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Sphynx cats are well known for their hairless skin, folds, and big erect ears. Being completely hairless could be seen as a way to hide away from grooming, which attracts many people to this breed, however sphynx cats are pretty high maintenance as they get oily and dirty very often.
Sphynx cats get very dirty because they are completely hairless. This means that the oil secreted on their skin isn’t absorbed and will therefore attract dust and dirt. Their bodies almost resemble dirt magnets picking up on anything in the air or anything they touch. Depending on the type of sphynx, the ability to see dirt varies.
Sphynx cats that are lightly colored like white or mink will become dirtier than those that are dark colored like black or brown. This means that the dirt on the lightly colored sphynx will be more evident much sooner and will require more frequent baths. While the darker shade skin tone will be perfect to camouflage dirt, therefore, baths can be less frequent.
Other reasons why sphynx cats get so dirty include.
1. Some cats’ skin will release more oils than others. Which will attract more dirt, dust, and even bacteria. This increase in secreted oils will make their bodies greasy and any surface where they rub themselves on or sit will pick up the dirt.
2. Sphynx cats that sweat a lot can become very dirty. The sweat together with the oils will result in the cat’s skin becoming extra greasy almost sticky like wax. Creating the ideal scene to attract dirt.
3. Sphynx cats are known for their sensitive stomachs. This means poo issues which can result in inconsistency in the texture of their stool. Diarrhea is common and this can be messy, resulting in them getting dirty after every visit to the litterbox.
3. Sphynx cats that are active will play more which will result in them getting dirtier. This time of play can consist of fidgeting with things around the house as they are driven by curiosity.
4. The environment a sphynx cat lives in is also a factor to consider. Depending on where the cat spends its time is normally what they will imprint on themselves. So if the place is clean and tidy chances are they won’t become so dirty. Also, some cats may roam around at home in the bathroom, rooms, and hard-to-reach areas and as they go they will pick up dirt that will stick to their skin.
5. Type of litter used. Normally cat litter that is dark colored and dusty will make the cat dirtier. Wood pellets are known for being dusty and will make your sphynx cat dirtier. So choose a light-colored natural fiber litter to help your sphynx stay clean.
6. Younger sphynx cats produce more oil on their skin than older cats. This isn’t the same for all sphynx but some do produce fewer oils after a year old. So a young sphynx get will get way dirtier than an older sphynx.
Sphynx cats are not like other domestic cats and should not be treated or taken care of the same. These cats are unique and require more maintenance than household cats.
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Ways to keep a Sphynx Cat Clean?
1. Cat Clothes
- Daily cat clothes, are perfect for absorbing excess body oil.
- Sphynx winter clothing and sweaters. Helps to keep them warm while preventing them from getting too dirty.
- Summer clothing for Sphynx cats, cotton breathable apparel.
2. Bathing
Bathing is an effective way to de-grease and removes excess oil and sweat build-up on the skin. Bathing also removes the patches of dirt stains that may appear on light-colored sphynx cats. It’s important when bathing a sphynx cat you have all the right products and tools.
Such as a mild shampoo or degreaser that is non-scented with warm water. For sphynx cats, since they are hairless it’s best to get a good degreaser, like the Pro-Formula Pet Degreaser. Make sure to target areas that accumulate the most dirt. Areas like the armpits, and in-between creases. Make sure you clean the ears and eyes properly or else build-up will occur.
3. Wipes.
Wipes can be used to help your sphynx stay clean rather than bathing. It’s quick and easy to use without the need for water and shampoo.
First, you need to get some mild feline-friendly wipes that won’t burn or dry out the cat’s skin. These wipes can be used to remove stained patches of dirt that accumulate. Note that sphynx cats’ skin is rather naked without any protection therefore scent-free wipes will be better for the best health of their skin.
4. Warm water and a cloth.
Sometimes your cat may become so dirty so fast that you may become tired of bathing. The next best solution is by using a warm wet cloth. This process is super simple and effective as the warm water dissolves grease and removes dirt build-up and access oils without the need for a bath.
It’s important for the water to be warm and not hot. Also, the type of cloth is also important since a dusty dark-colored cloth can make the cat dirtier. A white towel will be perfect to maintain the cleanliness of the cat.
5. Waterless Shampoos
Waterless shampoos are a quick fix to get the kitty to its next bath date. These waterless shampoos are just as effective and work well to remove grease and dirt. Just make sure you use a mild feline shampoo, like the Waterless Mooncat Shampoo that’s easy on the skin, and rub the shampoo properly leaving no excess shampoo on the skin. If shampoo is left on the skin especially in between creases, the cat’s skin can dry out and become inflamed.
Bathing Vs Other Cleaning Methods.
Bathing still remains the best way to get rid of the dirt and oils from a sphynx cat. Other methods that we discussed earlier like the use of wipes and a wet cloth work well also but is it just as effective?
Bathing requires the cat’s body to be immersed fully in the water together with the shampoo. The warmth of the water and the cleaning ability of the shampoo works together to soften grease and remove all dirt from the cat’s body. A quick rinse afterward followed by a pat using a towel is enough to get the cat looking flawless again. This process can be a little long but it does a good job.
The other cleaning methods such as wipes, the use of a wet towel, and waterless shampoo also do a good job cleaning your sphynx cat but in all truth, it doesn’t remove all dirt. These options are just quick fixes to make the cat look presentable removing dirt patches that appear on light-colored sphynx cats.
Personally, I feel that all these cleaning methods go hand in hand and should be used in conjunction. While it’s unhealthy to bathe a cat daily, the use of wipes and a wet towel can help clean the kitty till its next bath date. It’s the most practical solution to make sure your sphynx is looking clean.
How Often Should You Bath A Sphynx Cat?
Sphynx cat owners know just how fast these cats get dirty after bathing, with some owners attempting to bathe their cats every day. This however is not healthy and could be harmful to the cat’s skin.
It’s safe to bathe a sphynx cat once a week to maintain good overall hygiene. A routine weekly Bath will ensure the cat retains its natural oils throughout the week only to get cleaned at the end of that period, in this case every 7 days.
After all, it depends on the cat itself. Some cats like the lightly colored white or mink ones will tend to get dirty coz the dirt is quite evident. Therefore bathing will be required once a week with regular wiping using other cleaning methods.
For sphynx cats that do not get too dirty that often, a bath every 2 weeks will be ideal. These cats will probably be those with a darker shade of skin, like black or brown ones. Some dark-skinned sphynx can go a month without a bath.
Basically, the more dirtier a cat is prone to get the more often they require bathing, but anything more frequent than weekly baths is unhealthy and should not be practiced.
What will happen if you bathe a sphynx cat too Often?
Sometimes it’s so hard to resist not giving your sphynx a bath because their skin gets patches of discoloration and it doesn’t look appealing. However frequent bathing is very dangerous for the cat’s skin.
Frequent bathing removes the natural oils from the cat’s skin and will result in the cat’s skin becoming dry and flaky. Also, exposure to certain shampoos can dry out their skin which causes cracking and inflammation.
These are serious skin health issues that can lead to severe rashes or persistent skin problems. To be on the safe side, I would recommend a no bath routine more frequently than once a week. Rather chose other mild cleaning methods to maintain your cat’s skin rather than too much bathing.
