Coat

Sphynx are not always totally hairless and there are different degrees of “hairlessness.” There can be a fine down on the body which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some short hair is usually present on the nose, ears and sometimes on toes and tail. Seasonal weather changes and hormonal changes in the cat can affect hair development. All colors and patterns are possible and may change as the cat matures. Their unique lack of fur makes them susceptible to being sunburned when outside or even sitting in sunny windows for prolonged periods of time. Pet sunscreen or sun shirts are an option to reduce this risk.

Sphynx can be a good choice for people with allergies to cat hair, but they are NOT hypoallergenic. Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx depending on the type and severity of the individual’s allergic reactions, some people will still react to Sphynx cats. This is because cat allergies are caused by proteins found in a cat's saliva, dander, and urine not just in cat hair.

Bathing

Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, Most Sphynx require baths 1-2 times per year, but this can vary from cat to cat. How frequent baths are needed depends on the cat’s oil production. Some will need baths less frequently or not at all. Excessive bathing or use of wipes can increase oil production and increase how frequently your cat will need to be bathed. USE ONLY SHAMPOOS FORMULATED FOR PETS. Hypoallergenic shampoos are recommended to reduce skin irritation. Any concerns about the skin should be discussed with your veterinarian before at-home remedies are used. Do not take advice from pet-store employees, groomers, pet-sitters etc. without first consulting with your vet. Bath times are often a hard time for many cats, but Sphynx become accustomed to it from a young age and some even enjoy it! The key to reducing the stress of bath time starts with preparing them for the event. Get the bath water going early, preferably before the cat is carried into the room. Keep the water at a medium temperature. Hold them securely with one hand while bathing and rinsing with the other. This will make the process easier and makes your cat more comfortable. Make sure to wash the skin folds on body, face and around the toes as oil collects easily in these spots. When done, they should be toweled off until dry and reward them generously with love and attention.

Cleaning Ears

Sphynx require ear cleanings once to twice weekly due to increased waxy debris in the ears from lack of hair. The wax is typically a dark brown color. Ear cleanings are essential to avoid complications of excess debris build-up. First, use a soft cloth, gauze pad, etc. to wipe the inside of the ear.  Then place a few drops of ear cleanser into the ear. Gently massage the base of the ear and allow cat the shake their head. This will get the debris dislodged and make removal easier. Wipe the ears again using a soft cloth or gauze. You can use a Q-Tip to remove wax from the folds. The Q-Tip should not be placed deeply into the ear canal. Your cat should not experience pain during the cleaning. If pain, bleeding, excessive scratching, abnormal color, or excessive debris is noted in the ears, your Sphynx should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Nail Care

Sphynx often build up oil on their nails which require cleaning every week. The oil is easily removed with a baby wipe or moistened cloth. Gently expose the nail and then carefully wipe the build up from nail. The nails should be trimmed every 2 weeks. This procedure can be performed by your veterinarian or at-home. It is best to have 1 person hold the cat while another person trims the nails to prevent accidental injury due to movement. Care must be taken to avoid cutting the “quick” of the nail. Cutting this is painful for the cat and will cause mild bleeding.

Litter Box

It is recommended to have at least 1 litter box per cat + 1 additional box. The litter box should be cleaned at least once a day. If the box is not cleaned often enough your cat may stop using it and potentially go to the bathroom in inappropriate places. On a weekly basis, all the litter should be discarded, and the box sanitized. A dust-free litter is best to use to avoid possible respiratory irritation.

Feeding

We feed a high-quality raw diet to all of our cats. The food they eat is extremely important for your cat’s health. Only high-quality foods should be used, and treats should be fed in moderation. Kitten food should be fed to cats under 12 months. For kittens under 6 months, small meals should be offered every 4-6 hours or given free access to food. Canned, dry or freeze dried foods can be used. A “complete” food will provide all the vitamins and minerals your cat needs. Additional vitamin supplements are not necessary and should only be given when recommended by a veterinarian. Homemade diets are often deficient of certain nutrients which can lead to very serious medical conditions and should never be fed without the guidance of a veterinarian.

