14 Facts About Sphynx Cats You Must to Know

A common misconception is that Sphynx cats are Egyptian. It's a myth! They are come from the North Country. Canadian Sphynx — the hairless breed we know in North America — has been defying expectations since the mid-1960s, when an Ontario cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, the result of a natural genetic mutation. Then, in the mid-1970s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. Their lineages resulted in the affectionate animal we know today.

If you pet one, however, you’ll discover they’re not actually hairless. Sphynxes are covered with a fine layer of downy fuzz. While they’re not plush to the touch, their coats feel like suede.

You might think that the lack of hair means less grooming. You’re partially correct. Sphynx cats don’t require daily or weekly brushing, but they do need weekly baths. Without the regular baths, the cat’s skin will become greasy and stinky and will attract dirt and dust.

Sphynx kitties come in a rich variety of colors. The different hues and patterns you can see are actually the kitty’s own skin pigmentation as the thin layer of mossy fluff is actually colorless. The pigmentation can be red, creamy, lavender, chocolate, black, brown, and so on.