Kat von D has added a new addition that yet has to be named! Unlike Piaf & Poe who are brother and sister from a breeder, this new cutie is a rescue cat.
Scientific name: Felis catus
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
Origin: Toronto, Canada
What is a Sphnyx Cat?
“The Sphynx is a breed of cat known for its lack of coat (fur), though it is not truly hairless. The Sphynx was developed through selective breeding, starting in the 1960s. The skin should have the texture of chamois, as it has fine hairs. Whiskers may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. Their skin is the color that their fur would be, and all the usual cat markings (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc.) may be found on Sphynx skin. Because they have no coat, they lose more body heat than coated cats. This makes
them warm to the touch as well as heat-seeking.” [wikipedia for more information]
Hairless does not make it hypoallergenic.
“For a person considering the Sphynx as an alternative to a furry cat because of allergies to cat dander, it is suggested that more research be done by the potential Sphynx owner. No cat is entirely hypoallergenic, and sin
ce it is the body oils that generally produce the allergic reaction, the body oils of the Sphynx may be more of an allergen for some people because of the excess oil.
Conversely, there are some allergenic people who have found that the Sphynx cat is perfect for them. A person with severe allergies may want to be tested for an allergy to the cat oil before going through with an adoption.” [PetMD]
Before you decide to adopt one you should really look into the Sphnyx cat. Their personality, health, etc. to see if you really are suited for this high maintenance breed. Here is another link that also has some rescue links.
Some Health Issues
“The Sphynx is generally healthy, but he may develop certain conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a neurological disease called hereditary myopathy.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of heart disease in cats and causes thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle. An echocardiogram can confirm whether a cat has HCM. Avoid breeders who claim to have HCM-free lines. No one can guarantee that their cats will never develop HCM.
Hereditary myopathy affects muscle function. It eventually causes death when the cat is no longer able to swallow. Fortunately, the condition is rare and breeders are working hard to eradicate it from the breed.
The Sphynx can also be prone to some skin conditions, such as urticaria pigmentosa and cutaneous mastocytosis, as well as to periodontal disease. Teach him to let you brush his teeth with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.” [VetStreet]
Here is what Kat had to say on her Instagram:
Meet the newest member of the Von D family. I just adopted this poor little guy.
As much as I have selfishly wanted another hairless sphinx cat for a while now, after learning about how many unwanted cats [and dogs] are currently on death row at shelters, there just was no way I’d want to contribute to the unnecessary breeding of a “designer pet.” This little guy [who I’m having the hardest time naming] had at one point been purchased from a breeder probably for his “perceived” value, and once they realized this specific breed is truly high maintenance compared to “regular” cats, they lost interest.
Here’s the deal with sphinx cats for all of you who comment and say you want one: the truth is they ARE high maintenance. They aren’t toys or a designer purse you can hand down to your friend. They require 1000% more attention than most cats. They are more susceptible to health problems [heart murmurs, respiratory problems and allergies, eye infections [due to lack of eyelashes], skin disorders, extremely sensitive digestions, amongst other things. Because they have no fur, they require baths in a regular basis and nail trimming sometimes twice a week so that they don’t cut themselves from scratching. Their teeth are far more likely to quickly decay, and their bodies are obviously far more vulnerable to temperatures and injury. As much as they tend to be affectionate to humans, they aren’t necessarily compatible with a lot of other animals [furry cats included]. Side note: just because they have no hair, does not mean you aren’t allergic to them. A lot of people are allergic to the dander that cats and other furry pets can produce, but a majority of people are allergic to their saliva more than dander. [And yes, they are constantly licking themselves]. My point being is that taking on any animal as a companion shouldn’t be treated like a trend. When you commit to an animals life, think about the animal and not yourself. Because as I type this caption, innocent animals who did not ask to be bred into this world are paying with their lives in overcrowded shelters.
#adoptdontshop
