Nails: Sphynx should have their nails trimmed and cleaned regularly. When clipping nails be careful to avoid clipping into the pink vein area inside the nail as this causes discomfort to your kitten. You may use a regular toenail clipper for kittens as well as on adults. Sphynx get a black waxy buildup on their nails and this is normal for the breed. It works best to clean them weekly with baby wipes with aloe.
Ears: Sphynx also develop a black waxy buildup inside the ears. This is again normal for the breed and it is usually not ear mites. You may use baby wipes to remove this buildup. Please avoid harsh cleansers as Sphynx may be sensitive and have an allergic reaction to them. Also be careful when using cotton swabs to not push any wax back into the ear canal as this may lead to infection. Kittens are sometimes are prone to ear mites due to their waxy ears. You may carefully wipe ears with a cotton ball saturated with mineral oil, olive oil or baby oil. This should drown out the ear mites.
3)Teeth: Sphynx can have darkened teeth due to nursing on their mothers or grooming themselves. It does not mean that something is wrong with your Sphynx. Vets often assume something is wrong, but that is not the case. You can brush their teeth to keep them clean. I also find that Dentalclens Pads are helpful in keeping teeth clean. I advise against routine teeth cleaning under anesthesia as Sphynx can react to the sedatives used.
4)Eyes: Sphynx also tend to have dried tears as they do not have eyelashes to protect their eyes from dirt. You may cleanse around their eyes with a warm wet cotton ball or a warm wet washcloth. If you notice redness, swelling or yellow discharge please contact your vet.
5)Diet: It is important that you continue feeding your sphynx the same food it has been eating as a sudden change in their diet will cause an upset tummy and loose stools that can lead to dehydration quickly in a kitten. Food should be gradually changed by mixing the two foods together over several days. We feed all of our kittens and cats Science Diet and Iams Kitten mixed. They seen to like it mixed together. As a special treat they love canned Science Diet Kitten. You need to be sure your kitten is eating. They can get low blood sugar, get dehydrated and lose weight very quickly leading to a life-threatening situation.
6)Bath time- Your sphynx should also be bathed at least every 2 weeks. Many breeders recommend weekly baths. The sphynx breed secretes natural oils and this causes dirt to build up. Baby wipes that do not contain alcohol are great for touch ups. I use Johnson’s Baby shampoo on my cats and kittens. Rinse them well and then wrap them in a towel. Then I clip and clean their nails and clean their ears. Your kitten should be used to this ritual by the time you receive them. Most breeders will not sell a kitten until it is at least 12 weeks old. You will find that lighter colored sphynx need to be bathed more often to keep clean and usually darker colored sphynx need less touch ups and less frequent bathing.
7)VACCINES: Please be sure to give your kitten vaccines that do not contain the heavy metals. Never give FIP or FELV vaccines to your kittens and never give two different vaccines on the same day unless it is a combo vaccine. It is too hard on your little kitten and many cats have had severe reactions to two vaccines given on the same day. FIP vaccines are often time fatal if your cat has ever been exposed to the corona virus, which 90% of cats in a multiple cat household have been exposed. They will break out with the fatal form of FIP if given the vaccine. There is no known treatment for FIP it is fatal.
8)Warning Sphynx Proof- A warning to sphynx owners: sphynx love to climb in the dryer and it has led to the death of more than one cat that I know of. They also may hide in clothes and end up in the washer. Please do not leave Teaser Toys (fish or feather on string) out when not actively used together. The kitten can choke on the sting or lead to twisting of the bowels. Be sure to sphynx proof your house! They are like little babies crawling around in your house. Also be very careful with kitten collars as kittens have strangled themselves on a collar. Be sure it is kitten/cat safety collar and NOT a dog or puppy collar. Kitten collars are designed to release or open if they get hung on an object.
9)Vomiting & diarhea: Seek your vet's counsel immediately for watery/loose stools or vomiting, as kittens can get dehydrated and can die very quickly if not treated promptly! This can come about from the stress of shipping or a new home, an abrupt change in their diets, intestinal infections or poisoning. For cats or kittens with loose stools, it may help to add fiber to the diet, such as Iams hairball formula cat food or use the Science Diet ID formula from your vet. Soft or wet foods other than Science Diet ID soft food can lead to soft or runny stools. Remember that all kittens have giarrdia, coccidia and even e-coli in their intestines. With stress it can cause it to develop into a problem that needs to be treated immediately.
Why Sphynx-Sphynx are very loveable and affectionate cats. Some people have described them as part monkey, part dog and part cat. Be ready and willing to have a pet that wants to be at your side always and follow you around like a puppy. They also tend to be part parrot as it is typical for the breed to climb up your back and sit on your shoulders whenever they get the chance! You will not be lonely or lack entertainment with a sphynx for a pet.
Pensacola Sphynx
Pensacola, FLorida
(850) 748-0967 | ehardawayfl@yahoo.com
