SPHYNX - Bathing & Grooming your Hairless Cat.
What’s the Big Deal? (OR) Really, you can bathe a Cat??
By Dee Dee Cantley - Kikapoo Sphynx
Like most of your own face, Sphynx do not have much hair to pull normal oils away from the skin. Although Sphynx lick just as other cats do, they are not cleaning their skin enough with that rough tongue to effectively wash away dirt or oils everywhere. Also remember they are running around on the floor, and just as a child picks up dirt Sphynx will too. You will notice dirt around the neck area, under the arm pits and between the back legs which can rub off on their bedding or your furniture or bedding. Sphynx are very skin oriented, always wanting to rub your face, sit on you, sleep under the covers or just plain be touching you. It behooves you to keep up on grooming not only for the cats comfort, but for your enjoyment of your naked baby also.
If you bath your cat on a regular basis, it is not a hard process (they dry very quickly) and this will enable you to do so whenever needed. That is; when they are dirty or have gotten into something bad. If you never bath him he will not be used to the treatment and fight you, as water is really not something cats inherently love. I usually recommend every two to three weeks. The exception is if your kitty is from a reputable breeder, they should have started bathing the kitten when it was young to introduce them to and have them comfortable with the experience. All my kittens are good with baths they are well acclimated to the process. Generally Sphynx only need a bath once every two to three weeks depending on the oiliness of their skin. Some colors and skin types need more bathing than others every kitten is different and you will need to find a routine that works for you both. When bathing my Sphynx, the goal is to keep from stripping the skin of natural oils. But be aware that over-bathing can also be detrimental, It can over-stimulate their skin and they produce more oil the more you dry it out with soap which gives the cat a dirty appearance. Now don't get me wrong Show Bathing is a completely different ball of wax (pun intended), and conditioning and bathing for a Show Sphynx is a very different process.
Easiest for bathing your kitty at home is to use a non-soap (without detergents) or baby shampoo. Most Pet Shampoos are too harsh for Sphynx skin. A shampoo or soap that has Mink oil or a light skin oil in the formula is preferable. I use "Touch of Mink" Sofmink Antibacterial Soap, or Kelco shampoo products meant for sensitive skin. Dove body wash for sensitive skin is a good product for some skin types. This will clean the cat and help put back some of the oils "without" clogging pores by putting anything on "after" the bath. There are some good antibacterial soaps used in Hospitals by Dr's, that work wonderful without being too drying for the skin. Also some Sphynx Only Sites, that have shampoo specifically formulated for the Sphynx skin type. In-between baths for spots & small clean up's, you can easily spruce up your Sphynx by using alcohol/fragrance free baby wipes. Use a pet eye wipe pad or just a wet wash cloth for face areas. After-all they really are just a 4 legged baby, Right??
He won't Let Me Bath Him, or clean his ears & nails. He Cries Like It Hurts/He Growls and tries to BITE Me!
Practice and take it slow, this may take months if your baby is not used to bathing so be patient. Start with a sink or tub with only 1" of water on the bottom. Use a wet wash cloth to wipe them down. Standing in a large sink with a non skid mat can also help so they do not slip. I actually use the bath tub with the mat in place to bathe - It doesn't require that much water, but they have plenty of room to get their feet wet and do not feel like they are being cramped into a small space. Where-ever you bath, Put just a bit of soap in the wash cloth and gently clean his body rubbing lightly as you would wash your face. Have some warm water in a bowl on the counter and rinse. Either use a clean washcloth or drizzle it over his body without splashing to rinse. Eventually increase the water to 2" and if the cat is comfortable with running water you may drizzle it in. But do not direct a forceful spray on your cat till you are completely sure the cat is comfortable with splashing water. This may scare the cat to the point that all progress made with bathing may have to begin all over again. Remember cats may not mind water on their bodies, but running it over their head makes them feel as if you are sticking their head under water (OMG she's trying to drown me). Use the wet washcloth to wipe their face if needed. You may hold their front legs together (under the arm pits) for more control, but don't push down or pin them to the floor in the tub. A firm touch yet not a strangle hold works best. Talking gently to your kitty during the process can calm the most savage little lion. Cats are creatures of habit, if you continue to do this on a "regular" basis (every 10 - 14 days) they will eventually relax and may even enjoy the experience with you.
