Egyptian hairless cats: name, photo and description, characteristics of the breed

The character of the Canadian Sphynx

Characteristics of the Canadian Sphynx

By nature, the Canadian Sphynx is an active, mischievous, playful cat. They are curious, sociable, quickly become attached to their owner, and need constant attention. But curiosity can ruin a sphinx, for example, if he tries accidentally left needles, buttons or beads on his teeth. Be careful. Unlike many of their fellow tribesmen, sphinxes are docile, completely devoid of rancor and not aggressive. They get along well with children and patiently endure even involuntary rudeness. It is almost impossible to piss them off. However, they are endowed with a subtle mental organization and react very poorly to aggression. If you shout at the sphinx or, even more so, beat it, the cat will receive severe psychological trauma. Dissatisfaction can be expressed using a stern but soft tone - the Sphinx will perfectly understand that he was wrong. Sphinxes are smart and easy to train. They can carry small objects in their teeth, perform tricks, and open doors. They willingly go for walks on a leash, so in sunny weather they can be taken out onto the grass. But make sure that the sphinx does not get sunburned. Canadian Sphynx cats get along well with other animals. They are not afraid of dogs, and they have practically no hunting instinct. Sphynxes are partial to plants. Therefore, to prevent them from encroaching on your ficus, buy them a tray with special grass. The Sphinx will be grateful if you buy for him not only toys, but also gymnastic equipment and labyrinths. They are hypoallergenic, so they are even suitable for families with a person who suffers from allergies. They do not tolerate loneliness well, so they need an owner who spends most of their time at home.

How the character of the Canadian Sphynx influences behavior

Canadian Sphynx cats will share your hobbies, follow you around, watch TV and help you work on the computer. The main thing is to be the center of attention. If you play with your cat, it will be happy. By the way, sphinxes are excellent conversationalists. They look you in the eyes and listen carefully, which creates the feeling of a full-fledged dialogue. Sphinxes are talkative, they have a wide range of intonations and voice timbres and developed facial expressions. And the “alien” faces constantly reflect satisfaction with themselves and those around them.

Determining the age of the kitten

Finding out the age of a kitten is much easier than finding out an adult cat. Kittens grow and develop very quickly in the first year of life. It is possible to determine how many months they are with virtually no errors.

By behavior

1. Up to 3 weeks, babies do not respond to external stimuli.
2. At the age of 1 month they begin to walk slowly.
3. By 1.5 months. The kittens are already running around actively.
4. At 2 months they can come into contact with humans and other animals.
5. By 5 months Puberty occurs in teenage kittens. This can be determined by the pet’s changed behavior. The cat or cat begins to behave restlessly and meow loudly.
6. At 7 months sexual hunting begins. The cat asks the cat, the cat can mark the territory.

Tough

1. At 1 month Kittens have their first incisors.
2. By 1.5 months. premolars and canines appear. By 3 months - molars.
3. At 3 - 4 months. Kittens lose their baby teeth and their permanent teeth appear.
4. By 7 months they have a full set of permanent teeth: 4 molars, 4 canines, 12 incisors and 10 premolars. The teeth are white and very sharp. There are no damages or abrasions on them.

How to choose a kitten

Sphynx kittens at a young age have fragile health and are susceptible to infections. When purchasing from nurseries, a responsible breeder will be sure to provide the kitten’s veterinary passport with vaccination marks. The first vaccination is usually given 2 weeks before weaning, so that the baby begins to develop its own immunity.

Pedigree is a document that confirms origin and will not say anything about a future exhibition career if we are talking about a show-class kitten. Only at the age of 1-2 years the exterior is finally formed and it is possible to evaluate the appearance.

A kitten can be reserved by photo, but a visit to the cattery is required. You need to look at the conditions in which cats live and examine the kitten. Health problems are indicated by the accumulation of pus in the corners of the eyes, acne on the skin, spots and bleeding in the mouth.

A healthy kitten may have a small, clear discharge from the eyes, and the nose should be moist and cool. The baby himself is active, moderately well-fed, no smaller than his littermates.

It is necessary to clarify when the previous litter was. The interval between births for a cat should be 6 months or more.

It is also necessary to ask for a certificate of registration of the nursery in the felinological system.

How to keep a Sphynx cat?

The skin of representatives of this breed is their weak point. She needs constant care and protection. First of all, remember that the Sphynx cat cannot be left in direct sunlight for a long time: burns are guaranteed. In addition, these animals often suffer from dermatitis, acne and other rashes. To keep their skin healthy, firstly, they need to be bathed every 2 days. If the animal does not like water treatments, you will have to wipe the skin every day with an antibacterial solution, which is diluted to a very weak concentration.

Secondly, the hygiene of the Sphynx also includes regular cleaning of the ears from wax: there are no hairs in the shell, nothing interferes with its accumulation. It is advisable to carry out the procedure 2-3 times a week and inspect your pet’s ears daily for inflammation and mites.

