Table of Contents
- Sphynx Cats Have a High Metabolism
- Sphynx Cats Have Sensitive Digestive Systems
- Should You Feed Your Sphynx Cat Dry Food?
- Products Specifically Targeted Towards Sphynx Cats
- A Raw Food Diet For Your Sphynx
- Sphynx Cat Raw Diet Recipes
- Special Requirements for Sphynx Kittens
- How Much to Feed Your Sphynx Cat
- How Often Should I Feed My Sphynx Cat?
- Adjusting Your Sphynx to a New Diet
- What Human Foods Can Sphynx Cats Eat?
Sphynx cats are truly unique in every way, from their lovable, quirky personalities to their hairless bodies and bug eyes. They’re high maintenance in most aspects of care, and a specific Sphynx cat diet is certainly one of them. Feeding your Sphynx cat a healthy diet geared specifically toward them is essential. As the old adage goes, you are what you eat, and it’s no different for your Sphynx cat.
Sphynx Cats Have a High Metabolism
Sphinx cats don’t have a coat of hair to keep them warm. As a result, their bodies must work harder to regulate their temperature, which costs energy. Imagine if you didn’t have a warm sweater to wear when it’s chilly out. Sphynx cats face this problem every day.
Not to mention Sphynx cats naturally have a very rambunctious personality. You’ll oftentimes catch them zooming, leaping playing and prancing around the room, always on the move.
And a high metabolism can only mean one thing: they eat more than the average cat. Therefore, a proper Sphynx cat diet should include more food than the average cat.
Sphynx Cats Have Sensitive Digestive Systems
Although many experts remain unsure about how or why it happens, Sphynx cats seem to suffer from more digestive issues than other cats. The litter box does not lie, and there are numerous stories of owners noticing rank smells from the litter box or terrible poop consistency.
This can be very uncomfortable for your Sphynx and lead to dehydration (in the case of diarrhea).
It’s for this reason that you might have to try out a few diets for your Sphynx before you find the right one. Patience is key in finding the perfect Sphynx cat diet to suit their sensitive digestive systems.
Should You Feed Your Sphynx Cat Dry Food?
Many cat owners and advice columns will insist that dry kibble is the way to go. It’s cheap and easy to just leave out all day in case your Sphynx cat gets hungry. It’s also an enticing idea considering they eat so much.
However, it’s not recommended that you feed your Sphynx cat dry food. Dry cat kibble is full of fillers that can agitate your Sphynx cat’s digestion. In addition, questionable chemicals and preservatives that aren’t good for your cat’s health can be present.
Equally as important, though, dry food does not contain any water. Cats get around 85% of their hydration through food. Dry food will only force them to get all of their hydration through drinking water. And many cats do not like drinking water or do not drink enough. Providing dry food leads to dehydration in cats which can affect their kidneys and lead to poor health overall.
And finally, dry foods are often the leading cause of obesity in cats. Animals are opportunists in eating. This means that they eat whenever food is available because they don’t know when they’ll get it again. Leaving out food all day can lead to your Sphynx cat overeating (and overeating on high carb, high calorie food at that). Even though Sphynx cats need more calories, too much can lead to obesity.
Canned or homemade raw food is the way to go. It will require more money and effort on your part, but will provide your Sphynx with a longer, healthier and happier life.
Products Specifically Targeted Towards Sphynx Cats
Some products advertise that they’re good for Sphynx cats, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they actually are. For example, Royal Canin sells a food made and marketed specifically for Sphynx cats. Realistically, it’s just dry kibble with brewers rice as the first ingredient.
A Raw Food Diet For Your Sphynx
Although it’s more expensive, complicated and time consuming, feeding your Sphynx a raw food diet is probably the best way to go.
Many owners follow what is known as a BARF diet, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. The idea behind this diet is that it mimics the natural diet a cat would eat in the wild and probably provides the highest amount of nutrients in their most easily digestible form.
Examples of foods in this diet are raw chicken, raw rabbit, raw liver, raw heart, raw fish, etc.
Another major benefit to this diet is that it provides a high amount of protein, which is essential in a cat’s diet. Most vets recommend that protein be 35-45% of a cat’s diet, which most dry foods do not meet.
Sphynx Cat Raw Diet Recipes
We’ve already curated a list of cat food recipes that includes some raw food options you can try with your Sphynx cat. You’ll need a meat grinder or at least a food processor. Additionally, selecting high quality ingredients is going to be key as you won’t be able to cook away bacteria. Finally, you’ll most likely want to include supplements to the raw food you create, including fish oils and taurine.
Special Requirements for Sphynx Kittens
Sphynx kittens require special care to ensure they stay healthy and happy. When it comes to their diet, it’s important to choose a high-quality, nutritionally balanced food specifically designed for kittens. Kittens need more calories and nutrients than adult cats, so make sure you choose a food that meets their needs.
When selecting a food for your Sphynx kitten, look for a formula that contains real meat as the first ingredient and is supplemented with a blend of essential vitamins and minerals. Kitten food should also be high in protein and fat to support your kitten’s growth and development. Additionally, consider a food that contains taurine, an essential amino acid necessary for cardiovascular health.
