Breed Focus: Sphinx

Few species bring up as much mixed reactions as the Sphinx cats do. Their most notable feature is the lack of a furry coat like most cats. This can has endeared them to many owners while caused others to label them as unattractive. If you can get past their appearance Sphinx cats can actually make good pets!

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As a breed Sphinx cats can be traced back to 1966 in Canada. Here a normal haired cat gave birth to a cat with out any fur. From there a mixture of cross breeding has brought us to the breed we know today.

With the lack of hair, many believe them to be the ideal cat for allergies. This is typically false though. They will still produce dander (dead skin cells), which are the major culprit in most pet allergies. To fully ensure that an animal is hypoallergenic though there are certain tests that may be done. Although they do not have a typical cat coat that may require grooming, they will require regular baths. Oil can develop on their skin naturally since there is no fur to take it away from the skin. If left there, it can lead to clogged follicles and skin issues. Regular bathing can help prevent these symptoms. It is best to get them used to this at a young age. Over time many may even enjoy it!

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Overall sphinx tend to be very healthy, but as with any purebred especially one as recent as the Sphinx there are certain conditions to watch for. As mentioned above skin issues can develop so monitoring their exterior closely can help catch symptoms early. Another conditions that is fairly common in purebred cats is hypertrophic cardiomypothy. This is a thickening of the heart wall which interferes with proper function. Diagnostics such as x-rays and echocardiograms are necessary to diagnose and evaluate management of the heart condition. Ensuring the that parents are healthy prior to adopting this breed is a very good idea. For more information on the heart condition you can visit this website

Overall the Sphinx .tend to be out going and can make great companions. If you are interested in an unusual pet that may elicit mixed reactions from your friends they could make an excellent addition to your home. For more information about the sphinx please visit the following website here.