Thirdly, the lack of fur leads to the fact that the heat exchange of the sphinx is impaired. These animals get very cold, so they need a warm bed at home. You can even attach the bedding to the battery on a hanging frame. In addition, the room should have a comfortable temperature, and for the cold season it is worth buying several knitted sweaters and warm overalls for the animal. You can take the Sphinx out for a walk, but only if it is warm and in clothes.

Other important nuances:

• Watch your Sphynx's weight. These cats love to eat, so they often overeat. To prevent this situation, provide the animal with constant activity - play with it, walk. And do not give him food in large portions: the sphinx does not always manage to leave it “in reserve” in his bowl. However, the animal needs to be fed frequently.
• Make a diet together with your veterinarian. Firstly, this will also help keep your pet from gaining weight. And, secondly, the Sphynx often has digestive problems. It is better to take dry food: it is difficult to achieve balance with natural products. Meat and fish are contraindicated for sphinxes, and they will not last long on cereals alone.
• Don't leave your Sphynx alone for too long. Despite the fact that the character of this breed is calm and the animal does not constantly climb into your arms, sphinxes have a hard time even with the owner leaving for work. There must be someone at home almost all the time. If you personally cannot pay much attention to the Sphynx, get him a mate.

As for how long sterilized Sphynx cats live, much depends on the age at which the animal was subjected to the procedure. The younger the cat is, the better. This will eliminate the risk of breast diseases and endocrine disruptions. According to statistics, such cats live 2 times longer than those that regularly give birth or simply retain reproductive function. However, if a cat produces offspring only up to 7 years of age, there is a chance for her to live a relatively long life.

To summarize, it is worth emphasizing once again that the life expectancy of Sphynx cats is indeed shorter than that of other breeds and is closely related to the conditions of detention. The variety of Sphynx (Canadian, Donskoy, Peterbald) does not affect this figure. It is much more important to ensure that the animal is comfortable in the house and to constantly monitor its health.

How to care for a pet

Caring for a Sphynx does not take much time, but without following basic hygiene rules, the animal may develop health problems.

Bathing, skin and tail care

The biggest problem for Sphynx cats is their skin. In the absence of hair (which is, in general, unnatural for a cat), it very quickly becomes covered with a very specific coating; it seems that the animal is sweating.

In fact, this is how the active work of the sebaceous glands manifests itself, that is, the cat’s body is trying to protect itself from the cold and other unfavorable environmental factors. The trouble is that such “fat” has a very unappetizing color.

Literally a few days after bathing, not only the body of the sphinx, but also its bedding becomes brown, and the cat itself looks, to put it mildly, unpresentable.

There are two ways out - constant bathing or regular wiping with a damp cloth or sponge. You need to wash your Sphynx the same way you would a small child - with mild baby shampoo, being careful not to let water get into the ears.

Important! Excessive oily discharge is a signal that something is wrong in your cat's body. Contact your veterinarian and try to determine the cause of the deviation. Perhaps it is due to an incorrect diet: a properly balanced and high-quality diet allows you to ensure that your cat will need to be bathed no more than once a month!

The tail of the Sphynx does not require special care, but... Some owners of animals of this breed note with surprise that the cleanliness usual for cats is not always characteristic of Canadians.

Sometimes, after visiting the toilet, an animal can walk for hours with the remains of feces around its tail, until the owner kindly wipes his pet’s “butt,” like a small child.

Ear and eye care

Since the inside of the Sphynx's ear is also completely devoid of hair, the animal's ears are very susceptible to contamination. Moreover, brown wax and dirt in huge ears are more than noticeable.

Armed with a cotton swab, all this needs to be cleaned regularly, if only for aesthetic reasons.

Eyes are another sore spot for sphinxes. They should be wiped with a soft cloth daily to remove plaque and discharge.

Tooth and nail care

If a cat eats dry food, it rarely develops problems with its teeth, otherwise they need to be periodically cleaned of tartar. Trimming claws is a common hygienic procedure for domestic cats; Sphynx cats here do not require any special approach.

Character. Attitude towards children and other animals

Sphynx cats are extremely loving cats, but often show their emotions with restraint. In the family, they choose a leader, who receives a significant part of the warmth and affection. These cats are lenient towards other family members, but rarely allow them to approach them. Sphinxes are terrible monogamous people.

These pets love to demonstrate their loud, ringing voice in order to attract the owner’s attention. They are childishly capricious and obnoxious, but at the necessary moments they are loyal and friendly.

You should not abandon or leave them alone for a long time; they are sensitive to loneliness and suffer when the owner leaves for work.

Sphinxes are wary and jealous of other animals. They require a lot of attention and don't like it when someone else gets it. They can get into fights, but they do this rarely and reluctantly. These cats treat children with warmth, reverence and respect. They will never attack.

They play gently with children, without releasing their claws. At the same time, they are not the best nannies, because it is difficult for them to be in the company of children for a long time.

Sphinxes are wary of other people's children; most often they do not allow them to approach them, but they will not openly attack or enter into confrontation.

As pets, cats of this breed are wonderful: gentle and affectionate, slightly capricious, majestic, friendly.

