The Sphynx cat has an unusual appearance because this animal has no fur at all. Because of this feature, the cat requires special care and maintenance so that everything is always in good health. It is important to raise your pet correctly. From birth to 2-3 months, this responsibility lies with the kitten’s mother; then the owner needs to pay attention to the pet, train it and teach it proper manners.
Six principles of education
For generations, children and puppies were raised using punishment. This method was effective because the fear of punishment and loneliness was stronger than the unwillingness to fit in or comply. Fortunately, today this concept of education is considered outdated. It has been experimentally established that it is much easier to teach both people and animals something by rewarding them for good deeds and leaving reprehensible behavior practically unnoticed. As for unwanted situations, it is better to prevent them in advance. This model of education is usually called positive. It is impossible to raise cats by punishing them. Cats categorically refuse to submit to force, but they have nothing against adapting. A cat needs to constantly feel that it is loved and that it is treated well under any circumstances.
Are all cats trainable?
Just like people, learning abilities vary from cat to cat. Some learn commands quickly and easily, while others have difficulty mastering them. Even an animal that is unable to learn can be taught simple commands, but the training process will be longer and more complex. Intellectual abilities, memory and devotion to the owner play a big role.
Cat trainer Yuri Kuklachev
It is believed that some breeds are easier to train than others. The first include the Thai, Siamese, Abyssinian and Anatolian cats, Burmese, Savannah, Kuril and Japanese bobtails. Practice shows that the most important role is played not by the breed, but by the character of the pet. The famous trainer Yuri Kuklachev notes that outbred cats often show more impressive results than purebred cats, since they are more loyal and obedient.
Are all cats trainable? With rare exceptions, yes. Almost any cat, even one not brilliant with intelligence, will drop what it’s doing and run to the kitchen when it hears the clink of a bowl, the rustling of a pack of food, or the words “eat.” The pet has built a logical connection - when it runs towards the sound, it receives reward in the form of food.
Never use violence
This principle applies, among other things, to the famous “stick your nose in a puddle.” Never do this! The unfortunate animal becomes confused and, out of fear, may again leave a puddle in the wrong place. You should not hit a cat even with a folded newspaper or any other light object. The next time the cat sees you, it will run for its life. Of course, in cases where your cat is behaving inappropriately, such as sitting on the dining table, you should not silently look at her with a sweet smile. Take her off the table and say decisively: “You can’t!”, this is quite enough for her to understand the prohibition. If the cat scratches, hiss at it like a cat. The cat will unmistakably understand this sign as: “Come on, stop it!”
When and where to start training a cat, procedure
You need to start, of course, with preparation. First, observe your pet. If he carries a toy in his teeth, then you should try to teach him the “fetch” command; he loves to jump - introduce a jump through a hoop or onto the owner’s shoulders. When a pet touches its owner with its paws, in order to attract attention, you can enter the command “give me your paw.”
It’s worth paying attention to the cat’s habits. When he gets tired, how long he can play, what food he likes. All these elements of training will allow you to achieve better training results without much effort.
It must be taken into account that when an animal does not like something, it will be almost impossible to force it to do it. It is important to present training as a game and as part of communication with the owner.
Praise her as often as possible
Praise only brings positive results if the cat receives it immediately after performing an action that deserves encouragement. Anyway, praise never hurts. With motivated encouragement - praise and rewards - you can achieve amazing success in raising cats. Unfortunately, many owners forget to praise their treasure, for example, when it used the toilet, sharpened its claws not on the upholstery, but on a special board, slept on its bedding, and behaved well in the car.
If you want to instill some special skills in your cat, go only through rewards. Ignore mistakes completely. But in relation to misconduct, this model of education sometimes does not work. For example, if a cat regularly destroys vases of flowers, she will not react to your praise for not doing this one day.
If you need to re-educate
It is more difficult to re-educate an animal with an already formed character, but it is also quite possible. First of all, you need to understand why exactly the cat is behaving badly.
A pet may act out because at one time he was indulged too much or was not given attention. In this case, use the same strategy as in raising a kitten: reward correct behavior and scold for unacceptable behavior. Sprays containing unpleasant odors for cats, such as citrus fruits, will help scare your pet away from places where they are not allowed.
An animal may be intimidated or aggressive if it has been abused by previous owners. In this case, you need to behave towards the pet as gently as possible and reduce punishment to a minimum. As with a kitten, avoid stress such as noisy guests or loud music. In difficult cases, it makes sense to contact a zoopsychologist.
Sometimes an animal can behave correctly in the presence of its owners, but spoil things when alone. This may be a consequence of ordinary boredom or protest if the animal does not have enough attention. In this case, it is worth purchasing more toys for your pet. If necessary, the cat can be locked in one of the rooms (you need to put a tray and water there). Sometimes the solution may be to purchase a second kitten.