If you are going to change the brand or flavors of food this change should be made gradually over at least 7 days. Human foods should not be given to cats as this can cause gastro-intestinal upset. Even a small amount of human food is enough to cause GI upset in cats. Some foods that are safe for humans or other animals are toxic to cats and can lead to serious illness and even death!

Health

The average life span is 12-15 years. Like all cats, they should see a veterinarian at least annually. Performing annual wellness lab work with your veterinarian can be extremely beneficial in early detection of numerous health problems. Vaccinations are key when protecting your cat and should be boostered annually.

Sphynx are predisposed to certain conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a type of heart disease. Your Sphynx should have annual echocardiograms after they are 12 months old to screen for HCM. These should only be performed by a board-certified cardiologist. Sphynx are at a higher risk of dental disease. It is advisable to brush their teeth daily and have routine dental cleanings as recommended by the vet to prevent dental disease.

Pet insurance is highly recommended!

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken (hypertrophy), decreasing the heart’s efficiency. Cardiomyopathies are common in cats, and cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in this species. The most common cardiomyopathy is HCM, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 15% in the general cat population, while up to 29% of older cats may be affected.

Due to the high incidence of HCM in the Sphynx breed, it is highly recommended to have an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) performed every year to monitor for changes in the heart muscle. These echocardiograms must be repeated because single or even multiple normal echocardiograms does NOT guarantee that a cat will never develop HCM.  Additionally, the parents or other relatives of a cat may not have HCM but can still produce offspring with HCM.

Clinical Signs

Many cats with HCM do not appear to be ill. Often, the clinical symptoms are only seen in the advanced stages of the disease. Typically, these symptoms are signs of congestive heart failure, including collapse, labored or rapid breathing, open-mouthed breathing, and lethargy. These symptoms occur when fluid accumulates in or around the lungs. A serious and potentially life-threatening consequence of HCM is the formation of blood clots in the heart. These clots may travel through the bloodstream to obstruct flow in other parts of the body (thromboembolism). The effect of the clot depends on its location, although in cats with HCM, clots most commonly result in blockage of blood flow to the hind limbs, causing acute hind limb pain or, in extreme cases, hind limb paralysis. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help decrease the severity of clinical signs and potentially prolong the cat’s life span.

Diagnosis

It is recommended to have an echocardiogram performed by a cardiologist. HCM is only diagnosed by echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). In cats with HCM, these images reveal the thickened walls and constricted volume of the left ventricle of the heart. However, similar heart thickening is also caused by other common conditions. These diseases must be ruled out prior to diagnosing HCM. Your veterinarian may also recommend other tests, including chest radiographs and electrocardiography, depending on the results of a physical examination and/or echocardiographic findings.

Recently, DNA testing for a genetic mutation specific to Sphynx has become available. This test can be very helpful in assessing the risk factor of a cat developing HCM but is not a diagnosis. The DNA mutation has been identified in about 60% of HCM affected Sphynx Cats. This mutation is also found occasionally in healthy adult Sphynx cats who do not have the disease. This means that even if a cat has the genetic mutation, the mutation may not lead to the development of disease in that cat. Importantly, since this mutation only appears to have identified about 60% of HCM affected cats, it appears likely that there is at least one other Sphynx HCM mutation that has yet to be identified. This means a cat who tests negative for this gene can still develop HCM.

Treatment

Although HCM has no known cure, medical therapy can slow the progression of the disease. A specialized care plan can help manage clinical signs and potentially slow the progression of the disease. Treatment goals include controlling the heart rate, improving heart function, alleviating lung congestion (congestive heart failure), and preventing the formation of blood clots that can lead to thromboembolism.  Recently, studies have been conducted on a medication that may be an effective treatment for HCM. At this time, this medication has not been approved for the treatment of cardiac disease in cats.

Prognosis

The prognosis (predicted outcome) for cats with HCM is variable. Cats that do not display any clinical signs are often able to survive for years with no or only mildly compromised heart function. HCM is a progressive disease, and diagnosis after the onset of clinical symptoms often comes with a much worse prognosis.