Characteristics

One thing is for sure: the sphinx won’t let anybody indifferent. The sphynx attracts attention, curiosity and interest. The sphynx race is marked by a mutation which limits the growth of hair drastically.

The sphynx is the natural result of a phenomenon called “Alopecia”. It is precisely this inheriting alopecia which characterizes the nudity of the sphynx. It is a genetic and recessive mutation of the race.

So it is understandable that these cats do not support extreme temperatures. (Other cats that have the privilege of hair growth control with their hair their body temperature and the protection against heat and cold). For this reason some precautions have to be taken. The sphynx is an excellent in-house cat. The cat will never be more comfortable than in a warm house. However: the outside world with its many dangers is reason enough to keep your cat in a secure environment.

Its skin is soft and hot. You will feel it when you take a sphynx in your arms. It’s like having a boiler in your hands. Some people think that the constant body temperature of the sphynx is higher than those of the other races. But that’s not true. The skin of the sphynx seems to be hotter than others because it has no hair. This is perhaps also why the fans of the sphynx (like me) appreciate to carry them in our arms.

The sphynx is not an ideal pet for persons allergic to cat hair. This allergy is activated by dandruff and excretions which are heavily produced by the sphinx.

However, researches showed that a regular bath helps to support the allergies by the soap put on its body. Fortunately the sphinx accepts the regular baths if they got used to in the early stage of their life.

In addition if you hate it to have cat hair everywhere on your clothes, furniture etc. the sphynx is the ideal cat for you.