The Sphynx is possibly the most distinctive of all cat breeds, due to its lack of fur coat. The result is a ‘naked’ cat with its physique fully on display for all to see. Its body is slender but muscular and the skin is loose in places forming wrinkles.
They have long narrow heads with prominent cheekbones, large lemon-shaped eyes and very large ears. Their legs are long, with neat rounded paws complete with webbed toes, and their tails are whiplike.
Description and Characteristics
The degree of hairlessness can vary from cat to cat, with some having a very fine ‘peach fuzz’ all over and others just fine hair over the extremities. The colour of the skin is the colour that their fur would be if it was present, which includes darker areas where markings would have been. Sphynx cats feel warm to the touch and their lack of hair means they lose body heat easily. This can make going outdoors challenging as these cats can suffer from both the cold and sunburn. Although Sphynx cats lack a coat, they are not maintenance-free, with body oils normally absorbed by the fur, building up on the skin. This can leave greasy marks around the home and cats need to be bathed weekly. Sphynx cats tend to be extroverts, full of energy, curiosity and intelligence. They are very affectionate with their owners, demanding their attention and wanting to be involved in everything, so much so, that their behaviour is often considered dog-like. Sphynx cats also enjoy the company of other cats and animals, although, as with all cats, careful introductions are required. Other than regular bathing, these cats require warm places to snuggle up and particular care that they don’t bask in the sun. Sphynx cats first appeared in 1966 when a genetic mutation produced a hairless kitten in a litter of domestic shorthair cats in Canada. The hairlessness of these cats was caused by a genetic mutation, which is an occasional natural occurrence in cats. Through selective breeding programmes with these hairless cats, the Sphynx breed was created.
Health and common issues
Life for Sphynx cats can be challenging from a health and welfare perspective. Cats are designed to have fur, which functions not just to keep them warm but to offer protection and provide key information about the environment around them. Exposed skin on a cat can leave it susceptible to injury and from sunburn. Oily-build up on the skin needs gentle cleaning and can be prone to yeast infections. These cats may also be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) a disorder which causes the walls of the heart to thicken reducing the volume of blood within the heart and preventing the heart muscle from relaxing properly between contractions. There are HCM-testing schemes available, which involve genetic testing and/or regular heart scanning). Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) also referred to as muscular dystrophy or myopathy also occurs in Sphynx cats. It is a type of inherited neuromuscular disorder causing generalized muscle weakness and fatigue, head bobbing, progressive protrusion of the shoulder blades, shortening of the stride, muscle tremors and eventual collapse. A gene test is available for this condition.
