Sphynx Care Recommendations

Food: My highest recommendation for cat food is Before Grains. It is pricier and usually only found in specialty stores but if you can get it or find it online, it's worth it. It doesn't contain any filler grains. Cats are carnivores and were meant to eat meat not grains. Other cat food companies only include these grains to bring the price down and no other practical reason. Besides the health benefits of using this cat food you'll find that your cats will poop less and have healthier bowl movements because it does not contain any filler grains. If you do not have access to that brand of food my secondary choice brands would be Royal Cannine or Iams Brand Food.

Litter: I highly recommend unscented litter . Sometimes scented litter can irritate the Sphynxʼs skin and not to mention make your litter box smell worse. The best brands are EverClean Extra Strength Unscented or Fresh Step Unscented. Automatic Cleaning Boxes work well and are convenient too. Another option

at www.citikitty.com is a toilet training kit for about $25 which will save you money and time cleaning out the litter box and I believe the Sphynx breed are intelligent enough to learn.

OTHER CARE:

1. Kitty EyeWipes from Petsmart. Because Sphynx donʼt have eyelashes, they are prone to getting dirt in their eyes. Make sure the eyes are clean and bright, with no crusties or runnies.

2. Bathing. This will vary from cat to cat but start with bathing them once a week. I try to acclimate them to the bath tub as much as possible when they are little. Some even enjoy baths! Use any bath soap that does not irritate the skin. I use Dove Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash. Do not use any Cat Soaps as those are designed for animals with fur. Use Soap that you would use on your own skin.

3. Nails: DO NOT DECLAW YOUR POOR LITTLE KITTY! It is inhumane. You can purchase Nail Clippers from your local Petsmart. Read the directions included. Or you can purchase Soft Claw Nail Caps from your local Petsmart. Another option is the PediPaw nail filer you can order online that eliminates the risk of cutting into the quick.

4. Ear Care. Purchase some Ear Cleaner from Petsmart. I use R-7 Natural Ear Cleaner and Cotton Swabs. This is absolutely necessary. Because Sphynx produce more oils to keep themselves warm they do get more ear buildup.

Cat Fancy Profile: Sphynx

This article is from CFA.

CFA SPHYNX BREED PROFILE
Body: Medium length, hard and muscular with broad rounded chest and full round abdomen. The back is slightly arched.
Coat: Very fine as to be almost lacking. The coat resembles fine down and feels suede-like to the touch. Sphynx are acceptable in every color imaginable, and the color is seen in the pigment of the skin, as well as the few hairs they have.

In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems.

The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been compared to a suede covered hot water bottle or a heated chamois. All colors and patterns are possible and may be presented at any stage of maturity. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers.

This is a substantial cat, medium sized and strong, with adult males being larger than adult females. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression.

The Sphynx are extremely inquisitive and love to be the center of attention. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and are sometimes downright clumsy.. .on purpose it seems. They make great show cats because of this ''look at me" attitude and they are easy for judges to handle. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on you or showing off for you. "Love Mooch" is the perfect term for these amazing cats.

Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs periodic bathing and ear cleaning. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been acclimated from kittenhood with bathing and grooming proper for the Sphynx.

Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed.

The Sphynx was accepted for competition in the Championship Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February of 2002. Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds in the cat fancy today...Sphynx are pure enchantment.

Sphynx are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens.

Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Sphynx breed. For more information, please send inquiries to: CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805


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New Sphynx Litter December 24, 2008, sexes TBD

From our newest litter, December 24th from Ghost and Alex we had 5 beautiful kittens. Sexes to be determined. Contact us for availability.