabi sticks are excellent which you can buy from amazon or other pet stores. They have a milder effect than cat nip but facilitate good jaw exercise too whilst being safe.

Cats are natural climbers and it is important for your cat to be able to rest and observe its surroundings from high places. Cat trees can be a valuable addition as they can address several areas depending on their design.

If your cat is taking a nap, let sleeping cats lie! Providing secret hideaways are important - these can be created by making space available under the bed, inside cupboards, or as mentioned above, a cat tree.

Cats need to scratch to maintain their claws and mark their territory. If provisions are not made for this then cats will scratch items of furniture. Scratching posts should be as tall as possible to allow your cat to scratch vertically at full stretch. Panels can be attached to walls at the appropriate height if space is at a premium. Some cats prefer to scratch horizontal surfaces so a variety of scratching areas should be provided.  Many cat trees also have sisal posts for cats to scratch.

We are very lucky with this breed that Sphynx are generally very social cats… How many times have you heard that they are stealers of your personal space (as well as your heart)?  But, don’t be too needy for your Sphynx, constantly approaching for cuddles could leave to irritation for you cat.  Have all the love and cuddles… but on their terms. Many cats enjoy the company of their own species too, under the right circumstances, and in many cases to have two kittens is way better than one for many reasons.

A lot of cats love to watch ‘cat tv’ on the TV, a tablet or similar.  Live/recorded images of birds/squirrels/fish and other prey can be mesmorising.   My boys watch for a few minutes but then wonder off. However, you can’t beat the real thing.  If you are able to place a bird/wildlife feeder near to windows that your cats frequent.  There’s nothing like the ekk ekk ekk of a Sphynx when the birds are nearby.

Cat wheels are by no means a ‘must have’ but it is something we own and it is fantastic.  Our boys use it many times daily, and love to show off by calling for you to watch and praise them  It of course keeps them active, helps weight control, and they love to just let loose on it.  Sometimes a gentle stroll, often together and sometimes a full on sweaty gallop!  But please do your research.  Many of the cheaper wheels can be unstable and have been known to de-rail, are noisy and can be bad for kitties backs as the circumference is too small.  This is one area where you definitely get what you pay for.  We are in no way affiliated with, but can highly recommend Cazami wheel, UK based (which is Ferris or ZIGGYdoo in other parts of the world).

Question 11

Can Sphynx cats learn to do tricks?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Sphynx are very intelligent and thrive on learning new tricks such as playing “fetch”,  shaking a paw, hi-five etc.

This is done by rewarding actions that you want your cat to repeat.  There are lots of excellent videos on you tube.

Cats actually enjoy the interaction of training so its not so much what you teach them its your interaction and building of a relationship and the attention that they thrive on.

Address what is your cats’ motivational drive? is it food or fuss/play? whichever is their drive use this to your advantage to use for positive reward for the good behavioural response that you want to achieve in your teaching.

Clicker training can support a positive reinforcement for good behaviour (it can also be used to  allow a cats unwanted behaviour to disappear through the lack of reinforcement, but that’s another topic entirely). Clicker training is a sound that an animal has delivered when it is not possible to deliver a positive reinforcer at the time such as a treat etc.

Question 12

Sphynx personalities

Accepted Answer

It’s often said that the personality of a Sphynx cat is closer to that of a dog than a cat!

Sphynx cats are loyal and full of love for their humans and can often be spotted following them around or snuggling up. Even though they would almost always rather be cuddling, sphynx cats are natural athletes and love play and interaction. Though sphynx cats are exceptionally active felines, their exercise needs are low.

Sphynx are happy to entertain themselves for hours at a time, but do also need lots of interaction. If you are away from home for most of the day, you might want to get two sphynx cats. Sphynx cats get along with other pets, too, so you can rest easy knowing they will be happy if you have another animal they can snuggle with at home, including dogs.

They love to play, jump, and may even fetch once trained.  They are social and smart and respond well to positive reinforcement training.

Question 13

Cat-sitter advice

Accepted Answer

When leaving your Sphynx in the care of a cat-sitter, it's important to make sure they know the "do's and don'ts". It's so easy to forget something, so we have created this handy checklist for you to print out.

Sphynx Advice