THE ORIGIN OF THE SPHYNX

Originally called the "hairless Canadian", the Sphynx cat is native to Toronto (Canada).

It appeared in 1966, in a litter of short-haired cats; within this litter, a hairless kitten appeared as a result of a natural genetic mutation. It must be said that this was not the first hairless cat, as at the end of the last century, a couple of kittens unrelated to the modern Sphynx were born in the country of Mexico. 

Since then, the Sphynx began to crossbreed with both other hairless cats and short-haired cats, seeking the best health for the breed, as the duplicate hairless gene is lethal (the foetuses do not develop and are reabsorbed by the mother). In recognition of its resemblance to the cats seen in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the cat was later named "Sphinx". 

The breed was recognised in 2005 by the International Cat Association (TICA); and the Cat Fanciers Association recognised the breed in 2002.

WHAT IS THE SPHYNX CAT LIKE?

The "Sphynx" is a small-medium sized cat, characterised mainly by its large ears and hairless, slightly wrinkled skin with a pleasant, warm feel. Slender and muscular, despite their small size they are slightly heavy when held; a male "Sphynx" weighs between 3.5 and 5 kg and a female between 3 and 4 kg.  

They have a triangular head with wide-set eyes and prominent cheekbones reminiscent of ancient Egyptian cats, the resemblance of which inspired the breed's name. In addition to being hairless, the Sphinx's most striking feature is its large, triangular, bat-like ears, which give it the expression of a friendly extraterrestrial. The sphinx uses its fingers as a means of investigating anything that catches its attention.   

Although hairless, no two sphinx cats are alike. The main differences are in the pattern that appears on their fur and in the little hair they have (a fine fluff). The colours may be solid (white, black, reddish, brown or washed) or they may have a much more striking specific pattern (bicolour, calico, brindle, tortoiseshell, colourpoint and Tonkinese). 

THE MAIN DISEASES OF THE SPHYNX CAT

Like many cats, Sphynxes are genetically prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is the most common form of heart disease in cats and causes enlargement (hypertrophy) of the myocardium.  

Skin complications are also common due to the lack of coat and they are prone to urticaria pigmentosa, a skin disease that causes crusty ulcers, and skin cancer. It is therefore crucial to control their exposure to the sun and protect them with high quality sun creams (100 protection or sun allergy protection). They are also prone to develop skin candidiasis and you may need to bathe them with a special antifungal shampoo on a regular basis.  

Infections at the base of the nails are also regular, so you should expose your cat's nails every week and clean them well with a cotton swab.

As there is no coat to help regulate temperature, the Sphynx cat is prone to colds, so jumpers should be worn in colder periods. 

As far as weight is concerned, the Sphynx cat has a tendency to obesity, so we must take care of its diet, not only because of the problem of being overweight and obese, but also because the rubbing of the folds of skin that this disease creates can lead to very painful sores, ulcers and yeast infections.

SPECIFIC CARE OF THE SPHYNX CAT

The Sphynx cat, despite being hairless and apparently a "comfortable" cat when it comes to living together at home, requires some specific care for its health and appearance to be optimal. 

The first thing we have to know is that it will be necessary to bathe him every 15 days with nice warm water, then wrap him in a warm towel to open the pores of the skin and then lather him up, using a mild hypoallergenic shampoo, especially for puppies or hairless breeds. Rub thoroughly, but without being too rough, so that the skin is clean and no blackheads or pimples form. 

We will clean the base of the nails well (this on a daily basis) with a cotton swab to avoid infections and, once our sphynx cat has been rinsed, we will dry it with a thick and soft towel, making an effort in the most delicate areas, such as the folds of the skin and the pads. If we leave a damp area, we can encourage the appearance of fungus or dermatitis. 

FEEDING THE SPHYNX CAT

The Sphynx cat usually has a certain tendency to put on weight, so we will have to choose a quality basic food for it, the best option being a feed without cereals with animal protein as a base; given that omega 3 is essential for good skin care, we can choose Reis d'Aranda's feed for adult cats with duck and sardines or white fish and caviar. 

We must not forget to give them tins, pâtés and specific soups on a daily basis (the quantity will depend on the weight of our cat), so that they are well hydrated. The water available to them should be plentiful, clean and fresh. 

If our cat does not drink enough water, the chances of suffering from kidney problems will increase. 

THE PERSONALITY OF THE SPHYNX CAT

The Sphynx cat is an extrovert and sociable animal that loves human contact and coexists well with other pets, a tireless seeker of affection, it is a great choice as a bed or sofa companion; playful, sweet, energetic... 

Particularly talkative, this elegant and delicate-looking cat purrs at the drop of a hat, and is an excellent choice for families with children or the elderly.

 CONCLUSION

The Sphynx cat is a wonderful option for those who are allergic to cat hair (not to the saliva protein) or who want an animal that does not shed hair and is especially affectionate. 

From Reis d'Aranda, we always encourage to acquire our pet in the most responsible way possible, being as valid the adoption as the purchase in a specialised breeder. If we opt for the second option, we will always do it in a familiar breeder and federated in a national or international cat club, that will advise us correctly throughout the life of our pet and will provide us with the specific health tests of its ancestors.