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Hairless cats have been around for a long time. The Aztec people of Mexico are believed to have kept a breed of hairless feline around the 1300s and 1400s (1). Aztec paintings, carvings, and statues show a cat without a fur coat similar to ones we know today (1). However, the Sphynx cat, a rare and well-loved modern breed, has its origins quite recently.
Breed Characteristics
The hairless trait in cats arises through spontaneous mutation from time to time, and so it did in 1966 in Toronto, Canada. A black-and-white Domestic Shorthair named Elizabeth gave birth to a hairless tom. The unusual kitten was named Prune, and a team of breeders began a program to make more special cats like Prune, but were unsuccessful. With only one hairless cat, it was was difficult to avoid inbreeding. However, fortune smiled on them. In 1975, Milt and Ethelyn Pearson noticed that their farm cat, Jezabelle, had given birth to a hairless kitten. They named him, rather charmingly, Epidermis. When Jezabelle had another the next year, they named that kitten Dermis. Both kittens were sold to a breeder in Oregon.
Then, in 1978, a breeder in Toronto found three hairless kittens wandering her neighborhood. She took them in and named them Bambi, Punkie, and Paloma. These five hairless kittens became the progenitors of the Sphynx breed. The breeding programs repeatedly out-crossed the hairless cats with cats with normal coats, adding more genetic variation to the breed and creating a strong gene pool. The Domestic Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Siamese, and Devon Rex were all used during part of the breeding program.
In truth, “hairless” cats are not hairless. The Sphynx typically has a very short, thin coat of soft fur, although the amount of fur can vary. Some Sphynx may come close to being bald, but none have no fur at all. Most Sphynx feel like suede when stroked. The extra-short coat and skin beneath can come in any color and pattern. The hairless trait does cause these cats to lack whiskers or, occasionally, have only a few short whiskers.
There is a myth that the Sphynx and other “hairless” breeds are hypoallergenic. Some people with cat allergies may find that they have less of a reaction in the presence of a Sphynx since there is less hair in the environment, but Sphynx are not really hypoallergenic. Cat allergies are caused by a protein in cat dander and saliva, and Sphynx have skin and spit just like any other cat. They are decidedly a low-shed breed, however.
Their lack of fur, while their most striking feature, is not the only thing that gives the breed a somewhat alien appearance. Sphynx have large, bat-like ears and big, wide-set, lemon-shaped eyes. Prominent cheekbones highlight these standout eyes even more. Their skin is a little loose, causing them to have wrinkles, especially on the face and shoulders. They have a long, thin, whip-like tail. Sphynx are generally well-muscled, but naturally have a round belly. On the whole, it makes for a unique picture which people tend to find either adorable or repulsive. I’ve never seen a cat I didn’t want to cuddle, furry or not. But like all breeds, the Sphynx isn’t suited for everyone under the sun, and not because of its appearance.
Grooming and Care
They might not have a thick, fluffy coat, but Sphynx actually need more grooming than a lot of breeds, not less. This might seem counterintuitive, but allow me to explain. Cats produce a lot of oils in their skin and saliva in order to moisturize their coat and keep it clean. Sphynx groom just as much as any other cat, but they don’t have enough fur to absorb those oils. Instead, they just sit on the skin and build up, potentially leading to skin problems. Most cats also have fur around their ears to prevent dirt and mites from getting inside. Sphynx lack this layer of protection, so they are prone to ear infections and wax buildup as their ears work to expel all that gunk.
Thus it is that Sphynx need to be bathed once a week and have their ears cleaned at least that often. I know the prospect of bathing a cat is unpleasant, but a Sphynx breeder would have to start bathing kittens early on, so Sphynx are usually used to it by the time they reach their forever homes. But maybe you get a cat that experienced less than ideal circumstances growing up and this didn’t happen, or they have strong instincts regarding water and all the breeder’s best efforts were for naught. It still has to be done, so reward your cat during and after and try your best to not bring your own stress to the situation. Easier said than done, of course, but if you can remain calm, your cat is more likely to be calm.
It needs to be noted that even if you bathe your Sphynx as often as you need to, they still have oils on their skin all the time, especially when they sweat. This means that they can sometimes leave reddish-brown stains on fabric if they sit or sleep there for a long time.
