Alien Encounter Cattery ~ JASALU Cattery ~ Hairless Sphynx Cattery in Sacramento, Purebred, Allergy Friendly & Lovable !

CLEANING
Since the Sphynx doesn't have hair they are more susceptible to gathering oil and dirt on their skin. We recommend bathing them weekly. Most Sphynx owners prefer bathing their kittens in washroom or kitchen sinks. We also like the bath wipes sold at most pet stores for interim cleanings. These can be heated and the cats will enjoy the whole experience. Start bathing your Sphynx at a young age to get them accustom to routine.

CLIPPING NAILS
Care should be given to keep your cats nails clean of oils, dirt and litter debris. Have your Sphynx on your lap and take a moment to massage each paw. Take each toe and squeeze your fingers gently to extend each nail. Turn on a strong light while trimming their nails to help you see the nerves and blood vessels more clearly. Sphynx are accustom to having there feet and nails handled from birth. This doesn't always mean they will be agreeable to nail clipping. As a rule, cats do not like having their paws handled. If your kitten or cat is disagreeable during this process, wrap them in a towel and by all means take it slow; let them grow accustom to you playing with their paws for a few days before trying to clip again.

WARMTH
Sphynx need to be kept in a warmer temperature environment because of the lack of hair on their bodies. If people find it cold in a room then so will the Sphynx. As a general rule, Sphynx cats are comfortable when we would be comfortable [naked]. The temperature level should be between 70-80 Degrees Fahrenheit. They are also indoor cats only. They should never be left outside unattended. They are very susceptible to cold weather, sunburn and insect bites with no hair to protect them.

DECLAWING
Declawing is technically called an onychectomy and constitutes an amputation of the toe at the last joint. This removes the claw and the bone from which it originates. On a human hand, this would be amputation at the knuckle just above the nail. Declawing has been illegal in England for several years. Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Wales, Finland, and Brazil are among the many countries that both consider declawing illegal or inhumane, and only allow it under extreme circumstances. Declawing causes great psychological effects as well as physical effects. There are alternatives.

SPAY OR NEUTER
The female generally tends to be extremely vocal and obnoxious when in heat. Males can be territorial and spray on furniture and carpets. For these and many more reasons, it is highly recommended that you neuter or spay your Sphynx. There are many advantages of having an altered Sphynx. The best companion cats are those that are spayed or neutered. This ensures that the cat devotes all its attention on you and your family and not the opposite sex. Most reputable breeders spay and neuter kittens before delivery or require you to perform the procedure. Keeping a whole cat can be a challenge and should be left for the experienced breeder. Your kitten will need to be spayed/neutered before the age of 7 months.

VACCINATIONS
It is very important to provide your Sphynx with proper vaccinations to ensure a healthy and expanded life for them. This is critical during the first few months of your kitten's life. Kittens receive their first vaccinations at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks. A booster at 1 year is important as well.

FOOD
The Sphynx requires premium quality foods to maintain the proper nutrition. They generally have a higher metabolism in order to keep warm. Therefore, the proper balance of fat and protein must fuel them. Be sure to provide them with high quality food with wholesome ingredients. Canned food once or twice a day and free-fed dry food meets the nutritional needs for most active adults. Kittens need to be fed more often. Also, fresh water must be available at all times.

LITTER BOX
Sphynx kittens learn how to use a litter box very quickly in their early stages of life. However, if you're Sphynx require some assistance, try dragging his/her paws through the litter gently to simulate digging and covering. This will ease the learning process for them. Make sure that you never punish your cat for not using his litter box properly. Punishing your Sphynx can lead to other behavior problems. Always keep the litter box clean. No one likes to use a dirty toilet. The litter box must be cleaned on a daily basis, regardless of the litter you use. Also, try to avoid changing the style of the litter box as this may confuse your cat. In the event of an accident, use an enzyme urine remover such as Nature's miracle to clean the area and insure no repeats will occur in the same area.

EARS
Your cats ears need to be cleaned periodically as they will develop wax build up if neglected. The lack of hair on their ears makes it easy for dust and oils to settle in. To begin cleaning their ears, use a few drops of ear cleaning solution and massage the base of the ear. Then, use Q-tips to remove the dirt and oils. Never go further down in to the ear than you can see. To clean around the inside of the ear use baby wipes. Cleaning your Sphynx's ears should be done on a weekly basis.

TEETH CLEANING
Just like humans, cats build tartar on their teeth too. You should clean your Sphynx's teeth every month depending on their diet. Dried food does not do enough, but helps to keep their teeth clean. You can clean their teeth with a soft cloth and salty water or you can get special cat toothpaste from your nearest pet shop. You can also use a finger toothbrush or a child's small head toothbrush. An indication that your Sphynx needs their teeth cleaned is chronic bad breath. Cleaning their teeth should only take a few minutes.


