Sphynx Cat Care: Everything Pet Parents Need to Know

Posted - April 22, 2025

By Carol Bryant, Professional Pet Blogger

Sphynx cats provide love, joy, and companionship to their humans. In return, these beautiful, ancient hairless felines require proper care. A common myth is that Sphynx cat care is easy since they have no hair. However, the breed has its share of skin and health concerns that require hands-on maintenance.

Here’s everything pet parents need to know about Sphynx cat care and how to incorporate the right products for grooming and skincare into your routine.

About Sphynx Cats

According to Meow Lifestyle, a nearly hairless kitten was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1966. This gorgeous cat breed resulted from a natural genetic mutation. Despite lacking a traditional fur coat, Sphynx cats have a fine layer of peach-fuzz-like fur that makes their skin feel like suede.

Their muscular build, prominent cheekbones, large ears, and lemon-shaped eyes are all a part of this 6- to 12-pound feline beauty. When touching their skin, it feels warm to the touch.

A dear feline friend introduced me to Sphynx cats many years ago. I was immediately struck by their larger-than-life personalities, playful demeanor, and desire to be social with humans.

The breed is popular, as The International Cat Association (TICA) has recognized it for over two decades. They report that thousands of Sphynx cats are registered every year.

Caring for Sphynx Cat Skin

Due to their near-hairless nature, Sphynx cats are prone to ear and skin issues that require upkeep and maintenance. Their skin produces oils that are unable to be absorbed by fur, accumulating oil and causing skin problems. A little bit of at-home maintenance and prevention goes a long way.

The skin is the largest organ of a cat’s body, making up about 12 to 20 percent of a cat’s total body weight. Fortunately, the skin on a Sphynx cat is visible, so concerns can be identified sooner rather than later.

Bathing

According to TICA, the biggest misconception is that Sphynx cats must be bathed weekly. They indicate that overbathing can disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. However, bathing with a natural, safe, enzymatic pet shampoo helps keep the skin healthy and prevents a build-up of skin oils.

Our favorite cat shampoo that is extra gentle is the ZYMOX Advanced Enzymatic Shampoo. While gently soothing and hydrating delicate Sphynx cat skin, it also contains a calming oat extract and vitamin D. It won’t strip your cat’s coat, is paraben-free, and features the patented LP3 enzymatic system in all ZYMOX products.

Follow the shampoo with the ZYMOX Advanced Enzymatic Conditioner, which is gentle, hypoallergenic, and deeply moisturizes the skin and coat with the same LP3 enzymatic system.

FUN FACT: The ZYMOX® LP3 Enzyme System is a combination of three naturally occurring enzymes—lactoperoxidase, Lysozyme, and Lactoferrin—designed to work synergistically to combat harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

Skin Care

Due to their oily skin, Sphynx cats are prone to blackheads on their chins. Left untreated, the area can become inflamed, requiring veterinary intervention.

Thankfully, ZYMOX offers a wide range of skin care products for cats to address skin conditions and keep the skin in tip-top shape. Some of the products we recommend cat moms and dads have on hand for their Sphynx cats include:

ZYMOX Enzymatic Topical Cream with 0.5% Hydrocortisone

This LP3-based cream relieves hot spots, skin irritations, and itching. The 0.5% hydrocortisone helps reduce inflammation and discomfort.

ZYMOX Enzymatic Topical Spray with 0.5% Hydrocortisone

Like its cream counterpart, the spray is perfect for larger affected areas. It delivers the same enzymatic relief as the cream, and alleviates itching and inflammation associated with dermatitis, wounds, and other skin conditions. The spray feature makes applying it to your Sphynx cat’s skin easy.

ZYMOX Enzymatic Topical Cream (Hydrocortisone-Free)

If your cat has sensitivities to corticosteroids or you need a product for long-term usage, this hydrocortisone-free cream offers relief from skin infections and wounds.

Pro Tip: The ZYMOX topical cream is also a must-have for every feline first aid kit.

Ears

Though many cats care for their ears through self-grooming, all cats, especially Sphynx cats, need proper ear care and maintenance. This can be done at home as part of an ongoing routine.

Sphynx cats are prone to wax buildup, allergies, and chronic ear infections. Some common signs your cat needs their ears cleaned include:

Dark or waxy buildup inside the ear
Odor emanating from the ears
Redness of the ear canal
Head tilting, especially to one side
Head shaking or frequently scratching at the ears

Use a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner like ZYMOX Enzymatic Ear Cleanser for Cats & Kittens. It is gentle, removes waxy dirt and buildup, and can be used for regular ear hygiene and prevention of ear infections.