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You are probably in a situation where you just gave your sphynx their meal but they still hovering behind you in hopes for more. Better so, you may have just given their daily serving but they consumed it in one go. If that sounds like the problem you have, stay tuned as I’m about to help you get to the bottom of this.
At first glance, extreme hunger and starvation may be seen as greed, increased appetite or probably a medical issue. But if you look closer at the sphynx breed you would notice that these cats go beyond the norms of domesticated felines. These cats are different from other breeds and what we may think is normal for other cats may not be so for this breed.
There are several reasons why your sphynx cat may present with extreme hunger. Such reasons include
- Not enough food
- Low Nutrient values of food
- Medical issues
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Growth phase (kittens)
- Certain Breeds require more calories
Understanding The Sphynx Breed.
Understanding the sphynx breed is extremely important since it gives you the knowledge of how to care for them to ensure optimal health and well-being. The sphynx breed is very different from other cats. Not only are they different in appearance but also in personality, diet, lifestyle and requirements. This is what makes this breed high maintenance.
These cats are vigorous athletes, energetic and live high-intensity lifestyles. With this high level of activity comes great nourishment requirements. They may exhibit dog-like appetites to give their bodies the nutrients to keep up with their lifestyle demands.
Apart from their lifestyle, they are also constantly burning calories to regulate their body temperature. This is due to the hairless feature making them fully exposed, without any insulation. With regular cats, the fur acts like a heat absorber preventing heat loss, but not so with the sphynx. Therefore they will lose heat through their skin and their bodies will constantly try to produce more heat for optimal function.
Therefore their great appetites and hunger may be due to lack or insufficiency in their diets. Normally owners, mostly first-time sphynx owners regard this breed as just a normal cat and will feed meals according to the normal diet plan of a regular cat. Hence the constant need for more food.
Do Sphynx Cats Need More Food?
Due to their unique features and robust lifestyle, they require a high-caloric diet to ensure their bodies are well-nourished. They require a good combination of different foods of quality to ensure they are meeting their daily needs for them to be replenished.
At times you may think it’s greed or boredom which may be the case sometimes, but normally it’s just their bodies begging for nourishment. They need enough energy to overcome their high metabolism, regulate their body temperature as well as fuel their bodies for the lifestyle and tasks they put themselves through.
Kittens on the other hand go through a phase of robust growth spurts where they need a lot of nourishment to keep up with their developing bodies. Kittens may need more food than adult cats and should be fed freely until satisfied.
Hence the need for more food is not a matter of choice but is rather a requirement for the well-being of this unique breed. Their nutrient requirement is just one of the many reasons why they are considered high-maintenance.
How Often Should I Feed My Sphynx?
Sphynx cats need a constant energy release to get them through the day. This means they need several meals instead of the regular two-meal diet. The amount of food they require depends on several factors such as:
- Activity level – Is your cat active or sedentary?
- Pregnancy/Lactating – Is your Sphynx going to be carrying/feeding little ones?
- Any other health challenges your pet may face such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism etc.
Different age groups of sphynx cats will have different nutritional needs since each phase of a cat’s life has different requirements for development and growth. During the first three months, 5-7 meals a day are advised. From 3-6 months of age, a Sphynx kitten will need 4-5 meals a day on average.
After six months going up to a year feeding frequency normally tends to be around 3-4 meals a day until they are fully grown. The preferable option though is to free-feed kittens to cater for sudden hunger or increased nutritional requirements.
Adult sphynx cats usually have 2-4 meals a day depending on their activity level and current lifestyle. Depending on their type of diet you can adjust freely to suit their routine.
So to conclude, sphynx cats do need more food compared to regular domestic cats.
Do They Require A Special Diet?
Sphynx cats are known for their sensitive tummies, therefore, will need a special diet that is easy on their digestive system yet great for their nutrition. As you know the sphynx breed is quite an energetic and active cat therefore they require quality foods that will replenish.
You may opt for dry, wet or raw food but a lot of owners follow what’s known as a BARF diet, and this means Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Great proteins you can use will be raw chicken or rabbit, raw liver and heart, raw fish, and more.
While some owners choose a combination of wet, dry and raw food. Diet should be individually tailored to suit the cat’s needs and to complement its lifestyle. Irrespective of what diet you choose make sure that you choose quality foods with high protein levels and enough carbs and fats to ensure their well-being.
It’s good to get them used to all kinds of foods so that you can incorporate these different kinds of food into their diets. A combination of different foods is a great option since you can give them the best of all.
Best Foods For The Sphynx Breed.
When shopping for food it’s important to look for products that are of quality and which retain their nutritional value. Always choose foods that are free from fillers and artificial ingredients. The sphynx breed requires high levels of proteins and macronutrients. Below I’ve gathered my top 3 food products that will be a great fit for the sphynx breed.
1. Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition.
Royal Canin Feline wet food is a great product for the sphynx breed. Perfect for cats with digestive issues and sensitive stomachs. Highly digestible proteins help cats absorb nutrients better while providing stool odour reduction. This is a great advantage for the sphynx breed since they are known for all sorts of poo issues. It’s also precisely balanced with a blend of vitamins and minerals which provides optimal cat health and wellness. Check the latest prices on Amazon.
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness.
The Blue Buffalo dry food is a great addition to your Sphynx cat’s diet since it complements the wet and raw food perfectly. This high-protein food is made with real meat products and is packed with protein to help build and retain lean muscle mass. Blue Wilderness grain-free cat food is specially formulated to help meet the unique needs of indoor cats to support healthy weight and healthy digestion without grains that contain gluten.
This formula contains BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits – a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health. Get it conveniently from amazon.
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food.
Many sphynx owners choose a raw diet for their sphynx since it’s great for their sensitive tummies and well-being. This great product from Stella & chewy’s is a great option when choosing the raw diet but without the hassle. This product offers freeze-dried raw food on the go with no preparation. Perfect for both cats and kittens.
The Dinner Morsels are the most convenient way to feed the power of raw; these meals are great for cats with allergies and help support healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, vibrant skin and coat, and stamina and vitality. Perfect fit for your picky eater and great for their muscular bodies. Check out the great reviews on Amazon.
