About
History
In 1966 in Ontario, Canada, a black and white housecat gave birth to a hairless kitten, later named Prune. As an adult Prune was bred with his mother, resulting in a litter of naked and normal coated kittens.
With selected cross breeding and carefull outcrossing the Sphynx breed was established.
In various regions across the world hairless kittens are born now and then, though with out human intervention they rarely survive.
Character
Many people find a hairless cat scary, so naked and wierd, but other people fall instantly in love with them. Sphynx cats are very social and frequently try to "assist" with household chores. Sphynx owners are use to having these helpers, but for repair men or builders it takes some getting used to.
A Sphynx is very playfull. They are active cats, friendly and good natured towards people and other animals. Due to their social nature, a Sphynx is best kept with a companion cat, unless their owner is a stay-at-home mom. A Sphynx that stays alone could shows signs of stress and boredom.
Care
Should you think that caring for a hairless cat is easy, and you do not need to do anything, you are seriously mistaken. A Sphynx has a soft wrinkled skin with sweat glands in the surface. Their skin, just as ours, do get dirty, and needs to be washed. A good bath or wipedown with a wet cloth, is no luxury. The ears of the Sphynx needs regular care and cleaning.
A Sphynx have no hair to help isolate it from temperature differences, and they lose heat quicker than a normal coated cat. To keep its body at a normal temperature a Sphynx will eat more than a coated cat, and do best if dry food are always available.