The Sphynx cat is cherished for its adorable, lovable look as the naked kitty people oftentimes like to dress in sweaters. This eye-catching breed makes any normal cat pose look interesting, and you know their grouchy, wrinkled face is just a facade for a sweet, goofy demeanor.
Although it’s incredibly easy to identify the major characteristics of a Sphynx cat (they’re hairless, duh!), there are more subtle traits you may not have known about.
1. They’re Hairless, duh!
It’s obvious, but we have to say it: the Sphynx cat is completely hairless! That’s right, they like to run around completely bare-bottomed and they’re unashamed of it.
However, most Sphynx cats do have a little bit of peach fuzz on their bodies, especially on their nose, ears, toes and tail. This can make their skin quite soft and buttery to the touch, not what you’d expect from their appearance!
Being hairless has a few extra considerations for the cat. The oils on their skin don’t have hair to disperse through so it just collects on their skin and can get on furniture, carpet, etc. It’s for this reason that Sphynx cats need more bathes than the average cat, but that sort of just makes them even cuter!
2. They Have Wrinkles
Once you get past the fact that they’re naked, you’ll notice a lot of wrinkles on their head and body. This isn’t anything new or particular to Sphynx cats, in fact most cats have the same amount of wrinkles, you just can’t see them under all the hair.
But just to reiterate, Sphynx cats aren’t some feline version of a Benjamin Button starting out as kittens in a senior’s body, and they’re not nearly as grouchy or worried as they look. In fact, the more you’re around one, the more endearing those wrinkles become!
3. Their Uniquely-Shaped Head
A Sphynx cat’s head is not just unique because it lacks hair, but the shape is very recognizable. They have big eyes and ears on their relatively small head. The head is longer than it is wide, giving it a wedge-like appearance and their features are accentuated by their prominent cheekbones.
And did you notice something else missing? They don’t have whiskers! But their whisker pads are accentuated.
4. Their Eyes
You can’t miss the large, bugs eyes of the Sphynx cat. They’re set far apart and shaped like lemons. You can find Sphynx cats with brown, blue, green or yellow eyes.
5. Their Body Shape
With no hair to hide it, you’ll notice the medium sized, muscular build of the Sphynx cat. You’ll also probably adore their big, round rump and soft, plump belly.
They only weigh around 6-12 lbs, but they have a broad chest and can appear very lanky and wispy. Their back legs are usually longer than their front legs.
6. Their Colors
Not all Sphynx cats are just pink, they come in a variety of colors and patterns. The difference is that their color is pigmented on their skin and not in their hair, making common colors and patterns appear a bit different.
White, black, red, chocolate, lavender, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, pointed and mink patterns are all possible in the Sphynx.
