Got a new cat! Rare "hairless" Sphynx!

[Siren]

I know this is just out of left field, but I am getting a new cat. I work at my local Humane Society as a kennel tech. We got a cat in yesterday that I would never expected to see in a million years.

A 7 month old Sphynx. What is a Sphynx and why be so excited?

A Sphynx is a nearly hairless cat. It is a very rare breed. To see one in a shelter in itself is a shock, the fact that it is still a kitten had me flabbergasted. The owner surrendered her because she was "moving to South America". According to her, and I believe it, she paid $1500 for the cat when she first got it. I don't understand why she didn't sell it, but oh well. I am adopting her tomorrow. I love the breed, but I would NEVER pay $200 for a cat, let alone $1500!!! To adopt her, I am paying $85, but the adoption fees go mostly into her medical care (low cost medicine, shots, vet visit, spaying). So in essence, the actual cat is free, I just pay low cost care for her intially.

Sphynx have specific needs that are related to their hairless-ness. They are comfortable at 70-80 degrees. They can't live outdoors as the elements (sun, cold, etc) could make them ill and even kill them. They have delicate skin that can scratch easy. They need to be bathed once a week, since the oils in their skin have no fur to latch onto. They also have no eyelashes, so nothing protects debris from going into their large eyes and have to have their eyes cleaned 1-2 times a day. They also need their ears cleaned often. And lastly, they have to have their teeth brushed everyday. The same gene that effects hairless-ness also effects their teeth and causes them to decay faster then other cats.

Its not a breed for people who just want a weird looking cat. They have specific needs, that some may find too much or annoying. Personally, none of that stuff bothers me in the least. I have time for all of it and enjoy doing it all.

I didn't bring her home today. The vet will be there tomorrow to give her her shots and a health check. I'll also get medication for her upper respitory infection then. I did get a chance in my busy day to take one snapshot of her. Many more will come when she comes home and gets comfortable



Oh, and names so far we have listed

Satin (because of how she feels soft)
Isis (Egyptian goddess of magic, motherhood, and home)
Sin (I just like the sound of it...and I have a feeling she's going to be trouble)
Titania (fairy queen)
Mystique (from X-Men...and it just sounds cool for her)

[Zoltack]

Ohh how exotic!

I have a ornery cat name Max. He attacks me just about any chance he gets because I tease him a lot. But he deserved it.

[MICKEYMOUSE]

Ohh how exotic!

I have a ornery cat name Max. He attacks me just about any chance he gets because I tease him a lot. But he deserved it.

I love my cat. I annoy him buy petting him so much, and kissing him becuase he is so adorable, he gets mad, and starts biting me. He trys to fight me. He is so cute when he is mad. I hope you enjoy you new cat!!!!

[Isidour]

what about Ashra or Liith?

it reminds me the cat of Dr. Evil

[Siren]

Cool names Isidour, but we are pretty set on Mystique at the moment.

And the reason why she reminds you of Mr. Bigglesworth is because he was a Sphynx too.

A good thing that the cats are rare and expensive, for their own sake. Nothing is worse then people seeing a movie and liking a certain animal and running out to get it without research. Unlike many other breeds, Sphynx breeders are few and far between, thats because most Sphynx breeders spay and neuter the cats that they sell as pets, and they also ask a LOT of prospective owners, that it discourages those who only want the cat because it looks neat or was in a movie. The breeders are VERY possessive over their cats. A majority have it written into their contract, that if the owner can no longer keep the cat, they WILL give it back to the breeder. NO responsible Sphynx breeder would turn down taking back one of their own cats if that means keeping it out of the shelters and pounds. Sphynxes can die very easily in those enviroments. The woman who surrendered, said she lost the papers on the cat, we are thinking she is lying. If she had the papers, you can bet the contract says she has to return the cat to the breeder. Several breeders require you to show neutered Sphynxes of theirs in shows before you can purchase one. And the pricetag scares off most the people too ($1500-2000 for a pet cat, $2500-3000 for a show cat). As does all the extra care. This ain't your cat lady's cat. Out of the breeds, they are one of my favorites because they act more like a dog. Its their personality that gets me first, then their looks. I like cats, but I love dogs. And here is a combination of them. Its not a cat that you could leave home alone for the weekend. It would be depressed, they love people.
I'm just thankful the breed hasn't suffered from being featured in a world famous movie. Because few breeders sell unaltered pet cats, there are few backyard breeders selling the Sphynx to make a profit.

[Zoltack]

Why don't you call her Mrs. Bigglesworth?
Well I guess you already have a name so that's out of the question.

[MutantEnemy]

Congrats on your new cat, but I must say that when I scrolled down and saw the cat in the cage, i got scared! There was a Friends episode with a sphinx cat in it and it was hilarious, slightly off topic, but you should see it.

