Cat Sphynx is known for his unusual physical appearance. This hairless feline is debating in the population. Some find this breed of cat not very elegant, others love it! No matter what you think of his looks, he is nonetheless an affectionate and sociable animal that thrills all his owners. We tell you all about him!
Photo credit: John Beaulieux
The Sphynx Cat: its Nordic origins
For the Sphynx cat, the history of this breed begins in 1966, when an alley cat gave birth to hairless kittens in the Canada. Two females from this litter were then crossed with the Devon Rex breed in the Netherlands, by Doctor Hugo Hernandez.
In 1983, the future Sphynx breed was imported into France. It was only in 1985 that the union of two new cats from the Netherlands, “Amenophis Clone”, was born, which established the standard of the breed. This gives the Sphynx a dual origin: Canadian and French.
Whether we like his physique or not, we can never blame the Sphynx for being a “demonic” feline. Far from there ! With a calm and affectionate temperament, he is the perfect definition of ideal pet cat. Very sociable, he can spend hours playing with children or his congeners. He will also not be scared of guests or new people in your household.
If the Sphynx is a feline different from others, it is not only by its hairless, but also, by its particularity not to be a very independent cat. He has easy contact, which makes him very endearing. Sometimes he can follow his master like a dog would. Attached to signs of affection, it is a cat that requires attention. So don’t skimp on caresses and hugs!
This cat is also appreciated for its great intelligence and his quick-wittedness. Sometimes meowing, if you give him all the good care he deserves, he shouldn’t bore you too much with his vocals. However, you should know that it is a cat that is not silent. If he needs to express himself, he will gladly do so! So pay close attention to their needs. If you are someone who moves often, know that the Sphynx will easily follow you on your travels. This animal is not disturbed by changes in housing. Thus, repeated moves will not bother him.
Known for its unusual physique, the Sphynx has many peculiarities that make it famous. The most visible is probably his bare coat, hairless. However, this cat cannot be reduced to this.
The Sphynx is an animal whose the body is muscular and his abdomen is round. It presents a robust and protruding chest. This cat has long, thin, muscular paws. Its feet have long, slender toes. The shape of its feet is oval. The skin of the Sphynx can sometimes have a fine down on all the body. On the ends, it can even have short hairs (on the ears, muzzle, tail or genitals). When it does not have hair, it is more obvious to feel the warm and supple aspect of its skin, giving it an appearance of peach skin. This cat has many folds of skin which make it an important physical criterion. The Sphynx can have a skin of several colors. These depend mainly on the color of the hair that the cat could have had. It is for this reason that we find all possible cats dresses in the Sphynx.
Its head has the particularity of being triangular. It is long and not very wide but above all very angular. He has high cheekbones and a flat skull. It presents expressive eyes, shaped like a lemon. Their color depends on that of its skin. The Sphynx has large and broad ears. Its tail is thin and long, which gives it the same appearance as that of a rat. It can weigh, all sexes combined, from 3 to 5 kg. It measures approximately 30 cm. This breed has a life expectancy of a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 14 years.
The Sphynx requires all the care common to other cat breeds, such as, the careful and careful observation of its paws, ears and eyes. However, due to its peculiarity of “nudity”, it will also be necessary to apply a baby cream without perfume on the body in order tomoisturize your skin.
It is also advisable to make him take a bath once a week so that it does not stain your furniture or your laundry with its perspiration. It will be important to watch that your pet does not expose itself to the sun without cream. As the skin is hairless, it can burn more easily.
The Sphynx must eat more than another cat because of its nakedness. To compensate for his naked body, his body temperature is higher, which explains why he burns more calories. He can therefore eat croquettes at will. Do not hesitate to invest in specialized kibble for its breed which contain all the nutrients it will need.
The Sphynx can live in an apartment as well as a house, but if it is in a smaller space, it will be necessary to ensure that it can exert itself by providing games and cat trees. He will gladly share his habitat with children or the animals present in the home, if there are already any. This cat can reproduce from the age of 8 months, twice a year. Its light moult takes place in Spring.
In summary ! If you adopt the Sphynx cat, it comes down to finding an attentive, affectionate and unique companion thanks to his atypical physique. So go ahead!