Please note that a sudden change in behavior may indicate an illness in the animal. When raising a kitten, combine persistence and affection. Remember, your goal is to achieve mutual understanding with your pet, not to force him to obey.
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Keep your distance
If the cat cannot be weaned from bad manners by loudly shouting “no!”, sometimes it is allowed to use the method of intimidation. This means that at the moment the “crime” is committed, the animal must experience a feeling of fear, for example, hearing a sharp bang or a piercing whistle. But under no circumstances should she be allowed to consider her owner a source of fear. If you want to discourage your cat from bad manners by using deterrence, hide before you make any noise that will scare him!
Is it possible to train a cat
Mustachioed sneaks with a cunning look and hunting habits are not dogs devoted to their master and ready to obey. No offense will be said to the barking brothers. The small predator has a natural desire to dominate. A representative of the cat tribe cannot be forced, but she can be persuaded. Then she will fulfill the person’s request. Attachment to the owner is a vulnerable character trait of a proud animal, which allows him to instill unusual skills.
Video: pet turns off the light
The debate about whether cats can be trained has been going on for a long time. There is no consensus on this matter among owners, breeders and felinologists. It cannot be any other way: everyone makes their own arguments based on personal experience. For example, one argues that animals are not teachable. And he motivates with the story that he was unable to develop a conditioned reflex in his pet to the “Voice” command. The owner said this word for half an hour, showing the tasty “prize” to the adult Briton, and he looked at the man’s efforts with bewilderment. Even repeating the order along with “meow” turned out to be useless. Defenders of cat abilities say: pets feel a person so much that they guess the command even before it sounds. They are just pretending, playing at submission. Or they try to please in the hope of getting something tasty. And the owner is happy that the necessary action has been completed, and considers himself a tamer. The third judgment is also based on the example of the behavior of an already trained cat. Knowing exactly the meaning of the order, she refuses to carry it out. Not out of forgetfulness, but on purpose. We have to conclude that standard training with unquestioning execution of a person’s command is impossible. When the opportunity arises, your pet will always show a headstrong character.
Breed and its characteristics
Despite their unusual alien appearance, it is impossible not to admire Sphynx cats. This animal differs from its other relatives in that there is almost no fur on its body. That is why it is important to properly care for your pet’s skin and health, trying to create the most comfortable conditions for living and full development.
Both the adult and the small Sphynx are distinguished by their friendly, affectionate, flexible character. Cats love outdoor games and actively participate in everything their owners do. It is easy to raise and potty train a Sphynx, as the animal has a very developed intelligence. Animals never shit anywhere, they are clean and cannot stand a place where it is not cleaned.
The Animal Planet channel compiled a rating of the smartest varieties of cats, and sphinxes in this competition took first place of honor for their intelligence, quick wit, and strong love for their owner and his children.
Origin story
Two hairless breeds are recognized - the Don and Canadian Sphynxes.
The history of the Canadian breed began in 1966, when an ordinary cat in Canada gave birth to a hairless kitten. The baby was given the nickname Prune. He was crossed with his mother, resulting in both furry and hairless cubs. Prune continued to participate in matings with relatives. Hairless kittens were born weak, many died.
The history of the breed could have ended before it really began, but in 1975 a boy was born in the city of Waden, who was given the nickname Epidermis. Then a healthy bald girl was born. These individuals were sent to a nursery for breeding. Thus began the successful spread of the breed.
The history of Don cats is shorter. In 1986, Rostov resident Elena Kovaleva saw boys mocking a kitten. The woman drove away the hooligans and took the unfortunate animal home. The stress experienced was so strong that all the fur came out of the kitten, named Varvara. The treatment was unsuccessful.
Four years later, Varvara gave birth to hairless kittens from a short-haired cat. One of the cubs, the girl Chita, was taken for breeding by breeder Ira Nemykina. This cat became the ancestor of the Don Sphynxes. The breed was registered in 1996.
Proper care
Behind the cat's skin
The completely hairless Canadian and velor Don Sphynx require careful care, especially when it comes to the skin. The fact is that the skin of such cats, due to the abundance of sebaceous glands, is prone to increased sweating, so if care is not taken care of in a timely manner, it seems that the animal is dirty. To get rid of such plaque, just clean the fur with a damp cloth without alcohol or fragrance.
Behind the claws
This type of cat's claws grow very quickly. Therefore, once every 1.5-2 weeks it is recommended to trim the claws, carefully cutting off only the top. At the veterinary pharmacy you can purchase the following supplies:
- special nippers for cutting claws;
- nail clipper;
- trimmer.
Breeding
Now Canadian Sphynxes are gaining popularity, more and more nurseries and breeders are appearing. Finding a partner for mating is not difficult, especially in large cities. In almost all millionaire cities there are places where you can buy a purebred specimen. There are especially many of them in Moscow and the region.
