Last Updated: 04/11/2025
Sphynx Breed Guide
Is a Sphynx cat right for you? Our expert vet guide explores the reality of owning this unique hairless breed, from their specific grooming and bathing needs to their diet, common health problems, and attention-loving personality.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
No; it's not a house elf. And no; it's not just a cat suffering from alopecia. The Sphynx is a virtually fur-free, smooth-skinned, wrinkly little breed of feline. This unique and quirky breed is sure to turn heads wherever they go - not just because of their wrinkled, hair-free appearance, but also because of their attention-loving attitude. With an aptitude for mischief and a love of the limelight, this social cat will make a fun pet for any family.
We've put together a complete guide with everything you need to know before adopting a Sphynx.
All about Sphynx Cats
Nutrition
Feeding a high quality diet that is tailored to your Sphynx's age and size will help to keep them healthy and happy. Getting nutrition right can help to prevent, reduce or manage some commonly occurring health conditions in Sphynx's such as skin conditions and digestive issues.
Best food for adult Sphynx cats
As Sphynx's are best suited to an indoor life, it's important to keep their weight in check. An indoor cat diet might be perfect for the indoor Sphynx, or a general calorie-reduced recipe.
Sphynx cats will also benefit from a formula containing some extra skin support, to keep their skin healthy.
Feeding regular wet food meals along with dry kibble is a simple way to increase your Sphynx's water intake to ensure adequate hydration and help support urinary tract health.
What to look for
Light or indoor formula to help maintain a healthy weight
Wet food to increase water intake to support urinary tract health and overall vitality
Added omega fatty acids for skin support
Vet picks
Best food for Sphynx kittens
For your Sphynx kitten, choose a kitten-specific diet balanced with the essential protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals needed for their growth. A highly digestible formula with added prebiotics is ideal, as it supports a healthy gut microbiome and helps prevent digestive upsets.
What to look for
Balanced energy, vitamins and minerals to support growth and development
Highly digestible formula to help prevent tummy upsets
Prebiotic fibres for gut microbiome health
Flea & worming
It's a common misconception that a lack of hair makes Sphynx cats immune to parasites. In fact, they are just as susceptible to fleas, mites, and intestinal worms as any other cat, and fleas can cause significant irritation to their exposed skin. Because even indoor cats are at risk, maintaining a regular, year-round parasite prevention schedule is essential to keep your Sphynx healthy and comfortable.
Best flea and worming treatments for Sphynx cats
The best parasite prevention for your Sphynx will depend on their lifestyle, especially whether they go outdoors, and your vet's specific recommendation. Generally, the most convenient and effective options are all-in-one, broad-spectrum topical treatments. In Australia, popular vet-recommended brands like Revolution Plus, Bravecto Plus, and NexGard Spectra provide comprehensive protection against fleas, heartworm, ear mites, and various intestinal worms in a single, easy-to-apply spot-on. Some products, like NexGard Spectra, also cover tapeworm, while others, like Bravecto Plus, offer extended protection for up to two months.
While topical spot-ons are highly effective, it's crucial to apply them correctly between the shoulder blades where your cat cannot lick them. We also recommend applying them slowly, and perhaps in a number of areas between the back of the head to between the shoulder blades, to ensure the dose is absorbed completely and does not run off the skin. Some owners like to put a coat on their Sphynx after application of the topical product, to help prevent their cat licking the area.
What to look for
Spot on treatments for easy dosing
Always double check the weight range to ensure an effective dose
All in one products for simplicity
Health
Sphynx cats require specific health care. Their hairless skin needs regular bathing and moisturising to prevent oil buildup and infections, and requires sun protection. They are genetically prone to a heart condition (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM), so cardiac screening is advised. Dental disease and digestive sensitivities are also common concerns, making a high-quality diet and regular dental care essential.
Best products for skin care in Sphynx
Managing a Sphynx cat's unique skin involves a two-pronged approach: topical care and internal support.
While their skin's natural oil build-up requires a consistent routine with gentle, feline-friendly shampoos and hypoallergenic wipes, true skin health starts from within.
Critically, their diet must support their exposed epidermis. This is where essential fatty acids, particularly Omega-3 and Omega-6, are vital. These nutrients, often added to skin support foods or given as supplements like fish oil, are crucial for supporting the skin's natural barrier function, helping to maintain hydration, and managing inflammation. Therefore, combining regular, gentle bathing with a nutrient-rich diet full of skin-supporting fatty acids provides the best foundation for healthy, comfortable skin.
If you notice persistent skin issues like acne, rashes, or excessive dryness, it's always best to consult your vet, who can recommend specific medicated products or rule out underlying issues.
What to look for
Skin support diets with extra omega fatty acids to promote good skin health
Skin support supplements
Ways to increase water intake, such as wet food and water fountains
Best products for dental care in Sphynx
Dental care is particularly crucial for Sphynx cats, as the breed is unfortunately prone to developing significant gingivitis and periodontal disease.
