Have you ever come across the “E.T.” of the cat world? Well, you are going to learn a lot about this special creature today!
Yes, the hairless Sphynx cat is known as E.T or more specifically the naked aliens of the cat world, and this is for the obvious fact that Sphynx cats are the odd one out of the several breeds that are usually defined by their beautiful and shiny, long or short fur coats.
Although Sphynx cats may seem to be moody and unfriendly, they are actually quite intelligent, inquisitive and unusually people-oriented.
Without stalling further, here are 18 things that you should know about a Sphynx cat’s personality:
1. They are stunning animals
Not everyone will agree to this since Sphynx cats are hairless, and the thought of a hairless feline is usually not as appealing to some people looking to adopt a furry pal. The Sphynx cat is ‘the example’ of fascinating morphology of a feline.
If the hairless features of this breed put you off, their runway model cheekbones, big bat-like ears, and the beautiful skin folds will captivate you. You may have noticed that their skin often appears to be wrinkled, and the ripples create a beautiful shape on their body.
They usually do not have any eyelashes or whiskers, which allows you to pay more attention to their highly expressive, almond-shaped eyes, and whisker pads. For this very reason, a majority of non-cat owners and even cat owners find this breed unappealing or referring to it on a more extreme level as ugly.
However, these unique features of a Sphynx are what set them apart from the other cat breeds and distinguish their personality.
2. They are also referred to as the “Velcro Lap Cats”
They are not into being petted vigorously, or even being carried, which is why you may want to leave them on the ground to “walk the walk”, and not carry them forcefully or pet them when they are not in the mood.
However, they do love the human laps that provide them with a warm and comfortable surface to cuddle in. This has earned them the name “Velcro Lap Cats”.
They prefer to lay on a surface that is warm and soft rather than on the floor. You may also commonly find them on the top of a television or computer monitors, tucked underneath the blankets or basking in the warm rays of the sun near the window panels.
3. They are fast learners
Do you remember the movie, Austin Powers and the Sphynx that played “Mr. Bigglesworth”? Well, that Sphynx, Ted Nudegent, was specifically trained to sit still for up to 45 min in a scene while the actors surrounding him screamed and Mike Myers petted him.
Since he was a show cat, he was used to having several people around him, but your Sphynx is not a show cat, i.e., until you train him to do so.
Sphynx cats are fast learners. They are less moody unlike other cats, and once you get them engaged, they will be by your side 24 / 7. So, if you are planning to teach them a game of fetch, you are in luck since Sphynx cats tend to learn at a very fast pace.
This is because they are very people-oriented and do not like to be left alone. If you are big on teaching tricks to your pet friend, Sphynx can be your most reliable pet pal.
They do not just respond to your cues but participate actively, making you more interested in teaching them. This is also one of the reasons why they make for amazing show cats and look adorable in any outfit you dress them in.
4. They are extremely friendly
They may share the name ‘the Great Sphinx of Giza’ but they are nothing like the statue. As mentioned earlier, they are sociable, playful and loving animals.
Once you start playing with them, you may get tired after a while, but your pet friend will make sure that you are on your toes and not slacking somewhere.
One of the reasons Sphynx are so friendly is that they rely on their owners to keep them warm and since friendlier cats may be selected for breeding.
In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior ranked Sphynx cats as one of the most affectionate cat breeds in the world.
They are also very friendly to other pets. You will not see them making loud, ear-scratching noises when you take them with you to the park or invite a friend with a feline companion.
This makes them less territorial and a fun pet to live with. You cannot imagine the fun and amazing snaps you can upload on Snapchat once you see they have made friends!
5. They are a living chatterbox
Sphynx cats are well known for being noisy. Since they are known to be people-oriented, they communicate to their owners using a repertoire of squeaks, chirps, and whines.
You will be amazed to know that the Sphynx cat responds to you in an annoyed tone if you disturb her while she is resting. You can actually make out from her squeaks and chirps that she is talking back to you, saying “why do you not let me sleep, Hooman?”
6. They have a hearty appetite
These chatterboxes are not just for talking or complaining to you. When they are not expressing themselves, they are filling up their tummies. Sphynx cats have heavy appetites, or you may say an enviable metabolism.
So, if you want to keep your pet healthy, you need to have a budget that meets your cat’s needs. This means you need to buy quality cat food, and plenty of it to make sure it does not go to bed hungry.
