Complete factsheet on the sphynx cat: from history to curiosity, here's everything you need to know about this hairless cat breed.
Almond-shaped eyes, hairless body and tender fine lines: thanks to its truly unique and unmistakable appearance, the sphynx cat certainly does not go unnoticed. For all those who are fascinated by this feline and want to know more about the breed, here is all the information to know about the naked cat from Russia.
General information about the sphynx
Ladies and gentlemen, here is the sphynx cat: we begin the introductions with a general overview of this wonderful feline.
- Nickname: Naked Cat, Russian Don Sphynx
- Origin: Russia
- Average life: 12-15 years
- Size: medium
- Weight: 2-5 kg
- Hypoallergenic: yes
- Tendency to flee: no
- Tendency to gain weight: yes
- Tendency to meow: no
- Tendency to suffer from loneliness: no
- Climate: warm-temperate, tends to suffer from low temperatures
- Compatible with children: yes
- Compatible with other animals: yes
How much does a sphynx cat cost
Are you thinking of welcoming a sphynx cat into your life and into your heart, and you want to know what the price of a sphynx cat is?
It is a very valuable and expensive four-legged. In fact, depending on the breeding you are targeting, the sex and age of the cat, its price varies between 1200 and 1800 euros.
As for maintenance costs, the figure is around 40 euros per month.
Ideal habitat and lifestyle
Due to the absence of a coat, the sphynx cat suffers particularly from the cold. For this reason, it is essential to keep it at home and bring coats and sweaters with which to protect it during the winter season .
Likewise, his skin is particularly exposed to sunlight. Hence, it is advisable to use ultraviolet protection such as specific creams and lotions.
To meet the ethological needs of this cat, it is essential to set up a stimulating environment, complete with accessories such as scratching posts, paths, raised shelves and toys.
The specimens of this breed are independent, but very demanding as they require special care and attention. For this reason, their adoption is not recommended for those who spend a lot of time outside the home and for the elderly.
Origins and history of the sphynx
Where does the sphynx cat come from and what stages have characterized the history of this breed? Let's find out together.
In 1987, a woman named Elena Kovaleva rescued a cat from the streets of Rostov in really terrible conditions.
The cat, named Varvara, was totally devoid of a coat. Even his litters, the result of crossing with different breeds, were made up of hairless kittens.
Its owner, therefore, turned to the Russian breeder Irina Nemikina, who discovered that the particular appearance of Varvara and her offspring was caused by a dominant genetic mutation. This is where the breeding of the Donskoy cat originated.
Appearance and physical characteristics
The sphynx cat certainly does not go unnoticed thanks to its physical peculiarities: here is everything you need to know about it.
Body
This medium-sized cat has a weight between 2 and 5 kg, for a maximum length of 30 cm.
The build of the specimens of this breed is muscular and robust.
Head
The head of the Donskoy cat is wedge-shaped and elongated. The prominent brows frame large almond-shaped eyes, the hue of which varies between green, golden yellow and aquamarine blue.
The ears are broad at the base and rounded at the tip.
Mantle
Although at first glance this cat appears completely devoid of a coat, it is possible to distinguish between four different degrees of nudity of the cat.
Cats that are completely naked from birth belong to the Rubber bald variant . The Fock, on the other hand, are covered with a very light down that tends to gradually thin out.
The Donskoy Velor is a cat that has a thin layer of woolly hair at birth which disappears within the first year of life.
Finally, the Brush is the only variant that retains a very sparse coat even in adulthood.
These different types are united by the fact that in winter their body is covered with a hair that is destined to disappear with the arrival of summer.
Legs
The paws of the Donskoy cat are long, muscular and well proportioned to the rest of the body.
Character of the Donskoy cat
There is no doubt: the Donskoy cat impresses with its truly unmistakable appearance. Equally magnetic and fascinating, however, is the character of this cat.
In fact, it is an extremely affectionate and devoted four-legged towards his human family.
Thanks to its predisposition to suffer from low temperatures, this feline loves to snuggle up on its owner's body and sleep next to him.
Intelligent, insightful and friendly to strangers, this cat does not draw moments of play and fun at all, in which he shows off his rowdy and friendly side.
Compatibility with children and other animals
Thanks to its balanced and patient nature , the Donskoy cat is a perfect cuddling and adventurous companion for the little ones.
Likewise, he is extremely sociable and well disposed towards other animals, regardless of whether they are of his own species or dogs.
sphynx cat health and care
The average life span of these specimens is between 12 and 15 years.
Except for a higher incidence of respiratory diseases, there is no particular predisposition to the onset of common diseases in the Donskoy cat .
Of course, this four-legged dog can contract any ailment or pathology that affects all other members of its own species, such as:
- Overweight and obesity;
- Skin disorders;
- Parasitic infestations;
- Infections.
How to take care of the Donskoy cat ? Given the absence of hair, its skin tends to get dirty easily , as well as secreting quantities of sebum and sweat.
This is why it is essential to periodically wash the cat with products specially formulated for its hygiene.
Ideal nutrition
First of all, it should be noted that the specimens of this breed have a greater appetite than other cats, due to the absence of hair.
In fact, lacking a coat, these felines lose heat and energy , which they need to recover through a balanced and complete food plan.
Like all other members of its own species, the Donskoy cat is an obligate carnivore. For this reason, his ideal diet includes meat, to be given more frequently, and fish, which he should eat less frequently.
The ideal foods for this cat? Chicken, turkey and beef, but also mackerel, salmon and tuna.
Reproduction and puppies
Do you want to mate your Donskoy cat? Let's find out all there is to know about reproduction and puppies of this breed.
The gestation period of these cats is between 63 and 68 days, at the end of which about 2-4 kittens come to light .
At birth, all puppies are covered with a fine hair, which tends to disappear over time.
The sphynx cat reaches its final size between 9 and 12 months.
Names for your Donskoy cat
Have you decided to adopt a sphynx cat ? A first and important step is to choose the name to give to your new four-legged friend.
How to choose? Follow these simple and helpful guidelines. First, go for short names composed of similar syllables, which can make it easier for your cat to memorize.
Secondly, bet everything on a peculiar characteristic of your cat , which makes it truly unique and special in your eyes.
Are you looking for ideas and ideas? Check out this article to find over 6500 female and male cat names . Among the most popular names for the Donskoy cat are:
- Females: Iris and Sveva;
- Males: Felix and Condor.
Curiosities about the Donskoy cat
- The Donskoy cat is also nicknamed Don Shpynx. However, it is very different from the Canadian Shpynx. What differentiates the two breeds is not only their origin, but also the type of gene that causes the lack of hair in cats. In the case of the Russian feline, in fact, it is dominant, while for the Canadian cat it is recessive;
- Not only Donskoy and Don Sphynx: the breeds of cats without coats are numerous. These include the Ukrainian Peterbald, Kohana and Levkoy;
- If properly trained, this cat likes to fetch: just throw some object at him and have fun seeing him bring back to us like any other dog.