Before getting a Sphynx cat or kitten there are a few things you should know that are specific to this breed and may effect your decision. Other than the obvious, not having fur, they are not like "normal cats" in both their personality and the care they require.
Personality
Making sure the personality of a Sphynx will mesh well with your personality is something to take into consideration before one arrives in your home. Their personality has been described as a combination of a dog, a monkey, and a human baby. Here are some examples of each of these traits:
They are compared to a dog as they are extremely loyal and always like to be by your side. Sphynx are not like the run-of-the-mill aloof, indifferent, standoffish cat. They are most like lapdogs in as much as they will crawl all over you and the properly place themselves in your lap. Also, much like dogs, some Sphynx do beg for food from their owners. More than one person has told me they do not resemble cats at all in their personality and swear they really are dogs! I myself have always been a dog person and the Sphynx has been a perfect match for me. If you don't want a cat that will be under your feet, follow you everywhere, and by your side 24/7, then a Sphynx isn't for you.
Believe it or not, Sphynx are a little like monkeys. They make their way from room to room by jumping around from chairs, to tables, to the back of a couch. They will sit on your shoulder and watch everything much like a monkey (especially when you eat). They also will use their paws from time-to-time like a monkey would. They have extra long fingers, extremely thick paw pads and use it to their advantage. Ours pick up fuzzy balls, coins, and strings and will observe them from different angles turning them left then right. Be prepared to bring a highly intelligent, inquisitive, and slightly mischievous cat into your home.
Sphynx are also compared to human babies in that they demand attention, need lots of love, and require care and high maintenance. (More about the maintenance and care below.) These cats are highly socialized cats meaning they require a ton of attention from you. Sphynx cannot be ignored. They will not allow it. They will cry if they want something or if something is not how they like it. Some cry more than other but my experience has shown that 80% cry daily for something. It is my belief that if a Sphynx were to be treated like a "regular cat" and only given minimal amounts of attention, it would get depressed and perhaps even physically sick. They need you to play with them, snuggle them, and let them know they are completely and totally special. Some say they act like a 2 year old human so consider just how much love they will need before committing to bring one into your life.
Care & Maintenance
Because Sphynx don't have fur, the oils and dirt that normally would be pushed away from the skin onto the ends of the fur build up on the skin of a Sphynx and need to be washed away. Yes, this means that they need to be put into a bathtub and washed. Depending on genetics, hormones, amount of hair, and temperature, the need for a bath can range from once a week to once every other week. I use baby wash for my normal washings. Ears and toes will also need to be cleaned at this time as a brown/black residue builds up also do to the lack of hair. Witch hazel can be used with cotton balls and Q-tips to take care of the gunk. Their nails grow much faster than other breeds and should also be clipped as part of the weekly/bi-weekly bath time process.
Another thing to keep in mind regarding Sphynx care is the temperature of their environment. Sphynx cats are by no means fragile but they are strictly indoor cats. Not only can the sun burn their skin but also outside, without fur, they may be colder than you or I would. The way I equate it is this - if you and I were running around naked, what temperature would we be comfortable at? Well, for me it would be inside the house with the thermostat set at 70-74 degrees.
One more thing to consider, although the metabolism of the Sphynx breed has never been studied, it does seem to run slightly higher than that of a "normal cat". What does this equate to? Well in simple terms: 1) they require better quality food and more of it and 2) they tend to excrete more. It is important to choose a high quality food, keep plenty of it on hand, and change litter boxes daily.
If you are willing to bathe, clean ears, toes, clip nails once a week to once every other week, keep a strictly indoor cat, feed high quality food, and clean a litter box daily then a Sphynx might be for you. Knowing exactly what lays ahead of you is the first step. Finding a companion for the rest of their life is the next.
