Sphynx Cat Breed:

The sphynx cat is also commonly referred to as the Mexican hairless cat or the Canadian Hairless cat.



It is a rare breed that is recognized by its absence of a coat. The Sphynx may seem to be hairless but in actuality it is not totally hairless. In 1966 a hairless kitten was born in Canada and was named Prune. The contemporary breed originated from this particular cat.



They are highly energetic, curious, intelligent and affectionate cats making them ideal household pets. They tend to adjust their personalities to suit the desires of their human owners. They like the company of other people, cats and dogs too.

The texture of the Sphynx cat’s skin is very similar to chamois leather. They may have a covering of fine short hair.



Absence of a pelt makes them quite warm to the touch. Also this absence makes them cuddle up to people or pets to keep themselves warm. Due to the absence of fur, the Sphynx cat needs to be washed fairly regularly as the natural oils that the skin produces cannot be absorbed. Just because they do not have a coat or fur does not mean that they are maintenance free. Body oils that are released by the skin, which would normally get absorbed by any hair, tend to collect on the skin. Their dander tends to stay on the skin instead of floating off as would be in the case of other breeds with fur and is normally the cause of most allergies. Hence regular bathing is essential to wash off the dander, dirt and oil. This means a once a week bath is required at the minimum. There are various ways in which they can be bathed. They can either be soaked in a tub or washed down in a sink or wiped over with a soft, damp washcloth. They take barely any time to dry off.  Another important point is to ensure that they have limited exposure to the harsh outdoor sunlight as they can get sunburn and photo damage. Additionally they should not be left in the outdoors unattended as they do not have the means to help conserve the body heat that is required to keep the cold out. Again due to the absence of a coat some Sphynx cats are considered to be hypoallergenic. Those humans that suffer from cat allergies may however have intensified reactions specifically to this particular breed.