They do not leave fur around the house, with an indescribable grace inherent only to them, doing everyday things.

Origin story

The Don Sphynx is one of the few cat breeds entirely of Russian origin. According to the generally accepted version, its story began in 1987. A teacher at one of the universities in Rostov-on-Don, Elena Kovaleva, returning home from work, took a cat away from children who were cruelly mocking her.

The woman kept the rescued pet and named it Varvara. After some time, the cat began to have serious problems - she began to rapidly go bald. Elena Kovaleva took her pet to veterinary clinics, where she had many tests done to identify lichen, dermodicosis, and other skin diseases - everything was to no avail. The cat was completely healthy, except for the fact that it had almost completely lost its fur.

White beauty

When Varvara gave birth to kittens from a cross with a European shorthair cat, they turned out to be hairless. The new owners of the babies considered them sick and destroyed almost the entire litter. Only one female was saved.

She was taken in by cat lover Irina Nemykina, fascinated by the “alien” mysterious creature. The woman became interested in breeding work aimed at consolidating the unusual physical characteristics of the baby.

She named the pet Chita because of its unusual paws for a cat, which more closely resembled monkey fingers. It is this cat that is recognized as the ancestor of the Don Sphynx breed.

The path to official recognition of the Donchak was long. At first, people refused to accept domestic sphinxes and considered them a mistake of nature. Then the breeder began giving cats to her friends. Having interacted closely with representatives of the breed, people began to recognize their uniqueness. The fashion for sphinxes grew, their small number and high price turned cats from “strange” into unique.

With the growth of popularity, the problem of a lack of quality individuals arose. Few kittens were born, many of them quickly died. Until the early 2000s, Don Sphynxes were crossed with representatives of other breeds to strengthen the gene pool. They mainly used European shorthair cats, but they also added the blood of indigenous varieties (for example, Siberian).

The first breed standard was registered in 1992. Since 2000, the population has grown, interbreeding of sphinxes has been prohibited. Now they are used only by felinologists to breed new species. International recognition for the Donetsk team came in 1996, when they were recognized by the WCF.

History of appearance

It must be said that no one has ever specifically bred “naked” cats. This breed was born completely by accident.

It is said that in one Canadian family, an ordinary domestic cat gave birth to kittens, of which one was completely hairless. What the frightened owners did to the unfortunate man, what doctors they dragged him to, what medicines they stuffed him with! Nothing helped.

The fur on the animal never began to grow. And then one day the owners, we must give them their due, suddenly found the strength to notice that the kitten, in general, did not look sick at all. There are no signs of malaise or other disorders other than “hairlessness” in his behavior.

And the animal was left alone. Some more time passed, and the owners, having recovered from the first shock, began to take a closer look at the baby and finally decided that “there is something in this.” When the kitten (and it was a boy) grew up, its owners had already finally formed a decision.

He was crossed with his own mother, the litter, as expected, again contained hairless kittens, they began to be crossed with their parents and with each other - thus the foundations of a completely new breed were laid.

Important! The Sphynx is a breed developed as a result of a gene mutation being “fixed” over several generations. In nature, such animals usually do not survive, since without fur it is very difficult for them to withstand the slightest climatic changes (both cold and heat). This circumstance was one of the reasons why international felinological organizations resisted the official recognition of the breed for a very long time, believing (and not without reason) that a person should not fix and develop characteristics that, from the point of view of nature, are “marriage”.

In 1971, the CFA even withdrew its original temporary decision to recognize the breed. There were several reasons for this, but one of them was that the mortality rate among hairless cats was too high.

The difficulty in breeding the breed was also that the mutation gene that causes the absence of hair is recessive, which means that, ideally, hairless cats can only be crossed with each other, otherwise hairlessness simply does not appear.

This greatly complicates the work of strengthening the breed by mixing “healthy” blood into it. Fortunately, this problem was solved thanks to the Devon Rex, which took part in establishing the new breed, because the hair of these cats is so short that in appearance they slightly resemble hairless cats.

Nevertheless, over time, the Canadian Sphynx still managed to conquer the world, the initial mistakes made in their selection were largely corrected, and for half a century cats without hair have been extremely popular on all continents, and the number of their fans is constantly growing.

Official recognition was also not long in coming. The first organization to officially recognize the Sphynx was TICA (1985), then CFA joined it (1996). Europe was the last to “come to terms” with the new breed; this happened only at the beginning of the new millennium.

Sphynx temperament

This breed is distinguished by its loving nature. Of all the family members, the pet chooses its favorite, but treats the rest leniently

Sphynxes are loud-voiced and love to attract the attention of their owner by meowing. Sometimes cats behave like children: impatient, eccentric, obnoxious and capricious.

Sphinxes cannot stand loneliness and suffer greatly when they are left in an empty apartment all day.

Cats love children, they will never attack them, they will play with pleasure and rub at their feet.

