Sphynx cats are one of the most famous cat breeds. The main feature of this breed is that they have no coat or hair as other cat breeds do.
But is that true? Are Sphynx cats completely hairless, or do they still have some hair?
Well, if you want to know the answer to these questions and learn more about Sphynx cat hair, read on and find out!
Sphynx Cat’s Hair
A distinctive feature of the Sphynx cats is their hairless skin. However, is it true that they’re completely hairless? Why do Sphynx cats not have coats as other cats do? Let’s find out together!
Sphynx cats are also called hairless cats due to the absence of the coat that most other cat breeds have. The main reason these cats are hairless is due to a genetic mutation.
The hairless gene that Sphynx cats have is called keratin 71 (KRT 71). It is usually non-dominant, which means that if a Sphynx cat mates with other domestic cat breeds, their kittens should have normal coats.
The same gene (KRT 71) is also present in the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex breeds.
However, this gene doesn’t function in Sphynx cats at all, meaning that they cannot keep their hair follicles, while the gene in Devon cats works a bit, which is why they aren’t hairless, but instead have extremely short hair.
Do Sphynx Cats Have Hair?
You might be surprised if you think Sphynx cats don’t have hair at all! Even though they’re called a hairless breed, most Sphynx cats grow small amounts of fuzz hair that is usually barely visible. This hair is often found on the cat’s tail, back, paws, and around the ears.
As these cats don’t have normal coats but rather only a small amount of fine hair, you may think that they don’t need a lot of grooming. However, these hairless cats require more grooming than some long-haired cat breeds.
So, if you have a Sphynx cat, or plan on getting one, keep reading to find out how to groom these unique and beautiful cats properly.
Proper Grooming Care For Sphynx Cats
You may be surprised, but Sphynx cats require a lot of grooming and very special care of their sensitive skin. So, to find out how to groom your hairless Sphynx properly, read on and find out!
Of course, you don’t have to brush a Sphynx cat as they don’t have coats like other cats. However, these cats require frequent baths.
Sphynx cats have oily skin like most other cat breeds; however, a cat’s coat usually absorbs the sebum, and Sphynx cats cannot do that due to their lack of coat. They groom themselves often, but that’s not enough to remove the oil build-up from their skin.
If you don’t get rid of these skin oils, the Sphynx cat may pick up dirt around its neck, paws, under arms, and in any body wrinkles.
So, if you want to prevent your Sphynx cat from spreading dirt around your home and keep your kitty perfectly clean and healthy, here’s what you should do!
Regular Baths
As already mentioned, if you have a Sphynx cat, then you should know that grooming care is very important for them. The most important part of grooming care is to provide your Sphynx with regular baths.
As these cats need frequent baths, ensure that you train your kitten to get used to bath time from a young age so that later you can do this task without any problems.
Sphynx cats have extremely sensitive skin, therefore, you must be careful with shampoo choices.
You can look for shampoos formulated especially for Sphynx cats. In case you cannot find such a shampoo, then you can consult with your vet or try some of the best alternatives to cat shampoo.
Nail Care
Proper grooming also means regular nail trimming. However, besides nail trimming, Sphynx cats usually have an accumulation of dirt underneath the skin next to nails.
So, if you want to prevent claw infections from developing and keep their nails healthy and clean, you should clean away this dirt.
You can use a tool, such as tweezers, or a baby wipe. Pull the cat’s skin down and gently wipe the dirt off. After that, continue with nail trimming, and make sure that you do this often.
Ear Care
Grooming also requires proper ear cleaning. Sphynx cats don’t have hair in their ears to keep the dirt out, so their ears can get really dirty.
Therefore, you should clean their ears at least once a week if you want to prevent them from having ear infections. You can also combine it with other aspects of the grooming process, such as bathing and nail trimming.
Skin Care
Due to their oily skin, Sphynx cats also require proper skin care. So, they may get blackheads, usually on their chin, face, or neck, that you need to treat properly.
It’s important to treat these blackheads and acne because if you don’t, the cat can get an inflammation of the follicle, which means more complications that require professional vet help.
So, you can consult with your veterinarian on what to use to treat blackheads and acne. Usually, for this problem, soap is used. However, in severe cases, the vet may recommend benzoyl-peroxide pads.
Seasonal Tips For Sphynx Cats
As Sphynx cats don’t have coats, but they have sensitive skin, it’s crucial to pay special attention to their skin during different seasons and climates, particularly during winter and summer.
Sphynx cats need to be indoors most of the time as they’re exposed to many external damages that may harm them due to their lack of hair. If you let your Sphynx outdoors, make sure it’s only under your supervision.
