Whenever people find out or see that I have a Sphynx cat there are usually A LOT of questions that I have to answer.  Ranging anywhere from obvious answers to more detailed explanations, people have some pretty good questions.  I thought I’d answer some of those here.

1.  Is that a skin-less cat? It doesn’t have any hair anywhere?

Well for starters they do have skin.  I think this is just a ‘slip of the tongue’ but I hear it a lot.  They also have hair – it just depends on the amount and texture.  Vladimir is a really nice ‘hairless’ cat in my opinion because he has softer fine hair all over except a small patch of short white hair on his nose.  Some sphynxes have more ‘tufts’ on their tails or paws depending on their own genetic make up.  One kitten in a litter could be more ‘hairy’ than it’s litter mates – it just depends upon each one.

2.  Why did you get a hairless cat?

To be honest I thought they were hypoallergenic – seriously.  I went and looked at some full-grown cats and fell in love with how goofy they were and decided to get one for myself.

3.  Does that cat give you allergies?

Yes. The allergens are actually in the cat’s saliva.  Vladimir grooms himself just like a normal cat and therefore is covered in allergens all the time.  Costco sells Zyrtec in bulk, so I’ve overcome this sometimes debilitating issue.

4.  What does their skin feel like?

Easiest answer like soft thick skin.  Also like a peach or smooth pig skin.

5.  Where do you buy a hairless cat?

There are breeders all over the world now.  In terms of buying locally – do your research.  Certain breeders can be more intense than others (i.e. wanting you to show your cat or adhere to strict care guidelines down to what litter to use).  Sometimes I think it could be worth it to buy from a long-distance breeder if you ‘click’ with their breeding and caring habits better.  I bought Vladimir from a great girl in Las Vegas and now Waldo (our new addition) is from a wonderful woman outside Milwaukee.  In the end, every breeder I have met has only wanted to insure the cat goes to a devoted and loving home.  However, I have seen some breeders make their customers sign really strict contracts like I mentioned ensuring you use a specific brand of litter or a certain type of food pending on ‘kitten-revocation.’

6.  What do hairless cats act like?

Amazing cats!  From the dozens + sphynxes I have met over the years I can describe them all as incredibly loving and friendly.  The best description of a sphynx is part monkey, part cat, part dog, and part human – I really agree with this.  They will run around and play/fetch like a dog.  Climb all over everywhere (including their person) like a little monkey.  Sulk around and be ‘irritated’ by their person like a cat.  Their personalities are so big and unique they really do act like their own little person – they even make their own noises.  Vladimir says ‘bbrrrruuummmmbbbb’ for most situations.  They also require a large amount of attention.  They are not like ‘traditional’ cats that could take or leave human interaction.  Sphynxes are known to sit on your lap for hours, sleep in the nook of your arm, and pretty much lay all over you.