As for other animals, sphinxes are jealous of their owners, especially if you stroke another pet in front of the cat - all the warmth, affection and attention should go only to the sphinx! But, despite its attitude towards other animals, the cat gets into a fight very rarely and reluctantly

The Sphynx is an excellent pet that will give a lot of love and affection and bring warmth and comfort to your home. There is no need to think about how long Sphynx cats live; enjoy every moment spent next to them.

Sphynx colors

In the description of Egyptian hairless cats, various colors are mentioned. The breed standard allows several of them.

Plain:

• grey:
• lilac;
• white;
• ginger;
• black;
• pinkish and blue.

Bicolor:

• grey-lilac;
• white-gray;
• black chocolate;
• tabby;
• biocolor (primary color + white);
• color point (reminiscent of the color of Siamese cats).

Under the sun's rays, such a pet can tan, and then its color becomes brighter.

How long do Sphynx cats live at home?

The name of the breed directly indicates its origin. Sphinxes appeared in Egypt and they are considered the very cats that were worshiped as the earthly incarnation of the goddess Bastet. True, today such a characteristic can be found not only about sphinxes, so whether to believe it is a question. The first cats of this breed were discovered in America, from where they later came to Russia. The breed is considered quite young: it is not even a century old, and some of its representatives are even younger - they are 10-15 years old.

The lack of fur, which is the “calling card” of sphinxes, is a fixed genetic mutation. Initially, it was natural and rare, but later breeders secured it through crossing with short-haired cats. This mutation could not but affect the health of the animal, which became the reason for the frequent question of how long Sphynx cats live.

These numbers are indeed somewhat lower than those of other cat breeds. However, according to experts, sphinxes can live 13-15 years if they are carefully looked after. But only a few live to be 17-18 years old. When purchasing such a pet, you should prepare for the fact that it will need a lot of attention and care. Some owners even joke that with a sphinx it is no easier than with a child.

Lifespan of sphinxes

Is there a significant difference in the longevity of Sphynx cats compared to representatives of other cat breeds? In fact, these cats live on average the same 12-15 years as most others. However, among them there are also long-livers (for example, there was a case when a sphinx lived for 30 years). See how many years cats live at home.

This depends on several obvious factors:

• Heredity. If there are long-livers in the family tree of a particular cat, then the chances that she herself will live long enough are high.
• Proper care is a general rule for all cat breeds. Proper, balanced nutrition, comfort, care from the owners and acceptable living conditions significantly prolong the life of a four-legged pet.
• Immunity. Cats with strong health and resistance to disease live longer on average than those who are often sick. It is necessary to very carefully monitor the health of your four-legged pet; timely treatment and disease prevention will allow him to live much longer.
• Absence of congenital abnormalities and defects in the animal. A cat with any birth injuries will not live long, so you need to be very careful when choosing a kitten.

There is a definite difference between different types of sphinxes. For example, Canadian representatives of the breed live up to 15 years or more, while the lifespan of Don Sphynxes is slightly shorter - between 10 and 15 years.

Health and life expectancy

In terms of health, we can say that sphinxes have their weak points. For example, they catch cold easily. Therefore, you should avoid drafts. Their immune system is much weaker than that of many other breeds, and especially barn cats. In addition, the breed is accompanied by a whole list of hereditary diseases, which breeders are trying with all their might to get rid of, not allowing sick animals or carriers of “unhealthy genes” into breeding:

• Shortening of the lower jaw leads to overshot. Often accompanied by curvature or underdevelopment of the tail vertebrae, dwarfism, hypothyroidism and growth retardation;
• Microphthalmos - this general term refers to cases of abnormal development of the eyes that lead to loss of visual acuity:
• Congenital entropion is a pathology in which the outer edge of the eyelid turns inside the eyeball and constantly irritates the cornea. It very rarely goes away with age and is usually corrected with surgery.
• Nipple hyperplasia is observed mainly in females older than one year. The nipples increase in size and cysts form on them. In such cats, weak labor and lack of milk are often observed, and kittens are often born non-viable.
• Cysts and neoplasms of the mammary glands. It is mainly recorded in tortoiseshell cats.
• Various skin diseases are very common. They may appear spontaneously, seasonally, or accompany estrus.
• Cutaneous vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin, is usually treatable, but relapses are possible.
• Congenital underdevelopment of the thymus gland or kitten sleep syndrome. Babies with the defect live for several days.
• Gingival hyperplasia. Often caused by a low immune response, and combined with the presence of conjunctivitis.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is another unpleasant disease that leads to the death of kittens.

In addition to congenital ailments and a tendency to certain diseases, sphinxes can suffer from diseases caused by improper maintenance, feeding or care. They have internal and external parasites. Fleas really don’t stay on Sphynx cats, but for many types of ticks that live in the skin, the lack of a fur coat is not a hindrance. To protect against dangerous infectious diseases, routine vaccinations are mandatory.

The question - how long do Canadian Sphynxes live can be answered with statistical data - with an average life expectancy of 13 years.

But it is worth understanding that the life expectancy of the Canadian Sphynx largely depends on the individual characteristics of the animal and the conditions of its detention.

How much does an Egyptian hairless cat cost?

