Sphynx Breeding Tips

A Sphynx is a completely hairless cat breed. Many fall in love with this feline's nontraditional looks, and some of them decide to get into the business of breeding them. The best way to learn about becoming a good breeder is to get to know other breeders. Many are happy to help, because they love sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the breed, but there are some general tips to successfully breed a Sphynx cat.

  1. Health and Nutrition of the Queen

    • A female cat is often called a "queen." The first thing to ask is if she has papers. Sphynx cats are known to have heart problems and a breeder wouldn't want this problem passed on to the kittens. Find out if there are health problems in the queen's line before she breeds. Next, consider her nutrition. A female cat requires plenty of food just before, during and after her pregnancy to maintain her health and produce enough milk for her kittens. According to the Feline Express website, high-quality kitten food and adult cat food and water should be available. Vitamins are also a good supplement. There are plenty of cat foods out there that are specifically designed for pregnant or nursing queens. When in doubt consult a veterinarian.

    Picking the Proper Mate

    • Breeders must choose the right male to ensure the quality of the kittens. The International Cat Association is one well-respected association that registers pure-blooded cats and catteries. If a breeder shows her felines are TICA-registered, it's a safe bet her males are worth your attention. Check the health of the male you're interested in, ask for copies of his tests and see if he's produced other litters. Have your female's own tests handy. Ask how the previous litters have fared and what's the stud service fee. Find out if you need to travel or if you have to send or receive a cat. Sending a female to a breeder incurs expenses, but not knowing how the breeder goes about doing the breeding can be disastrous. Simply tossing an already frightened female with a male could mean she fights him or goes out of heat completely.

    Kitten Care

    • Once the kittens are born, monitoring the mother's nutrition generally takes care of the newborns' nutrition for a few weeks. It's best to keep an eye on other health-related issues. Sphynx kittens tend to freeze to death easily given their lack of fur. Make sure the kittens are eating enough and are breathing well. Gauge the kittens' physical development and see if anything strikes you as strange. When the kittens are old enough, make sure they're vaccinated and that the vet gives them a thorough check-up. Keep records of what boosters are given and when. Kittens typically wean at around 6 weeks of age, as the queen's milk production slows and then halts. Introduce soft kitten food at that time. Kittens, if they are to live with families, must also be socialized. They should be held, petted, bathed and groomed like adults and played with by humans and other animals alike.

    Finding Good Homes

    • When your Sphynx kittens are ready to go to their new homes, make sure you have access to their papers to give the new owners. Research the prices of the breed to see what they go for, but if people in your area can't afford the normal price you may have to make exceptions. The best thing is to advertise once the kittens are born and get prospective homes and families lined up before they're weaned. Make sure to check potential owners and what living situations the kittens will be in. Share details with the new owners, such as the food you're feeding the kittens and some of their personality quirks. Don't forget to give them shot records and information on where to get their pedigrees. Always get a bill of sale and offer a health guarantee, which marks you as a responsible breeder.