One of the most unique cat breeds out there is definitely the Sphynx cat. Well known for its intriguing bald appearance, the Sphynx cat is quite a sight to behold. Little do people know that this hairless kitty is actually among the most affectionate of breeds and that it is a sheer pleasure to live with. Sphynx cats will offer nothing less than their unconditional love and full attention to their owners, who in fact they consider authentic family members. Die hard cat lovers know how much of a delight this breed can be; but for those who are not quite familiar with them, we are proud to present Sphynx Cats 101: everything you need to know about the hairless & heart-warming kitty. Find out more about this super friendly feline below and consider it for a new and loving addition to your family!

History

Even though most people tend to believe that the Sphynx cat breed dates back to Ancient Egyptian times, it is actually less than five decades old. Its origin is actually in Canada, when a kitten without any hair was born in 1966. Her name was Prune and her mother was a domestic shorthair queen with black and white fur. The fact that Sphynx cats are hairless is actually the effect of a natural genetic mutation. The breed was actually called “Canadian Hairless” or “Moonstones” at the beginning, but eventually came to be known as Sphynx. It is pretty obvious why its final name was chosen, as it resembles the humongous and famous sculpture in Egypt. As a breed, they are also related to the Russian blue cats, which have a grey-blue similar appearance, with really short hair instead of none.

Physical Appearance

Sphynx cats have quite a striking appearance, especially for somebody who has never seen a hairless cat even in pictures or other images before. The majority of Sphynx cats are not actually hairless per se, but they rather have a peach-like complexion with fuzzy skin. The Sphynx cat is rather large and requires double (or even more) the amount of cat food that a regular feline consumes. This is due to the fact that their body temperature is higher than most cats (due to their lack of fur) and they require more food. A few other distinctive traits of the Sphynx cat are potbellies, wrinkles and really big eyes and ears. Sphynxes come in all sorts of colors, from black, white, brown, beige, red to many other colors. They also have long and slender tails that sometimes might end in a puff of fur (“lion’s tail). Let’s not forget about their prominent cheekbones and all-around regal appearance.

Behavior & Personality

It might be hard to believe at first, but Sphynx cats are actually constantly bursting with energy. They absolutely love being in the center of attention and will do all sorts of tricks when eyes are on them. Sphynx cats are incredibly warm and friendly and get along great with both kids and other animals that may be part of your family. They adore the company of their owners and will spend hours on end cuddling in your arms. This is actually one of the characteristics that make them stand out from other cats: they are extremely sociable and will love being around people. Please be responsible, though; Sphynx cats require more attention than many other cat breeds, so make sure that you possess the necessary time to take care of one. If you adopt or acquire a Sphynx cat, you will soon find that it is your perfect companion for any household activity.  It will curl up in your lap if you are sitting on the couch watching television, play around the back of your heels when you are walking around and offer a warm and comforting presence if you are feeling down.

Care & Health

One of the main care and health facts that you need to take into consideration when getting a Sphynx cat is that it is a 100% indoor cat. The fact that they do not have hair makes them very vulnerable for roaming around outside and they can actually get easily burned by the sun. Contrary to popular belief, they are not all hypoallergenic, but that does not mean that you should not take extra care of them. Another aspect you have to regard is that, also because they have no hair, they cannot clean themselves like the majority of other cats. Sphynx cats require a bath about once a week so you won’t end up with a smelly kitty wandering around your house. You can also oil their skin to help them keep it moisturized, because if they don’t have hair, they also lack the oil glands which other cats have. If you want to help keep your Sphynx warm, you can buy various clothes for them, like sweaters they can wear during the cold season. You can even knit your own clothing for your kitty and help them maintain a healthy temperature when it’s cold outside.  The great news is that Sphynx cats are not known for having many health problems in their genes (except for some minor vulnerability to respiratory problems), so you do not have to be afraid of them becoming sick easily.

Acquiring and / or Adopting

When it comes to acquiring a Sphynx cat, you need to be extra careful with choosing professional breeders. The breeder you choose should be very mindful of health conditions of the cats he or she breeds, and they should also be breeding them in a home so they will become sociable later on in life. When it comes to prices, the cost to buy a baby Sphynx varies from source to source. They can range from $200 to even $2,000, so you should be prepared to pay the price for your loving future friend. You can find Sphynxes for sale online on websites like GoSphynx.com, Cats.Oodle.com or SphynxSphynx.com. Sphynxes can also be purchased directly in large areas like Florida (SunpineSphynx.com), Michigan and Ohio (GroovySphynx.com), California (HollywoodSphynx.com), NY / NYC (SphynxSphynx.com), Texas (Area  51 Sphynx) or Las Vegas (Autum-argus.com).