Grooming

You might assume that a cat with little-to-no fur wouldn't require much grooming, but in fact, the sphynx needs more grooming than many other normally furred breeds. As they have no hair to absorb their body oils, the sphynx cat’s skin must be washed regularly to maintain a healthy balance of oil and prevent skin problems and oil spots on furniture.

Although the breed is very good at self-hygiene, you should continue to bathe or wet wipe your sphynx cat weekly or biweekly to remove oil build-up. Use a gentle shampoo formulated specifically for cats to avoid skin irritation or excessive dryness. Most breeders of sphynx cats accustom the kittens to regular baths, so the majority of these felines are quite agreeable to submersion in water (but not all), unlike many other breeds of felines.

Another area to focus on is your sphynx's ears. Due to the lack of fur, these cats tend to accumulate quite a bit of wax and dust inside their ears, which is both unsightly and potentially a source of infection. Use a cotton ball, not a swab to gently remove wax and dirt from your pet's ears once per week. If you notice redness, sores or scabs, excessive debris, or a bad smell, it's time for a call to your veterinarian.

Like any cat, your sphynx also needs regular nail trims. As the breed is known for being an indoor only pet, cat trees are essential, enabling them to cut down their nails themselves.

Contrary to popular belief, sphynx cats are not completely hypoallergenic. They may look hairless, but they are actually covered in a very fine, suede-like coat. Doctors may, however, still recommend a sphynx cat as a solution for cat lovers who are searching for a breed that carries less allergens on their fur than others.