The Sphynx Kitten

A Sphynx kitten can be the life of the party. These playful, loveable felines warm your heart and keep you on your toes. The Sphynx breed is rare indeed. Let’s learn the facts about this usual kitty.

History

Sphynx kittens came about as a result of a natural genetic mutation. The breed originated in Canada in the mid 1960’s from two domestic cats. The cats contained a hairless recessive trait which makes up the characteristic look of the Sphynx.

Physical Appearance

Although Sphynx kitties look totally hairless, they do have a bit of peach fuzz on their toes and nose. The Sphynx breed has mesmerizing large, almost round eyes. They have a lean muscular build and a sharp, whip-like tail.

Colors

Sphynx cats come in a variety of skin colors. Colors range from lavender to black with a wide range of marking patterns. Since there is no substantial fur present, you can see the colors on the Sphynx feline’s skin. Kittens have thin skin. Therefore, the true skin color may be difficult to decipher. As they age and grow thicker skin, their skin settles into the final pigmentation.

Temperament

Sphynx felines love to be the center of attention. They love to play games and are quite curious. Sphynx are active and high energy with lots of personality. Be careful and lock up any cleaning supplies and put away your food. A Sphynx kitten will want to investigate every corner of your home.

While not a lap breed, sphynx kitties are loveable and enjoy human company. Because they thrive on attention, it’s best to get two kittens. If you’re often not at home, two kittens can entertain each other and are less likely to get into trouble.

Care

Because they are essentially hairless, Sphynx kitties can become cold easily. If you’re cold, you can pretty much guess that your Sphynx is feeling chilled, too. You can buy your kitten clothing to help keep them warm. And snuggling with them under bed covers is also a great way to bond.

When it comes to skin care and grooming, there's more than meets the eye with the Sphynx. Yes, there’s no brushing or combing involved. However, the Sphynx’ skin can become excessively oily because there is minimal hair present to absorb the oil. Weekly or biweekly bathing takes on an important role in removing the excess skin oils. Use a gentle kitten shampoo. And be sure to keep your kitten warm post-bath as they have little fur and body fat to keep them warm.

Development

Sphynx kittens can be more advanced developmentally than other breeds. It’s not usual to see a young sphynx kitty open its eyes after a few days of birth or begin walking after just a couple of weeks. Sphynx kittens are also quite wrinkly when they are first born. They still keep some of their wrinkles into adulthood, however.

Let’s learn about the hairless recessive trait. In terms of genetics,two hairless Sphynx felines produce hairless offspring. The mating of a hairless Sphynx and a feline with fur creates kittens with fur.

When a kitten produced by the breeding of a hairless Sphynx and a furred feline mates with a hairless Sphynx, 50% of the kittens will have fur and 50% will be hairless. Isn’t genetics wonderful?

Health Issues

Thankfully, Sphynx felines are a hardy stock. They are usually fairly healthy animals as long as they are properly cared for. Sphynx kittens can be expected to live long and healthy lives. The Sphynx breed has been selectively mated to minimize health problems.

The great thing about a hairless feline is there is little worry about fleas burrowing into their fur. Yet, Sphynx felines do have a few unexpected health concerns.

• Oily Skin
  
  Because of their oily skin, Sphynx cats are prone to getting acne. Excess oil and bacteria blocks skin pores creating a wonderful environment for acne. Again, this is where bathing and hygiene come into play. If acne is severe, a vet may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the lesions.

• Skin Exposure

  Temperature changes can also affect the Sphynx. With minimal fur, they are susceptible to cold and hot weather. In winter, dress you Sphynx in layers to keep warm. And watch for frostbite if they are outside in the elements. In summer, put sunblock or sunscreen on their skin to keep them from getting a terrible sunburn from damaging ultraviolet rays.

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