[Enchantress]

Congrats on your new cat, but I must say that when I scrolled down and saw the cat in the cage, i got scared! There was a Friends episode with a sphinx cat in it and it was hilarious, slightly off topic, but you should see it.

Thats what I thought of! Now that was an evil cat .

I'm not a cat fan really, i prefer dogs, but it's cool you got a cat you really wanted Siren, and at least the cat will get a good home i'm sure, and not be stuck in a centre all its life.

[DisneyGirl]

That's awesome! If I were a cat person, that's definately the type of cat I'd get...but being a dog person, I have a hairless dog breed, a Chinese Crested.

[Siren]

We decided to name her Satin. 4 votes won it . She came home earlier today and is going FANTASTIC! She's hauled @$$ around the house, attacking the dogs and us. She took a nap, and started all over again, lol

Sitting pretty


E.T. phone home


Stretching to her limits


Alexia and Satin


STFU look


Someone say tuna?


You talkin' to me? look

[davina]

She's adorable. I like the name Satin. It suits her looks. I have five cats, most were taken in because no one else wanted them. We are major cat lovers!! The five we have are enough care, I can't imagine caring for one of these. I'm glad to hear of someone like you that is loving enough to give her a good home. It sounds as though she's found a very special home. Congrats on adopting her.

[Isidour]

nice name n_n

I suggested you Lilith because of the power contained on the name(and considering the "angry face" picture would be perfect )
remember to take special care of her skin, because the lack of hair is an advantage, but you have to remember thatis more easy to her getting a fungus infection

[Kram Nebuer]

I was going to vote for Mystique since she looks like a Mystique to me, hehehe. Though the pictures you put up scare the crap out of me! I'd probably freak out if I found that kind of cat crossing my path. I agree with Enchantress though. It's good you got to adopt her since an ignorant owner would probably not take good care of her. I'm glad Satin found a good home . I'd hate if any animal was brought to a bad home.

For me, I'm like the others and a dog lover. Either a small to medium sized one like whatever Toby is in Great Mouse Detective or a nice fluffy one. I don't want a tiny one with no hair; they scare me like Satin does, hehe. At my school, they have a seeing-eye dog training club and members can adopt one and train one for a year. The dog goes with you everywhere - to class, to meals, to home on weekends and summers, even to the bathroom (actually that's a little creepy for me). I'd love to do something like that, but my parents wouldn't like to have a dog in the house. Hopefully when I have my own home, I can get a nice fluffy Bermese Mountain Dog (according to an online quiz, its the perfect match for me) or husky or a pure blonde labrador. Okay enough about dogs, back to the cat discussion, hehehe...

[Siren]

Thanks, she is kinda freaky looking, but that's part of why I love her.

I need to set up my webcam again so I can easily take snapshots of her stomping all over my keyboard and sitting on my shoulder as I try and type. She fell asleep on my shoulder earlier and I was in a position that I didn't want to move because it would wake her, but it was god aweful uncomfortable. She's in my bed now, sleeping next to one of my dogs. They love eachother, though she thinks their tails are fun toys

And yup, know all about fungus and hairless cats. I have a special fungicidal/microbial (sp?) shampoo to use on her. The breed needs a bath once a week. She'll get her first bath here tomorrow or Friday. Letting her settle in first. Though she seems to be settling in just fine, the rugrat. As she was on my shoulders, she kept throwing her butt in my face...cat butt, bleck!

[Zoltack]

Geeeez! You just got the cat and you already took all of those pictures.

They're good pictures, I like the ET Phone Home and the STFU (my cat gives me the same look all the time) one... priceless.

I love it when you take pictures of cats and their eyes glow. It's like "ahhhh... alien creature!!!"

[Siren]

Oh, that's only HALF the pictures I had as of last night. Kittens are so photogenic. I'm going to add her to Catster so she can have her own slice of the internet. I might make a webpage with all my pets just for fun.

Sphynxes are like persians, they sometimes can't help that they look angry when they are actually having a great time. And since Satin has quite a few wrinkles, you see that look even more. I just spent $70 on cat food, treats, litter, and toys. And I'm buying more stuff tomorrow
The reason being is, she needs high protein can food, plus vitamins. That kind of stuff is not sold at most grocery stores. And I refuse to give any animal Hartz products, like their vitamins. You get what you pay for with that stuff. She needs high quality vitamins. Also need to get toothbrush and toothpaste for her.

[pinkrenata]

Very cool cat, Siren! Myself, I tend to prefer the fat fluffy types (hence my own kitty).

[Zoltack]

Very cool cat, Siren! Myself, I tend to prefer the fat fluffy types (hence my own kitty).

Oh then you should love my cat. He's just a 11 pound fluff ball (Maine Coon).
He gets so bad that his hair begins to mat, that's because we don't brush him regularly, so we have to get him shaved. Then he just looks weird.