The other things that should be done for Sphynx on a weekly basis are cleaning of nails/ears.
Ear cleaning can be facilitated by using a good ear wash squirted into the ear area and slightly into the ear canal before the bath or once a week. Use only a small amount, the cat will shake its head to get the fluid out, thus breaking up any sticky oil debris. After using the ear wash, take a Q tip and clean in all the folds you can see in those big ears. The actual ear canal is towards the front of the ear, and is situated straight up and down. NEVER go deeper then the cotton portion of the Q tip into the ear canal, you may injure the cat by hitting the ear drum. If you think your cat needs deeper cleaning than you can safely do, please consult your Veterinarian to do a ear flush.
Cats should have a good quality scratching post to use which helps clean and sloth off the nail sheath. In doing so they sharpen the tip of the nails continually. This also helps as most cats readily go to a scratching post instead of your furniture if you work with them when they first arrive at your home. By giving them something to sharpen those claws with, your personal furniture should be safe. Nail clipping at least once every two to three weeks and can be done before (if you are worried about being scratched) or after a bath, or while you are sitting watching your favorite weekly TV show inthe evening. Make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. Have clippers and a wipe such as a baby wipe or Stridex pad which has some ingredients that break up oils, available before you sit down to do this easy but essential part of grooming. When clipping the nail do not clip any shorter than the quick (which will bleed profusely if you clip too close). As the nail curves downward and thins (the sharp part) the quick stops. If the nails are light colored you can see the quick, if the nails are dark err on the side of caution and clip just a bit of the sharp end but more often. Use the wipes to get the residual oils that may collect on the nail bed (base) and in the fold behind the nail. This is the extra skin which sheathes the nails on a Sphynx. Wipe with a damp wash cloth after using any product that contains a chemical, cats lick and you don't want your kitty ingesting those chemicals. The oil residue which collects is usually a brownish color and can become quite stubborn so regular cleaning is a must. I believe bacteria can also be picked up in the litter box as they scratch in their litter, when toes are oily or dirty.
Don't do everything all at once, if it has been a while since you clipped and cleaned nails. Do a foot before breakfast, and give a special treat he never gets any other time. Do the other leg half an hour later, more treats and praise. Last resort, you can wrap your cat in a big towel papoose style, and expose one foot. Clip a few nails and release him after you have praised him for being so good. Spread it out over a day and remember to let your kitty tell you when enough is enough. Be patient! Consistency is key!
Chin and top of tail are areas that collect oil and sometimes black heads in pores. If you squeeze the skin in these areas lightly, you may see the oil. Left untreated the pores becomes bigger and collects more oil, which eventually can become infected and is harder to clean. IF you must squeeze a pour to get out oil do so gently. Use a soft face scrubby with some shampoo and rub lightly under warm water, then soak a cotton pad with Witch Hazel deluded with some cool water, and wipe the area to close pores, then rinse well with cool water. You do not want to leave any chemical on the skin as cats lick and they can become sick. Do this once a month and your Sphynx will have beautiful clear skin.
I don't have time for all that? (OR) I don't want to peeve off Baldie.
I hate to say it, but maybe you should research a different breed of cat. Sphynx DO REQUIRE grooming. They really are much happier and healthier when maintained as you would your own child. Sphynx are unique charming and endearing, and grooming comes with owning one of these wonderful loving kinds of cats.
If you would rather have a professional groomer bath your cats, I suggest you go to a Cats Only Veterinarian and see if they have someone who is experienced with Sphynx. Most Regular groomers have never seen a Sphynx, let alone bathed one. Please have them contact me or your original breeder and we may be able to give them enough information to do a good grooming on your cat.
Dirty skin is not just a cosmetic offense, but an uncomfortable feeling for cat, as felines are known to like to be clean. A dirty unkempt pet becomes susceptible to all sorts of unsavory infections and diseases. Keeping ears clean will keep yeast infections and other ear issues to a minimum. Un-cut nails can grow and puncture their soft paw pads which can cause infections and oil collecting on nails can smell. Like people, a cats skin needs air to survive and be healthy. If you want to put clothing on your Sphynx, be sure to take it off for part of each day.
And there you have it. Easy right?