The answer to this question is of interest to all people who are planning to purchase such an unusual pet. The cost of a Sphynx largely depends on the class of the chosen kitten. For example, a baby who in the future will be able to take part in exhibitions, including international ones, can cost more than a thousand dollars (64,800 rubles at today's exchange rate). Such a pet meets all existing standards and is allowed for mating.

If you do not plan to participate in exhibitions, you can purchase a pet-class kitten. It will cost you 200 dollars (12,970 rubles). Such animals have minor defects in the exterior, which do not allow them to be exhibited. This will not make your unusual pet any less loved. In any case, the price of the Sphynx is set by the breeder, and it is discussed individually at the time of the purchase and sale transaction.

Of all the variety of cats, hairless cats undoubtedly stand out in appearance. If you want to have a smart, intelligent pet who will be attached to you with all his soul, pay attention to this unusual breed.

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Origin story

In 1966, the first kitten of this breed was born in Canada (but at that time no one knew about it). The newborn boy was the only one naked in the entire litter and he was nicknamed Prune. It was his breeding that made it possible to strengthen the hairless genes. However, at that time, breeders had not yet managed to figure out everything about the mechanism of birth of sphinxes. They looked like a new breed, but it was difficult to figure out how to achieve stability in the offspring.

This question has remained relevant for 10 years. Epidermis corrected the situation. That was the name of the hairless cat who lived in Wadena. Soon another cat of a similar species was born there. She ended up in the Z. Stardust nursery. It is from there that this unique breed takes its start.

Considering the history of this breed, it is worth paying special attention to the black and white cat named Bambi. It was found on the streets of Toronto back in the 70s of the last century.

According to eyewitnesses, he was simply beautiful. Bambi's behavior and character traits fully corresponded to his name. However, this cat was a street cat and suffered more than once due to fights. Due to one of these situations, the poor cat lost one eye and lost the ability to reproduce. Bambi was famous, he lived a very long time and became a centenarian. Fans of this animal celebrated his 19th birthday together.

History of the breed

The name of the breed of hairless cats - Sphynx - refers to ancient Egyptian mythology. That is why they are sometimes called Egyptian Sphynx cats, although they have nothing to do with Egypt, but lived under the Aztecs and were then called Mexican hairless cats. Sphynxes include several types of cats, which include:

• Canadian Sphynx;
• Don Sphynx;
• St. Petersburg Sphynx (Pitrebold).

Don Sphynx kittens
The first description of South American hairless cats dates back to 1830, and its author was the German naturalist J.R. Ranger. In 1903, a certain Mr. Shinik bought a pair of hairless cats (a boy and a girl) from the Mexican Indians, which, according to their owners, were representatives of that very rare Aztec breed. Since Nellie and Dick (that was the name of the cats) were sister and brother, the new owner did not try to get offspring from them.

New information about sphinxes appeared in 1930 in the USA, France and Morocco. It is noteworthy that non-standard hairless kittens were periodically born to the most ordinary cats. The year of birth of the modern breed (Canadian) is considered to be 1966, when an ordinary cat in Ontario gave birth to a hairless kitten (he was given the nickname Prune). Subsequently, it was from him that the family of Canadian sphinxes came.

In 1970, the CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) recognized the Sphynx as a new breed. The breed was approved by TICA (International Cat Organization) only in 1986, after which Sphynx cats received permission to participate in competitions and championships.

How to feed?

Peterbalds are real gluttons. They have absolutely no control over food intake, so they gain weight easily. If the owner does not monitor his pet’s diet, then before he can blink an eye, his graceful Sphynx will become fat and clumsy. Peterbald is ready to eat for days on end, and eat everything in a row. If he wants to eat, he will definitely explore every corner of the kitchen and eat everything that lies unattended - from chocolate to chips. Therefore, the main rule for someone who decides to get a St. Petersburg Sphynx is to hide food in an inaccessible place.

It is important to create a proper nutrition plan for this cat breed and stick to it. To determine that the diet is chosen incorrectly, just look at your pet’s skin

If the brown substance is secreted by the skin too actively and in large quantities, then you need to change your diet, and it is better to consult an experienced veterinarian in this matter.

Kittens from one month old should eat 5 times a day, from two months - 4, and from four months - 3. Adult feeding will be considered two meals a day and it should not occur earlier than when the pet is eight months old. In this case, the food should be warm (neither hot nor cold).

Dry food will fit harmoniously into the diet of the St. Petersburg Sphynx

But the main thing when buying is to pay attention to the quality and presence of all the necessary vitamins and microelements in the food. As for natural products, you can also feed your pet with them

It is better to combine feed and natural food, alternating them.

What can you feed your Peterbald, besides dry food:

• boiled meat products: beef, chicken, turkey, veal;
• offal: lungs, heart;
• vegetables: beets, zucchini, pumpkin;
• rice and millet porridge;
• fish (but only sea and boiled);
• kefir (low-fat), cottage cheese, yogurt;
• pork or beef bones and cartilage (but not fish or chicken, otherwise your pet will choke).

