The Sphynx

If you are thinking about adopting a Sphynx kitten then you already understand the appeal of these exotic looking animals. They exude a strength….a certain vibe that says they are special, different, unique, all of which are true. These beautiful down covered cats offer so many wonderful qualities that all cat lovers have come to know and expect from this amazing breed. To truly understand the draw these cats have we must go back to the beginning.

Where did the Sphynx Cat come from?

Research shows that in Toronto Canada, 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten. After some investigating it was found to be a natural genetic mutation, and the Sphynx cat came in to existence. This particular kitten and other naturally hairless cats were the foundation for this unique breed. Finding that natural genetic mutation made it possible for cat breeders in North America and Europe to breed the Sphynx for more than 30 years. The goal of such selective breeding was to create a genetically healthy cat with few health and genetic problems. It leads us to today, where we have a healthy linage of Sphynx cats.

Where did the Sphynx get it’s name?

These cats are known for their sleek bodies, striking eyes, and bat-like ears that sit tall directly atop of their narrow faces; so they were appropriately named the Sphynx as homage to the ancient Egyptian statues. To get more in depth the name Sphynx came from the ancient Greek work, Sphinx. The Sphinx is a mythical creature that has the head of a human and the body of a lion. “The Great Sphinx” is located in Giza where it guards the front of Khafra’s pyramid. The Ancient Egyptians believed that cats and sphinxes had special powers. It was because of this belief that even today; many statues and pictures of Sphinx can be found outside of tombs. The ancient Egyptians believed that these creatures would help guard their loved ones in the afterlife. It is no wonder that these regal looking animals were named after this mythical creature.

Why choose a Sphynx Cat?

It really depends on what you are looking for in a pet. In order to decide if the Sphynx breed is truly right for you and your family, let’s look at the common characteristics of the Sphynx. This particular cat is often called, “the dog of the cat breed.” They often meet their owners at the door and are friendly and engaging around strangers. This particular breed of cat loves attention and affection. Most owners report receiving kisses, cuddles and constant entertainment. Along with being affectionate, the Sphynx are known to be easily adaptable, they get along well with other pets, they are known to do well around children and are highly intelligent.

What is involved in caring for a Sphynx?

At first glance these cats are hairless. However, up close you will find that they are covered with a soft layer of down which resembles peach fuzz. Sphynx cats are soft and warm to the touch.  It is because of their lack of fur that leads these cats to often rub their bodies up against their owners as a means of keeping warm. Even though their bodies are naturally 4 degrees warmer than other cat breeds; it is important for owners to provide lots of different ways for their Sphynx to stay warm and comfy. This leads us to feeding your Sphynx. Since they have much higher body temperature than other breeds of cats, the Sphynx require 2 to 2.5 times more food to keep their body heat up. Along with keeping these guys warm and well fed; a weekly bath is needed. Since the Sphynx breed doesn’t have real fur to absorb body oils, they require a weekly bath to prevent having a stinky cat. Also, because they have more wrinkles than other cat breeds, it makes self-grooming more difficult for them. Which is another reason they depend on their owners to keep them nice and clean. After giving the weekly bath it is important to clean out their ears and since they lack eyelashes, dirt can more easily get in to their eyes. So we recommend cleaning their eyes every 1-2 days. There will also be nail trimming that will need to be done every couple of weeks depending on you and your Sphynx’s needs. The final thing that we would like to stress is that it’s best for your Sphynx to stay indoors. Their lack of fur means that they are easily sunburned when they are outdoors or in direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Keeping them indoors and providing them with a warm comfortable environment (we recommend a temperature of at least 70 degrees) ensures that you will keep your Sphynx happy and healthy. They also love it if they are able to lounge in a windowsill or wherever sunlight comes in. So making sure they have access to those areas helps keep these babies content. These cats do take a little bit more effort to care for than a regular cat; however they make up for it in spades with their love, devotion and intelligent personalities.

Final Thoughts…

To sum it up they are an amazing breed of cats! Often people who don’t consider themselves “cat people” find that the Sphynx cat is a wonderful pet to have. You get to enjoy the benefits of having a cat with the added bonus of extra affection like a dog often gives. We like to encourage all of our new owners to do their research so that they can be well informed, and have the best experience with their new Sphynx kitten! Take it from us here at Beautiful Bennett Sphynx Cattery, if you have made it this far in your search, your heart is already set that this is the type of cat for you! Adding a Sphynx kitten to your family is only going to enrich your life. We are here to partner with you not only through the adoption process, but as you adjust to welcoming your new baby Sphynx in to your home!