Bald cat: another baby in the house

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Nine out of ten people, if asked what the first association comes to them with the word "cat", will answer something like "wool", "soft", "fluffy", "can be stroked". Of course, no one would think of the word "bald".

Cat and cat to be fluffy, soft and warm. The Sphynx breed completely refutes this assertion. This cat is completely devoid of hair, that is, it is, in fact, bald. Someone considers them cute, and someone is just afraid. What are sphinxes really?

It's worth starting with the fact that this is an artificially bred breed of cats. But why the ancestors of the breed lost their hair is unknown. Hairlessness was fixed by crossing with short-haired breeds. These animals belong to Asian cats. Unlike their relatives, Siamese cats, Sphynx cats are very friendly and forgiving, they have a lot ofdog traits. For example, they are very attached to a person and are suitable if they are called. Despite their peculiar appearance, bald cats are very good-natured creatures, they get along well with all family members and various domestic animals, including their own kind.

Due to the fact that sphinx hair is either absent or very short, their skin secretes a special substance that protects against harmful influences, and, as a rule, accumulates near the claws and near the ears. In this case, do not wash the animal thoroughly, it is better to wipe its skin with a cloth with baby cream. In addition, a bald cat even sweats. Just like a human! Due to the peculiarities of appearance, a bald cat requires special care. The fact is that in order to maintain heat, he needs to eat a lot, since bare skin does not hold him. This feature is also connected with the fact that sphinxes need care and warmth in winter.

Although their average body temperature is higher than that of other cats, they themselves need to be warmed up by wearing special vests or at least by letting them under the covers. Hairless cats have delicate skin, so it is advisable to cut their claws so that the animal does not get hurt, although some representatives of the species do this themselves. In addition, because Sphynx ears are not protected by hair, they must be carefully cleaned with cotton swabs. Animals tolerate such procedures calmly, so you can not be afraid of the hands. A bald cat at home is somewhat reminiscent of a small child who needs to be watched. The fact is that the animal can get a skin burn even lying near the battery.

Currently known 3sphinx breeds

1. Peterbald. This breed was bred in Russia by crossing the Don Sphynx and the Oriental cat. The result was 4 kittens.

Representatives of the breed have a slender body and long legs, flat cheekbones. Also, pigmentation may be present on the skin, which disappears in winter, like sunburn, and intensifies during lactation and pregnancy.

2. Don Sphinx. These hairless cats are distinguished by wrinkled skin on the neck and abdomen, and many vertical stripes on the forehead. Don Sphynx are quite large, have a strong body. their main feature is narrow almond-shaped eyes and swirling whiskers in newborn kittens.

3. Canadian Sphynx. The breed is still being formed, but the main features are a triangular head, high-set eyes and a pronounced mustache.