What foods should you not pamper your Peterbald:

• sweets;
• smoked fish, sausage;
• eggs;
• milk, cream, sour cream and butter;
• potatoes and legumes;
• fruits.

Buying a Sphynx: tips, recommendations

The best option is to purchase a kitten from a reputable breeder, and not from the first amateur on the market. Of course, it is not so easy to determine who is a serious breeder and who just wants to make money. Therefore, you will have to involve your acquaintances and friends who have a Sphynx cat at home. Alternatively, you can find a lot of information on the Internet.

The most suitable option is to contact a nursery that breeds this breed. Of course, this costs a lot of money, but this is a guarantee that you are purchasing a truly purebred kitten, which is accompanied by all the necessary documents.

What is important when choosing a kitten

If you purchase a kitten from a cattery located in another city, you can ask the breeders to shoot a video and take pictures. It is better to pay attention to small-breed nurseries. It will not be superfluous to know when the mother of the kittens had a previous birth, since the difference between the next births should not be less than six months.

The breeder is obliged to provide the following documents:

• Registration documents of the nursery.
• A breeder's certificate indicating that the breeder has attended felinological courses.
• Documents confirming pedigree.
• If the kitten is already 2 months old, then it must have a veterinary passport.

It is better to pick up the kitten yourself, since it is possible to carry out a visual inspection of the animal, in particular the skin, teeth, ears and eyes. You should also pay attention to the behavior of the kitten, which should be active and playful.

How much do Sphynx kittens cost?

The cost of kittens of this breed depends on a number of factors, such as the breed, breeding line, class of the animal and its color, status of the nursery and region of location.

Don Sphynx kittens are sold at prices ranging from 5 to 12 thousand rubles, while Canadian ones are much more expensive. It’s safe to say that the cheapest ones cost 5 thousand rubles, but the most expensive ones reach 150 thousand rubles.

How to increase the number of years?

To help your cat live as long as possible, you should take into account a few tips from experts.

It is necessary to feed the cat correctly, as well as provide access to clean and fresh water. If necessary, you should follow a special diet. Do not overfeed the animal; you must stick to even portions. It is worth refraining from overfeeding if the pet has been spayed or sterilized. You should completely avoid pork (it is very fatty), bones (they can damage the gastrointestinal tract), legumes (promote bloating) and dog food.

It is necessary to take your pet to the veterinarian for regular checkups. You should not skip them so as not to harm your pet. It is recommended to follow all necessary recommendations in a timely manner. It is worth surrounding your pet with love and care. Remember that cats are very good at hiding their pain, so if there are minor changes in your pet’s behavior, you should immediately go to the vet.

If you do not breed cats and buy a pet for yourself, then it is better to castrate or sterilize it. In this case, your pet will live longer. It is worth organizing an active lifestyle for your pet, since regular physical activity is the first rule of longevity.

It is necessary to adhere to the conditions for caring for the cat. Various hygiene procedures should be followed

It is very important to regularly clean your animal’s teeth, and also remember to carry out deworming on time, as well as use flea control.

It is necessary to dwell in more detail on the foods that should be excluded from your pet’s diet if you want him to live longer. These include the following:

• pork is quite fatty;
• the liver can lead to disturbances in intestinal motility;
• fish leads to the risk of urolithiasis, as well as vitamin deficiency;
• boiled potatoes should be prohibited, because they contain a large amount of starch, which is simply not absorbed by the cat’s body;
• milk should be excluded if the cat is lactose intolerant, which is quite common;
• bones put the cat at risk of damage to the walls of the digestive tract;
• legumes cause bloating;
• Dog food is strictly prohibited for cats.

The age of cats is described in the following video.

Description of the breed

Don Sphynxes are massive cats with strong bones and developed muscles, soft and warm to the touch with a characteristic feature - the absence of hair. The size of cats is average, with males being much larger than females. Next, we will go through the description of this cat breed in detail.

Head and muzzle

The Don Sphynx has a wedge-shaped head with clearly defined cheekbones and eyebrows. The cat's forehead is flat with many folds that fan out over the eyes. The cat's nose is of medium length, the muzzle is slightly rounded with a slight pinch. The Don Sphynx has strong and large teeth, long upper clicks, which can even peek out from under the lip. Sphynx ears are set high, slightly tilted forward and have rounded ends. Their eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, obliquely spaced and slightly closed. Eye color can be any.

Body

The physique is proportional, strong, of medium length. Fairly wide croup. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, slender and proportional to the body. The tail is straight and long.

Skin and coat

The skin is elastic, bare and wrinkled, hot and velvety to the touch. Sphynxes tend to sweat and suffer from acne. Under the sun, the Sphynx's skin tans and becomes brighter. A thick mustache can be of any length or broken off. Wrinkles are desirable on the face, between the ears, around the shoulders, as well as on the legs and belly. A large number of folds should not affect the normal functioning of the body.

In winter, Don Sphynxes may develop sparse soft fluff all over their bodies.

