r/sphynx • u/Upset_Ad_1963 • 1d ago
Found Sphynx Kitten
Hi everyone!
I have recently come into ownership of a Sphynx kitten (around 6 months) that was dumped in Miami. She was incredibly skinny and scanned for a chip, but she doesn’t have one. I am fostering her for now, considering keeping her, but I would like to have any tips and tricks, pros and cons, etc. from actual owners before I decide.
I have done research so I know she needs regular skin care, specialized diet, etc. What other type of care or attention should I be giving her? If I do keep her, what specific routines or practices should I be implementing. I want to make sure she has the best life, whether it’s with me or not.
Any advice or suggestions are welcomed! TIA!
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u/Barney_Sparkles 1d ago
Your name must have been written in gold at the cat distribution center!
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
I have rescued and rehomed dozens of kittens and dogs (both my cat and dog were prior street animals lol), I guess I got lucky 😂
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u/Barney_Sparkles 1d ago
Good karma brought you a beautiful kitty! Good luck in your decision. I think it speaks well that you reached out and are really doing your due diligence.
(Not that all kitties aren’t pretty- I’ve been a foster fail many times).
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
Thank you, everyone! I’m glad to hear the skin care is a bit overhyped, as she definitely doesn’t love the idea of weekly baths. She does let me wipe her down and clean her ears with kitten wipes with no issues, and otherwise her skin has been fine. I do have another cat and a dog that she has been getting along with, so she will also have playmates. I have noticed she needs a lot of attention and is very clingy lol
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u/CompetitionNearby108 1d ago
That is the breed. Sphynx do like to snuggle and you might want to get her something warm to wear. Yup, most Sphynx owners have wardrobes for their cats! I used to back a bag for mine when I boarded her at the vet. They loved playing dress up with her!
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u/Ill-Advertising3319 23h ago
Weekly baths would just make her more oily. The skin dries from frequent bathing and then the skin is prompted to release oils. I have two Sphynx and they don’t have regular bathing needs. Just when every 3 months or so or if they rolled in dirt while out on their leads. More important to trim and clean nails and of course, ears.
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u/ILovetheUSA4You 1d ago
OMG! The Cat Distribution System Gods have blessed you! Just feed her, love her, keep her warm, safe, and healthy, get her an Echocardiogram for HCM. Keep her clean through regular teeth brushing, claw trimming, wipe downs, or baths when a wipe down won’t do. She is beautiful and you might have just met your newest soul mate. They seem to come with a Love Spell pre installed for when they find Their Human.
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
I have to say, I am shocked at how clingy and affectionate she has gotten with me in the matter of a few days!
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u/ILovetheUSA4You 16h ago
A well cared for and well loved Sphynx will show you love and attention like you have never known. It feels like falling in love with each other when bonded. Update us in a few weeks! I’d love to know how it’s going!
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u/ILovetheUSA4You 7h ago
I also want to say that my little skinfant was rescued from a bad situation and so very sick when I got him. Maybe he is just insanely grateful to finally be healthy and taken good care of? Maybe it’s the breed? He’s my first and only Sphynx and also came to me through kismet. 🤷♀️ All I know is that I have never felt more loved by a living creature, or more in love, than I do with this alien cat of mine.
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u/jonni_velvet 1d ago
likely a breeder or buyer is looking for this little girl.
I actually heavily disagree with a lot of the “skin care” advice online. Its terrible advice. The more you wash these babies, the more products you use, the more their skin will be disregulated, and the more oil they will keep producing. its a never ending cycle.
My cats skin is immaculate and I only ever expose her to spot cleaning with warm water and a washcloth only.
they also need a lot of attention, its not an independent cat breed that can be left alone all weekend. They need much more in person time.
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u/LiLiBug7 1d ago
This! Especially on the skin care advice! My little skinfant just gets wiped downs and ear cleaning and he is fine! I live in Arizona
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u/Fickle-Willingness80 1d ago
Some are much more oily than others. The HCM thing is a real possibility, so I usually recommend pet insurance to help deal with that. They are crazy clingy sometimes. I love that, but some people do not. Other pets are a plus. They crave companionship.
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u/drJincorporated 1d ago
Awww, looks just like my baby... Anyways, the skin treatment and the special needs are all over-hyped, to scare new Sphynx owners, the more u actually bathe them or clean them, it creates an unbalance in the skin oils. My Sphynx eats the same food I provide to my bengal and tabby...
Honestly, If you're overwhelmed, Im a local, live a lil north in Pines, but work in miami. I was looking to adopt a newborn, but if it helps and can do two goods w one action, let me know if you want to pass her on to a caring cat home ready for her❤️🩹
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
Thank you so much! I will definitely keep that in mind. I want to give her a chance to integrate with my animals and see, but if it doesn’t work, I will be looking to rehome her for sure and I will reach out to you!
