%%breedname%% Cats and Kittens Central
Sphynx Cats and Kittens Information
The Sphynx Cat Breed in Brief:
Origin: United States
Weight: 8-10 pounds
Average Litter Size: 1-3 Sphynx per litter
Grooming Needs: Medium
Life Expectancy: 15-20 years
Good With Kids: Yes
Good With Other Animals: No |
Hairless cats have been around for ages -
caused by a recessive gene, they can appear in virtually any
cat breed known to man. Documentation of hairless cats can
be found in France, Morocco, Australia, throughout the
United States and Canada, and even Mexico had record of a
hairless cat. In 1966, a hairless kitten was produced in a
litter from two domestic shorthair cats in Canada, and a
breeding program was established around this unique cat. The
CFA granted provisional status to the breed, then called the
Canadian Hairless, but it was short-lived. The following
year, the CFA withdrew the acceptance, due to the fact that
the breed had numerous health problems and the breed was
allowed to fade into extinction. 3 hairless cats were
discovered during the late 1970’s, however, and while the
male was neutered, the females were sent to Holland, where
they would be crossed with Devon Rex cats in an attempt to
further develop the line.
In Minnesota, a hairless kitten was discovered by farm owners,
Milt and Ethelyn Pearson, in 1975. This kitten, a little
female, was named Epidermis and her hairless brother,
Dermis, would be born a year later. Both kittens were then
sold to a cat breeder, in Oregon, by the name of Kim Mueske.
Kim tried to breed these cats to various shorthairs, hoping
to produce more hairless kittens, but her efforts only
resulted in more shorthaired kittens. It was only after
turning to a genetics expert, Dr. Solveig Pflueger, that it
was suggested to breed Epidermis, the female hairless, back
to one of her male offspring. Success! The next litter
included 3 beautiful hairless kittens, proving that the
hairless gene was recessive and, in order for it to appear,
had to be present in both parents. This idea was put into
motion and, in 1978, Georgia Gattenby of Minnesota purchased
3 of the Pearsons’ hairless cats and began to develop her
own bloodline. By out-crossing with Rex cats and then
crossing back in to the hairless varieties, she was able to
improve and develop the body type of the Sphynx as we know
it today. While she was forced to sell her cats during the
1980’s, her stock would contribute greatly to the Sphynx as
we know it today.
Sphynx Cat Breed Facts
| Sphynx Cat Breed History |
Sphynx Appearance |
Sphynx Temperament
Grooming Your Sphynx Cat |
Sphynx Cat Health Information |
Is a Sphynx The Right Choice For You?
Some say that the Sphynx has a face that only
a mother could love and, truth be told, it takes a very
special person to be taken in by these unique little cats.
Few people realize that the sweet-natured Sphynx is no more
wrinkled than any other breed of cat, but there is something
about the hairless appearance that either repels or attracts
their human counterparts.
Surprisingly, the Sphynx kitten is really not hairless at all.
Picking one up, many are surprised by how soft, downy, and
warm hairless kittens can be - in fact, they are best
compared to a warm fuzzy peach in texture. It’s a sensation
that makes you just want to cuddle them closer and, believe
it or not, the Sphynx cat uses that to his advantage.
There’s nothing that Sphynx kittens like more than
snuggling.
Another interesting and little-known fact is the wide variety
of colors that the Sphynx come in. Found in a rainbow of
hues, they are as beautiful and diversified as their furry
feline cousins; any color and/or any pattern that can be
found in felines is an acceptable color and pattern for your
Sphynx kitten.
The Sphynx cat has a very unique appearance,
but his personality is even more unusual. It’s often said
that Sphynx kittens are one part cat, one part dog, one part
monkey and one part child - and most who have had the good
fortune to meet one of these individuals are quick to agree
with that description. The Sphynx is a very loving and loyal
member of the household and has a strong tendency to bond
with his or her choice in humans. That individual, they will
follow around faithfully, winding around legs and wagging
their tail happily. The Sphynx is also a very vocal
individual and will often scold you if left alone too long,
or greet you with a happy chirp when he sees you get out of
bed.