Depending on the quality of the coat, the Don Sphynx is divided into four types

• Hairless (“rubber”, “plasticine”) - implies completely hairless skin. Typically, “rubber” kittens are born naked.
• Velor - the entire body is covered with a thin short fluff, which to the touch resembles the fabric of the same name. As they age, these cats may become bald.
• Flock - the skin is covered with short soft hair, which is almost invisible from afar, somewhat reminiscent of a peach. By the age of two, flock cats sometimes completely “undress.”
• Brush (derived from the English “brush” - brush, bristly) - cats with long, hard and crimped hair. Areas of baldness are often observed on the head, neck and abdomen. Brush sphinxes can periodically “dress” and “undress”, which is associated with many factors (hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, weather, castration and other reasons).

Brushes do not receive titles at shows, but are allowed for breeding. This is due to the fact that in a litter of two completely hairless Donets, weak kittens are usually born, with large mutations and often not viable.

There are no completely hairless sphinxes; residual hair is preserved behind the ears and on the nose, sometimes at the tip of the tail. In addition, a light invisible fluff remains on the skin.

Effect of castration and sterilization

Experts say that castrated Sphynx cats live longer than pets that have not undergone surgery. After castration, there are no problems with hormones, behavior returns to normal, and the pet has no desire to run away from home in search of a soul mate. In addition, such animals are less susceptible to prostatitis and other diseases of the reproductive system, including cancer. If breeding of the breed is not planned, then it is wiser to immediately perform the operation.

A similar situation occurs with females. It is difficult to say exactly how long sterilized Sphynx cats live, but usually their life expectancy is a couple of years longer. Such pets can live even 15 years, since they are less susceptible to cancer of the reproductive system, pyometra and other pathologies due to the absence of estrus and hormonal changes.

Veterinarians recommend not delaying sterilization if regular reproduction of offspring is not planned. Sphynx cats that have given birth can live a long time if you follow a few tips:

• You should refrain from mating in the first year of life.
• Mate the animal no more than 1-2 times a year.
• Stop breeding offspring after 7 years of age.

Note! For sterilized and neutered animals, special food should be selected, as they are more susceptible to obesity

Sphinx food

Sphynx cats have a natural tendency to overeat, so high-quality, balanced nutrition guarantees your pet's good health and development.

The exotic breed of Sphynx needs a high-quality diet and a strict regime. What to feed the Sphynx in order to ensure activity and maintain a comfortable body temperature, the pet needs food containing more calories. The diet depends on the type of food chosen:

1. Ready-made factory food is balanced in its content of vitamins and minerals.
2. Natural homemade food is of higher quality, but requires a special set of products to provide the Sphynx with all the necessary components for proper nutrition and development.

Diet for a kitten

At 3 months of age, for a kitten moving to live in the owner’s house, they choose the type of food: natural food or ready-made specialized factory food for kittens. The new food should correspond to the previous usual diet in the first weeks, new components are gradually added, so the Sphynx’s body will painlessly switch to a new food for it, which will be completely absorbed.

For busy owners, deciding what to feed a Sphynx kitten is simple. It is convenient to organize your pet’s meals using ready-made kits. Many companies have proven their products to be of high quality, for example, manufacturers of the Royal Canin brand. With such a diet, the Sphynx needs large amounts of water with round-the-clock access.

Starting from 3 months, the little sphinx’s diet and nutritional requirements are gradually replenished with meat, dairy products, and cottage cheese. Add vegetables and herbs.

The meat is given raw, frozen, and rolled into minced meat. Meat products include beef, all types of lean game, and offal.

All types of porridges from different cereals, finely chopped boiled or raw vegetables and herbs are added to the minced meat. When choosing vegetables, they look closely at the kitten’s preferences; some do not eat beets, while others do not eat cabbage.

Important! Deep freezing of meat products kills all pathogenic microbes and helminths.

At 3 months, the serving size of a Sphynx kitten is approximately 25 grams with feeding 7-8 times a day. Gradually, at 4-6 months, portions are increased to an average of 50 grams and feeding is reduced first to 5-6, and then to 3 times a day. Provide free access to fresh, bottled water, which is changed daily.

Important! Scheduled feeding is convenient not only for the owner; you can control the amount of food the kitten eats and plan your time. It is useful for the Sphinx to eat on time; the stomach adapts to digestion, which reduces the risk of overeating.

Diet for an adult

For sphinxes, both natural and ready-made food are useful. Factory kits have a balanced composition and are supplied with the necessary substances and vitamins. For hairless cats and any cats of other breeds, natural food is preferable and tastier, but the owner needs to monitor its components, including the vitamins and minerals the animal needs for development and replenishment of the energy balance.

Table No. 1 : composition and nutritional standards for an adult Sphynx

Porridges and vegetables are given mixed with meat and vegetables with the addition of vitamins, and you can add greens.

Ready-made feed

For owners who do not have the time and opportunity to feed their pet prepared natural food at home, ready-made food can help in this case.

There are many companies on the market that produce products for cats. One of the oldest, the French company ROYAL CANIN, has been producing products for animals, including the Sphynx breed, for more than 50 years. Since 1968, the company has been developing high-quality premium products for nutrition and maintaining the health of cats from birth to old age.

