Advice for new Sphynx Mommy please!

[laurenanne]

Hi everyone, I'm so excited- two days ago I reserved a little tuxedo boy from a fantastic Breeder. He's still brand new, so I have four months to prepare for his arrival. One big question I have is the outside issue- we have two cats already and have put up electric pet fencing in the back yard. It's a small yard and with the fencing there is zero chance of them getting out of the garden; and I'm at home in the day to keep an eye out as well. I want to know- if I put up shade cloth and cover at least 1/3 of the garden and put sunblock on him (I live in South Africa, it can get warm) can I let him enjoy the limited outdoors with the other cats? Strictly in the garden- there is absolutely NO way to escape, and they have full access to the house throughout the day. Is this enough shelter for a Sphynx? I want the best for my new baby, so any tips/ suggestions/ advice is very welcome! Thank you.

 

[admin]

Hello @laurenanne - welcome and congrats! Sunblock can be poisonous to your sphynx kitty - http://www.sphynxlair.com/community/threads/is-sunblock-or-sunscreen-safe-for-my-sphynx-cat.17949/ due to the sphynx hairlessness they are more susceptible to the elements like the sun and any other weather conditions. I would imagine any animal that has the proper water and shelter would be fine under complete supervision of course as long as there is surely no escape routes, a sphynx would most likely not survive on his own outside like a furry cat would if they escaped. My recommendation is to let your sphynx outdoors supervised with a leash only. Sphynx can SUNBURN VERY easily as a human baby would with no sun protection.

 

[laurenanne]

Thanks so much. His access would be limited and supervised. So Pet sunblock isn't good for him? Wow Thanks for telling me- that would have been a disaster!!

 

[nfaerie]

Hi everyone, I'm so excited- two days ago I reserved a little tuxedo boy from a fantastic Breeder. He's still brand new, so I have four months to prepare for his arrival. One big question I have is the outside issue- we have two cats already and have put up electric pet fencing in the back yard. It's a small yard and with the fencing there is zero chance of them getting out of the garden; and I'm at home in the day to keep an eye out as well. I want to know- if I put up shade cloth and cover at least 1/3 of the garden and put sunblock on him (I live in South Africa, it can get warm) can I let him enjoy the limited outdoors with the other cats? Strictly in the garden- there is absolutely NO way to escape, and they have full access to the house throughout the day. Is this enough shelter for a Sphynx? I want the best for my new baby, so any tips/ suggestions/ advice is very welcome! Thank you.

Sphynx can only go outside for very short periods, fully supervised. Sunblock is toxic, they are always cleaning themselves so they eat it. They burn so easily and are prone to getting sun spots and cancer if allowed outside much. My advice is to allow supervised time in the evening when the sun is going down. I take my sphynx out during this time.

 

[laurenanne]

I'm personally quite neurotic, I have screens etc fitted in the windows; my cats are microchipped and their ID tags have my details as well as the inscription "if I'm outside I'm lost!" They are 99% indoor. My better half feels that cats need some time outdoors. Thanks to your responses I can prove to him that the prevailing opinion is the keep cats (especially little naked ones) indoors, and I'm not crazy I really didn't know about the sunblock though so thank you for that! The next challenge: ensure that I can keep 3 cats entertained and stimulated!

 

[andreanar]

I take my cats outside in the back yard, it is fenced in and I use harness and leashes. My yard is mostly shaded by trees. I agree with @nfaerie about taking them out when the sun is going down. When I take mine out, they get nice and tired from exploring, and stalking birds.

 

[1sphynxlover]

I have a screened in catio but I only let them out if I'm going out too. I'm just afraid that somehow they will get out. For my peace of mind, they are always supervised. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[MollysMom]

Yes, my breeder actually has it in her contract that they are INDOOR ONLY cats. I personally don't think I could even let a furry kit out to go roaming, or come and go as it pleases. I would be too scared that something would happen. We take ours out on leashes to run errands sometimes, and not very often to actually just be outside. Sometimes I take them out in the summer in the shade to chase a few bugs, but that is it.

 

[Lickleone]

Hello fellow South African I sent you a pm with info if you want of someone there who can advise on outdoors there

 

[laurenanne]

Thank you so much for your responses. I have just purchased a little harness and leash for my new baby- fur lined and reflective. It's been a while since I had a kitten, and I agree- rather be safe than sorry! They can get into the most unlikely spots, and I wouldn't want to risk it. My siamese cross walks so nicely on his harness, so I will make sure the naked baby does the same

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Welcome to sphynxlair good to have you.

 

[Inflamed]

Hi & welcome to the Lair!

Looks like you've gotten great advice, congratulations on becoming owned by a sphynx soon