What is a Sphynx cat? Not quite hairless, very warm

What is a Sphynx cat? It is a pedigree breed that looks hairless, with large ears, lemon-shaped eyes and wrinkled skin that the Cat Fanciers' Association (the CFA, a cat breed registry) says is often compared to warm suede. It began with one hairless kitten born in Toronto in 1966. This guide covers where the breed came from, why it is not quite hairless, what it is like to live with, and its care and health, all from the CFA's own Sphynx page.

Everything about the breed here comes from the CFA's Sphynx page and breed standard, opened for this article. A breed standard is the written description judges use at cat shows.

What is a Sphynx cat? The short answer

The CFA says some fans love the Sphynx for its "otherworldly" look: soulful, lemon-shaped eyes, oversized ears, a full belly and a people-loving personality. Others love the feel of its nearly bare skin. The standard says the body feels warm and soft, with skin like a soft peach or a smooth nectarine.

Where the Sphynx came from

• 1966: a domestic cat in Toronto, Canada, gave birth to a hairless kitten. The CFA says this was a spontaneous mutation, later found to be a natural recessive gene.
• The next 30 years: breeders crossed the hairless cats with normal-coated cats, and then back to hairless cats, building the breed on a diverse gene pool.
• 1975: two cats with the same mutation appeared in Minnesota, named Epidermis and Dermis. They were bred to American Shorthairs and Devon Rex and joined the Sphynx gene pool.
• 1998: the CFA accepted the Sphynx for registration.
• 2002: it was advanced to Championship status.

The CFA says the Sphynx can claim to be the first Canadian cat breed.

Is a Sphynx cat really hairless?

Not always. The CFA says that, contrary to popular belief, the breed is not always totally hairless, and how hairless a Sphynx is can vary. Some short hair is usually present on the nose, ears and tail, and seasonal and hormonal changes can affect hair growth. The standard allows a soft, peach-like fuzz over the body, and says there are usually no whiskers, or only short, sparse ones.

The Sphynx at a glance, as the CFA describes it.

What does a Sphynx cat look like?

The CFA describes a medium-sized, solid cat, not fragile in any way, with lots of visible wrinkles. It has sturdy bones, good muscle and a large, rounded belly, "as if they just finished a nice dinner". Wrinkles on the head can give a worried or curious look. Other key traits are the lemon-shaped eyes, large, bat-like ears, thick paw pads and long, finger-like toes. Males are usually larger than females.

Colour is hard to see on a Sphynx, and the standard says it should not affect judging. All colours and patterns are accepted, and the CFA notes that exposure to the sun will deepen all colours.

What is a Sphynx cat like to live with?

The CFA calls the Sphynx curious, outgoing, very intelligent and anything but shy. It says a Sphynx will tell you clearly what it needs, usually attention or food, with a steady stream of chatter as it follows you from room to room. It is not necessarily loud, but it should not be called quiet. Our guide to why cats follow you around covers that habit in any cat.

The CFA also calls them "body heat magnets" that will spend hours glued to your side. That makes them popular with children, it says, as long as the children are old enough to understand that a Sphynx's skin is delicate and not suited to rough play. The breed thrives with other cats, especially other Sphynx, and does not do well left alone for long, so the CFA says owners may want to consider a pair. For more on why cats seek out your warmth, see why your cat sleeps on you.

Sphynx care, allergies and health

Bathing: the CFA says Sphynx have very oily skin that needs regular bathing.

Allergies: the Sphynx is often thought to be low in allergens, because some allergic people can tolerate one. The CFA says bathing reduces the allergens on the skin, and a freshly bathed Sphynx is unlikely to set off severe symptoms, but that this does not make it a low-allergen cat.

Health: the CFA calls the Sphynx generally a very robust breed, but lists issues to know about: breathing problems in kittens because of the lack of hair, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a form of heart disease), hereditary myopathy (which affects the muscles) and sensitive digestion. Some are prone to the skin condition urticaria pigmentosa and to gum disease. It says testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has helped keep the gene pool healthy.

Cost: the CFA says the Sphynx is among the higher-priced breeds, and that because the hairless gene is recessive, coated Sphynx are sometimes available at lower prices, with the same people-loving personality.

Is the cat you meet a Sphynx? A plain check

A Sphynx is hard to mistake, but you will rarely meet one on a walk. The CFA's guide "A Pattern Does Not a Breed Make" says only about five percent of domestic cats belong to any recognised breed. From a distance, compare: does the cat look bare or fuzzy rather than furred, with large upright ears, lemon-shaped eyes and wrinkles? If you are not sure, it is most likely a cat of mixed breed; our guide "Is my cat a mixed breed?" explains how to tell.

Cat Go is a game that plays in your web browser: "Walk anywhere, photograph a real cat, lure it with food and catch it." After you photograph a cat, it asks "Which breed is it?" and you pick from a list with a search box. You choose; the game does not decide for you. It reminds you that "Most cats you meet are mixed breed. Rarer breeds are warier." and that "Mixed breed is always a safe pick."

Cat Go's map, where each catch keeps its breed and the place you found it.

Frequently asked questions

Are Sphynx cats completely hairless?

No. The CFA says some short hair is usually present on the nose, ears and tail, and the body can have a soft, peach-like fuzz.

Are Sphynx cats good for people with allergies?

The CFA says bathing reduces allergens on the skin, but a Sphynx is not a low-allergen cat.

Why do Sphynx cats need baths?

The CFA says their skin is very oily and needs regular bathing.

Where do Sphynx cats come from?

The breed began with a hairless kitten born to a domestic cat in Toronto, Canada, in 1966, the CFA says.

Get started

Next time you see an unusual-looking cat on a walk, compare it with the CFA's description from where you stand, and remember that most cats you meet are of mixed breed.

Play Cat Go in your browser: walk anywhere, photograph a real cat, pick its breed and keep it in your Catdex.