While there are a few hairless cat breeds, it goes without saying that the Sphynx cat breed is easily recognizable. Have you ever had the opportunity to pet one of these hairless cats before? Their skin is warm and velvety, and without all that fur, you can really feel those powerful purrs resonating from their body. Keep reading to learn some super cool facts about Sphynx cats to share with your cat lover friends.
The Only Felines Out Of Canada
It might seem rather surprising that a hairless cat hails from the land of ice and snow, but Canada is actually where Sphynx cats originated. And despite that Ancient Egyptian cat resemblance, these cats do not have any known Egyptian lineage.
In Toronto, Canada in 1966, a litter of domestic shorthair kittens included one tiny little baby that was born hairless as a result of a genetic mutation. Then in the 1970’s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota.
Over time through a highly selective breeding process, the Sphynx cat breed that we know today came to form.
Image Courtesy of Cat Fanciers’ Association
Their large eyes, angular faces, and super erect ears give them an almost alien-like appearance. But it’s hard to deny their striking beauty. It wasn’t until 2002 that the Cat Fanciers’ Association officially recognized them as an official cat breed. And they remain a popular show cat of choice today due to their beauty and calm demeanor.
The Sphynx cat comes in a variety of colors and coat patterns. These include: white, black, blue, red, cream, silver, golden, cameo, tortoiseshell, blue-cream, brown; patterns ranging from solid color, tortoiseshell, bicolor, tricolor/calico, tabby, ticking, smoke, and shaded.
Cats That Require Bathing
Many of us prefer our arms the way that they look sans cat scratches, so bathing our cats is not exactly high on our list of priorities as cat owners. But for Sphynx cat owners, they know that bathing just comes with the territory when you own one of these hairless felines.
Despite the fact that this is a cat that is not going to shed all over your home, these cats do require routine grooming. And we are not referring to daily or weekly brushing. Due to their lack of fur, the natural oils produced by their body will remain on their skin with no fur to absorb it and cause them to become somewhat greasy. A weekly bath is suggested in order to prevent a Sphynx cat from becoming oily, and also helps to prevent and dirt or dust buildup. But as this starts at an early age, the breed comes to like their routine bath and they don’t usually fight most owners on it.
The Sphynx Cat Naturally Has A Higher Body Temperature
This just goes to show you that genetics are pretty incredible. While the average feline has an internal temperature of 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, to compensate for their lack of fur, the Sphynx cat’s internal temperature regulates at 4 degrees higher.
And even though these cats are a bit toastier, they still love to cuddle in blankets. Many do not even mind the occasional cat sweater. Above all, these are not kitties that should travel outdoors or roam freely. They can actually sunburn easily in the sunlight despite the external temperature. Obviously without fur to protect them, the elements are not their friend and this is intended to be an indoor-only breed.
Sphynx cat feeding fact: Due to their higher body temperature, this equals a faster metabolism rate.Therefore, this breed must eat more frequently to accommodate their needs.
Not The Only Hairless Cat Breed
There are cat breeds that do not have undercoats, like the Devon Rex, for example, but the Sphynx cat’s soft peach fuzz on its body technically classifies it as being hairless. However, these are not the only “hairless” cats of the cat world. The Peterbald and Donskoy of Russia are two other hairless felines with only peach fuzz on its body. And of all these hairless cats, they vary in hairlessness on an individual basis, with some having more or less peach fuzz than others.
Don’t Let The Serious Look Fool You, These Cats Are Lovers And Goofballs
The Sphynx cat is known for being clingy. And they are happiest when they are in the presence of their owners. They love to cuddle and are often reported as being equally sensitive and sweet. Total lovebugs, if you have a Sphynx cat in your home, then you know just how true this is!
And not only are they loveable, they are known to perform silly antics and can be downright clumsy in their attempts to be the center of attention. These are not your aloof or removed felines who prefer to be worshipped from afar. These are cats that are happiest when they are entertaining their owners or soaking in all their love.
If you’re a fan of the Austin Powers franchise, then surely you must remember Mr. Bigglesworth! He’s always been a favorite famous cat of mine!
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
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I’m a sphynx owner and these cats require a bath one month to 1 month to 1 &1/2 months. The information above is incorrect. They get overly oily if bathed too often. However, they are the most loving breed of cat I’ve owned and tend to be shoulder cats.
Thank you for the valuable information which will help me tremendously to care for two rescue Sphynx kittens.