Mating
This is a complex process that must be organized at the proper level. It is important to create the right conditions for this to happen correctly. Puberty in Canadian Sphynx cats begins at one year of age, and the first estrus begins at 6 months. Cats begin to mark at about one year of age.
Pregnancy
The female's pregnancy lasts 62-68 days, 65 days on average. In some individuals it can last 58-70 days. During this period, the cat should have increased nutrition and increased feeding frequency. The cat should receive a portion of food 20-30% larger than usual, and the frequency, instead of two, should be increased to 4-5 times a day.
Nursing Sphynx cat with kittens.
Castration and sterilization
The operation is performed on males and females and lasts from an hour to three. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. If the owner does not plan to breed the breed, it is recommended to carry out this procedure in order to save the animal from physiological and psychological torment.
How to properly wash an animal?
In terms of water procedures, there are often no problems with cats. If you accustom your pet to water from childhood, he will willingly bathe, swim and frolic. At the same time, you can bathe your cat 1-3 times a week, depending on the degree of contamination of the skin. For washing, it is better to use a special shampoo, but regular baby shampoo will do. After washing, the animal should be wrapped in a terry towel and within a couple of minutes the cat will be completely dry.
If after bathing your animal's skin begins to peel, it is necessary to solve this problem as soon as possible. Baby cream, which is gently rubbed in a small amount into problem areas every time after hygiene procedures, will help to avoid overdrying. If the peeling still does not go away, it is better to take your Sphynx to the veterinarian. Perhaps the cat has an allergy, which is important to deal with correctly.
What commands should you start training with?
Cat training begins with simple, easy and memorable commands. If the owner has the free time, desire and patience necessary to train the animal, then you can begin to practice.
To me
A simple command, thanks to which the cat understands that he is being called for a treat. You need to pick up the pet, bring it to the plate and say a voice command, calling its name.
Stand
You need to bend over and say the instructions loudly. Then praise the pet, stroke it and repeat everything described above again.
Feeding: main rules
High-quality, balanced nutrition for the Sphynx is the basis for good health and proper development. Already at the age of 3 months, the animal is allowed to give the first complementary foods. This can be natural food or specialized ready-made factory food intended for a certain age. The following Royal Canin brand foods have proven themselves to be:
- Mother&Babycat;
- Kitten.
Royal Canin brand food is suitable for such animals.
And for adults it is better to buy Sphynx Adult. If the owner prefers to feed from natural products, it is important to ensure that the menu has a balanced content of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Nutrition will be complete if you give your cat daily food such as:
- lean meat;
- boiled fish without skin and bones;
- vegetables: cauliflower, zucchini, pumpkin, boiled beets;
- cereals;
- hard unsalted cheese without additives;
- cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk.
In addition to quality nutrition, it is important to provide the animal with clean drinking water, which should always be fresh and freely available.
When to start training
A four-month-old kitten already responds to its name when you feed it or call it. At six months of age, the baby begins to play and run for a long time. He is curious, knows no fear and trusts those around him. Without wasting time, the owner should take a closer look at the ward, his habits and favorite toys. Observations will help you create a plan for future training. This is how they work in circuses.
The carefree toy begins to be taught simple commands, which do not require physical effort, in their “teenage” years. At 7–8 months the animal is ready for dialogue with humans. To show his affection, the furry parodist will try to fulfill the owner's demands.
How to educate?
With cats of this breed there are often no problems in raising them. Sphynxes are very clean; they never poop in a dirty tray that is not cleaned in a timely manner. Therefore, if the toilet is not kept clean, the animal may begin to shit in another place, where there is no dirt. Therefore, to prevent the cat from pooping anywhere, it is necessary to regularly clean the potty, and it is prohibited to use chlorine-containing products for disinfection.
These pets are quite easy to train.
Thanks to its well-developed intelligence, the animal is easy to train. It is important to conduct classes when the cat is in a good mood, but not immediately after feeding. Under no circumstances should you shout or offend the sphinx for not wanting to follow commands, postponing training for another time.
Diseases of the Canadian Sphynxes
To many, sphinxes seem completely defenseless, but in fact these animals are in good health. On average they live 15 years, there are individuals that live up to 20 years of age. Due to the fact that this breed is considered still young, their genetic problems have not been fully studied, much less corrected. Canadians received from their ancestors some hereditary diseases that are more common than in other cat breeds.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
This is a genetic disease of the heart muscle. In addition to sphinxes, this disease also occurs in:
- British;
- Scots;
- Maine Coons.
With this disease, thickening of the walls of the heart muscle is observed, and the cavities, on the contrary, become narrowed. As a result, blood circulation throughout the body is disrupted. Symptoms include frequent fainting, fatigue, sudden death of the animal, lack of activity, and lethargy. Owners of this breed should conduct a study every year in order to identify this pathology in time.
