Sphynx Cat Breed -- The Right Choice For You?

Do you remember that charming little alien in the movie ET? If so, you will probably fall in love with the Sphynx cat breed. Why is that? The Sphynx cat has a similar appearance to ET with its small, wrinkly face, enormous eyes, lack of whiskers, and huge ears. This unusual cat breed gets plenty of attention at cat shows with its fine coat that makes them look bald.

Genetic Health Issues?

Surprisingly enough, the popular Sphynx cat breed is only recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. Other breed associations are concerned that this unique cat breed will have genetic health problems in the future and do not want to encourage breeders to continue developing the breed.

Twice Discovered

The Sphynx breed was actually developed twice, once in the 1960s and again in the 1970s. Although the first line of Sphynx cats vanished completely, the second discovery of the breed was more successful. Surprisingly enough, this second line of cats came from a stray longhair cat. This cat's kittens were outcrossed to Devon Rex cats. The kittens from this cross had the traditional Sphynx coat and physical characteristics.

Fuzzy Coat

Although the Sphynx does not have a coat of hair, this breed's light coat of fuzz still comes in a wide range of colors. In fact, these cats come in every color and pattern available. This cat breed's powerful body is extremely muscular. The breed weighs in at 8 to 15 pounds.

Fun-loving Pets

Be prepared to spend quality time with these fascinating cats. In addition to their extraordinary appearance, these prized cats are not only fun-loving but also mischievous. With their monkey-like agility and playfulness and plenty of toys they’ll romp around for hours.

Family Feline

Since the Sphynx enjoys spending time with his family, this breed really does not do well when left alone for long periods of time. If you pick up a lot of overtime at work, you may not want to own one of these cats. People who do spend a lot of time away from home should consider adding a second Sphynx to the household so that the cats can keep each other company.

Grooming

Although you would think a virtually hairless cat would need no grooming, the Sphynx actually needs to be groomed once a day. These cats produce a lot of oil from their hair follicles, just as cats with hair do. However, there is no hair to absorb the oil and their skin grows quite greasy. Instead, you will need to wipe down your cat's body every day with a soft cloth to remove the oil.

Atchoo!

One other concern for Sphynx owners is that the lack of a thick coat of hair leaves these cats vulnerable to drafts and cold temperatures. Keep your cat warm and out of drafts to be sure he doesn't become ill.

The Mysterious Sphynx

So, if you wanted to bring ET home with you and don’t mind having a cat that acts like a monkey, the mysterious sphinx cat may be the right choice for you.