This is an informative guide to provide you with some ideas on how to care for your Sphynx! You may use any product you chose.
Bath Time!!!!!
Please keep in mind that for some Sphynx bath time can be very stressful. Some Sphynx may never like bath time no matter how many baths they are given. Some will sit and take it and some will freak out. I suggest that if you get a young/kitten Sphynx give them a bath as often as you can (once a week) so he/she will get used to it. This way as your Sphynx gets older bath time may not be so difficult.
Items Needed!!!!!
Baby Wash Cloths
Animal Shampoo
(I use a pet degrease but baby shampoo works too)
Q-Tips
Ear Cleaning Solution (can be found at the vet or local pet store)
Nail Clipper (I use baby nail clippers)
A towel (I use microfiche towels)
Before you get your Sphynx make sure you are ready for him/her. Get the bath water ready. Fill the bath up as needed but make sure it is not too hot or too cold. (as if you are giving a baby a bath) Do this before you bring your Sphynx into the bathroom. Sometimes if cats hear the water running it scares them. You may also do this in a sink till your Sphynx out grows it. Make sure your house is warm. In the winter you may want to turn the Heat up a few degrees.
Now that you have everything you need let’s get started. Put your Sphynx in the water and get him/her wet all over. You can do this with the wash rag or a small cup. I like to wash the face first before I put soap on the wash rag so I don’t get soap in the cat’s eyes. Then put shampoo on the wash rag and lather it up and start washing your Sphynx till he/she is all clean. Once you’re all done rinse and wrap your cat in the towel.
Nail Cleaning!!!!!
With your cat still wrapped up in the towel expose one paw at a time. Lightly push the pad of your cat’s paw to expose his/her nails and with the baby wash cloth wipe off every nail till it is clean. Then repeat with every paw. Now it’s time to trim your cat’s nails. Just as before take the paw and expose the nail and take the clipper and trim the nail. You have to be very careful not to trim the nail to short or your cat will bleed. Do Not cut the pink! Again if you have any question Please ask your vet.
Ear Cleaning!!!!!
With the cat still wrapped up in the towel put him/her between your legs (straddle). Use the Ear Cleaning Solution and get the Q-tip moist but not soaking wet with the ear solution. Then using the Q-tip gently start cleaning the ears. I DO NOT put the Ear Cleaning Solution in the kitten/cat ears. (as the bottle states) You will use several Q-Tips. Do this to both ears. Some believe that you should only clean the part of the ear that you can see, however my vet told me that it is ok to clean down inside the ear. Just be careful! Please ask your vet if you have any questions or concerns about cleaning your cat’s ears and they will show you.
Congratulations!!! You now have a Clean Kitty!!!
Food!!!!!
I use Purina All Natural cat food. It can be found at Wal-Mart. It is in a green bag. However there is a number of cat food that you may use. Just make sure it is a name brand cat food. Please NO generic!! I do not use wet (canned) food. I only feed my Sphynx dry food. The wet food sticks to there teeth and can cause decay and bad breath. It is ok to give wet food as a treat but I do not recommend it for everyday food.
Also Please make sure your sphynx has FULL feed. Meaning that your Sphynx has a bowl of food to eat at all times. Due to the Sphynx's high metabolism Sphynx eat a little at a time but a lot through out the day.
Getting ready for the Big Day!!!!!!!!
You will have your new baby Sphynx to hold soon. Finally! I just want to give a few tips to help you and him/her to adjust. He/she is still really small so please keep in mind that if he/she gets too far from the litter box he/she may not make it back in time and have an accident on the floor, or get confused as to where the litter box is. He/she is litter trained and does use the litter box. So when you first get him/her home take him/her to the litter box immediately. And show him/her where it is often for the first few days or as you think is needed. I also recommend that when you are away for the day to put him/her in a smaller room of some sort. Don't let him/her run the house when you are gone. This will help you to be able to find him/her right away when you do get home. You will not always have to do this just till you think he/she is comfortable with his/her surroundings. This is a Big change for him/her and he may cry because he/she will miss his/her litter mates.(this is normal) And most important, handle him/her as much as you have time to. Love on him/her and hold him/her, even if he/she seems to resist a bit. This will help him/her to become a very affectionate Sphynx. If you do not pay attention to him/her then he/she may turn in to an unsociable kitty. If you are on the couch watching TV grab your kitty and a blanket and lay together (if you can get him/her to) he/she is a kitten and will want to play. But keep doing so and when he/she is ready to lay down he/she will come to you. Good luck with your new bundle of joy and Please let me know if you have any questions. That is what Im here for.