The eyes are probably photoshopped 
7. They do not like to be alone
Unlike most cats that will not mind if you go out on a date and leave them behind, Sphynx cats want your attention all the time. Even if you have been planning for that isolated hot shower after a sweaty routine at the gym, you will find your Sphynx clinging to the edge of the tub.
So, if you think you can have a few minutes alone in your bathroom… Think again! You may also notice their unblinking, piercing eyes responding to you, “I don’t think so”. The amazing part is that they can even open doors.
On the other hand, if you are not home most of the time, you can have a pair so that they can give each other company.
8. They do not like to go out
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.
Apart from the fact that they can get dirty easily since their body oil forms a thick greasy layer over their coat because of the lack of a thick, protective coat, they can also get a sunburn.
Most cat owners use a cat-friendly sunblock when they want to take out their Sphynx cat, however, we recommend that you better keep your Sphynx occupied indoors rather than taking them for a walk.
9. They are curious by nature
Sphynx cats are known to live by their curiosity. Since they are quick learners, they tend to understand every situation by exploring it.
Their curiosity can put them into potentially dangerous situations, which is why it is a good idea to keep your Sphynx close to you even if you have decided to take them out for a walk.
10. They are very active and playful
Sphynx cats are known to be alert and highly active pets. Having an acrobatic structure, they make for sporty pets and do not get tired easily. They are capable of entertaining themselves, but if you are as active as them, they do enjoy a good game of chase or fetch.
Most owners regard them as a constant source of entertainment and refer to them as “elf-like”. You will even find them to be adventurous since they love challenging activities like climbing to higher surfaces or chasing bugs (It is adventurous for them!)
11. They have a strong temperament
In addition to the distinctive features, Sphynx cats also hate changes. This means that they like to be on a schedule and do not like any deviations. So, you need to feed them on time every day.
You also need to make sure that you keep your furniture movements to a minimum since they dislike new surroundings. In fact, changes around Sphynx can cause anxiety, so it is best to establish a routine and stick to it to avoid stressing your Sphynx.
12. They are high maintenance pets
One thing about your Sphynx may amaze you is that they are high maintenance. While most cats do not like to be bathed or groomed, taking care of your Sphynx is more of their need rather than something you will have to force them into.
You are wrong if you think they will not need a frequent bath since they do not have fur. As mentioned earlier, while they do not have fur, their coat still produces oil which forms a thick, greasy layer if not taken care of – We, like most vets, recommend weekly baths.
The best part is that they enjoy baths and look adorable wrapped in a towel. You will even have to give proper attention to their ears and wipe them with a cotton ball or washcloth since they do not have any hairs to block dead skin cells or dirt.
13. They are well-behaved
Sphynx cats are well-behaved pets. 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.
You will hear the cry for food occasionally, but even that will not trouble you a lot. Since they are friendly, they do not create a fuss when new people come and go, and behave as if they were the host, and not you!
14. They do have cat allergies
Although there are several rumors that Sphynx cats are immune to allergies, THEY ARE NOT! They do produce D1, a protein that causes allergic reactions in humans.
15. They are loveable, adorable and the most exotic cats you’ll ever own!
The 14 points above must be enough to convince you that the Sphynx cat is an adorable creature. Once you bring one home, you will feel that your life is so much fuller since the Sphynx cats do not give you time to wander in your loneliness.
They will win you over with their affectionate dispositions, exotic looks, and playful personalities!
16. They are NOT hairless
Do you know that Sphynx cats are not actually bald? Yes, we heard your “Whaaat”…
Most of the breeds of Sphynx have little to no hair, but you will spot not even one that is hairless. They are actually covered by soft, downy-like, fuzzy suede that is not a fun experience at first but it grows on you.
It will feel like stroking the softest leather you have ever felt. You will also be surprised to know that Sphynx do have patterns and color on their skin, similar to other breeds of cats, just without the hair, which gives them their unique appearance.
17. They do not cover their …
Another fun fact about Sphynx cats is that they do not like to cover their poop in the litter box. It is indeed gross, but imagine the time you’ll have to spend cleaning their litter box, considering they have a huge appetite.
Now, does that sound funny to you? Good luck with this task, though!
18. They are pretty healthy
They are also very healthy pets and live for about 13 to 15 years on average if given the right attention and care, and also meeting their dietary needs.
One disease they are prone to is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which results in shortness of breath, reduces blood flow, causes lethargy, and also increases swelling in the legs.
Breeders are well aware of the health conditions of the Sphynx cat and so, they keep them warm from a very young age to protect their respiratory functions.
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