Make sure to wash the face with a warm washcloth, and get between the wrinkles and all the toes. Even the claws can get build-up. It’s a good idea to clean those wrinkles between baths, as well. There are wipes designed specifically for cleaning cats which you can use, or baby wipes will do. As for cleaning the ears, use a warm, damp cloth or a cotton ball. Your veterinarian can recommend a solution just for cleaning out the ears. Cleaning all the gunk of a Sphynx’s ears can be gross, but an ear infection would be a lot more unpleasant for all concerned. On that note, look out for any odor or redness in the ears, and contact your vet if you notice any.
Sphynx cats sometimes require additional skincare such as moisturizing. Ironic, since the goal of the bathing is to make them less oily, but skin is a fickle beast. They are particularly susceptible to sunburn and long-term UV damage. They need to be indoor cats for this reason, but even brief supervised outdoor time or sitting in a sunny window can lead to sunburn. Consult your veterinarian about skincare products for your cat. Many ingredients in human sunscreen can be toxic to cats.
Health and Home Life
If you have a busy lifestyle, that might be more maintenance than you can put into grooming a cat. If you think it might be manageable, however, a Sphynx can be well worth it. They are extremely friendly and affectionate cats who love to cuddle and be involved in whatever their people are doing. They are known for having a sense of humor and engaging in all kinds of antics to get attention. Their liveliness and agility increases the probably of hijinks. Expect a Sphynx to make you laugh on a regular basis. They are very chatty cats who love to tell you what they think.
Sphynx may need a minute to get used to children, as most cats do, but they typically make good family pets and get along well with other cats and dogs. They don’t do well if left along for long periods of time, however, so if you leave for work make sure they have a friend at home. If there won’t be a human there, they need to have an animal companion that they get along well with. It’s often a good idea to get two Sphynx, or a Sphynx and a lower-maintenance cat, at the same time so they can bond and keep each other busy. Sphynx like to be kept busy.
Sphynx also like to be warm. They’re pretty good at finding ways to do that on their own, but you may need to help them out. For certain, you’ll need to make sure you feed them enough. Sphynx have an unusually high metabolism, working hard to maintain a body temperature four degrees higher than most cats. They need to eat quite a bit more. A veterinarian is the best authority on how much your cat should eat for their size.
If you don’t keep your house pretty warm, you may need a heated cat igloo or something similar to help your Sphynx have a place to warm up if they get too cold. You may even want to try getting your Sphynx some kitty sweaters. It usually isn’t a good idea to put cats in clothes, but hairless cats may need the warmth, especially if you live in a cold climate. Some cats get too stressed out when put in clothes. If your cat can’t get used to a sweater, then just give them plenty of heated places to retreat to.
Sphynx are generally healthy cats due to the way the breed was originally created, but there are a few health problems to look out for. They have a higher rate of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common heart disease in cats. It causes thickening of the heart muscle and has no cure but is manageable with veterinary care. Sphynx rarely have a condition called hereditary myopathy which leads to muscle weakness. Cats can have a normal lifespan with proper veterinary intervention, but severe cases can sometimes lead to death. Breeders are trying to eliminate this disease from the breed. And of course, due to their lack of coat Sphynx are prone to a variety of skin conditions.
Sphynx breeders typically have waitlists, and in 2016 at least one breeder in Canada was shaving regular kittens to pass them off as expensive Sphynx kittens (2). Clearly, the high degree of maintenance required in owning a Sphynx has not prevented them from becoming much sought-after. Given their unique appearance and wealth of personality, is it any wonder? I always recommend adopting rather than buying from a breeder, but if you do decide to purchase a kitten from a breeder, do your research to make sure it is a reputable one. When it comes to cats, bald is beautiful as long as they were born that way.
Fun Facts
- Sphynx have webbed feet!
- When the breed was first being developed, it was called the Canadian Hairless.
- A Sphynx named Ted NudeGent was a serious actor. He played Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s cat in the Austin Powers movies. He then went on to be Rachel Green’s cat, Mr. Whiskerson, in Friends, and to act in I Know Who Killed Me alongside Lindsey Lohan.
Works Cited
- Quasha, J. (2000). The Sphynx cat: The hairless cat. The Rosen Publishing Group.
- Baynes, C. (2016, November 30). Fraudsters ‘shaving kittens and selling them as fake sphynx cats for more than £400.’ The Mirror. Link here.
Published May 23, 2020
Updated October 30, 2020
