Have you heard of the Sphinx cat? Whether you’ve heard the name before or not, you might be surprised by its striking appearance!
You might even hear someone say, “What!
Is it really a cat?” The Sphinx cat’s appearance is likely to be a love-it-or-hate-it situation, but it’s a breed that some people can’t resist.
So what are the hidden charms of the Sphinx cat? Let’s introduce them right away!

Ads

～ Basic information. ～

Country of origin　Canada.

Weight　male: 3-5kg　female: 3-4.5kg.

In 1966, a hairless kitten was born suddenly in Canada. This kitten later became the catalyst for the birth of the Sphinx cat. The kitten was named “Prune,” and breeding activities started with this hairless kitten as the leader.

In 1975-1978, another hairless cat was found in Toronto, Canada, and the United States, and these cats were also used for breeding. Prune, the first hairless cat discovered, actually had descendants that died out along the way, so today’s Sphinx cats are based on hairless cats from the 1975-1978 era.

To minimize the risk of genetic diseases, inbreeding is not allowed. Instead, crossbreeding with American Shorthair and Devon Rex cats has been done to create today’s Sphinx cats. By the way, the cat to be chosen as a breeding partner is determined by an authorized organization. For example, in America, it is a crossbreed with American Shorthair or native cats. In England, it is a crossbreed with Russian Blue.

Ads

Sphynx’s Q&A.

Where does the name Sphinx come from?

There are theories that the Sphinx cat was named after the Sphinx statue in Egypt or the cat statue in the Egyptian hall at the Louvre Museum.

What are the color variations of the Sphinx?

■Types of body colors.

The Sphinx cat comes in blue, black, red, cream, white, chocolate, cinnamon, lavender, and fawn colors.

■Types of patterns and color schemes.

・Solid color.
The entire body is a single color, including the face, body, legs, and tail.

・Tabby.
There are stripes or spots all over the body.

・Silver & Golden.
Only the tips of the hair are colored, and the base is white or a light color.

・Smoke & Shaded.
The tips of the overcoat are colored, and the remaining half is white.

・Party color.
Two colors are randomly mixed.

・Calico & Bicolor.
Half or one-third of the body is white, and the rest is composed of two or more hair colors.

・Tabby & White.
Half or one-third of the body is white, and the rest is composed of stripes or spots.

・Pointed.
Only part of the body, such as the head, ears, legs, and tail, is colored.

・Pointed & White.
Part of the body is colored and mixed with white.

■Types of eye color.

Sapphire blue, blue, yellow, gold, aqua, orange, copper, green, hazel, and odd-eyed colors are available.

■Types of hairs.

The Sphinx cat only comes in hairless breeds.

What does a sphinx look like?

The Sphinx cat has a wedge-shaped head, lemon-like large eyes, and large ears that are wide at the base and face. They have a semi-foreign body type with slender legs and tail, which makes them look slim, but they have a surprisingly muscular body.

They have wrinkles in various places such as their belly and neck, and their appearance is like that of an alien. They are even said to look like E.T.!

The most distinctive feature of the Sphinx cat is that it is the only hairless breed in the cat world. In other words, they do not have hair on their bodies. However, if you look closely, you can see a little bit of fuzz on their skin. It feels like velvet.

It is often thought that since they don’t have hair, there is no need to worry about shedding or grooming. However, Sphinx cats require frequent care. Therefore, if you want to keep one as a pet, you should have enough time to take care of them.

Since they do not have hair, they secrete more sebum than other cats. Therefore, it is recommended to wipe their bodies with a clean steamed towel every day. Shampooing should be started once every two weeks or so while monitoring the situation. They are weak against temperature changes and poor at regulating body temperature, so ultraviolet protection and heat retention measures are necessary when going out.

Why is the body of a sphinx wrinkled?

Sometimes you see cats with a summer cut, but even when they are close to being hairless, they don’t have as many wrinkles as Sphinx cats. To put it simply, the reason why Sphinx cats have wrinkles is not well understood. It is unknown whether it happened during the breeding process or whether the underlying cat was wrinkled. This mystery may be solved someday as research progresses!

How much does it cost to buy a Sphinx?

