Sphynx

Curious with nimble paws

Many Sphynx cats come to the door when visitors arrive. They seek out their people, reach for toys with their long toes and like to follow whatever is happening at home. Some even open cupboard doors, so cleaning products and small objects that could be swallowed should be stored where the cat cannot reach them. After playing, many settle somewhere warm beside their people.

Skin care without a rigid bath schedule

Most Sphynx cats are not entirely bare. Fine down covers the body, and more hair may grow on the nose, ears or paws. Without a dense coat, skin oils build up more readily on the skin. You can gently wipe individual dirty patches with a soft, damp cloth. If the skin repeatedly becomes very oily, your veterinary team can recommend a mild cat shampoo and help you decide how often bathing is useful. The right interval depends on the condition of the skin. Washing too frequently can irritate it.

It is worth checking the ears regularly, as wax can collect there. Visible dirt on the outer ear flap can be wiped away gently with a soft pad. Cotton swabs should not go into the ear canal. If an ear is red or painful, a vet should examine it before you clean further. Healthy, clean ears do not need constant cleaning, which can irritate them. Claws should also be checked regularly and trimmed only if they grow too long.

Cat allergies can be triggered by proteins in saliva and secretions from skin glands. Grooming spreads saliva proteins onto the skin, and shed skin flakes can carry them into the home. A Sphynx can therefore cause allergic symptoms despite having very little fur.

Heart screening and the CMS test

If you are choosing a Sphynx from a breeder, you should be able to see recent heart ultrasound reports for both parents. This scan helps detect hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. The disease thickens the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to fill with blood. An ultrasound may reveal changes even when a cat seems well. HCM can also develop after an earlier scan showed no abnormalities. For your own cat, you can discuss with your vet when a heart check would be useful.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome, or CMS, is an inherited condition present from birth that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles. Affected cats may show muscle weakness as kittens, particularly after exertion. A DNA test is available for this condition. A cat with one copy of the tested gene variant is a carrier. They do not develop this form of CMS themselves, but can pass the variant to their kittens. A kitten that inherits the variant from both parents is affected. Both parents' CMS results therefore matter when choosing a kitten. This test does not replace a heart ultrasound, as it checks for a different disease.

If your Sphynx seems unusually weak after activity, they should be examined by a vet. Unusually fast breathing at rest warrants a prompt call to your veterinary practice. Visible difficulty breathing or breathing with an open mouth needs immediate veterinary attention.

Could this breed fit your life?