My First Sphynx :)

[Natalie]

Hello everyone! I got my first sphynx last week, he's 3 years old & super friendly! But quite nervous of my dog at the moment! The previous owner hasn't bathed him, she just used baby wipes or a wet cloth, is this ok or should I try bathing him? Also is it normal for sphynx to have really watery eyes? I have to wipe them a few times a day, she said she had him to the vet & there was no infection.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Congrats! I would always say it is better to be safe than sorry and just get a check up with your vet and to introduce them to your baby. As far as bathing...3 years and no bath...wow! If there is no existing skin issue then best not to stress the little one right away. You might try a bath after they are totally settled in and see if skin feels/looks different. I cannot imagine not bathing either of mine or I would be full of wax...lol!!!!

 

[Natalie]

Well the thing is I presumed he had been with her for 3 years but when I text her asking about vaccinations she told me she had only had him 2 months as she rehomed him from someone else, so I don't know if he's had baths at his first owners house! But yeah I think I'll let him completely settle him & then maybe just stand him in the sink with a small amount of water & wash him with a cloth & see how he reacts, he doesn't feel oily at all though which is good because he's practically living in my bed at the moment, hopefully he'll come out his shell a bit more soon!

 

[Inflamed]

Hi & welcome to the Lair!
It's not uncommon for a cat to get a URI from the stress caused by moving. If it persists, see a vet.
About the bathing. We wash our sphynx only with a warm, soapy washcloth because we don't own a bath and they don't really seem to like slippery sinks. Our method gets them clean and so we're sticking with it. When you do try a bath, it's my understanding that they prefer chest high water to a low waterlevel and that they are calmer then.
Good luck!

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for the advice! I don't have a bath either but I use a baby bath for my maine coon so I may try him in there when he's settled!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Welcome to sphynxlair, good to have you.

 

[admin]

Hello Natalie and welcome to Sphynxlair! So glad you found us! Yes, it does take some time, a week or two for your new sphynx to settle in. As the others said, the bath can wait until he is a bit more comfortable. I would see a vet about the eyes for sure. Please enjoy our sphynx community!

 

[Boonecat]

Sphynx should be bathed once a week. If the eyes are watering either clear or its a pinkish color, there is no infection. Both my Sphynx and Bambino have the watery eyes. I use a lot of cotton balls & tissues

 

[VenturaGuy]

Im a new sphynx owner to. When I brought my boy home he hid. Soon as I found out he liked both his cheeks scratched at the same time he would come out as Im rubbing them. Every cat Ive owned has a spot. If you find it the cat mind goes blank. I liken it to a back rub or foot rub after a hard days work.

 

[savannah mommy]

Your new kitty is so precious! Congrats! I know that when my kitties are clean they are a lot happier too. You may wait a couple days and try a bath. Good luck

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for everyone's advice, he had his vet appointment today & he has conjunctivitis. He's settling in a lot better now I bought some baby wipes to clean him but I bought aloe vera ones then read on here it's toxic to them! I have some eco vegan baby shampoo coming tomorrow so will try a bath soon, can anyone give me any tips on bathing him? He'll be bathed in a baby bath which I will probably put inside the shower incase he causes lots of splashes! Any particular technique for shampooing? I presume they don't need conditioner?! and should I keep him wrapped in a towel for a while afterwards as I imagine he'll be freezing? What about cleaning round his face?