Sphynx / Hairless Cat

Sphynx Cats for Sale

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Hairless Cats: A Natural Phenomena

As if the felid family was not fascinating enough, a random mutation dictated there should be a hairless cat. From sparsely furred to completely bald, the Sphynx is renowned for its vibrant personality and exotic beauty. However, the Sphynx cat for sale and its hairless counterparts need extra consideration because of the high level of attention their skin needs. Otherwise, they make fantastic pets that are outgoing and loving with their families and compatible with other pets.

History of Hairless Cats for Sale Near Me

It is believed that hairless cats have a history of at least a hundred years old.

Mexican Hairless Cat

The Mexican Hairless cat may have been a cherished pet of the Aztecs, selectively bred for its lack of fur. Probably a spontaneous mutation, the Mexican Hairless was characterized by a ridge of hair down the back and dorsal surface of the tail that only grew during the winter. It was seven to ten pounds with an affectionate disposition and exceptional intelligence. Experts believe the breed is now extinct (officially as of 1957) because nobody kept formal records. Dick and Nellie were two siblings that were born in 1902 and fit the characteristics of Aztec cats. However, their heritage was dubious, so nobody could determine if they were Bonafide Mexican Hairless cats or simply the result of a separate spontaneous mutation. However, when Nellie died in 1909, it presumably ended the line. Be wary of any breeder marketing a hairless cat for sale as a Mexican Hairless. Not only is the breed likely extinct, but the term in reference to hairless cats in the Southwestern US and Mexico fell out of favor in 1937.

Sphynx

By far the most popular breed of hairless cat, the Sphynx is sometimes known as the Egyptian hairless cat. The Egyptian moniker stems from the cat’s resemblance to the iconic Egyptian sphinx statue rather than its birthplace. Sphynx cats were discovered and developed in Canada. Another name for them is Canadian Hairless. Like all hairless cats, the Sphynx is a spontaneous mutation born to otherwise normal litters of domestic short-haired cats. Although the first official Sphynx was a male cat named Prune born in 1966, that line did not survive. The modern Sphynx comes from Jezebelle (born in 1975), two of her offspring (Dermis and Epidermis), and three rescues (Bambi, Paloma, and Punkie) in 1978. Jezebelle was from Minnesota, and the three foundlings were from Toronto. The Sphynx cat is recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, TICA (1986), Canadian Cat Association (1991), the American Cat Fancy Association (1994), the Cat Fancy Association, Inc. (2002), and Fédération Internationale Féline.

Donskoy Cat (Don Sphynx, Russian Hairless Cat)

The Donskoy is not related to the Sphynx nor is its hairlessness inherited in the same manner. Donskoy cats were founded in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in 1987. They began when a tortoiseshell lost her fur at the age of 16 weeks. Her kittens sired by a local Tom became the forebearers of the Donskoy cat. The breed would later be outcrossed with European Shorthairs to increase the gene pool. Hairlessness in Donskoy cats is a dominant mutation gene. Therefore, a Donskoy passes baldness to 100% of its offspring. This form of hairlessness is also linked to ectodermal dysplasia which is seen in the Mexican Hairless Dog and Chinese Crested. Ectodermal dysplasia is not only responsible for a lack of hair growth but also numerous disorders such as poorly developed teeth, frequent lung infections, and the inability of mothers to produce milk for their young. Donskoys were recognized by the World Cat Federation in 1997. The International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the Donskoy breed in 2005, but several other registries refuse to recognize the Donskoy out of welfare concerns.

Appearance of Sphynx Cat for Sale

Sphynx cats are medium-sized, well-muscled cats. They are eight to ten inches tall and weigh seven to fourteen pounds.

Breed Standard

A Sphynx has a modified wedge-shaped head with a rounded crown and flattening in front of the ears. The face is wide with prominent, rounded cheekbones. The eyes are lemon-shaped narrowing at both corners and showing a slight upward tilt. Sphynx cats have notably large ears with no furnishings (no hair trimming the edges). The neck should be medium in length, muscular, and slightly arched. The chest is round while the body is medium-long, hard, and powerful. This breed has medium bone substance. Since the hind legs are a little longer than the forelimbs, the topline slopes gently upward from the shoulders to the rounded rump. The tail is slender and tapering. Its length is proportionate to the dimensions of the body.

Coat

Sphynx cats have little to no fur. Thus, they are described as bald or having a fine layer of peach fuzz that covers their entire body. It is normal for these cats to have no whiskers, but some individuals have short, sparse ones (termed broken whiskers). Interestingly, Sphynxes have normal fur covering their noses below the minimal stop. They can occasionally also have sparse hair on their ears and paws, even if they are otherwise bald. Even cats with fuzzy fur should look hairless and feel velvety smooth. Show judges prefer that a Sphynx’s skin is wrinkled, especially around the muzzle and on the forehead. Sphynx kittens for sale are hairless and have more wrinkles than adults.

Colors

Sometimes, it is easier to think of cat colors in terms of patterns. Then you can add different shades. The Sphynx, with its ancestry based in the DSH, can come in a plethora of colors. These appear in eight patterns.

