Sphynx: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care

Sphynx temperament and personality

The CFA describes the Sphynx as curious, outgoing, intelligent and people-oriented, a cat that trails its owners around the house and keeps up a running commentary, usually about food or attention. VCA puts it more bluntly: extremely friendly, high in energy and curiosity, and willing to act clumsy on purpose to get noticed.

In practice that means a Sphynx is rarely happy being ignored. It wants to be in the middle of whatever you are doing, whether that is sitting at a laptop, cooking or making the bed. Owners who want a cat that keeps to itself during the day will find this breed demanding. Owners who want company will find it one of the most affectionate breeds there is. Our cat toys and cat trees give that energy somewhere to go.

How big do Sphynx cats get?

The Sphynx is a medium-sized cat with solid bone and good muscle, and the CFA notes that it feels heavier than it looks when you pick it up. The body is firm, with a broad, rounded chest, a full round belly and hind legs slightly longer than the front legs. Males are usually larger than females.

VCA lists an adult weight of 8 to 10 pounds. Individual cats can sit a little either side of that, and because the breed has a high metabolism it eats more than most coated cats of the same size. Weigh your cat every few weeks rather than judging by eye, because the wrinkled skin and round belly make body condition hard to read.

Sphynx lifespan and common health issues

VCA gives a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, so a Sphynx kitten is a long commitment. The CFA calls the breed generally robust but names the conditions breeders and owners should know about: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease; hereditary myopathy, which affects the muscles; a sensitive digestive system; skin conditions such as urticaria pigmentosa; and periodontal disease. Kittens can also be prone to respiratory infections because they have no coat to protect them.

Ask a breeder whether the parents have been screened for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and how recently, since the CFA says this testing is how breeders keep the gene pool healthy. Ask your vet how often your cat should have a heart check and a dental exam. Any breathing that looks fast or labored, loss of appetite or sudden lethargy should be seen by a vet the same day.

Exercise and activity needs

This is an active breed. VCA rates its energy and curiosity as high, and the CFA describes a cat that is lively and constantly following its people. A Sphynx needs daily play: wand toys it can chase, balls to bat around, and climbing space so it can get up high and survey the room.

Because the skin can sunburn, VCA recommends keeping the Sphynx indoors or supervising it closely outside. That makes indoor exercise even more important. Two or three short play sessions a day, each ending with something to catch, burn off energy far better than a single long one, and they help keep a cat with a big appetite at a healthy weight.

Grooming, skin care and shedding

A Sphynx is not truly hairless. VCA describes the skin as feeling like warm chamois leather lightly dusted with a fine down, and the CFA notes that most cats have short hair on the nose, ears and tail. VCA rates shedding at 1 out of 5, but grooming at 2 out of 5, because the skin produces oil that would normally be absorbed by fur.

The CFA says the skin is very oily and needs regular bathing. VCA suggests daily sponging to stop oil marks building up on furniture and bedding, and weekly ear cleaning, since the ears collect wax and debris quickly. Wipe gently between the wrinkles, dry the skin fully after a bath so the cat does not get chilled, and keep nails trimmed, because oil and dirt collect around the nail beds too.

Training a Sphynx

VCA rates the Sphynx 4 out of 5 for intelligence and ease of training, and the CFA describes a problem-solving, people-focused cat. Many learn to come when called, sit for a treat or accept a harness. Short sessions with food rewards work best, and a clicker can help mark the exact moment the cat gets it right.

The same intelligence means a bored Sphynx will train you instead. Teach it early to accept bathing, ear cleaning and nail trims by pairing each with a treat and keeping the first sessions very short. A cat that has learned that a warm bath ends with a reward is far easier to care for over a 15 to 20 year life than one that has to be wrestled into the sink.

Are Sphynx cats good with kids and other pets?

The CFA says the Sphynx does well with children who are old enough to understand that its skin is delicate and does not tolerate rough play, and VCA rates the breed 4 out of 5 for being good with children. Scratches show easily on bare skin, so teach children to stroke gently, never to grab, and to let the cat walk away when it has had enough.

The breed does best with company. The CFA notes that a Sphynx does poorly when left alone for long periods and suggests a pair, especially another Sphynx, for homes that are empty during the working day. Introduce any new cat or dog slowly, starting with scent swapping and short supervised meetings.

What a Sphynx needs at home

Warmth comes first. The CFA describes a cat that seeks heat and will sit against a person for long periods to soak up body warmth. Provide a heated cat bed or thick fleece bed away from drafts, a covered bed or cave it can burrow into, and soft blankets it is allowed to sleep under. Some owners add a fitted cat sweater for cooler rooms in winter.

For care, keep a gentle cat-safe shampoo, soft washcloths and towels, an ear cleaner and cotton pads, nail clippers and a cat toothbrush. Add tall cat trees or wall shelves for climbing, wand toys and puzzle feeders, and washable covers on the furniture where the cat likes to lie. Book a vet check soon after you bring a kitten home and ask about a heart screening schedule.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.