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14 Facts About Sphynx Cats You Must to Know

Published: by Elena Suslina · This post may contain affiliate links

The Sphynx cat is definitely a sight to see. Their striking physical appearances are as unique as their character. Sphynx cats may seem moody and unfriendly, but they are actually quite intelligent, curious, and unusually people-oriented.

If you want to know more about them, here are 14 interesting facts about the Sphynx cats!

#1 They aren’t Egyptian

Sphynx Cat in an Egyptian outfit sitting on top of the table
A common misconception is that Sphynx cats are Egyptian. It's a myth! They are come from the North Country. Canadian Sphynx — the hairless breed we know in North America — has been defying expectations since the mid-1960s, when an Ontario cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, the result of a natural genetic mutation. Then, in the mid-1970s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. Their lineages resulted in the affectionate animal we know today.

#2 They aren’t bald
Sphynx Cat with black, white, and orange color coat pattern lying in its bed
#3 They need spesial grooming

Sphynx Cat in a bath tab with its owner
You might think that the lack of hair means less grooming. You’re partially correct. Sphynx cats don’t require daily or weekly brushing, but they do need weekly baths. Without the regular baths, the cat’s skin will become greasy and stinky and will attract dirt and dust.

#4 They are colorful

fpur Sphynx Cat sitting and lying on the bed
Sphynx kitties come in a rich variety of colors. The different hues and patterns you can see are actually the kitty’s own skin pigmentation as the thin layer of mossy fluff is actually colorless. The pigmentation can be red, creamy, lavender, chocolate, black, brown, and so on.

#5 They’re warmer than other cats

hand of a woman holding Sphynx kitten
Four degrees warmer than most other cats.

#6 They get cold easily

Sphynx Cat wearing red checkered sweater while lying on the carpet
Some Sphynx cats have a thick furry undercoat to keep them warm. Other cats, like Ragdolls, lack an undercoat and have a single layer of fur. And then there are the Sphynx cats, which are completely hairless. Due to the fact that they don’t have a fur coat, they get easily cold.

#7 They eat a lot

Sphynx Cat licking an ice cream
Sphynx cats have heavy appetites, or you may say an enviable metabolism.

#8 They don’t like to be alone

Sphynx Cat sitting inside its cat house
Sphynx cats want your attention all the time.

#9 They are not hypoallergenic

Sphynx Cat wearing red shirt in the arms of a person
Despite rumors to the contrary, the breed isn’t actually hypoallergenic. Sphynxes still produce Fel d1, the allergenic protein in cat saliva and skin secretions that causes your eyes to grow itchy and red.

#10 They are very active and playful

Sphynx Cat playing with its toy by the glass window
Most owners regard them as a constant source of entertainment and refer to them as “elf-like”.

#11 They don’t like to go out

Sphynx Cat sitting in between two walls with tiny space
Sphynx cats are classified as indoor pets. While we recommend that cats should not go out unsupervised, you need to be extra careful when it comes to hairless cats like the Sphynx breed.

#12 They have a sensitive skin

sitting black Sphynx Cat while looking at his back
They can get overheated or cold and, though they can go outside, they should be mostly indoor cats.

#13 They are well-behaved

two Sphynx Cats snuggled in their bed
They might run to you or call you once they hear that you are at the doorstep, but after this, you will see them quietly waiting to be taken care of or spoiled.

#14 They are pretty healthy

black Sphynx Cat standing on top of the bed
They are also very healthy pets and live for about 13- 15 years on average if given the right attention and care, and also meeting their dietary needs.
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