Summer Tips
You need to be extra careful when summer arrives as these cats are prone to sunburns and skin cancers. Because of that, you need to consult with your vet on what sunscreen you should use for your Sphynx cat to keep it safe during hot months.
Moreover, to prevent the cat from overheating, ensure that you keep it indoors, away from hot and sunny places that could cause it harm.
Winter Tips
When it comes to colder months, you need to keep your Sphynx kitty safe and healthy. So, as they don’t have coats to maintain their body temperature, they may get extremely cold, even if they’re indoors.
If you notice that your Sphynx cat is constantly looking for cozy and warm places, sleeping in a ball, it may be a sign that it’s cold.
During winter, you can provide your Sphynx feline friend with a few pieces of clothes designed for that specific breed that will help them regulate their body temperature during cold months.
Remember not to use such clothes on normal coated cats as that may lead to overheating.
You may be interested in different colors in which Sphynx cats may appear!
Are Sphynx Cats Hypoallergenic?
Most people would think that Sphynx cats are the most hypoallergenic cat breed due to being hairless. However, that’s not completely true.
First, it’s important to clarify that it’s not the cat’s hair that causes cat allergies, but a protein Fel d 1 that most cats produce.
The thing is that some cats produce higher amounts and some produce lower amounts of this protein that triggers allergic reactions, and it’s usually found in a cat’s saliva, urine, and skin. So, cats with lower production of this protein are less likely to trigger cat allergies in humans.
There are no true hypoallergenic cats; however, Sphynx cats are considered hypoallergenic due to lower production of the protein Fel d 1 and less shedding.
That doesn’t mean that you won’t experience any allergy symptoms from Sphynx cats, but it means that chances you’ll get allergic reactions from them are lower when compared to other cat breeds with higher Fel d 1 production.
So, if you’re an allergy sufferer who desperately wants to become a cat parent, you can test your allergies by spending several days with someone’s Sphynx, and if you don’t experience any symptoms, it should be okay for you to get a Sphynx cat.
However, I always suggest consulting with your doctor first!
Read on to find out if Ragdoll cat are hypoallergenic!
Interesting Facts About Sphynx Cats
• Sphynx cats originated in Toronto, Canada, when the first hairless kitten was born to a black domestic cat called Elizabeth. That kitten was called Prune and was used to produce more hairless kittens, thus creating this unique breed.
• They have hairless, suede-like skin that requires a lot of special grooming care.
• Sphynx cats are often mistaken for two breeds of Russian origin – Peterbald cat and Donskoy cat (Don Sphynx). Both breeds have the hairless gene.
• Sphynx cats are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious health issue that causes the thickening of the heart’s muscle.
• The hairless gene found in Sphynx cats was produced by a different allele but the same gene that causes curly hair in Devon Rex cats.
• A Sphynx cat appeared in many movies and tv shows. For example, a Sphynx called Ted Nudegent played Mr. Bigglesworth in the Austin Powers movies.
FAQ
Why Do Sphynx Cats Have No Fur?
Sphynx cats don’t have fur due to a genetic mutation and a hairless gene they carry. However, even though these cats are called hairless, they still have a small amount of hair that can usually be found on the cat’s back, tail, paws, and around the ears.
What Is The Life Expectancy For A Sphynx Cat?
These unique-looking and intelligent cats have an average lifespan of 8 to 14 years. They’re generally very healthy; however, it’s believed that they’re prone to an inherited health issue called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
How Much Does A Sphynx Cat Cost?
A Sphynx cat is a unique and interesting cat breed, which may be very expensive. However, the Sphynx cat’s price may depend on many different things such as gender, quality, breeder, color, and similar. The average price may range from $1,500 to $4,500, or even more.
To Sum Up
Sphynx cats are among the most popular cat breeds because of their unique appearance. They appear completely bald, which is why many people call them the hairless cat breed.
However, even though it doesn’t seem like it, if you look closely, you may notice that Sphynx cat hair exists in most cases. These cats have a small amount of hair that is usually found on the cat’s tail, back, paws, and around its ears.
The main reason for this hairless look is a genetic mutation that resulted in this breed of cat. Their hairless skin has both pros and cons.
The good thing is that they’re considered to be hypoallergenic cats due to low shedding levels and low production of the protein Fel d 1 that causes allergic reactions. However, the bad thing is that these cats require more grooming care than some long-haired cat breeds.
If you choose a Sphynx cat to be your pet friend, you won’t regret it as they’re charming and, with this cat, you’ll never be bored again!
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