Table No. 2 : Royal Canin food line for sphinxes

Advice! To strengthen bones and maintain your pet’s nervous system, it is useful to add 1 drop of vitamin D to food daily.

Sphynx weight by month

For the Sphynx, from birth it is necessary to balance the diet, avoid overeating and monitor the normal weight.

By the year, the average, one-year-old weight of a sphinx is from 2.5-3 kg, and for a cat up to 4-4.5 kg, they try to stick to it in the future.

Important! To correctly calculate the amount of food, take approximately 5% of the pet’s body weight and then adjust this volume.

Kittens are separated from their mother's diet after 3 months and transferred to 4-6 meals a day with basic food. To properly monitor the development of a kitten, the owner is recommended to weigh the pet by month to one year.

Table No. 3 : Average weight of the Sphinx by month.

Key Factors

Despite their unusual appearance, hairless pets are affectionate and friendly. They play with great pleasure with children and adults. They often become real family members.

Important! Sphynx cats usually live 9-12 years at home. With careful care and compliance with several rules, life expectancy can be increased to 15 years, less often - 18

The main feature of cats and Sphynx cats is the lack of fur. Because of this difference, the course of various physiological processes changes significantly. Sometimes favorable conditions arise for the development of pathologies, although owners are often able to prevent their occurrence.

The following factors influence the lifespan:

Weight. Representatives of this breed love to eat delicious food. Overeating is a common thing for them. As a result, they quickly gain excess weight, which can cause obesity and other health problems. To prevent this, you need to choose the menu correctly. The diet should contain balanced food containing vitamins and minerals. Portions should be limited to prevent the animal from overeating. Hygiene. Due to the lack of hair, the skin secretes a large amount of oil. It provides favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria

It is important to bathe your pet once a week using special products. It is necessary to clean your ears regularly, as due to the lack of hairs, wax accumulates in the ear canal

This phenomenon can cause an inflammatory process. Staying in the sun. Hairless animals easily get sunburned, since the skin is not protected by fur from exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is necessary to limit your pet's exposure to direct sun as much as possible. Temperature. Hairless cats have a much harder time maintaining proper heat exchange. At low temperatures they quickly freeze, and this can cause the development of inflammation of the lungs, kidneys and other organs. It is important to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, as well as make warm and soft bedding. During the cold season, you can try putting a knitted sweater on your cat if he doesn't mind. Conditions of detention. Sphinxes are inquisitive. They are sometimes compared to small children. In this regard, it is necessary to pay attention to safety. Objects that could fall should be placed higher or hidden. Install protective bars on windows and take other measures to improve safety in the home.

And although it is impossible to answer definitively how long Sphynx cats live, it is important to remember that these animals do not like loneliness. When left for a long time without company, they become depressed.

If you cannot devote enough time to your pet, then it is better to get another cat. Otherwise, the pet may not even reach 8 years of age.

Sphynx breed features

The Canadian Sphynx has features that make it exclusive:

• Appearance: Bald, wrinkled, with a pear-shaped belly, large bat-like ears and paws very reminiscent of human hands. Because of its appearance, the Canadian Sphynx is called nothing less than “alien.”
• Canadians curl their tail into a ring and press it tightly to the body - no other cat breed can do this.
• Sphynx cats have healing abilities. In the reviews, the owners indicate that the animals accurately identify the sore spot and try to lie on it, no matter that it is the head. They love to sleep under a blanket.
• A special feature of sphinxes is their way of looking - they look straight into a person’s eyes and do not look away.
• The body of the sphinx is hot when touched. In fact, his body temperature, like that of other cats, is 38 degrees. Hairlessness creates a deceptive impression. There is information that the Canadian’s body temperature is 42 degrees – this is not so.
• The fur can grow if fed incorrectly, when hormonal levels are disrupted and at low temperatures.
• Sphynxes lack hair, but not warmth. They are extremely sociable and become attached to their owner. The breed is energetic, curious, and has developed intelligence. Their behavior is compared to small children.
• There is a misconception that Sphynx cats do not cause allergies because they have no fur. However, the main source of allergies is saliva and animal urine. Therefore, a person suffering from allergies, before getting a Canadian Hairless, should find out what he is reacting to - discharge or fur.
• The Sphinx is a character in many films, for example, about Austin Powers, the series “Friends”. In America, they even publish a newspaper for connoisseurs of the breed - “The Naked Truth”. The band Aerosmith, having released the album “9 Lives”, decorated the cover with a photo of the Canadian Sphynx.

The triangular head, widely spaced eyes, and prominent cheekbones make the animal look like the cats of ancient Egypt, the drawings of which have survived to this day. This is where the name of the breed comes from. In fact, there were no Egyptian sphinxes.

Now there are 3 types of sphinxes:

• Canadian - recognized by all felinological systems.
• Donskoy (lysak) is the result of a natural mutation.
• The Petersburg Sphynx (Peterbald) is a hybrid from the Donchak.