How to Select a Sphynx

When most people see a sphynx these days they think of Mr. Bigglesworth, companion to Dr. Evil in the Austin Power movies. Despite the lack of hair, coat color and pattern are visible in the sphynx' downy coat and its underlying skin.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Cat Carriers
• Cat Litters
• Cat Shampoos
• Cat Toys
• Litter Boxes

1. Find a responsible breeder who will guarantee that your sphynx is in good health.

2. Expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a pet-quality sphynx. Show cats can cost $1,000 or more.

3. Pick up and hold the kitten to check for good muscle tone.

4. Make sure it's not sneezing or sniffling, that its eyes have no discharge and its ears are clean and pink inside. A sphynx kitten's big ears will droop, but as it matures, the ears will stand up straight.

5. Look at and feel the kitten's skin. Dry, flaky skin is easy to detect on these cats and can indicate illness. The kittens will be bald and wrinkled, but will develop a thin coat of downy fur as they get older, particularly around the tail, feet, muzzle and ears.

6. Take your sphynx to your own veterinarian right away to confirm that it's healthy.

7. Don't take home a sphynx kitten home that is younger than 12 weeks old.

Tips & Warnings

• A sphynx cat must be bathed often because it lacks the hair to absorb natural skin oils. Its ears in particular must be cleaned often to prevent wax build-up.
• The sphynx needs a warm indoor environment to maintain its hairlessness.
• The sphynx has a gregarious personality, is active, affectionate and gets along well with other animals.
• Keep your sphynx inside - since it doesn't have fur, this breed tends to get colder than others. It will probably be comfortable at the same temperatures you are.
• Even though this breed is "hairless," this doesn't mean your allergies won't kick in. The sphynx' skin still produces dander, which is the main cause of animal allergy symptoms.
• The sphynx can be prone to sunburn, even through a window.

on 11/22/2005 Because your Sphynx doesn't go outside like other breeds, it's nails are likely to get quite long. I cut my own cat's nails and asked my veterinarians advice in doing so. It means I save money and my cat is more comfortable. Some cat's are not quite so laid back, so beware.

on 11/22/2005 Sphynx cats have a very high metabolism. This means that they may eat and go to the bathroom much more often than your average house cat. Purchasing a high quality food is very important. If you spend the extra money to buy a high-quality food, your cat will not eat as much. A low-quality food with too many fillers leads to overeating.

The litterbox is another issue. You will find that you have to scoop and clean your litterbox much more often with a Sphynx than you would with an average house cat. If this doesn't seem like something you want to do, you might want to reconsider your decision to adopt a Sphynx.

on 11/22/2005 Sphynx are an overly affectionate breed. If you like a cat that loves to stay in your lap and cuddle, get a Sphynx. If not, this may not be the cat for you. They typically don't know what a stranger is, so if you have a lot of guests in your home, you might want to think about what your guests will think when your Sphynx decides it wants to cuddle with them, too. We have had people visit our home who seemed a bit put off by the overly affectionate mannerisms of our cat.

on 11/22/2005 Sphynx cats are generally very friendly (ours cuddle up with strangers on a regular basis). They are also curious, which means a sphynx ready household should be babyproofed!