Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | Sphynx |
| Origin | Canada |
| Size | Less than 12 pounds 13 to 15 inches |
| Lifespan | 8 to 14 years |
| Coat | white, black, red, brown, white, and lilac solid, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, tuxedo, and pointed |
| Temperament | Playful, affectionate, friendly, energetic, and loving |
| Exercise Needs | Low |
| Health Issues | Heart diseases, skin allergies, dental problems |
| Grooming Needs | High |
| Price | $1900 – $2500 |
Introduction: Sphynx
In the world of various ever changing world of cat breed the Sphynx stands tall and differentiate it from other breeds due to its uniqueness in its appearance and personality. They are hairless cats due to which they earn a separate place in cat kingdom. They have wrinkly skin and peach fuzz coat. Despite of their unusual appearance they are very affectionate, playful in nature and tends to act like a dog most of the time. They make great companions to family members, other pets and children. In this article we will learn more about its charming world.
History and Origin
The Sphynx firstly originated in 1966 as a Canadian breed originated in Toronto due to a random genetic fusion. The name of the first Sphynx breed cat was Prune and in 1970s the breeders took a initiative to breed them to develop them further in Europe and North America. As a result of random genetic mutation these were very hard to breed but with proper work and careful breeding, breeders were successful in bringing a breed to life that maintained a unique hairless traits along with insuring them being healthy and strong.
Physical Appearance
The highlighting feature of the Sphynx cat is its hairless body which automatically distinguish it from other mammals. They have a medium sized body with a muscular build, prominent cheekbones and a wedge-shaped head. They have large up pointed ears which gives them the alert appearance. They can come in various colors such as white, black, red, brown, white, and lilac with patterns such as solid, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, tuxedo, and pointed.
Temperament and Personality
Despite of Sphynx’s unique appearance they are very friendly, playful and affectionate. They are very good with other pets and children if socialized at an early age. They are often described as lap cats and love to cuddle in lap. They often tend to act like a dog due to which they like to seek attention from its owners. Due to their perfect playful and affectionate personality they make a perfect companion and a pet for an individual and family.
Exercise and Activity Needs
Sphynx are very active cats and they are quite energetic than most of the cats and they require low amount of exercises such as physical and metal stimulation. Playing, walking, solving puzzles etc at least 30 mins a day can keep them mentally and physically active and healthy. Playing and engaging in regular activities with it daily can strengthen the bond between them and family members. Giving it enough space inside the house to climb and play can help them keep happy.
Grooming and Care
Even though Sphynx have no hairs at all they still need high amount of grooming to maintain its skin health. They should be bathed regularly because they have no any hairs which can absorb their body oils. Regular washing helps in balancing its body oil and prevent from possible skin allergies and acnes. Bathing them weekly is the best option to maintain their skin health and its overall hygiene. Trimming nails, cleaning ears and brushing teeth are some important grooming activities.
Some helpful tips:
- One must know that they should not over wash their skin as it can damage and degrade its skin’s natural oil quality.
- Bathing once a week with high quality shampoo is much better for their skin and overall health.
- Clean their ears, trimming nails, brushing their teeth with high quality toothpaste are some major cleaning activities.
Health and Common Concerns
In general Sphynx cat is a healthy breed but due to their hairless body they can be exposed to numerous diseases. Due to their hairless body they cannot live on cold weathers and over exposure in sun can cause sun tan just like humans and they have no protection against the harmful UV rays. The exposure from the sunrays must be limited to ensure its healthy skin. Along with some skin allergies they can be prone to some of the diseases listed below.
- Heart Disease
- Dental Problems
- Skin diseases
Regular visit to vet and providing it a good balanced diet with proper sanitation is very necessary to ensure its good health.
Some helpful tips:
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once every 14 weeks is recommended.
- Feed them nutritious and protein condense foods like fish, milk, authentic cat foods etc.
- Never neglect the hydration of your cat.
- Giving them necessary vaccines to fight various bacteria and allergies is necessary.
- Socializing and interacting with them by playing is an important activity for their mental health as well as physical health.
- Proper sanitation and clean environment is a must for minimal risk of bacterial diseases.
- If any sudden sickness you should immediately seek help from respective professionals.
Training and Socialization
Sphynx are quite intelligent cats so they benefit from training and early socialization. They are very good in learning tricks and solving puzzles. They are good with other pets and children if socialized at an early age. Training them is quite easy and with positive reinforcements they can definitely benefit from the training. Giving them positive praise and treats during this period can motivate them to learn more and more. If you are having trouble in training them it is good to seek help from the professionals.
Some helpful tips for training and socialization:
- Teach your cat to sit, stay, heel, walk on stairs, jump etc. which is essential for its safety.
- Teaching your cat what to eat, what not to eat and where to excrete, where not to is essential for cleanliness as well as cat’s safety.
- Teaching the cat to recognize family and strangers is an important activity which can be done by playing with it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Sphynx is a unique cat breed with affectionate and playful personality which can be suitable for any household. Due to their dog like personality they can be a good companion for family members, other pets and children. They love to seek attention and playing with family members which can strengthen the bond between them and the family member. They are good lap cats so they are very good to cuddle pets and can be great companion throughout its life. Bringing them into your home ensures to bring love, joy and a companion to your life and family.
Image Source: Getty Images
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