Sphinx cat - what is her character

The Sphynx cat has a special character, which also corresponds to an unusual appearance. These creatures cannot be confused with any other cat breed. The main difference is that they do not have wool. Because of this appearance, people treat them differently. Some categorically do not perceive animals next to them that look like alien creatures. But those who saw the best qualities of pets in them never part with these cats, take care of them, sew different outfits for the purr and simply adore them. But before you start an exotic breed, you need to know who the sphinx is and how to care for it - this is very important. After all, without human attention, he will not survive. It is impossible to say exactly why cats lack hair, because they appeared as a result of natural mutations.

From the history

The Egyptian Sphynx is one of the hairless cat breeds recorded in the last century. As the legends say, such animals were conductors between people and gods.

But there is evidence that the bald cat sphinx was tamed in antiquity, during the time of the Aztecs, who worshiped unusual animals. These creatures were a living decoration of the palaces of the pharaohs of Egypt. There is evidence that a breed of cats that looked unusual existed at the beginning of the century in Mexico, Morocco and India. But since these animals were not given much importance, they died out.

Modern sphinxes appeared in the 60s of the last century in Canada. A completely bald kitten was born to a shorthair cat. This was the reason to try to breed this unique breed, but the experiment was unsuccessful. Newborn kittens turned out to be unviable due to a number of reasons, including due to a lack of knowledge of genetics and the wrong breeding strategy.

But in 1975, the American state of Minnesota became the birthplace of an elite breed of kittens. An ordinary short-haired mother had a naked kitten, then another. Soon, kittens of a similar species were found in the Canadian city of Toronto. Two cats from this trinity came to Europe and became the ancestors of the European branch. They were crossed with animals of the Devon Rex breed. And subsequent kittens of the Canadian Sphynx breed ceased to have wrinkled skin (only the neck and limbs retained such skin folds).

The little sphinx still retains wrinkled skin, but as it grows, it becomes like an elegant figurine.

Breeds and color of cats

The Sphynx cat breed has the following types:

• Canadian;
• Don;
• Petersburg.

The most famous is the Canadian Sphynx, which has existed for almost half a century. The other two breeds are over 15 years old and have not yet fully formed. These are the main varieties of sphinxes.

What does a modern sphinx cat look like? This animal has a muscular body, a relief muzzle, huge ears and oval-shaped eyes. It's not too big, but not too small either. Until 1987, the Canadian Sphynx was the only type of hairless cat, until a compassionate woman found a hairless kitten on a city street. It happened in Rostov-on-Don. The savior decided that the foundling was sick. But it was a healthy kitten, which is considered the ancestor of a new species of sphinxes, called the Don.

Both of these species are similar in that cats do not have hair, but their appearance and body structure are different. The sphinx of the Canadian species has a more refined musculature. Donskoy - heavier and thicker in the bones. It differs from the first type in almond-shaped eyes, which mow a little.

When they crossed an oriental cat and a Don representative of the breed, they got a Petersburg look. This graceful sphinx has a different description. He has his own characteristics - medium size, high growth and long limbs. The animal is smaller than the Don. The body is covered with a thin undercoat.

The colors of sphinxes are very diverse:

1. Solid - black, blue, chocolate, purple, red, cream, white.
2. An animal of tortoiseshell color has a pigmentation of two tones. For example, red and chocolate shades are present in the chocolate turtle.
3. Tabby, or marble.
4. Biocolor - a combination of white and the main color (tabby, tortoiseshell and solid color). More often, one ear or tail is white.
5. Color point, or Siamese. Kittens are born white, but then the tip of the nose, tail, paws and edges of the ears are colored.

The Sphynx can change colors under the influence of sunlight, its skin tans, like a person.

How are they different from other cats?

We give a description of the breed. These cats with a hot, rough body resembling suede (you feel it when you take a pet in your arms) are not averse to sitting on the shoulder of the hostess or owner. Unlike their relatives of other breeds, they are calm about water procedures, they rejoice at the opportunity to splash. They have unusual paws with fingers, between which there are membranes. Therefore, it is not difficult for cats to take food and put it in their mouths.

In addition to the fact that these cats can be admired, they have enough advantages. They are attached to their owners. Being alone is stressful for them, so you should not start a sphinx if the owners are often at work. Showing tenderness, the cats poke their muzzles at the owner and are ready to look for a long time with a bewitching look. The Sphynx cat loves to be noticed and talked to. Pets are artistic, they know how to pose in front of television and video cameras.

A curious animal will always be close to households and other pets. The Sphynx cat has a wonderful character. Aggressiveness is not in her nature, so you can safely get such pets if there are children in the family. They can become good nannies for kids and help parents raise them. Given these qualities, the Sphynx cat is loved for being smart and able to communicate. It is used as a therapy for patients. They are started by adherents of spiritual practices.

The character of sphinxes is very different from that of other breeds. These animals have no fear of dogs. They treat people as equals.

Another important difference is cleanliness. They will tolerate, but will not go to the toilet if the tray is not cleaned.

Sphynx love care

How to care for a Sphynx? Since bald purrs do not have hair, they require special care and maintenance. They should be in well-heated rooms; warm clothes will be needed for walking. Although it cannot be said that cats are very afraid of cool air.

Sphynx care involves respect for their skin. Gentle cats can be affected by acne, sunburn, dermatitis, rashes, so they should be bathed 2-3 times a week in the bathroom. If water procedures are not possible, then the pet's skin should be wiped, for this a special antibacterial agent is used.

