Sphynx Guide
Information about the cat breed Sphynx
Weight: Males 3.5 - 5.5 kg, females 3 - 4 kg
Wither height: 20 - 25 cm
Energy level: Energetic
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
Social need: Great
Colours: The colours of the skin are as varied as the fur colours of other cat breeds, but often it is a little pinkish beige. It can also be spotted or have white areas.
Health problems: Often suffers from skin problems such as rashes and fungal infections and can also get sunburned. They can also suffer from ear infections and hereditary diseases such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Personality of a Sphynx
The Sphynx is an outgoing, social and lively cat breed that often talks a lot. It loves to get attention from its cat parents and is very affectionate with them. Being close and cuddling with people and other animals is a favorite activity of the Sphynx - and it does not like to be left alone. A Sphynx also likes to play and romp and needs to be activated to stay happy. The cat breed usually has a large appetite to keep warm and is sensitive to cold, heat and sunlight. Often it needs about 20% more food than cats with fur.
Looks and fur care of a Sphynx
A Sphynx is medium-sized, muscular and almost completely furless. It is often this breed of cat that comes to mind when you say "naked cat". The body of a Sphynx is elongated and covered only by a thin down that makes it feel a bit like a peach. The lack of fur also means that all wrinkles on the skin are visible, which gives it a special appearance. In all cats, an oily substance is secreted in the skin, and since the breed has no fur, that oil remains on the skin. You must therefore help a Sphynx keep its skin clean and supple. You do this by washing the cat regularly and taking care of its skin.
Health problems in a Sphynx
The Sphynx is prone to some health problems. It often suffers from skin problems such as rashes and fungal infections. It can be very troublesome for the cat and requires special skin care. The Sphynx's hairlessness also means that it must be protected from sunburn. Then there is also a higher risk of ear infections in the breed due to its large ears. Therefore, make sure to keep the ears clean and watch for any signs of infection. The hereditary heart disease Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) also occurs in the sphynx. This means that the cat can have thickening of the heart muscle, which can affect the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. HCM can lead to blood clots and heart failure, and sometimes as bad as sudden death.
Oral health
Did you know you need to brush your cat's teeth? Brushing your cat's teeth daily is the best thing you can do to prevent your cat from getting periodontitis, learn more about it in our app. The dental disease FORL is common among cats and often occurs in connection with periodontitis. Brushing the cat's teeth can be a challenge, but with treats and a lot of patience, the cat will eventually get used to it. Learn more about how to brush your cat's teeth in our app course.
Poisoning
There are a lot of things that are toxic to cats that you may not have thought about before. An example of this is plants, learn more about which plants are poisonous to your cat in the Lassie app. Additional examples of what is poisonous to cats are chocolate and mouse and rat poison. It is important to store things that are dangerous to cats in a place that they cannot access.
