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Sporting a maze of deep-set wrinkles across their hairless bodies and an energetic, fun-loving personality, the Sphynx cat is one of the most delightful breeds you can welcome into your home. For many owners, the only drawback is their limited longevity.
Sphynx cats are full of life, but that doesn’t typically equate to a longer lifespan. If you are considering adopting one of these intriguing cats into your home, we’ll discuss how long Sphynx cats live and how to care for them so they enjoy the richest, happiest life possible.
Sphynx Cat Average Lifespan
According to the ASPCA, Sphynx cats have an average lifespan of 8–14 years, which falls on the lower end of the overall domestic cat lifespan spectrum. Unfortunately, one study suggests their actual longevity may be even much lower.
A 2024 UK study found that the average lifespan for the nearly 8,000 cats involved was 11.74 years.1 While the Burmese and Birman had the lengthiest lives of any studied breeds (14.42 and 14.39 years, respectively), the Sphynx cat was last, having an average age of only 6.68 years. The maximum age for Sphynx cats in the study was 14.67 years.
How to Care For Your Sphynx Cat for a Long Lifespan
Feeding & Diet
Sphynx cats are athletic, muscular cats that need high-quality protein from lean meats to fuel their development and maintain their physique. They do not have any breed-specific requirements, but you can discuss unique needs with your vet to pick an appropriate product.
Due to their lack of fur, Sphynx cats need more calories to maintain a heightened metabolism. At the same time, maintaining a median body weight is crucial for lengthening your Sphynx cat’s lifespan. After finding an appropriate food, you must monitor your cat’s weight and activity, making feeding adjustments as necessary.
Environment
Active cats like the Sphynx need diverse play equipment in the home to burn calories and prevent boredom. Scratch pads are fundamental grooming and enrichment devices to deter your cat’s claw care away from the furniture and carpet. Give them wall shelves, trees, various climbing equipment, and a warm bed in an isolated area where they can retreat.
Care
Sphynx cats need extra consideration because they are temperature-sensitive. Your home should stay climate-controlled to keep them from getting too cold, and you must protect them from sunburn. You may even consider getting them cat clothing to help them withstand the elements.
Cleaning
Sphynx cats develop an oily residue on their skin that requires more frequent cleaning. They need weekly baths with warm water and a mild shampoo to gently remove excess oils. Ear cleaning should occur on roughly the same schedule, though you may not have to clean them as often if there’s low discharge or debris buildup.
Otherwise, brushing their teeth 2–3 times weekly and trimming their nails every 2–3 weeks will wrap up their grooming routine.
Breeding
Breeding Sphynx cats is neither cheap nor easy, but it can be rewarding if you’re dedicated to improving the breed. Frequent health testing is essential for the HCM-prone breed, and you must be particularly gentle in handling hairless, vulnerable kittens. As you get started, look for an experienced Sphynx breeder who can help you through the process.
Healthcare
The Sphynx cat’s low life expectancy stems substantially from their predisposition to certain diseases. The breed is prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition involving a thickening heart muscle and abnormal heart function, and other debilitating health issues, including variably progressive hereditary myopathy.
Health screenings and annual vet visits are crucial in extending your Sphynx’s lifespan, allowing you to catch and address problems early to slow their onset and minimize their impact. Due to the myriad health issues within the breed, pet insurance can be highly beneficial for managing expensive treatments or procedures your cat may need as they age.
The Life Stages of a Sphynx Cat
Sphynx cats go through three general life stages: kitten, adult, and senior. Each entails unique considerations for the cat’s diet, routine, and care to ensure they stay healthy and content.
Kitten
Sphynx cats start losing milk teeth and weaning off their mother after roughly 6 weeks and are ready for adoption by 12 weeks. They reach their full size in about a year, though it may take an extra 8–12 months for them to fill out completely. Kittens demand close care to protect their sensitive hairless bodies and lots of bonding time to develop a confident, friendly personality, particularly during the testy adolescent phase that begins at around 6 months.
Adult
Adult Sphynx cats need at least one annual checkup, a high-quality diet, and a consistent grooming routine. While you will feed several small meals for growing kittens during the day, you can transition to feeding your cat an adult cat food 2–3 times daily, though you can also free-feed to keep up with their metabolism if you closely monitor their weight.
Senior
Like other breeds, Sphynx cats become seniors at 12 years, at which point they tend to sleep more, exercise less, and show various behavior changes. Routine vet checkups may need to be a twice-yearly ritual, and extra care should go into caring for the teeth and choosing an appropriate, palatable diet that accommodates their dental health.
Providing warm, comfy sleeping areas and easy access to the necessities will reduce issues and promote a more independent lifestyle.
How to Tell Your Sphynx Cat’s Age
Telling a Sphynx cat’s age is not easy since you don’t have a coat to offer clues. Not to mention, those wrinkles can make even the youngest cat look old. Dental development is your best clue. Cats develop all 30 adult teeth by 6–7 months.
From there, signs of wear and tartar buildup can help you estimate their age. Adult cats over 1.5–2 years old will also have fully developed muscles, while senior cats tend to get bonier as their skin sags. Senior Sphynx cats may also have cloudier eyes as their vision degenerates.
Conclusion
Sphynx cats may have a shorter lifespan than many other breeds, but their longevity and quality of life primarily depend on the owner. One Sphynx-Devon Rex mix named Grandpa Rexs Allen lived over 34 years, proving they can have just as much resilience as the next cat.
With proper care and attention to essential health concerns, you can be confident that your Sphynx cat will provide many years of playful joy and loyal affection to the entire family.
Featured Image Credit: Olga Shusters, Shutterstock