The gold standard, and most effective method of home dental care is daily toothbrushing with a soft-bristled cat toothbrush or finger brush and pet-specific toothpaste. Daily brushing is the best method to remove plaque before it mineralises into tartar, and allows you to reach all surfaces of the teeth.
However, for cats (and owners!) who find brushing a challenge, several products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) provide excellent support, and these can also be used in combination with regular brushing if you're able to do it! These include clinically proven dental diets, which use a unique kibble size and texture to scrub the teeth clean. This can be supplemented with water additives, food powders, or VOHC-approved dental treats, all of which help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation.
What to look for
Dental health diets
Pet specific toothbrushes and toothpastes
Dental supplements and chews
Training and activity
The Sphynx's high level of playfulness means they require lots of mental stimulation and toys. For any indoor cat, we recommend providing plenty of opportunities to satisfy their climbing instincts.
Best toys for Sphynx
A tall cat tree is a perfect outlet for the Sphynx's natural climbing instincts, giving them a place to survey their kingdom.
Interactive puzzle toys and engaging games are essential tools, keeping their clever minds busy and their playful spirits fulfilled.
What to look for
Tall cat trees and other climbing opportunities
Interactive and puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation
Teaser toys for games with the family
Grooming
As mentioned above, a Sphynx's skin is truly unique and demands a dedicated care routine, quite different from their furry counterparts. Because they lack a traditional coat, the natural oils (sebum) their skin produces aren't absorbed. This oil can accumulate on the skin's surface, acting like a magnet for environmental dirt, dust, and grime. Regular bathing and moisturising is important.
Best grooming products for Sphynx
Managing a Sphynx cat's unique skin requires a consistent routine with the right products, as their skin produces natural oils that, without a normal hair coat, can build up. The cornerstone product is a gentle, hypoallergenic, or feline-friendly shampoo used for regular baths, which are often needed every one to two weeks to prevent this oil from attracting dirt and clogging pores. For cleaning between baths, especially in those little skin folds, hypoallergenic pet wipes or unscented baby wipes are an excellent choice to manage any build-up. While their skin is oily, some Sphynx cats can experience dryness, particularly after a bath or in dry environments; in these cases, a cat-safe moisturiser or a spot-on product designed to support the skin barrier can be used sparingly, but it's crucial to avoid human moisturisers.
It is important to keep Sphynx cats protected from the sun, as they are very prone to sunburn. An indoor lifestyle is usually sufficient to keep them protected.
What to look for
Gentle, cat-friendly shampoo
Cat-friendly moisturisers
Pet friendly wipes for spot cleanups within the skin folds are between baths
Sleep, travel and home
A Sphynx's lack of hair dictates their home and travel needs. They must be kept strictly indoors, as their exposed skin is vulnerable to sunburn and they chill very easily. At home, they require a warm ambient temperature and will actively seek out the cosiest spots, like sunny perches or burrowed under blankets. For any travel, even just to the vet, a secure carrier that keeps them warm and protected from the elements is essential for their safety and comfort.
Best beds for Sphynx cats
When it comes to sleeping, a Sphynx's priority is conserving as much body heat as possible. This is why the best beds are designs that trap warmth effectively. A snug 'hideaway' or 'igloo' bed is an excellent choice, creating a cosy, insulated den that holds their body heat. Similarly, high-sided bolster beds are perfect for them to curl up in, as the raised walls protect them from drafts and reflect their own warmth.
Beyond their bed, a wardrobe of warm winter jumpers is less of a fashion statement and more of a practical necessity. These jumpers act as a substitute for the insulating hair they don't have, keeping them comfortable while they play or explore the house, especially during cooler months or in air-conditioned environments. It's important to choose jumpers made from soft, non-irritating fabrics like fleece or a gentle cotton knit to protect their sensitive skin from any chafing.
What to look for
Plush bolster style beds
Cosy jumpers and shirts
Hideaway beds for a secluded, quiet sleeping place
Best travel accessories for Sphynx cats
Travelling with a Sphynx cat requires a focus on managing their temperature and stress. The most critical accessory is a secure, enclosed carrier- a soft-sided or hard-sided model lined generously with plush, fleece blankets works perfectly to create a warm, insulated nest. A soft, well-fitting jumper made from non-irritating fabric is also essential, providing a personal layer of warmth during the journey.
Finally, to help reduce the anxiety associated with travel, spraying a feline pheromone spray like Feliway into the carrier 15 minutes before departure can help create a sense of calm and security.
What to look for
Carriers and backpacks that give your cat a safe way to take in the world
Flat collar to hold identification tags
Soft crates for longer trips and overnight stays
Sphynx FAQ