For Sphynx kittens, it’s best to avoid foods that contain grains or fillers as they may cause digestive issues. Additionally, Sphynx kittens are prone to dehydration, so look for foods that are high in moisture. Canned food is a great option as it’s often more palatable and provides plenty of moisture.
In general, it’s probably safer to feed your kitten a canned food diet as opposed to a raw food diet. Certain raw foods can be too harsh or contain bacteria that your kitten might not be equipped yet to fight and might not have all the added vitamins and minerals that canned food has. In short, in can be harder to calculate a well-rounded diet with raw food, and kittens are particularly sensitive to lacking nutrients as their bodies are growing.
Ultimately, it’s best to consult your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations for your Sphynx kitten. With the right food and nutrition, your Sphynx kitten can grow up to be a healthy and happy feline companion.
Best Dry Foods for Sphynx Kittens
When it comes to finding the best dry food for Sphynx kittens, you want something that is high in quality, nutrient-dense and tailored to the needs of this special breed. Here are some of the best dry foods for Sphynx kittens:
- Royal Canin Sphynx Cat Food: This dry food is specifically formulated for Sphynx kittens and is made with a combination of proteins and fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat. It also contains vitamins and minerals for optimal growth and development.
- Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Cat Food: This dry food is tailored to meet the needs of Sphynx cats with sensitive stomachs. It has a with a combination of essential nutrients and antioxidants to support healthy skin and coat. It also contains essential fatty acids for skin health.
- Weruva Cats in the Kitchen: This grain-free dry food is packed with real chicken and duck, and is balanced with essential vitamins and minerals for your Sphynx kitten. It is also low in carbohydrates and high in protein to help promote lean muscle mass.
- Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Feline Formula: This grain-free dry food is packed with real meat and fish, and is balanced with essential vitamins and minerals for your Sphynx kitten. It also contains probiotics for digestive health.
No matter which dry food you choose for your Sphynx kitten, it is important to remember that kittens need a balanced diet to grow and stay healthy. Talk to your vet about the best diet for your kitten and be sure to feed them only the best quality food.
How Much to Feed Your Sphynx Cat
It’s recommended that you feed your Sphynx 4-6oz of canned or raw food twice per day so they can maintain that muscular, healthy figure. The amount of food will vary slightly depending on how big your Sphynx is and whether they’re a growing kitten. Bigger cats and growing kittens will likely need a bit more food than average.
Feeding twice per day is also considerably better than one bigger meal per day as it’s hard for the cat to consume all that food in one sitting. It’s more time and work on your part, but your Sphynx cat’s health will benefit from the extra effort.
How Often Should I Feed My Sphynx Cat?
If you are the proud owner of a Sphynx cat, you may be wondering how often you should feed them. The answer to this question will depend on the age and size of your Sphynx cat, as well as their activity level.
- Kittens: Kittens up to six months of age should be fed three times a day. Once they reach six months of age, you can reduce their meals to twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Adults: Once your Sphynx cat is over one year of age, you should feed them twice a day. This will provide them with enough energy and nutrition to stay healthy and active.
- Senior cats: As your Sphynx cat reaches its senior years, you can reduce its feedings down to once a day. This will provide them with enough nutrition to stay healthy and active.
It is important to provide your Sphynx cat with a balanced diet and make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times. If you are unsure how much to feed your Sphynx cat, you should consult a vet or pet nutritionist. You should also consider feeding them a diet specifically formulated for cats with their unique hairless coat.
Adjusting Your Sphynx to a New Diet
There might be several reasons why you’d want to adjust your Sphynx cat’s diet, including trying out a new food your vet recommended or if you just brought home your Sphinx kitten for the very first time.
If you just introduced your Sphynx kitten to your home, it’s probably not a good idea to adjust their diet right away. Getting used to a new environment can be stressful to a cat, so giving them time to adjust before adding another change to their diet is more ideal.
When it’s time to make the change, make it gradual. See how the new food affects your Sphynx, and be prepared to go back to the old diet if they don’t take to the new one or it causes gastrointestinal issues.
What Human Foods Can Sphynx Cats Eat?
Sphynx cats are special cats with unique nutritional needs. As they are hairless, they require more fat and protein than other cats to keep their skin healthy. While they cannot eat everything that humans eat, there are some human foods they can enjoy safely.
- Eggs: Sphynx cats can enjoy hard boiled eggs as a nutritious snack. Eggs are a great source of healthy protein and essential fatty acids.
- Dairy products: Sphynx cats can enjoy occasional dairy products like yogurt and cheese. Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium and are a tasty treat for cats.
- Fish: Fish is an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids for Sphynx cats. Cooked white fish like cod and salmon is a great option.
- Lean meats: Lean meats like beef, chicken, and turkey are a great source of protein for Sphynx cats. Make sure to cook the meat thoroughly before serving.
- Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are also safe for Sphynx cats to enjoy. Apples, blueberries, carrots, and sweet potatoes are all great options.
It is important to understand that cats, even Sphynx cats, are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that is mostly composed of proteins and fats. Therefore, while it is okay to give Sphynx cats occasional human foods, they should not be given human food as their main source of nutrition.