Contact me if you have any further questions. Your Sphynx will thank you. spxkat54@gmail.com
What’s the Big Deal? (OR) Really, you can bathe a Cat??
By Dee Dee Cantley - Kikapoo Sphynx
Like most of your own face, Sphynx do not have much hair to pull normal oils away from the skin. Although Sphynx lick just as other cats do, they are not cleaning their skin enough with that rough tongue to effectively wash away dirt or oils everywhere. Also remember they are running around on the floor, and just as a child picks up dirt Sphynx will too. You will notice dirt around the neck area, under the arm pits and between the back legs which can rub off on their bedding or your furniture or bedding. Sphynx are very skin oriented, always wanting to rub your face, sit on you, sleep under the covers or just plain be touching you. It behooves you to keep up on grooming not only for the cats comfort, but for your enjoyment of your naked baby also.
If you bath your cat on a regular basis, it is not a hard process (they dry very quickly) and this will enable you to do so whenever needed. That is; when they are dirty or have gotten into something bad. If you never bath him he will not be used to the treatment and fight you, as water is really not something cats inherently love. I usually recommend every two to three weeks. The exception is if your kitty is from a reputable breeder, they should have started bathing the kitten when it was young to introduce them to and have them comfortable with the experience. All my kittens are good with baths they are well acclimated to the process. Generally Sphynx only need a bath once every two to three weeks depending on the oiliness of their skin. Some colors and skin types need more bathing than others every kitten is different and you will need to find a routine that works for you both. When bathing my Sphynx, the goal is to keep from stripping the skin of natural oils. But be aware that over-bathing can also be detrimental, It can over-stimulate their skin and they produce more oil the more you dry it out with soap which gives the cat a dirty appearance. Now don't get me wrong Show Bathing is a completely different ball of wax (pun intended), and conditioning and bathing for a Show Sphynx is a very different process.
Easiest for bathing your kitty at home is to use a non-soap (without detergents) or baby shampoo. Most Pet Shampoos are too harsh for Sphynx skin. A shampoo or soap that has Mink oil or a light skin oil in the formula is preferable. I use "Touch of Mink" Sofmink Antibacterial Soap, or Kelco shampoo products meant for sensitive skin. Dove body wash for sensitive skin is a good product for some skin types. This will clean the cat and help put back some of the oils "without" clogging pores by putting anything on "after" the bath. There are some good antibacterial soaps used in Hospitals by Dr's, that work wonderful without being too drying for the skin. Also some Sphynx Only Sites, that have shampoo specifically formulated for the Sphynx skin type. In-between baths for spots & small clean up's, you can easily spruce up your Sphynx by using alcohol/fragrance free baby wipes. Use a pet eye wipe pad or just a wet wash cloth for face areas. After-all they really are just a 4 legged baby, Right??
He won't Let Me Bath Him, or clean his ears & nails. He Cries Like It Hurts/He Growls and tries to BITE Me!
Practice and take it slow, this may take months if your baby is not used to bathing so be patient. Start with a sink or tub with only 1" of water on the bottom. Use a wet wash cloth to wipe them down. Standing in a large sink with a non skid mat can also help so they do not slip. I actually use the bath tub with the mat in place to bathe - It doesn't require that much water, but they have plenty of room to get their feet wet and do not feel like they are being cramped into a small space. Where-ever you bath, Put just a bit of soap in the wash cloth and gently clean his body rubbing lightly as you would wash your face. Have some warm water in a bowl on the counter and rinse. Either use a clean washcloth or drizzle it over his body without splashing to rinse. Eventually increase the water to 2" and if the cat is comfortable with running water you may drizzle it in. But do not direct a forceful spray on your cat till you are completely sure the cat is comfortable with splashing water. This may scare the cat to the point that all progress made with bathing may have to begin all over again. Remember cats may not mind water on their bodies, but running it over their head makes them feel as if you are sticking their head under water (OMG she's trying to drown me). Use the wet washcloth to wipe their face if needed. You may hold their front legs together (under the arm pits) for more control, but don't push down or pin them to the floor in the tub. A firm touch yet not a strangle hold works best. Talking gently to your kitty during the process can calm the most savage little lion. Cats are creatures of habit, if you continue to do this on a "regular" basis (every 10 - 14 days) they will eventually relax and may even enjoy the experience with you.