It touches how sphinxes sleep - wrapped in a blanket. The head is placed on the pillow. They have a hot body (somewhat elevated temperature, unlike humans), which they press against the hostess or owner during sleep. They sweat like people.

This breed requires special treatment.

A secret accumulates in the ears of cats, which requires periodic cleaning. Sphynxes do not have eyelashes, so you need to take care of their eyes - rinse every day. Due to the hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, acne can disturb pets. This disease is inherited and depends on the color. Especially often it occurs in blue, cream and red sphinxes.

How to prolong the life of cats

Can the Sphynx live longer than usual with the care of high-quality and nutritious food? This question is sometimes asked by pet owners. But how long do sphinxes live? Like ordinary cats - up to 15 years, but the duration of existence depends on the following factors:

• pedigree;
• health conditions;
• care.

If the parents were distinguished by longevity, then small sphinxes can live the same amount. With proper and balanced nutrition, proper care, a cat of this breed has a chance to extend its existence up to 20 years. Care and love for animals significantly increase their lifespan.

An animal becomes an adult by 7 months. A hairless sphinx cat usually brings 3-4 kittens with skin in a fold. After 2-3 weeks, newborn babies begin to stand up and try to walk. Their ears are hanging at this time. Active animals immediately show their unique abilities - intelligence and ingenuity. They start participating in exhibitions from 2-3 years old and continue to do so until old age.

Knowing everything about sphinxes, you can not worry about how comfortable this wonderful creature will be in the house.

How to arrange meals

Due to the increased heat exchange, these animals have an excellent appetite and do not feel the measure in food. A bald cat can eat and gnaw all the time, and everything that falls into his paws goes into his mouth. This should not be allowed, because overeating and eating low-quality food is fraught with the development of urolithiasis. Excessive consumption of meat can cause protein poisoning. If the cat eats often and in large quantities, then obesity develops. Malnutrition is also undesirable, it causes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Rules for feeding:

1. Compliance with the norm of nutrition, food should be divided into portions.
2. It is required to maintain the regime.
3. You have to watch the cat. Next to it there should be no poisonous substances, plants that the animal can try out of curiosity.

If the pet suddenly became lethargic and lost its appetite, you should immediately take it to the veterinarian.

A Sphynx kitten should be given more food than a representative of another breed. Since he has no hair, he is active and runs a lot. The frequency of feeding is 6-8 times a day. For 1 time he needs to eat 25 g of food. And so on up to 3 months. By 0.5 years, it is necessary to develop a new regimen: the number of feedings is reduced to 2-3 times, the amount of food received is increased to 50 g.

What to feed the sphinx

What is included in the baby's diet? It resembles a child's menu. A month old kitten receives semolina, milk formula, milk and egg yolk. By 2 months, the kitten needs a supplement in the form of calcined cottage cheese, cheese and minced beef or chicken breast (1 tsp).

From the age of 3 months, his diet becomes more varied, meat in raw and boiled form is included in the menu.

The baby may not refuse vegetables, fruits and herbs seasoned with vegetable oil.

What to feed a sphinx cat? It is best to give natural products. For an animal to be healthy and active, it needs quality food. The list of natural products should include: beef meat, chicken fillet (skin and bones are removed), liver, cereals (rice, buckwheat, wheat groats), vegetables and fruits, greens (spinach, parsley), egg yolk, dairy products, cheese.

Weekly diet:

1. Raw meat (no more than 40 g) and clean filtered water are needed daily.
2. Once a week, it is allowed to feed boiled sea low-fat fish, liver, kefir or cottage cheese, egg yolk (can be added to food), cheese.
3. Beef or chicken kidneys, lungs and hearts are given frozen or boiled (possible with cereals and oatmeal) 2-3 times a week.
4. 3-4 times a week, cats need boiled chicken and brewer's yeast.

In order to have strong teeth, they give crackers to gnaw, for this it would be appropriate to have a chicken neck once a week. Vegetable oil, green grass (oats and wheat can sprout in a pot on the windowsill), added to the cat's dish, will help improve the pet's digestion.

If an upset stomach occurs, then you can switch to sour-milk products for 3 days. If this was not enough, then the help of a veterinarian will be required.

Feeding without problems

Sometimes it happens that there is no time for cooking, shopping, and you need to feed your cat. There is a way to provide him with nutrition, armed with the following recipe.

Cook:

• 1 kg of lean beef or chicken breast scrolled through a meat grinder;
• 150 g low-fat cheese;
• 2 carrots;
• some greens, cauliflower and seaweed;
• 1 chicken yolk or 3 quail;
• 5 chalk tablets;
• 20 drops of vitamin D;
• brewer's yeast (1 tablespoon) - to replenish the balance of B vitamins.

From all this you need to form portioned balls or small pancakes, put in the freezer. Such food is easy to get and defrost as needed. And the cat will receive the full nutrition necessary for growth and maintenance of health.

You can give ready-made feeds that are sold in the store, but only high-quality premium or super-premium varieties. Cheap food can harm the health of the animal, as it contains additives that do not bring any benefit, but only give a temporary feeling of satiety.

According to the rules, organized care and maintenance, feeding, love and care will help to have an affectionate friend or girlfriend next to you for a long time. In addition, sphinxes have a character that is quite suitable for spending evenings with them, which is important for single people.