When keeping animals, it is necessary to follow the laws established by each country. This time, I will talk about keeping Sphinx cats at home in Japan.

Since it is difficult to find Sphinx cats in pet shops, it is common to purchase them from breeders or catteries. The price ranges from 200,000 to 500,000 yen. When considering a purchase, it is a good idea to visit and see the cat you are interested in.

Furthermore, if you purchase from a “cattery,” which is the highest qualification for breeders, the price may be higher than that of a general breeder. Since a “cattery” requires certification from the pedigree issuing organizations “CAF” and “TICA,” breeders with this qualification are highly reliable and have added value. The reason for the high price is that it is proof of trust.

In addition, there are several conditions that can cause the price to vary:

・Being a kitten.
・Having excellent pedigree.
・Having rare colors or patterns.

Although there are other conditions, it seems that prices tend to be higher when these conditions are met.

Learn more about the personality and traits of the Sphinx!

①Spoiled and friendly!

The Sphinx is a breed of cat that is known for its striking appearance, but it is also one of the most affectionate and cuddly breeds among many. They are friendly and outgoing, and they will approach strangers with a cute greeting.

They are also known for their small meows, making them an ideal pet for apartment living. However, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

②Curious and clever!

While cats are generally not fond of playing with small children, the curious Sphinx seems to be an exception. They love to play and exercise, so they will enjoy toys like a cat teaser. They are also intelligent and easy to train.

③Multi-head breeding is judged based on the situation.

Sphynxes can live with other cats or different animals, but they have delicate skin and are prone to injury. Therefore, it is important to consider the type of animal you want to keep with them.

④Cats that are not prone to allergies.

Sphynxes are considered a hypoallergenic breed of cat because they produce less of the allergen protein Fel d1 than other breeds due to their lack of fur.

However, this does not mean that they are completely allergen-free. The Sphinx’s hairlessness means that frequent grooming is necessary to reduce the amount of dander in the environment. It is recommended that people with cat allergies consult a doctor before adopting a Sphinx.

What diseases are sphinxes susceptible to?

Sphynx cats are prone to several diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dermatitis, and transfusion reactions.

①Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle thickens, making it difficult for the heart to contract properly. It is often caused by genetics, and there are no specific prevention methods yet.

In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms at first, and blood clots may develop, which can lead to death in the worst-case scenario. The best way to detect the disease early is to undergo regular health checkups.

Although there is no groundbreaking treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy yet, it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease with symptomatic treatment as early as possible.

②Dermatitis.

As I mentioned in the Q&A on appearance, Sphynx cats secrete a lot of sebum because they are hairless. If left untreated, this can lead to skin diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis.

Also, because they have no fur, they are more susceptible to temperature changes and can be sensitive to both cold and heat. During summer, be careful of heatstroke. In winter, it’s a good idea to dress them in clothes for warmth. And above all, wiping their body with a clean steamed towel every day will help prevent skin diseases.

③Transfusion reactions.

Sphynx cats are rare among cats in that they often have type B blood. If a cat with type B blood needs a transfusion due to an accident or illness, there is a risk of acute rejection if blood other than type B is mixed in. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to death. Therefore, it is a good idea to have your cat’s blood tested and know its type in advance.

What is the lifespan of a sphinx?

Sphynx cats are said to have a lifespan of 12-14 years. This is slightly shorter than the average lifespan of a cat, which is 12-16 years.

Ads

Bibliography.

まるごとわかる猫種大図鑑　監修：CFA公認審査員　早田由貴子

世界中で愛される美しすぎる猫図鑑　監修　今泉忠明

The Cat Fancier’s Association, Inc.
https://cfa.org/sphynx/

猫との暮らし大百科
https://www.anicom-sompo.co.jp/nekonoshiori/

みんなの猫図鑑
https://www.min-nekozukan.com/

Pet Smile news forネコちゃん
http://psnews.jp/cat/

子猫のへや
https://www.konekono-heya.com/sitemap.html

ねこちゃんホンポ
https://nekochan.jp/

公益社団法人　埼玉県獣医師会
https://www.saitama-vma.org/topics/猫の遺伝性疾患について/

アイキャッチ画像
https://pixabay.com/images/id-5116541/