Care of the Sphynx
Nails: Sphynx should have their nails trimmed and cleaned regularly. When clipping nails be sure to avoid clipping into the pink vein area inside the nail as this causes discomfort to your kitten. You may use a regular toenail clipper for kittens and a cat clipper on adults. Sphynx will get a black waxy buildup on their nails and this is normal for the breed. It works best to clean them weekly with baby wipes with aloe. We use Pampers brand as they work well for us. Our little sphynx babies are born with grease on their toenails!!! It is a fact!!
Ears: Sphynx will also have a black waxy buildup in their ears. This is again normal for the breed and it is usually not ear mites. You may use baby wipes to remove this buildup or a product from your vet called Cerumene.(It can also be ordered on-line. Just google it.) This product helps keep ears clean and is non-irritating. Please avoid harsh cleansers as sphynx may be sensitive and have an allergic reaction to them. Also be careful when using cotton swabs to not push any wax back into the ear canal as this may lead to infection. Kittens are sometimes are prone to ear mites due to their waxy ears. If your vet diagnosis ear mites, Revolution for kittens can be applied directly to the back of their neck. Revolution works very well and treats for up to one month. It is recommended that they have two doses one month apart to treat for ear mites. For a more natural safe treatment you can clean their ears with olive oil or baby oil to drown out ear mites. Be careful with using Revolution or other harsh ear treatments until your kitten is at least 4 pounds or 4 months old. Remember they are just little babies. You would not put something harsh on your own infant, so just do the same with your new little sphynx.
Teeth: Sphynx can have darkened teeth due to nursing on their mothers. Our kittens often times have black tongues from the grease residue on the momma's bellies. As they get older and nurse less they turn pink again. The teeth can also be darkened from nursing and even grooming themselves. It does not mean that something is wrong with your sphynx. Vets often assume something is wrong, but that is not the case. You can brush their teeth to keep them clean. They have fish flavored toothpaste. I advise caution with routine teeth cleaning under anesthesia as sphynx can react to the sedatives used.
Eyes: Sphynx also tend to have eye boogers as they do not have eyelashes to protect their eyes from dirt. You may cleanse around their eyes with a warm wet cotton ball or a warm wet wash cloth. If you notice redness, swelling or yellow discharge please see your vet.
Diet: It is important that you continue feeding your sphynx the same food it has been eating as a sudden change in their diet will cause an upset tummy and loose stools that can lead to dehydration quickly in a kitten. Food should be gradually changed by mixing the two foods together over several days. We feed all of our kittens and cats Life's Abundance. We have been using a natural canned food with many other natural healthy supplements for your sphynx baby! Order at: www.healthypetnet.com/angelicsphynx You need to be sure your kitten is eating. They can get a low blood sugar, get dehydrated and lose weight very quickly leading to a life threatening situation. Be sure to have Life's Abundance & their wet food on hand for your new kitten, KMR kitten formula and Nutrical.
Bathtime!!!! Your sphynx should also be bathed at least every 2 weeks. Many breeders recommend weekly baths. The sphynx breed secrete natural oils and this causes dirt to build up and will lead to a stinky baby!!! Baby wipes that do not contain alcohol are great for touch ups. I use Jerob Cocoa Butter shampoo on my cats and kittens. You can do a google search and order it on-line. Rinse them well and then wrap them in a towel fresh from the dryer. They love that warm towel. Then I clip and clean their nails and clean their ears. Your kitten should be used to this ritual by the time you receive them. Most breeders will not sell a kitten until it is at least 12-16 weeks old. You will find that lighter colored sphynx need to be bathed more often to keep clean and usually darker colored sphynx need less touch ups and less frequent bathing.
Vet: Be sure to find a vet who is familiar with the sphynx breed!!! VACCINES: Please be sure to give your kitten Merial vaccines, that do not contain the heavy metals that other vaccines contain. We give the 3 way Purevax from Merial. Never give FIP or FELV vaccines to your kittens and never give two different vaccines on the same day unless it is a combo vaccine. It is too hard on your little kitten and many cats have had severe reactions to two vaccines given on the same day. FIP vaccines are often time fatal if your cat has ever been exposed to the corona virus, which 90% of cats in a multiple cat household have been exposed. They will break out with the fatal form of FIP if given the vaccine. There is no known treatment for FIP it is fatal.