In addition to their love of affection, the Sphynx also has a
great love of mischief. They love to climb, hide and get
into all sorts of trouble - everything is a toy, regardless
of whether it’s a wadded up piece of paper that missed the
trashcan, good china, or a family heirloom. If it can be
moved, knocked over, or will produce some form of sound
(crashing and breaking noises are especially fun), the
impish Sphynx will believe it to be a noisemaker built just
for her.
Sphynx can be wonderfully patient and affectionate towards
children, though it’s important to note that they can run
into problems when introduced to other animals. The Sphynx
is not an aggressive animal by any extent, but they are not
fighters either and their soft skin and lack of fur means
that they can be easily injured when bitten or scratched by
other playful pets. If you do intend to introduce a Sphynx
into your home and you do have other pets, supervision is
mandatory.
Sphynx Cat Breed Facts
| Sphynx Cat Breed History |
Sphynx Appearance |
Sphynx Temperament
Grooming Your Sphynx Cat |
Sphynx Cat Health Information |
Is a Sphynx The Right Choice For You?
Caring for a Sphynx cat has to be a walk in
the park, right? Well, this is a misconception that many
people have about owning a hairless cat. Unfortunately,
while it’s a nice concept that there might be a cat that
requires no grooming whatsoever, in truth, it’s just not
practical or fair to your pet. All pets should be groomed at
least once a week, even if it’s just checking their ears and
rubbing them down with a natural chamois cloth; not only
does it help to remove dander and dirt, but it also feels
good for your pet, is quality bonding time spent with your
cat, and it helps you to be aware of potential problems
before they arise.
The Sphynx kitten requires regular grooming, not only for the
above important reasons, but also because it is required to
remove the natural oils that a cat’s fur would normally
absorb. Failing to wipe your Sphynx cat down regularly can
lead to skin problems, making them sticky when you touch
them, and leading to sore patches, acne, and other skin
problems. It’s also very important to clean your Sphynx
kitten’s ears regularly or they will get a build-up of ear
wax in their ears; left untreated, this can lead to
infection or, at the very least, run the risk of your kitten
hurting himself, scratching at his ear.
It’s also highly recommended that you give your Sphynx a
weekly bath. While most cats dislike water, Sphynx usually
grow to enjoy their baths, provided they are always treated
with a kind and patient mannerism and acclimated to it from
the time they are kittens. Bathing your pet Sphynx is no
more difficult than bathing a baby and, while it sounds like
a lot of work, it can be done relatively quickly. Drying the
Sphynx is even quicker - a few minutes snuggle time in a
toasty towel and he’s happy and dry as can be.
The Sphynx cat is surprisingly a very robust
and healthy breed of cat. Despite the concerns that many cat
breeders first voiced when the breed was in its infancy, the
Sphynx has far fewer health concerns than most purebred
cats. The reason for this is generally attributed to what is
known as “hybrid vigor,” where out-crossing to another breed
helps to stabilize and strengthen the existing line when
bred back. One problem that the Sphynx cat can encounter,
however, is that they are susceptible to what is known as
feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. The most common
variety of heart disease found in felines, HCM can be found
in various other breeds, as well as cats of mixed ancestry.
If you’re looking for a new pet, one should
always give the matter careful consideration. What is your
home like? How much time do you have to spend with your pet
and, when you are home, how much of that time will be
quality time, involving things like grooming or clipping
toenails. Adopting any pet is a big responsibility and the
Sphynx is no exception to this rule.
The Sphynx is not for everyone and the cost one must pay to
adopt a Sphynx is often a good deterrent for the
less-than-committed. Being that they are a rare breed,
quality Sphynx are very expensive (usually $1,000.00 or more
for a kitten), are usually sold already spayed or neutered
and, more than likely, you will have to answer a lengthy
questionnaire or attend an interview before you are even
considered as a possible placement for one of these
beautiful little Sphynx kittens.
Ready to add an exquisite Sphynx cat or kitten
to your family? Visit our
Sphynx Cat Breeders
Showcase where you can find contact information for
responsible Sphynx catteries and view photos, detailed
information and litter announcements for Burmese kittens for
sale. Click
here!
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