Grooming & Care

A Sphynx doesn't need brushing — but don't let that fool you into thinking they're low maintenance! The oils that a normal coat would absorb sit right on the skin instead, so your Sphynx needs a simple, regular routine. The good news: it takes minutes, and a kitten who grows up with the routine (like every Ethereal Sphynx kitten does) treats it as just another form of attention.

• 🛁 Skin & bathing
• 👂 Ears
• 💅 Nails
• 🦷 Teeth
• ☀️ Sun & warmth
• 🍗 Diet
• 🧸 Enrichment
• 🩺 Health checks

Skin care & bath time

Sphynx skin produces oil constantly, and with no coat to absorb it, it builds up — that's what causes those famous little oil marks on your bedding. Our approach is little and often rather than frequent baths: over-bathing strips the skin and actually makes it produce more oil, so we don't recommend a rigid weekly bath.

Between baths, a gentle wipe-down with a soft damp cloth or an unscented pet-safe wipe keeps oil under control — pay attention to the skin folds, between the toes, and around the nail beds where grime collects. When a proper bath is due (you'll see and feel it — the skin looks dingy and feels tacky), use lukewarm water and a gentle conditioning pet shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and dry your Sphynx immediately with a warm towel so they don't get cold. We use and recommend Wampum's conditioning shampoo, and their no-rinse shampoo for quick clean-ups.

Preventing feline acne & blackheads

Sphynx are prone to acne and blackheads, especially on the chin and tail. Blocked pores can become painful and infected, so prevention beats cure:

• Ditch plastic bowls. Plastic harbours bacteria and is the number-one acne trigger. Use ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls, washed regularly.
• Keep the chin clean. A quick wipe after meals works wonders for messy eaters.
• Don't squeeze! If a spot looks angry, red or infected, see your vet — never pop blackheads yourself.

Ears

Those magnificent satellite-dish ears have no hair to filter dust, so they build up wax quickly. Check weekly and clean as needed: a few drops of a vet-approved ear cleaner on a cotton pad, wiping only the parts of the ear you can see. Never push anything into the ear canal. Dark, smelly or itchy ears mean a vet visit — that's mites or infection, not normal wax.

Nails & toes

Sphynx toes are long, agile little fingers — and the nail beds collect oil and grime. Trim just the sharp tips of the nails every week or two (avoid the pink quick), and give the nail beds and between the toes a gentle clean during wipe-downs. Plenty of scratchers around the house keep nails healthy and your couch intact — cardboard scratchers are a firm favourite in our house.

Teeth

Dental care is one of the most overlooked parts of cat husbandry. A tooth spray or gel, dental treats, and starting a brushing habit young all help keep teeth and gums healthy — and your vet should check the teeth at every annual visit.

Sun protection & keeping warm

No coat means no protection from the elements, in either direction:

• Sun: Sphynx skin burns easily and sun damage is cumulative. For outdoor adventures use a pet-safe sunscreen — Dermoscent SunFree SPF30+ is our go-to — or better yet, a light sun suit. Keep sessions short and always provide shade.
• Cold: In winter, provide warm beds, blankets and cuddle spots (a heated pet pad is Sphynx heaven). A soft jersey helps on properly cold days — most Sphynx accept clothes happily if introduced young.
• Indoors only: Between sun, cold and their total trust in strangers, Sphynx belong indoors. Outdoor time is wonderful on a harness, supervised and dressed for the weather.

Diet — fuelling the furnace

A Sphynx runs warm, and that heat costs energy: expect your Sphynx to eat noticeably more than a coated cat of the same size. Cats are obligate carnivores, so whatever you feed should be rich in quality meat protein. In our home the largest portion of every meal is a balanced, high-quality raw diet, and we also teach our kittens to eat a premium kibble so they adapt easily to their new families' routines. Fresh water always available — in a ceramic or stainless bowl, of course.

Enrichment — a busy Sphynx is a happy Sphynx

This is a high-energy, high-intelligence breed. Boredom is the root of almost every behavioural complaint, so build their day around play: wand toys, self-play toys, cardboard scratchers, climbing space and — the single best investment we've made — a properly sized cat exercise wheel. Play with your Sphynx every day. Hands are not toys; wands and kickers are.

And remember that the greatest enrichment for a Sphynx is company. They bond intensely with their people and genuinely struggle alone — if your home is empty most of the day, plan for a second cat.

Health checks & the vet

Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date, and take your Sphynx for an annual vet check. The breed's most serious known risk is HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) — which is exactly why we heart-scan our breeding cats and plan litters so carefully. If you ever notice laboured breathing, lethargy or reduced appetite, see your vet promptly.

Stock the Sphynx toolkit

Every product mentioned above — shampoos, sunscreen, wheels, scratchers, bowls and more — is on our tried-and-tested favourites list.