• Tabby – classic, mackerel, or patched; red, orange, blue
• Points – lilac, blue, flame, seal
• Tortoiseshell – a quilt work of black, blue, or brown with orange, tan, or cream black
• Solid – black, white, blue, red, orange, brown. lilac. lavender
• Mink – intermediate between a cat with normal points and a sepia cat (e.g., Burmese with very little contrast between the color of body and points)
• Calico – black & orange, black & cream, black & brown; with white
• Bi-color – white and a second solid or tortoiseshell color
• Marked – solid or tortoiseshell with white markings such as white feet or stockings

The color of a Sphynx is stamped on its skin. A black hairless cat does not have fur, but it should look significantly darker than a blue Sphynx which also has a bluish cast. Calico Sphynx cats appear to have clear black, orange, and white patches painted on them.

Personality

Sphynx cats are among the most outgoing in the domesticated feline family. They are highly affectionate and tend to follow their owners around like dogs. Sphynx cats are also intelligent and shameless performers. Athletic and acrobatic, they enjoy high places and challenging games. Sphynx cats are social and hate being alone. They are congenial with other cats, children, and dogs. Owners who spend long periods away from home do well to get another cat to befriend their Sphynx.

Why are Sphynx cats hairless?

Sphynx cats are hairless because of a mutation of the same gene as both the Devon Rex and Selkirk Rex. Hairlessness in cats of this breed is recessive, so both parents must be hairless to produce Sphynx kittens for sale without fur. Different forms, or alleles, of the keratin 71 gene cause the soft downy curls of the Devon, hairlessness of the Sphynx, and the curly fur of the Selkirk. The normal expression of the gene is called the wild type. The Selkirk gene is dominant over even the wild type. Therefore, if you crossed a Selkirk Rex with a DSH, Devon, or Sphynx, the kittens would have curly coats. Sphynx cats are allowed by some registries to outcross with domestic short-haired cats. Kittens from this cross have normal fur but are carriers of the hairless gene. In other registries, only the Russian Blue or Devon Rex is allowable as an outcross. Russian Blue mixes have normal hair (wild type gene) while Devon Rex hybrids are hairless because the Sphynx gene is dominant over the Devon hair type. Fanciers feel these crosses are vital for the genetic health of the Sphynx cat.

Lifespan

A Sphynx typically lives from nine to fourteen years.

Are hairless cats hypoallergenic?

There is no simple answer to the question of whether a Sphynx or any hairless cat is hypoallergenic. While no cat is nonallergenic, several breeds present fewer problems with allergens than others. Some produce less of the most common cat allergen known as Fel d1 protein which is present in the skin and dander. Fel d4, present in a cat’s saliva, is also a significant allergen for sensitive people. This becomes significant when tied to a cat’s grooming habits. Sphynx cats do not produce less Fel d1 than other cats, and they do not groom themselves any less. However, the allergens they have are likely to stay on their skin rather than spread throughout the environment. Therefore, Sphynx cats prove to be among the most hypoallergenic cats for allergy sufferers. However, they are not hypoallergenic for all people. Moreover, they can expose their owners to allergens through their desire for close and frequent contact.

Sphynx Cat for Sale Near Me

You should be no laxer in your standards for acquiring a Sphynx kitten for sale than any other cat breed. Look for animals that are bright-eyed, active, curious, and alert. They should not have any evidence of discharge, weight loss, skin lesions, or diarrhea. You can find Sphynx cats or kittens through reputable breeders, rescues, or shelters. Other hairless cat breeds are available albeit rarer. There are a few up-and-coming breeds that are crosses using the Sphynx or Donskoy.

• Bambino – Sphynx x Munchkin; a usually hairless cat with dwarf legs and big ears
• Peterbald – Donskoy x Oriental Shorthair
• Elf – Sphynx x American Curl; hairless cat with curved ears
• Ukrainian Levkoy – Donskoy x Scottish Fold; hairless cat with folded ears
• Dwelf – Elf x Munchkin; a hairless cat with curved ears and dwarf legs

Care

Skin

Any hairless pet requires you to pay extra attention to its skin. Hairless cats are no exception. You must bathe your cat regularly to cope with the oily residue. Most cats need a bath with a gentle degreasing shampoo every week. Paradoxically, bathing your cat too often will cause more oil production as the skin becomes irritated. You should also consider protecting your furniture because your cat will shed oil where it lays. You must pat your cat dry immediately. Many owners use a couple of wet washcloths, one with shampoo and one to wipe, rather than submerge their cats. Use warm water. Sphynx cats are susceptible to the cold and prone to becoming sunburned. They should stay mostly indoors. If you do take your cat outside, consider clothes made of a soft fabric. Talk to your veterinarian about pet-appropriate sunscreen. Your cat may also get blackheads. Talk to your vet about shampoos and bacterial washes that are specifically tailored for Sphynx cats. In the meantime, you also need to swab your cat’s ears frequently and check them every few days for any signs of infection.

Feeding

Sphynx cats need more food (about 32 to 38 calories per pound) than other cats because they expend more energy trying to regulate their body temperatures. High-quality meat-based cat food or a raw diet will guard against excessive oil build-up in your cat’s skin.

Exercise and Training

Sphynxes are like Siamese cats in that they need constant love and attention and plenty of mental stimulation. Your breeder should have already begun socializing all of their kittens, and you must continue the process when you bring your pet home. Sphynx cats are active and like to climb. You should engage in daily play sessions with your cat and provide scratching posts and climbing kitty condos or perches. Like dogs, Sphynx cats can learn tricks and benefit from a reward system of training. Sphynx cats can learn how to walk on a leash.