The other things that should be done for Sphynx on a weekly basis are cleaning of nails/ears.
Ear cleaning can be facilitated by using a good ear wash squirted into the ear area and slightly into the ear canal before the bath or once a week. Use only a small amount, the cat will shake its head to get the fluid out, thus breaking up any sticky oil debris. After using the ear wash, take a Q tip and clean in all the folds you can see in those big ears. The actual ear canal is towards the front of the ear, and is situated straight up and down. NEVER go deeper then the cotton portion of the Q tip into the ear canal, you may injure the cat by hitting the ear drum. If you think your cat needs deeper cleaning than you can safely do, please consult your Veterinarian to do a ear flush.
Cats should have a good quality scratching post to use which helps clean and sloth off the nail sheath. In doing so they sharpen the tip of the nails continually. This also helps as most cats readily go to a scratching post instead of your furniture if you work with them when they first arrive at your home. By giving them something to sharpen those claws with, your personal furniture should be safe. Nail clipping at least once every two to three weeks and can be done before (if you are worried about being scratched) or after a bath, or while you are sitting watching your favorite weekly TV show inthe evening. Make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. Have clippers and a wipe such as a baby wipe or Stridex pad which has some ingredients that break up oils, available before you sit down to do this easy but essential part of grooming. When clipping the nail do not clip any shorter than the quick (which will bleed profusely if you clip too close). As the nail curves downward and thins (the sharp part) the quick stops. If the nails are light colored you can see the quick, if the nails are dark err on the side of caution and clip just a bit of the sharp end but more often. Use the wipes to get the residual oils that may collect on the nail bed (base) and in the fold behind the nail. This is the extra skin which sheathes the nails on a Sphynx. Wipe with a damp wash cloth after using any product that contains a chemical, cats lick and you don't want your kitty ingesting those chemicals. The oil residue which collects is usually a brownish color and can become quite stubborn so regular cleaning is a must. I believe bacteria can also be picked up in the litter box as they scratch in their litter, when toes are oily or dirty.
Don't do everything all at once, if it has been a while since you clipped and cleaned nails. Do a foot before breakfast, and give a special treat he never gets any other time. Do the other leg half an hour later, more treats and praise. Last resort, you can wrap your cat in a big towel papoose style, and expose one foot. Clip a few nails and release him after you have praised him for being so good. Spread it out over a day and remember to let your kitty tell you when enough is enough. Be patient! Consistency is key!
Chin and top of tail are areas that collect oil and sometimes black heads in pores. If you squeeze the skin in these areas lightly, you may see the oil. Left untreated the pores becomes bigger and collects more oil, which eventually can become infected and is harder to clean. IF you must squeeze a pour to get out oil do so gently. Use a soft face scrubby with some shampoo and rub lightly under warm water, then soak a cotton pad with Witch Hazel deluded with some cool water, and wipe the area to close pores, then rinse well with cool water. You do not want to leave any chemical on the skin as cats lick and they can become sick. Do this once a month and your Sphynx will have beautiful clear skin.
I don't have time for all that? (OR) I don't want to peeve off Baldie.
I hate to say it, but maybe you should research a different breed of cat. Sphynx DO REQUIRE grooming. They really are much happier and healthier when maintained as you would your own child. Sphynx are unique charming and endearing, and grooming comes with owning one of these wonderful loving kinds of cats.
If you would rather have a professional groomer bath your cats, I suggest you go to a Cats Only Veterinarian and see if they have someone who is experienced with Sphynx. Most Regular groomers have never seen a Sphynx, let alone bathed one. Please have them contact me or your original breeder and we may be able to give them enough information to do a good grooming on your cat.
Dirty skin is not just a cosmetic offense, but an uncomfortable feeling for cat, as felines are known to like to be clean. A dirty unkempt pet becomes susceptible to all sorts of unsavory infections and diseases. Keeping ears clean will keep yeast infections and other ear issues to a minimum. Un-cut nails can grow and puncture their soft paw pads which can cause infections and oil collecting on nails can smell. Like people, a cats skin needs air to survive and be healthy. If you want to put clothing on your Sphynx, be sure to take it off for part of each day.
And there you have it. Easy right?
Contact me if you have any further questions. Your Sphynx will thank you. spxkat54@gmail.com