Sphynx are very loveable and affectionate cats. Some people have described them as part monkey, part dog and part cat. Be ready and willing to have a pet who wants to be at your side always and follow you around like a puppy. They also tend to be part parrot as it is typical for the breed to climb up your back and sit on your shoulders whenever they get the chance!!! You will not be lonely or lack entertainment with a sphynx for a pet. Two are better than one, I always say. They are a bit addictive and you can't have just one!!!!!
8. A warning to sphynx owners: sphynx love to climb in the dryer and it has led to the death of more than one cat that I know of. They also may hide in clothes and end up in the washer. Another kitten died recently from ingesting a small toy or other object. The kitten's intestines were blocked and they had to remove 10 inches of the intestine that led to death. Christmas tree tinsel and even dryer sheets are very dangerous and can lead to twisting of the bowels. At halloween beware of the spiderwebs that people hang as another kitten almost died from ingesting them. Be sure to sphynx proof your house!!!!!!! They are like little babies crawling around in your house. Also be very careful with kitten collars as kittens have strangled themselves on a collar. Be sure it is kitten/cat safety collar and NOT a dog or puppy collar. Kitten collars usually will be stretchy and puppy collars are solid all the way around, so that when your kitten gets caught on something it can be fatal. Best option is to avoid collars.
9. Kitty Litter: I use Egg Mash (corn crumbles or chicken feed), Sweet Scoop, wheat litter, The World's Best Cat Litter, a corn based litter and Gentle Touch litter, that is like cedar pellets. All are safe for use with small kittens and cats. If ingested they do not make your cat ill. Some litters that clump are known to block the intestines of small kittens and can lead to death or poisoning when they lick their paws. Cats or kittens that are vomiting frequently may have a problem with their litter or diet. Seek your vet's counsel!!!! You can also use egg mash, which is chicken feed. It is corn crumbles basically and can be found at a Campbell's Supply, Tractor Supply or a nearby farm elevator. It runs about $10-$15 for 50# and is very economical and safe for your kittens.
10. Vomiting & diarhea: Seek your vet's counsel immediately for watery/loose stools or vomiting, as kittens can get dehydrated and can die very quickly if not treated promptly!!!! This can come about from the stress of shipping or a new home, an abrupt change in their diets, intestinal infections or poisoning. For cats or kittens with loose stools, it may help to add fiber to the diet, such as Iams hairball formula cat food or use the Science Diet ID formula from your vet. It also helps to boil hamburger and rice, about 2/3 rice to 1/3 hamburger and feed at intervals through out the day until stools firm up or add some canned 100% pumpkin to their soft food. Soft or wet foods other than Science Diet ID soft food or Instinct soft foods can lead to soft or runny stools. See our link page for good places to purchase soft and dry foods that are all natural!!! Remember that all kittens have giarrdia, coccidia and even e-coli in their intestines. With stress it can cause it to develop into a problem that needs to be treated immediately.
11. Shipping & Upper respiratory: Kittens may stress when shipped or when they are going to a new home. Occasionally they may start to sneeze, cough or have runny sore eyes. If this occurs they should be seen by a vet immediately. A kitten can get very sick, very fast if not treated promptly. We recommend Doxycycline 5 mg per pound once a day and to treat at least one week past the kitten being symptom free. They also do well often times on Zithromax antibiotic and it is dosed the same way. Kittens do not generally respond to amoxicillin. They can also be given L-Lysine 250-500 mg capsules are available. I put one 500 mg capsule opened for every adult cat in their water bowl. I dump waters every other day and repeat the process. This works good if your kitten/cat gets a mild cold or is prone to colds. It is also good to use with pregnant or nursing queens to help keep babies healthy!!! Please contact your breeder for questions on upper respiratory symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to call me for any questions regarding your new addition!!!!
#712-473-2270 or e-mail me at: angelicsphynx@hotmail.com Your sphynx kitten/cat's health is of the utmost importance to me and we strive to raise the healthiest and best socialized kittens possible!!!!!!
