Cleaning Care & Health information

Your Sphynx kitten will need special care to make sure they stay healthy. Follow the tips below to keep your kitten with that fresh naked glow

Cleaning Care & Health information: Our Services

Bathing and Grooming

Just joking. If you keep a bathing routine your cat will become used to bath time routine, and some even come to enjoy the experience. Taking care of a hairless cat can be hard work since they don't have any fur to protect them from other elements. Here are few tips before you welcome these naked cats into your home.

It's like baptizing a cat!~

How to bathe a Sphynx cat:

The first thing you should know is that Sphynx cats will need frequent baths. In between baths you can use a wet towel or baby wipe to clean the skin and eyes. Fur usually separates oils and sweat from the skin. Because of their lack of fur, Sphynx cats have incredibly oily skin. Some more then others, but this goes for all Sphynx.
Use warm, not hot, water and a medicated pet shampoo without a powerful scent. Soaps with scents could irritate their delicate skin. Make sure you wash all of the soap out as any residue could end up bothering their skin after it dries.

Sphynx cat grooming:

Though hairless cats don't need there fur brushed, They still need basic grooming such as nail clipping, ear cleaning, and acne care. With exposed skin they are prone the build-ups in these specific areas.

Sphynx cats don't have hair in their ears. This can cause a lot of build up, eventually if not taken care of can lead to complete blockage of the ear canal. To clean the ears take a wet wash cloth or if your very careful a cotton swap and gently wipe the inside of there ears. Make sure not to go to deep otherwise you could end up damaging their hearing. It is best to do this after a warm bath so the wax is softened.

Due to direct contact with the elements these naked cats are also prone to acne. This varies in cats but its always good to look for blackheads to make sure your cat is healthy. Cleaning blackheads is vital to avoid any other skin problems. Scrub the affected area with an antibacterial soap at least once a week. If your cat is more prone to acne breakouts maybe bump it up to 2 or 3 times a week.

Maintaining body temp:

Sphynx cats are incredibly vulnerable to hot and cold temperature. Maintaining a body temp can be challenging. One way to keep them warm is lots and lots of cuddles! they love snuggling up and keeping warm from your body heat. You may also was to designate some blankets for your Sphynx and place them around your home. Some people like dressing their cats but it's important not to force this.You may also find yourself washing their clothes often because of their oily skin. On hot days it's important to keep them cool. Hairless cats can overheat very easily.

Health Concerns

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This is the most commonly diagnosed heart problem in cats - and is known to be a problem in the Sphynx population. Symptoms are worsening difficulty in breathing. Although it cannot be cured, vet intervention can help have a longer life span. All adult breeding cats are scanned bi-yearly at Pink Palace for HCM and are negative. However, HCM can appear at any time and this does not guarantee that no cat will ever develop HCM

Digestive problems

Sphynx cats tend to be more prone to a range of gastrointestinal problems. Most tend to clear up pretty quickly. Pink Palace does suggest a grain-free diet of high quality food. We use Nulo wet and dry food in our cattery. We also add probiotics to our kitten and adult cat's food.

Keeping healthy skin

Sphynx are particularly susceptible to sunburns and skin cancer, and therefore exposure to direct sunlight must be limited. Like humans, each Sphynx has its own unique sensitivity to the sun, with light-colored Sphynx cats burning more easily and quickly than darker ones. Sunscreen should be applied to your cat's skin even inside if they sunbathe in the window frequently. Letting your Sphynx outside is strongly discouraged by Pink Palace Sphynx. Sphynx cats are not equipped to handle the harsh elements.

Kitten-hood respiratory issues

It is thought due to their lack of hair, Sphynxs kittens are prone to lung infections. Spotting them early and getting the right treatment goes a long way. Keeping your cat up to date on routine kitten vaccinations, quarantining new cats, keeping a stress free environment, and maintaining a healthy and clean living environment for your Sphynx kitten will reduce the number of respiratory issues your kitten will have.

Eye infections

Even if you're diligent on keeping your buddy's eyes clean, infections are still quite common. Treatment usually involves eye drops. Eyes should be wiped daily with a warm wet towel or baby wipe.