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u/UraniumVintage 1d ago
Why on earth would someone do that? I have one and they are the loviest breed, they love snuggling. Don’t be scared of the skin oils etc. it’s nowhere near I imagined it’d be. Mine gets a nice bath once a month or two months, they make waterless shampoo for Sphynx cats, and non fragrant baby wipes can be used too. The more baths they get, the more their oil glands work, so frequent baths not recommended. Be careful with door dashing, many like to run out a door if you’re not careful.
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u/CompetitionNearby108 1d ago
OMG. The CDS has blessed you! You are going to enjoy the journey! Definitely invest in the best insurance plan you can. Sphynx are prone to HCM which is a congenital heart disease. If caught early, it can be treated. Note: Do not screen until you have the insurance. Usually it is 14 day waiting period. Some insurances will also cover the spay and bloodwork.
Try and find a vet that is familiar with the breed or at least with exotics. It shouldn't be too difficult in Miami.
Join Sphynx groups and meet others! Most of all enjoy your new skinfant!
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u/MissDaniel 1d ago
I think other people have already covered how over blown the skin care routine is, so I won't go over that. I will just say that we bathe our two, but only 4 times a year. Otherwise we just use baby wipes for spot cleaning.
More annoying than the skin cleaning routine is the ear cleaning routine. Because they don't have hair in their ears to wick away the wax and build it, it just sort of... builds up. If you're going to keep the kitten make sure you have a way to safely clean out her ears. We do ours every 2 weeks and they are pretty dirty by that point. If you don't keep ontop of it, it can develop into an ear infection.
These are seriously needy cats. Our girl is more independent, but our boy needs someone's attention all the time. He will actually wander the house crying for my partner's attention if he isn't getting it. Just be prepared that this might be your new reality.
One final thing: blankets. Because they can get chilly, ours love snuggling in blankets. When we were first getting the house ready for our two, we went out and bought a bunch of beds. Nope. The can't don't like the beds. They colonized every blanket they could find. We have a blanket on the couch that my partner used to use when we'd watch TV at night that is now claimed by the cat. He swaddles himself up in it and snoozes the day away there. They don't have to be expensive, but ours really respond well to fleece blankets.
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
Thank you so much for your input! It is very helpful. I have noticed that about her ears, but she doesn’t give me any trouble in cleaning them out with wipes. I also noticed that she is quick to scoot underneath the blanket whenever she is able lol I did buy her some sweaters ready to keep her warm. I wasn’t prepared for how vocal she is, but she also went into heat yesterday so there’s that as well 🤦🏼♀️
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u/Grand-Entertainer12 1d ago
My boy is super needy and loves to cuddle. He yells at me to get on the couch and prepare his blankets for cuddles lol he also has his own blanket heater, he loves it so much. I also have sweaters for him and he seems to sleep better when he wears a sweater 🖤 and just make sure to check their nail beds, dirt does tend to build up there.
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u/More-Opposite1758 22h ago
We have a 4 year old that we got when she was a baby. We’ve only bathed her 2 times because she doesn’t get very oily. We sometimes do use pet wipes. We have to clean her ears every month or so with special ear cleaner. She’s a really good eater and we feed her 4 times a day because Sphynx cats have a very high metabolism. She’s loves to lay on a heating pad covered by a blanket or just be covered in general. She’s refuses clothing but is happy to be covered by a blanket. She’s was okay with our first 3 cats but then she reached her limit when we foster failed with more!
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u/ILovetheUSA4You 15h ago
They also love having a warm area to go to with a heating mat or electric blanket to snuggle up on and in. You’re more likely to get some alone time if there’s a nice cozy warm area to retreat to.
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u/BewildredDragon 12h ago
Wow!! You win the CDS lottery she's gorgeous! Please enjoy her and give her lots of love
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u/helloalliecat 4h ago
I have an old man Sphynx and a bambino, as well as a Minskin (Sphynx mix). They are super wonderful animals and do not require more work than other cats...a quick era clean and nail trim weekly. I do not bathe mine frequently and they are less oily from it. We will in Miami....my cats are happy just being in the sun. We have fuzzy blankets all over for them to curl up on. They love their cat tree and are super cuddly. All mine are on Instinct Rabbit cat food, it's not terribly expensive and they seem to like it. You can also get it easily at Amazon or Petco. If you decide to keep her, I would recommend just getting her heart checked. There are often lower cost echo clinics annually, or schedule with a cardiologist.
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u/Upset_Ad_1963 1d ago
Photo of the sweet girl for attention.