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			CARE & FEEDING CLEANING Since the Sphynx doesn't have hair they are more susceptible to gathering oil and dirt on their skin. We recommend bathing them weekly. Most Sphynx owners prefer bathing their kittens in washroom or kitchen sinks. We also like the bath wipes sold at most pet stores for interim cleanings. These can be heated and the cats will enjoy the whole experience. Start bathing your Sphynx at a young age to get them accustom to routine. CLIPPING NAILS Care should be given to keep your cats nails clean of oils, dirt and litter debris. Have your Sphynx on your lap and take a moment to massage each paw. Take each toe and squeeze your fingers gently to extend each nail. Turn on a strong light while trimming their nails to help you see the nerves and blood vessels more clearly. Sphynx are accustom to having there feet and nails handled from birth. This doesn't always mean they will be agreeable to nail clipping. As a rule, cats do not like having their paws handled. If your kitten or cat is disagreeable during this process, wrap them in a towel and by all means take it slow; let them grow accustom to you playing with their paws for a few days before trying to clip again. WARMTH Sphynx need to be kept in a warmer temperature environment because of the lack of hair on their bodies. If people find it cold in a room then so will the Sphynx. As a general rule, Sphynx cats are comfortable when we would be comfortable [naked]. The temperature level should be between 70-80 Degrees Fahrenheit. They are also indoor cats only. They should never be left outside unattended. They are very susceptible to cold weather, sunburn and insect bites with no hair to protect them. DECLAWING Declawing is technically called an onychectomy and constitutes an amputation of the toe at the last joint. This removes the claw and the bone from which it originates. On a human hand, this would be amputation at the knuckle just above the nail. Declawing has been illegal in England for several years. Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Wales, Finland, and Brazil are among the many countries that both consider declawing illegal or inhumane, and only allow it under extreme circumstances. Declawing causes great psychological effects as well as physical effects. There are alternatives. SPAY OR NEUTER The female generally tends to be extremely vocal and obnoxious when in heat. Males can be territorial and spray on furniture and carpets. For these and many more reasons, it is highly recommended that you neuter or spay your Sphynx. There are many advantages of having an altered Sphynx. The best companion cats are those that are spayed or neutered. This ensures that the cat devotes all its attention on you and your family and not the opposite sex. Most reputable breeders spay and neuter kittens before delivery or require you to perform the procedure. Keeping a whole cat can be a challenge and should be left for the experienced breeder. Your kitten will need to be spayed/neutered before the age of 7 months. VACCINATIONS It is very important to provide your Sphynx with proper vaccinations to ensure a healthy and expanded life for them. This is critical during the first few months of your kitten's life. Kittens receive their first vaccinations at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks. A booster at 1 year is important as well. FOOD The Sphynx requires premium quality foods to maintain the proper nutrition. They generally have a higher metabolism in order to keep warm. Therefore, the proper balance of fat and protein must fuel them. Be sure to provide them with high quality food with wholesome ingredients. Canned food once or twice a day and free-fed dry food meets the nutritional needs for most active adults. Kittens need to be fed more often. Also, fresh water must be available at all times. LITTER BOX Sphynx kittens learn how to use a litter box very quickly in their early stages of life. However, if you're Sphynx require some assistance, try dragging his/her paws through the litter gently to simulate digging and covering. This will ease the learning process for them. Make sure that you never punish your cat for not using his litter box properly. Punishing your Sphynx can lead to other behavior problems. Always keep the litter box clean. No one likes to use a dirty toilet. The litter box must be cleaned on a daily basis, regardless of the litter you use. Also, try to avoid changing the style of the litter box as this may confuse your cat. In the event of an accident, use an enzyme urine remover such as Nature's miracle to clean the area and insure no repeats will occur in the same area. EARS Your cats ears need to be cleaned periodically as they will develop wax build up if neglected. The lack of hair on their ears makes it easy for dust and oils to settle in. To begin cleaning their ears, use a few drops of ear cleaning solution and massage the base of the ear. Then, use Q-tips to remove the dirt and oils. Never go further down in to the ear than you can see. To clean around the inside of the ear use baby wipes. Cleaning your Sphynx's ears should be done on a weekly basis. TEETH CLEANING Just like humans, cats build tartar on their teeth too. You should clean your Sphynx's teeth every month depending on their diet. Dried food does not do enough, but helps to keep their teeth clean. You can clean their teeth with a soft cloth and salty water or you can get special cat toothpaste from your nearest pet shop. You can also use a finger toothbrush or a child's small head toothbrush. An indication that your Sphynx needs their teeth cleaned is chronic bad breath. Cleaning their teeth should only take a few minutes.

CARE & FEEDING