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Sphynx

You can find the contact details for specific breed societies local to you by going to the Your Territory area.

You may want to post any specific questions that you have about this breed in our Pet Talk area to ask people with first hand experience.

General
Names
Breed Classification		Shorthaired
Lifespan		9 - 15 years
Average Litter Size		4
General Physical Description		The main feature of a Sphynx is its lack of a fur coat! The head of this medium sized cat resembles that of a Rex although there is no genetic relation. The nose is short and the nose leather reflects the colour of the body. The eyes are deep set and the shape of a lemon; the eye colour should reflect the colour of the body. The body is fined boned but muscular and has a barrel chest. The legs are long and slender and have a bow legged appearance caused by the barrel chest. The paws are neat and oval shaped with long toes. The tail is long and tapering and hard to the touch. Although they are called hairless they do have a covering of very fine hair all over their body but they do not have any whiskers or eyelashes. Their skin temperature is higher than that of normal coated cats. They are extremely warm and soft to touch and have earned the name of the 'suede hot water bottle'. Unusually for a cat the Sphynx sweats over it's whole body surface and needs to be regularly bathed or sponged to remove the oily secretions.
Weight Height Range		Sphynx weigh between 3.5 - 7kgs.
Feeding Visit our cat food department		The Sphynx will require approximately 80 Kcals of food per kg of bodyweight per day. They are not prone to obesity and tend to limit their dietary requirements themselves.
Ailments Pet insurance for cats resource		Owners must pay meticulous attention to keeping the Sphynx's coat clean and supple. Aside from this, the Sphynx does not have any specific health problems and can live a long active life. It is advisable, as with all cats, to have an annual health check from about the age of eight or nine to check teeth and liver and kidney function.
Other
Show Characteristics		The Sphynx is not recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and cannot be shown at their shows.
Country Of Origin		Canada
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Compatibility With Other Cats		Medium
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitability For Children		Low
Character & Temperament		The Sphynx is an outgoing cat that is very affectionate. They are very warm and soft to touch and this must one of the most appealing things about the Sphynx as to many people they are not the most attractive cats to look at. They do tend to be something of a conversation piece. Although they do not appear to suffer unduly from the cold, central heating is probably appreciated.
Noisiness		Low
Placidity
Playfulness As An Adult
Grooming Visit our cat grooming department
Grooming & Upkeep		As they have no real hair grooming is not a problem with the Spyhnx. However, because they sweat it is necessary to sponge them down regularly to remove the oily residues, otherwise sores can appear in the skin folds.
Coat Length		None
Colour		The Sphynx can be any colour or pattern and the eye colour and colour of paw pads and nose leather should harmonise with the body colour. The skin is wrinkled on parts of the head, body and legs but should be taut everywhere else.
History And Uses		Hairless cats have been known for generations and the Aztecs are said to have kept hairless cats but the Sphynx is the first hairless cat that has been bred specifically for that trait. The breeding programme began in 1966 in Ontario, Canada and they are developed from a hairless mutant.
Shedding		None
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies