I remember the very first time I touched a sphynx cat, because it was a huge surprise! I was not expecting how warm these little critters are. The normal temperature of a cat is 100-102.5 degrees, and without the fur, that heat is palpable. The Peterbald and Donskoy hairless cats already existed in the 60's when the Canadian Sphynx gene for hairlessness was first discovered in North America. The Canadian Sphynx has 2 copies of this recessive gene for hairlessness. This means that 2 furry parents could produce a sphynx (25% chance) if they both carry the Canadian Sphynx gene. If 1 parent carrie ..read more

Let’s talk about litter boxes! Pet parents often ask me what the best litter box is, and that’s a loaded question. No matter what, litter boxes are messy and smelly, but there are a few options that mitigate some of the typical litter box issues. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution. If you’re going to scoop the poop yourself, there’s nothing wrong with a plain old litter pan. They can be messy though as it’s easier for the cat to kick the litter out of the box. If you’re going to use a pan, try the Arm & Hammer sifting pan. If you want to minimize litter on the floor, try the Iris ..read more

Yes and No! When I was a new sphynx owner 3 years ago, I didn’t realize that the lack of hair causes a build up of oils, causing sphynx to look dirty over time. Luckily this comes off easily with kitty soap and water. I use a bath glove which makes bath time much faster and less traumatic for everyone. You need to balance over washing your sphynx with keeping them clean, as too many baths can stressful and dry out their skin. The spots where your cat lays frequently will collect these oils and turn brown over time (think cat bed, favorite spot on the couch, window sill). My experience is that ..read more