Monday, October 17, 2011

The Exotic Sphynx Cat

Although not an exotic pet, the Sphynx cat is an exotic looking breed of cat to say the least.  Having only peach fuzz type fur, and very defined features, this cat is sure to catch attention.

photo source

The original breed of Sphynx cats nearly died out in the 1800's but some of there genetics may have remained as recessive genes in other cats.  In 1966 a hairless male kitten was born in Toronto, Canada, named Prune he was bred to his mother in an attempt to produce more animals of this type.  Inbreeding resulted in the deaths of many kittens, and the line never did get established.  Other hairless cats were found, and with some shorter haired Devon Rex cats, the breed finally was able to be considered healthy and viable.

The Sphynx cat is often marketed as a cat ideal for people who suffer from allergies, but they are not truly allergy free, and do require special care.  Sphynx cats should not go outside as they are at risk for sunburn and have poor tolerance for cold weather.  The fact that they lack hair means these cats are particularly fond of curling up on a warm lap, but are otherwise a more playful and active type of cat.
photo source


Due to their relative lack of hair, the Sphynx cat does require regular washing, and should be bathed once a week to prevent body oils from building up on their skin and in the folds of skin.  The cats should also should have their ears cleaned on a weekly basis.  This is because they do not have hair in their ears that would normally draw out the ear wax.  As such the Sphynx cat may require more maintenance than a furry cat.

If you are interested in getting an exotic pet cat, such as the Sphynx you can find breeders at cat shows and in cat magazines, however you should be aware that it is especially risky to bring one of these hairless cats home before it is 12 weeks of age as they are more prone to respiratory problems while young.


7 comments:

  1. I recognized this cat, but in my country it is just called the "hairless" cat. It's quite surprising to know that this one is called sphynx cats. Thanks for the info. Without you, I won't figure out its real name.

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  2. This is the most beautiful cat ever. Angora breed may never on top of this kind, that's my thought. Anyway, it would be really hard to take this animal as pet. Lots of things need to be prepared.

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  3. I just finished reading your article, and really enjoyed it, thank you. You can see some fun cat books at www.fun2readbooks.com where you can also hear the cat stories for the same price as a paperback book, and they are fun to listen to.

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  4. I enjoy hairless cats and would love to have one. There are so many shelter kitties that need homes instead though.

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  5. I like hairless cats. I think they are unique.

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  6. In a exotic animal veterinarian near me I saw this "hairless cat" and they are very unique and you will really amazed. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Costs Of Owning A Sphynx Cat
    The initial cost to purchase a Sphynx cat is one thing, but the costs of cat ownership is just as important to know about too. A Sphynx cat needs a little more attention than a normal cat, so you may end up spending more for some of the same items. Below is a breakdown of some of the costs you’ll run into when it comes to a Sphynx cat from the purchase stage as a kitten all the way to medical, food, cleaning, and other costs. Perhaps you'd like to check out our website tp purchase a sphynx kitten below.

    http://sphynx.company.com

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