Sphynx cats are considered to be among the unique cat breeds in the entire world. Despite having a strange appearance, they still qualify to be one of the best pets you can ever have in your home. However, one thing you have to keep in mind is that owning a Sphynx cat is quite a different story compared to having any other cat breed.
Other than being hairless, these cats are also considerably expensive and could set you back anywhere from $300 to $3,000, depending on your preferences. But what makes the Sphynx breed so expensive? Well, we shall get to that in a minute, so stick around.
First off, it would be great to know more about this cat, so that understanding why the breed is quite expensive will be much easier.
What you need to know about the Sphynx cat breed
Owning a feline friend, such as a sphynx cat, that is a cut above the rest is a good thing, but there is a lot to consider before making your decision. This is in consideration that Sphynx cats are high maintenance cats, contrary to the popular belief. All the same, here is what you need to know if you have decided to get yourself a sphynx cat.
1. They require a high-quality diet
The Sphynx breed is significantly high maintenance as far as diet is concerned. This is in consideration that the cats have a higher metabolism rate compared to the average feline. As if requiring more food is not enough, these cats are also prone to skin infections, IBD, and goopy ears.
It’s, therefore, necessary that you get them a high-quality diet to avoid unnecessary ailments. The best way to go about this is to give specialized cat food or a raw diet to your feline friend.
2. Sphynx cats require special care
If you thought that sphynx cats require less maintenance due to lack of fur, then you’re in for a rude shock. You will be required to groom your cat at least once every week. But why is this the case yet they don’t have fur?
Well, the lack of fur is exactly the reason why you need to groom your feline friend as often as possible. That’s in consideration that they tend to have excess oil on their skin due to lack of fur. To understand this better, you may want to compare your feline friend to a baby.
Here is what you need to know about grooming sphynx cats
# Bathing
It’s important to bathe Sphynx cats at least once every week, using medicated pet shampoo. The good thing is that most cat breeders have acclimated the sphynx breed to regular baths. As such, you can bathe your cat without much trouble.
However, some cats still retain their natural instinct and dislike water a lot. In such cases, the best you can do is try to train your feline friend to get used to regular baths. It’s, however, important to consider that even regular baths will not stop your cat from sweating. This means that you should still expect some oil residue from his skin even though in small amounts.
# Ear Cleaning
Another thing you should know about this hairless breed is that they don’t have hair insider their ear canal. As such, it’s much easier for dirt and debris to collect in their ears. In addition to that, they also produce large amounts of dark wax, which has to be cleaned to avoid blockage of the ear canal.
Therefore, you can be sure that you will have to clean your cat’s ears at least once every week. It’s not the best grooming task, but it’s the price you have to pay for owning a hairless cat.
# Nail clipping
Clipping your Sphynx cat’s nail is not much different from regular breeds. The only thing you have to do is ensure that you clip them soon after a bath, as this is when they are softer, hence easier to cut. Be sure to avoid cutting the sensitive pinkish part of the claws.
3. Sphynx cats need warmth constantly
Sphynx cats should be in a warm room, with a temperature of around 68F to 77F (20°C to 25°C). Anything lower than that can cause colds and other health issues. This means leaving your heating unit on even if you are not in the house, especially during the cold season.
On the other hand, high temperatures are also not good for the Sphynx breed. Such factors can increase the cost of owning such a cat in one way or the other.
4. Sphynx cats require attention – a lot of it
Unlike some of the common cat breeds, Sphynx cats are somehow needy. They demand a lot of attention and are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety. This means that you can’t leave your feline friend alone at home.
5. They require annual HCM scans
The last thing that may add to the cost of owning a Sphynx cat is that they require HCM scans every year. The reason for this is that they are more likely to suffer from feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM. This is a heart defect that your cat can develop anytime during their lifetime. That’s why they need HCM heart scans regularly.
What factors affect the cost of a Sphynx cat?
Now that you know more about the special requirements of sphynx cats, here is some information about the factors that determine the cost of getting such a pet.
1. Breeding expenses
The cost of breeding exotic cats such as Sphynxes is ordinarily high due to the input needed to ensure perfect results. Breeders have to pay for blood tests, HCM heart scans, initial veterinary care, special supplies, screenings, and general maintenance. The costs that come with such needs add up pretty fast and can affect the final price significantly.
2. Cat quality
Sphynx cats are available in two types – show quality and pet quality. The show quality cats are more expensive since they have been bred to perfection aesthetically and temperamentally. Simply put, the show quality Sphynx cats are more like the models and beauty queens of the cat world.
3. Gender
As with most purebred pets, the unspayed females are considerably expensive compared to males, since they can reproduce. The price difference is not significant, however, if the female cat has been spayed.
So, why are these cats expensive?
Having considered the information covered in this article, it’s clear that Sphynx cats are expensive because they’re hard to find, in addition to being a pure breed. As if that is not enough, these cats have high demand, but the supply at quite a low rate, pushing the costs even higher. Furthermore, the high expenses of breeding Sphynx cats play a significant role in shooting up the purchase prices.
To sum it all,
You now know why it’s expensive to own a Sphynx cat. Even though these cats are expensive, however, they are still worth every penny for someone who can afford to own one. Their affectionate nature and engaging personalities make them a perfect choice for potential pet parents.
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