Skin diseases
Canadians are not true hairless cats, they have a little fluff. The skin does not require special care, such as the skin of the Don Sphynx. But there may be some problems with it:
- high formation of skin secretion;
- rashes and acne;
- pathologies of the sebaceous glands, which is especially important for the tail.
These problems often arise due to hormonal imbalances and poor nutrition. The skin must be protected from the sun, as it can cause burns.
Bicolor Sphynx kitten.
Diseases of the reproductive system
These diseases occur due to hormonal imbalance. This individual has high sexual activity. Animals that are not suitable for breeding are recommended to be castrated or sterilized.
The most common problems are cysts in the ovaries and the presence of benign tumors. These problems, if detected, are resolved surgically.
Myasthenic syndrome
This hereditary pathology is observed in the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, and Canadian Sphynxes. A cat with this disease has an insufficient number of acetylcholine receptors. These are special proteins contained in the membranes of muscle cells. Because of this phenomenon, the cat experiences a deficiency of potassium ions and vitamin B1. The symptoms are:
- muscle weakness;
- the cat cannot raise its head;
- it is difficult for the animal to stand and sometimes even eat.
Myasthenia gravis can appear at the age of 1.5 months. Such animals must be regularly monitored by a veterinarian.
Interesting read: everything about the Scottish Straight cat.
Required vaccinations
The Sphynx receives the same vaccinations as other cats. The most necessary are antiviral ones, which provide protection against rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calicivirus infection, and chlamydia. This vaccine is given 8 weeks after the animal is born and is valid for a year. A rabies vaccination is mandatory and must be given at three months. Vaccinations against dermatomycosis should also be given.
Care devices
The Sphinx loves to sharpen her claws, so in order to protect furniture and other items from vandalism, it is recommended to purchase a scratching post. There are such types of it:
- Flat. Externally it looks like a rug. The item can be placed on the floor or attached to the wall. However, the product has drawbacks, the main one being its small width, which is why sometimes a cat may intentionally damage a wall or floor covering.
- Column. Comfortable design that is equally suitable for kittens and adults. It is recommended to buy a scratching post made from natural materials.
- House. A very convenient design that combines a scratching post and a house where the cat can hide.
Products have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, no matter what model the owner prefers, it is necessary first of all to give preference to scratching posts made from environmentally friendly materials. Some people prefer to make their own care devices. In this case, you can take into account all the preferences of your beloved pet and make him a design that will delight, amuse and bring double benefit.
Source
Mr. Cat recommends: TOP 5 easiest cat breeds to train
Unfortunately, some pets do not pay attention to any commands, much less tricks. But there are also breeds of animals that in a few months can become participants in circus performances. Here is their list:
Abyssinian
The differences are in heightened curiosity, sociability and fearlessness. Due to their muscular body and long fingers, they perform difficult tricks with ease.
American Shorthair
Pets of this breed quickly master many commands and become accustomed to the tray.
Bengal
Active, fast, playful cats, not afraid of water. Amenable to training, they do not refuse goodies.
Siamese
One of the most loyal breeds, these cats are constantly on the heels of their owner. When having fun, he can make a mess and likes to watch TV. They are easy to teach commands and perform all tricks perfectly.
Savannah
A hybrid that resembles a tabby cat. He has a playful character, often gets rowdy, climbs into cabinets, throws off various utensils, and can grab his leg. It is interesting to train them; they perform all commands with varying difficulties.
The above list of cat breeds that can be trained is quite arbitrary. Even ordinary kittens can become the best trick performers. Therefore, there is no need to focus on a specific expensive breed; it is better to train and educate your pets yourself.
Character
Although the breed has a repulsive appearance, the character of sphinxes is very friendly by nature and absolutely not aggressive; they are extremely rarely evil.
Cats love to play with toys, so owners will need to frequently clean up scattered objects after their pets.
The behavior of the sphinx is ideal, the pet has no habit of causing mischief at home
These animals love human attention. I especially like it when people talk to a cat.
Separation from household members is very difficult for these creatures; it is typical for the nature of this breed to fall into depression due to lack of communication. After something bad happens in the house, cats become lethargic.
They are by nature very vulnerable. Therefore, the owner should choose company for his pet during a long departure. Sphynxes get along well with other animals. By the way, the bald cat is not afraid of dogs at all.
These animals easily get along with children and participate in children's games without resistance. They do not shy away from guests and often demonstrate to guests their skills in eating food using their front paws. And this is not all the talents of these intelligent animals.
The owners must raise the sphinx without shouting or assault - he will not understand the reason for such treatment. It is better to give your speech a strict emotional tone, which the cat catches best.
But the breed has no hunting instinct. This is due to its decorative nature. Representatives of the breed do not have whiskers, so they will not be able to survive on the street.