Natural Health for your Sphynx
Here are some ideas that may help boost your sphynx immune system
and help your kitty be as healthy as possible. These ideas are not a replacement
for your homeopathic vet visit, but suggested to complement. Do not hesitate to take
your kitty into the vet for any emergency needs!!!!
I will try to update this page as often as possible with any new information I find. Feel
free to contact me by e-mail for any questions. I am currently studying veterinary homeopathy and naturopathy.
New website that was recommended by a fellow sphynx breeder. Great products that really work well and help with most any ailment. See below.
http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/ailments.php
Recommendations for a healthier sphynx:
1) Feed your kitten or cat an all natural kitten/cat food. There are alot of good companies out there, but please note that sphynx in general have a touchy digestive system and do not do well with alot of commercial foods due to the fillers and chemicals found in them. We recommend Life's Abundance kitten/cat food and Instinctive Choice canned food. Order at: www.healthypetnet.com/angelicsphynx
Life's Abundance contains no corn or wheat products. Go to the website or read below for more details.
BEYOND THE FIRST FIVE INGREDIENTS!
While the first five ingredients play a significant role in the nutritional make-up of your cat’s food, every single ingredient is important. For nearly a decade, tens of thousands of dogs and cats have been eating and thriving on Life’s Abundance foods. We attribute this success to our painstaking attention to the detail. Each and every ingredient in Life’s Abundance food is carefully chosen to work with all the others to supply your companion animal with a highly nutritious and perfectly balanced meal every day, every year over a lifetime. HIGH-QUALITY PROTEINS – Proteins are the building blocks of all living organisms. Protein is essential for all bodily functions including those of the brain, heart, skin, skeleton and many others. Life’s Abundance cat food contains at least 33% of high-quality protein. Look for identifiable animal proteins such as "chicken meal" rather generic terms like "poultry meal," which can consist of any fowl (turkey, chicken, geese, etc.).
Chicken Meal
Some foods contain chicken meat or chicken parts, which naturally hold a fair amount of water. We prefer to use chicken meal because most of the water has been removed, which makes it a concentrated source of protein. This means that there is a greater “protein content” in one pound of chicken meal versus one pound of chicken meat. That’s why high-quality chicken meal is a key ingredient in Life’s Abundance foods. Eggs
Eggs are one of nature's most nutrient-dense foods and play an important role in a balanced diet. They are considered a complete protein source, providing essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, B, E, K, Biotin, and Sulfur). Eggs also provide healthy fats, such as omega-6 for healthy skin and a glossy coat. Catfish Meal
Our top-quality fish meal is made by drying the freshest catfish at a low temperature, creating a concentrated, highly-digestible protein source. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, catfish meal provides natural DHA and EPA, the most important of all the omega-3 fatty acids. Turkey Meal
Turkey is an excellent source of protein and is rich in calcium, potassium, B vitamins, niacin, iron and zinc which promote energy and overall health. Turkey meal is also very digestible and very palatable.
CHICKEN FAT - We believe the primary fat source in cat food should be animal based because these fats contain a profile of fatty acids that are easily metabolized and generally more available to the body. Animal fats can vary in quality, so look for a species-specific fat like “chicken fat” (versus “animal fat”) to be certain of the kind of fat your cat is eating.
WHOLE GRAINS - Whole grains are an excellent source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc and other essential minerals. They also provide the kind of carbohydrates that deliver sustained energy to your cat. We include the natural goodness of Ground Brown Rice in Life’s Abundance Cat Food. We also include Rice Flour, a carbohydrate that delivers quick energy to your cat.
Ground Brown Rice is the entire grain with only the inedible outer husk removed. This whole grain contains manganese, selenium, magnesium, as well as tryptophan and vitamins B1, B3 and B6.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS – The proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals in Life’s Abundance foods was carefully selected to work in concert with all of the other ingredients to enhance the overall nutritional value of the food.
Vitamins: Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Taurine Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.
ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM – Among other nutrients, our antioxidant system includes vitamins A, C and E.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate contains vitamin C and potassium. The polyphenols in pomegranate (hydrolyzable tannins called punicalagins) are responsible for the red color.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FROM FISH OIL
Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most extensively researched natural nutritional ingredients in the world. Among its many health benefits, the omega-3’s in Life’s Abundance help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. We also included flaxseed meal for its outstanding nutritional profile and its contribution to healthy skin and coat.
FLAXSEED MEAL
Flaxseed meal is the richest plant source of antioxidant lignans and Omega-3 fatty. Flax seed meal also has a very high level of highly-digestible protein and essential amino acids. In addition, flax seed meal contains significant amounts of fiber, vitamin E, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and is extremely rich in the minerals potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
BREWER’S DRIED YEAST
Brewer’s dried yeast is loaded with highly-digestible protein with an exceptional amino acid balance. It also contains an abundance of natural minerals and vitamins, featuring B complex vitamins (except B12).
BEET PULP (SUGAR REMOVED)
Fiber is required in every diet to maintain healthy intestinal tract and proper nutrient absorption. We use beet pulp, which is the fiber from the gray sugar beet (sugar removed). Many studies have demonstrated that beet pulp performs better than many other types of fiber.
DOG GRASS
Dog grass contains many nutrients that cats crave … that’s instinct at its best! When cats in the wild consumed their prey, the intestinal tract contained grass and this grass provided necessary fiber and phytonutrients.
ALFALFA SPROUTS
Alfalfa sprouts contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants, phytochemicals, enzymes, trace minerals and numerous other living nutrients, which work to support good health and promote proper assimilation of foods.
DIRECT-FED MICROBIALS
These ingredients are similar to those found in supermarket yogurts. Direct-fed microbials help support healthy immune and digestive systems. Life’s Abundance contains the following direct fed microbials:
Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product.
From the HealthyPetNet website.
What's Really in Pet Food
http://www.api4animals.org<WBR>/facts?p=359&more=1
Switching to Raw Food
http://www.switchingtoraw.com/
Find lots of health articles on this site and dangers of feeding commercial foods
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/animals.htm#nexus
More Info on your cat's health
http://www.catnutrition.org/resources.html
Raw Diet Recipes
http://www.infurnosphynx.com/RawDiet.html
http://selkatztonkinese.com/recipes.html
2) Add a probiotic to your kitten/cats soft food. I use 4 in 1 Probiotics as directed. It can be found at: www.firstchoicenaturals.com. This will help your kitten during times of stress, antibiotic therapy and will help balance your babies normal bowel flora. This will help keep stools solid and not runny as well.
3) Add enzymes to your kitten/cats soft food as well each day. I personally have found this to be of great help to support my kitties immune system. I had one little boy that continually had a sore tail and nothing seemed to help. When I started him on Nzymes, his tail cleared up within a week and has never been sore again. To read more testimonials and order go to: www.nzymes.com (This will not be needed if you feed raw diet.)
4) Add colostrum to your kitten/cats soft food daily. This will obviously boost your kittens immune system and is great to give to pregnant or nursing queens. I order New Zealand Colostrum and it can be found on this site: www.metafoods.com
Bee Pollen powder-to boost your immune system naturally- www.revivalanimal.com
Colloidal Silver- a natural antiviral/antibiotic- Use this product orally every 2 hours or as directed on the package. It also works extremely well for small kittens in a nebulizer or put a couple of tablespoons in the hot vaporizer in a large enough kennel for Mom and babies. This will help wipe out viral infections if started early enough. It can also be put into your adult cat's water bowl. Kittens and cats will not build up a resistence to colloidal silver and it is very difficult to overdose on it unless they eat a gallon or more of it in one day!! This is a natural antibiotic and antiviral and silver has been used for centuries because of these properties www.revivalanimal.com
Vitamin C powder- boost immune system naturally
Echinacea- great for you and your pets!!
Lots of love, fresh filtered water, fresh food, sunshine and a big cat tree, lol!!!
Great Lakes Pet Furniture sells top of the line Cat trees. If you want the best you need to go to their website. Please mention Angelicsphynx Cattery/Corilee Boer if you decide to purchase from them!!
www.greatlakespetfurniture.com