There are several rare feline breeds across the world. These breeds have unique characteristics such as larger ears, folded ears, puffy tails, different eye colors, larger bodies, smaller bodies, large heads, short legs, or chirping rather than meowing. Here, you will get to know more about the Sphynx or Canadian Hairless. This rare breed is known for its lack of coat.
At first glance, this breed of cat does not seem to have hair at all. If you run your fingers on the cat’s coat, the sensation resembles that of a peach’s or chamois leather. The reason behind this is that their skin is covered with vellus hair. This is fine hair that cannot be immediately detected by the naked eye. This is why most people believe that this breed is hairless.
Owning these cats will give you a unique experience compared to other breeds. Since they do not have pelts, they are known to curl against their owners or other pets to keep warm. They are also known to sleep under the covers with their owners. Compared to other breeds, they are warmer to the touch due to the lack of hair. These cats may or may not have eyebrows and whiskers. Skin color includes conventional fur patterns such as tortie, tabby, van, point, solid, etc.
When behavior comes to mind, the Sphynx is not the typical cat that lies around sleeping all day. It is known its extroverted behavior. They are known for having high levels of energy and might even be mistaken for hyperactivity. They are highly intelligent and are constantly curious about their surroundings. However, they are mostly known for displaying high levels of affection towards their owners. This is one of the main reasons why feline lovers across the globe choose to own one.
There is a reason why this breed is one of the world’s rarest cat breeds. The Canadian Hairless first appeared in 1966 when a hairless kitten named Prune was born. However, numerous attempts to produce more kittens failed. A limited genetic pool resulted in the death of kittens. It was only in 1975 when new material to the breed was provided through the birth of the male kitten Epidermis. This allowed breeders to strengthen the breed’s genetic pool.
The Canadian Hairless is a robust and healthy breed. However, the lack of hair may cause a number of health issues. In the first few weeks of the kitten’s life, they are susceptible to respiratory infections. This is why reputable breeders do not allow the cats to move in to a new home before they are 12 weeks old. This ensures that the cats have matured enough to adapt to their new environment.
The lack in coat does not mean that these cats are maintenance-free. One of the main functions of hair is to absorb body oils. The lack of hair results in the buildup of oils on the skin. This is why it is essential to bathe the cat at least once a week.
Owning a conventional breed of feline is both fulfilling and rewarding. Owning one of the rarest cat breeds such as the Sphynx will take this experience to a whole new level.
