The main characteristic of the Sphynx cat is the lack of a fur coat! The cats, however, are not completely hairless but covered with fine, downy hair, which is said to be like a peach skin. The cat does not have whiskers or eyelashes. The head is identical to that of Devon Rex. The eyes are dark, the form of a lemon. The body is muscular and fine-boned and a barrel chest. The legs are long and slender, and the shape of the bow leg is due to the barrel of the chest.
The tail is long and rugged and hard to touch. They’re warm and soft to touch, and they’ve earned the name ‘sweet hot water bottle.’ The skin is wrinkled on the parts of the head, chest, and legs, but it should be taught everywhere else. The pigmentation is clearly evident on the skin of the cat Sphynx. All patterns and colours of the skin are acceptable.
Origin
Hairless cats have been recognised for generations; it is said that the Aztecs kept hairless cats and that the Sphynx cat was actually the first hairless cat to be bred specifically because of this feature. The breeding programme for hairless cats began in 1966 in Ontario, Canada when the pet cat gave birth to a hairless male kitten. However, the majority of Sphynx cats born today are descended from three hairless kittens found in Toronto in 1978.
Personality
The Sphynx cat is friendly, mischievous, human-oriented, and loves attention. Such cats always welcome their owners when they come home, and they’re very talkative. They ‘re really smart, friendly and cuddly. Sphynxes are the purrer kings. They want to sleep with their families, under the blankets. Their body temperature is a degree or two higher than the average for regular cats, and they have voracious appetites to compensate for the loss of heat. Despite no insulation from the weather, these cats can’t be left out in the cold, they don’t want to sit on the frozen surfaces, and they love the central heating! Those who go outside in the sun may need sun protection on light skin.
Health
The breed is susceptible to skin problems, including the occurrence of rash and fungal infections. Action should be taken to shield the Sphynx cat from sunburn. As with all cats, Sphynx cats benefit from disease protection through vaccination and require annual veterinary health checks.
Nutrition
Every cat is unique, and every cat has its own special likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. Nevertheless, cats are carnivores, and each cat must receive 41 different and unique nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients can vary based on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it is not surprising that a developing, energetic kitten requires a different nutritional balance in its diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to be taken into consideration are the provision of the right quantity of food to maintain ‘ideal body condition’ in accordance with the guidelines for feeding and catering to individual preferences for wet or dry food recipes.
Grooming
Owners should pay careful attention to keeping the Sphynx cat’s skin clean and supple. Their skin needs to be bathed or sponged every week to eliminate its oily secretions. Oily secretions must also be periodically removed from the outer ear to avoid ear infections.
Best Cat Breeds for Children
While this breed is not generally accepted as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are unique and may still be able to live with children with proper familiarity.
