![]() Bigglesworth in Austin Powers had punny names. Thanks to their fast metabolisms, Sphynx cats need more food than the average feline. Why are Sphynx cats so friendly? Experts have a few theories: It could be because they rely on humans to keep warm because friendlier cats might be selected for breeding or because breeders tend to leave Sphynx kittens with their mothers for longer periods of time. They’re sociable, loving, and playful animals-so much, in fact, that a 2012 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior ranked Sphynxes as the most affectionate cat breed. While they share a name with the Great Sphinx of Giza, Sphynx cats don't have such a stoic statue. While pet owners in America love furry cats like Ragdolls, Exotic Shorthairs, Persians, and Maine Coons, Sphynxes are currently ranked the 10th most popular feline breed in the country, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association registration statistics from 2021. (And yes, they can get sunburnt.) They can get overheated or cold and, though they can go outside, they should be mostly indoor cats. Sphynx cats have sensitive skin.ĭon’t slather sunscreen on your Sphynx every time it sits in a sunbeam-but do keep in mind that because it’s not covered in a dense coat, a Sphynx’s skin is more sensitive. The same goes for the ears: Since there aren’t any hairs to block dirt or dead skin cells from accumulating inside the cavities, owners have to regularly wipe them down with a washcloth or cotton ball to keep ears clear. But with Sphynx cats, it can form a greasy film over their bodies-meaning their owners must give them weekly baths. For most cats, oil helps keep their fur sleek. While your cat’s coat might not be a magnet for dust particles, pollen, and other substances, its skin still produces oil. ![]() Think Sphynx kitties are super-clean because they don’t have fur? Think again. "Did someone say bath?" / Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/GettyImages Sphynx cats have different patterns and colors. While they’re not plush to the touch, their coats feel akin to suede. Sphynx cats are covered with a fine layer of downy fuzz. If you pet one, however, you’ll discover they’re not actually hairless. Sphynx cats aren’t actually bald.Īt first glance, the Sphynx might look less like a feline and more like a naked mole rat. While they look nearly identical, the Sphynx’s lack of long hair is thanks to a recessive gene, whereas the Donskoy’s hairlessness is the result of a dominant gene. For instance, the Sphynx has a hairless doppelgänger- the Donskoy-that’s actually a separate breed from Russia. Similar breeds exist, and look-alike felines have been reported in countries across the world. ![]() Thanks to various breeding efforts, their lineages resulted in the affectionate animal we love today.ĭon’t think, though, that the Canadian Sphynx is the only hairless cat out there. Then, in the mid-1970s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. ![]() But the modern-day Canadian Sphynx-the hairless breed we know in North America-has been defying expectations since the mid-1960s, when an Ontario cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, the result of a natural genetic mutation. You’d think a cat whose ancestors come from the North Country would be equipped with a warm coat. Here are a few facts about the fleshy feline. With their angular faces, big ears, and smooth bodies, Sphynx cats are living (and purring) proof that there’s more to a kitty than its fur coat. ![]()
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