My Boy Duke Will Turn One on Monday, October 11th!
He truly has been my best friend this past year. To honor this big day, he has decided to spend his birthday with me at the office.
Duke will be performing free CAT scans and giving out slices of Duke’s Rum cake. It’s now a third-generation recipe! Please stop by Monday and say hello!!
Duke recommends you sleep right side down because it’s better for your heart and spine.
With their angular faces, big ears, and smooth bodies, Sphynx cats are living (and purring) proof that there’s more to a kitty than its fur coat. Here are 7 facts about the fleshy feline.
1. SPHYNX CATS ORIGINATED IN CANADA.
You’d think a cat whose ancestors come from the North Country would be equipped with a warm coat. But the modern-day Canadian Sphynx—the hairless breed we know in North America—has been defying expectations since the mid-1960s, when an Ontario cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, the result of a natural genetic mutation. Then, in the mid-1970s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. Thanks to various breeding efforts, their lineages resulted in the affectionate animal we love today.
2. SPHYNX CATS AREN’T ACTUALLY BALD.
At first glance, the Sphynx might look less like a feline and more like a naked mole rat. If you pet one, however, you’ll discover they’re not actually hairless. Sphynxes are covered with a fine layer of downy fuzz. While they’re not plush to the touch, their coats feel akin to suede.
3. SPHYNX CATS AREN’T HYPOALLERGENIC.
If you’re a cat-lover who’s allergic to your favorite animal, don’t shell out cash for a Sphynx kitten. Despite rumors to the contrary, the breed isn’t hypoallergenic. Sphynxes still produce Fel d1, the allergenic protein in cat saliva and skin secretions that causes your eyes to grow itchy and red.
4. SPHYNX CATS ARE WARMER THAN MOST OTHER FELINES.
Four degrees warmer, in fact.
5. THEY LOVE ATTENTION.
It’s not unusual for a Sphynx to be a therapy cat because they enjoy attention, they like to snuggle for warmth, and they tend to be easy to handle.
6. SPHYNX CATS ARE FRIENDLY.
While they share a name with the Great Sphinx of Giza, Sphynx cats are nothing like the stoic statue. They’re sociable, loving, and playful animals—so much, in fact, that a 2012 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior ranked Sphynxes as the most affectionate cat breed. Why are Sphynx cats so friendly? Experts have a few theories: It could be because they rely on humans to keep warm; because friendlier cats might be selected for breeding; or because breeders tend to leave Sphynx kittens with their mothers for longer periods of time.
7. CUDDLING IS THEIR FAVORITE.
Stroking, holding, and cuddling your Sphynx is an unbeatable bonding experience that both of you will enjoy. If you have a Sphynx, you can expect them to sleep with you under the covers to stay warm. It’s like having a living, purring foot warmer!
All the best,
Dr. Mark
Treating the root cause of your condition, not just your symptoms, is the fastest way to recovery and is the best way to obtain optimal health and wellness.
