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!
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!
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment