Sphynx Care
Basic care instructions:
-
Always provide timely veterinary care for any illness or injury acquired
throughout the life of the cat/kitten.
-
Provide a good and healthy environment for kitten/cat, toys for stimulation,
heating pad or heated pet bed to keep warm on if kitten/cat so desires,
scratching posts and frequent positive human attention.
-
Provide a clean litter box to avoid inappropriate marking or defecation.
Cat Attract Litter can be used in the beginning then switch to a brand of
preference, but never use the lightweight. I prefer the Blue Buffalo Walnut
litter or World's Best Cat Litter.
-
Quality food and fresh clean water. Sphynx have a higher metabolism than
other breeds so they need a high-quality protein food.
Bathtime
Both hairy and hairless cats produce a natural sebum all over their bodies. Hairy cats have the fur to collect the sebum and oils, which are later removed as the cat sheds. Even though Sphynx groom they cannot remove all of the build-up; hence, bathing is necessary. I recommend bathing every 2-4 weeks depending on the cat. Bathing too frequently can also be damaging to their sensitive skin. I use a tear-free fragrance-free Eucerin baby cleansing wash. A drop of Dawn dish soap can help remove the oily buildup as well or as I prefer a drop of Dr. Bronner's liquid castile baby soap. Alcohol-free baby wipe touch ups or wet cloth wipe downs in between baths as needed. Blackheads are common under the chin or on the tail. The use of stainless steel or ceramic food/water bowls may help remedy them under the chin.
Eyes
Sphynx do not have eyelashes, thus they secrete more frequently to keep their eyes clean from dirt and debris. We call this "eye boogies". Just wipe them away gently using a cotton ball or tissue or a wet cloth and go ahead and wash their face too.
Ears
Sphynx also lack ear hairs to protect them; therefore, their ears constantly produce a black waxy film. It can resemble ear mites. Veterinarians unfamiliar with the breed may want to treat for ear mites; please insist that they look at the wax under the microscope to verify the presence of an infestation to not unnecessarily treat. Clean ears often to avoid yeast infections. Use an ear cleaning wipe or pad or a dab of mineral oil. on Q-tips can be used, but be careful to not push wax into the ear canal.
Nails
Nails will need to be trimmed every couple of weeks. The sphynx also collect the waxy build up in their cuticles as well. After bath time seems to be the easiest time to clean the cuticles, as you kitty will have wet toes. Simply hold your kitty's paw and gently squeeze the pad, this should cause the claws to protrude and make the cuticle visible. Use a warm wet washcloth to gently rub away the build up on the cuticle. An ear cleaning pad could also be useful to clean the cuticles.
Teeth
Kitten teeth may look stained and vets that are not familiar to the breed may be concerned; however, it is nothing to be concerned over. Sphynx kittens are exposed to oils during nursing unlike hairy cats, which discolor the baby teeth. Their adult teeth should be perfectly fine, but could get oil build up again from grooming themselves so regular oral care is needed.
