If you want a Sphynx because you think you won’t have to spend any time grooming him, you should probably reconsider. His body becomes oily and must be bathed anywhere from weekly to monthly to prevent clogged pores, not to mention oily spots on your furniture or clothing. Your Sphynx kitten will already have had some baths by the time you get him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will like being bathed. Make it a happy time, though, and he will probably come to love the attention.Like any cat, the Sphynx also needs regular nail trimming, eye and ear cleaning, and dental care. Their claws can develop a waxy buildup that needs to be cleaned off regularly. It’s also necessary to wipe their eyes free of mucus that can build up. The ears, too, can have a waxy buildup that requires regular cleaning with cotton and a gentle ear cleaning solution recommended by your veterinarian. Brush the teeth with a pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.
Despite his bald body, a Sphynx requires at least as much grooming as cats with fur and maybe even more. Their skin must be kept moisturized with a gentle, scent-free lotion or oil, and they need weekly baths so as not to leave greasy spots on your furniture and clothing. Use a gentle baby shampoo or moisturizing shampoo and rinse thoroughly, especially between the folds of the wrinkles. If you begin bathing your Sphynx kitten while he is young, he will learn to accept and sometimes even enjoy baths. Baby wipes will help to keep him clean between baths.Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the corners of the eyes daily with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, Sphynx are very particular about bathroom hygiene.Although the Sphynx feels warm to the touch, he doesn’t have a fur coat to keep him warm. If you’re cold, he probably is too. Buy him a nice sweater or two to help him retain heat.It’s a good idea to keep a Sphynx as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Sphynx who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such an unusual cat without paying for it. If your Sphynx has an outdoor enclosure where he can sunbathe, be sure to apply cat-safe sunscreen to his skin to prevent sunburn.
