Pissy Sphynx

[Janelle S]

I've had Cleo for about 6 weeks. So far, as much as I love her and she can be a sweetheart, she is pissy, pissy, pissy. Pissy and hissy about baths, pissy about having her ears cleaned, pissy about having her feet cleaned, pissy about having clothes put on and sometimes pissy for no reason at all.

In the last 25 years, most of my pets have come to me as adult rescues. I attribute a lot of pissiness to personality but a lot of it to people taking in an animal, young, and not training them for the things that are necessary - especially for exotic-type animals like Sphynx's, Persians, etc.

It's for their own welfare that they learn to tolerate bathing and other maintenance cleaning, etc., I think. I know a lot of people encounter hissing and such and just leave it alone - and that is why Cleo came to me with practically solid plugs of wax in her ears (her former owner admitted).

I'm not calling anyone out but I've taken in so many critters who are suffering because their humans thought it was better to leave well enough alone than to persevere. 'Course, it could have been apathy/a busy life in some of the cases.

What is your take on this?

 

[jovanna]

Kojak's previous guardian was diligent about cleaning his ears, bathing him, and cutting his nails. He tolerated these things, but did not happily submit to them. I adopted him when he was a year old. He is now three years old, and taking care of his hygiene is a constant struggle. He still detests it, and runs off when he sees nail clippers, ear cleaning supplies or hears the bath water running. I wrap Kojak in a blanket when I need to clean his ears or cut his nails. My husband usually takes care of the bathing. Some sphynxes like being pampered, and others do not. Aside from his lack of co-operation in the hygiene department, he is a dear, sweet, loving boy.

 

[Lickleone]

I bath my boy every Sunday since I've had him even though I got it down that it only takes a minutes in the actual water if that he acts as if I'm dipping him in acid ... Some learn to tolerate it some don't just like us with our hates and likes

 

[MollysMom]

I know that even though Molly cries and squirms getting her toes cleaned and claws clipped, it is for her own good.... It is just like having a human kid, letting them cry sometimes is what you have to do. I am lucky that Molly is pretty good about letting me do what I need to, just those back paws that we fight about once a week!!

 

[sciumi]

Astor hates all grooming stuff. One reason is simply that he doesn't like being restrained in any way.

Baths have gotten better thanks to flower essences of all things! But he's relatively clean for a Sphynx, so he doesn't need weekly baths. I can usually get through a nail trimming session before he gets *too* angry (although apparently he gives the vet a much harder time!), but I'll sneak little clips while he's asleep.

The one thing he doesn't really mind is ear cleaning. Well, he minds it the least. And, actually, since I got some medicated ointment from the vet, his ears are soooooooooo much cleaner.

Let's see...tooth brushing is no fun, and I procrastinate about it a lot. I know he'll only get better if I do it more regularly, but I just hate disturbing him Last time I brushed his teeth it went a little better, though! I really tried to just stick with it despite his complaints.


One thing that's tricky is finding a good balance: fussing with him enough so that all his needs are met, but not so much that he doesn't trust me. When I was with my ex and I was the only one doing the grooming, Astor would just sit and purr in my ex's arms and run from me if I tried to pick him up.

But he's a little more used to being fussed with now, and thanks to some helpful products, it's going much better! (I think my ex moving out helped a lot, too--I'm no longer the "bad cop," I'm the only cop!

 

[elleinad8050]

Hipo destests bathtime, he submits to it, but is very vocal the entire time about how upset he is. I just try to kiss his forhead and move it along quickly. As for ears, he is fine with that and so no struggle there.
For nails I found it was hard to get him to sit still and do it myself, so I actually get them done at Petco every two weeks. It is only USD 10, and he is an ANGEL for them! Honestly, you would think he loves to get his nails clipped by how he acts at groomer, but for me you would think I was trying to lop off a limb.

As a few others commented, avoiding to bathe and keep up the hygene of your sphynx is the same as giving into a child whenever they dont want to do something. Sometimes we need to do things we dont like because its for the best.

I also secretly think Hipo loves to be clean and fresh after the bath and kind of basks in the cleanliness. haha

 

[assibassi]

Our Hairy walks into the Bathroom , when we call for Bathtime, but he dont like it, but he lets us put him in and Bathe him. Ears are easy to do on him too. Nails are a bit harder and we wait till he falls a sleep, then he is ok with it.
Our other cat cries bloody murder at his Bathtime and we talk calm to him.
Its tuff luck for them, I Dont care or they like it, they have to deal with it !
My husband was at first like "ohhh poor things you cant do that ! " Oh watch me ! I am not mean about it, just do the deed thats needed. Yeah poor things , but they still Headbutt me after and purr and love on us, so they know... Mommy and Daddy are Mean... but we still love em after wards !

 

[2Knights]

Mine tolerate a bath, Arthur HATES anythign done with his feet, cleaning them, doing his nails etc. I wrap him to do his nails if he yells at me I tell him quite firmly, then talk to him with lovely dovey noises when he is being quiet. He has improved but I don't think there will ever be a hiss, spit free feet and nail trim!
Merlin wiggles but is quiet.

Both love you the instant you let them free!

 

[Graddydani]

I don't give them a choice. Itsmy husband and I who have to suffer the consequences if they smell bad or get into our bed with dirty nails on top of that I am constantly taking pics of them (like 100% of the members) I do not want ear tar or grossies on my pics so they just have to endure a clean as and when need be. Graddy is a pleasure to do. Everything. Sweetest boy but Hugo ... OH- MY - GAHHHH! It's just something they HAVE to get use to. It's for their own good. I will never understand how an owner can just leave it because kitty is upset. Kitty will probably be upset too when ear tar prevents them from hearing and walking properly

 

[Boonecat]

it is for their own good & has to be done regularly.. pissy or not. i get the dirty looks from my cats after their baths, but they forgive me within 10 minutes.

 

[Inflamed]

We always tells our boys that we only do these nasty things to them because we love them. And luckily they forgive us after they get a treat when it's all done
I don't understand people who get a pet but don't want to deal with the less fun stuff of taking care of them. They may not now it, but our sphynx kitties are grateful to be infection free!

 

[mikejg]

My kitten is no trouble when having his ears clipped or nails trimmed but he does not like being bathed or even just having his feet rinsed off. He won't hiss, he just struggles to get away. He doesn't completely detest being wet or being near water. He will come in the bath tub when someone is in there (he sits on the person, not in the water). And a couple times he has climbed into the dogs' water bowl with his two front feet to take a drink.

 

[angela1974]

Bella does hiss at me when I do her nails and bathe her. She is okay with the ears, but If I start using the q-tip too much, she squirms around. But 5 minutes later, she is loving me again. So I know her hissing and growling is just a thing she does. I try not to let her see me get discouraged. If I start to stress, it only makes her act out even more. I try and be calm and talk to her very softly. Then she gets her treats and she's fine afterwards.....If you are going to own a Sphynx, you need to take care of them no matter what....they can't clean their own ears and feet! We need to take care of all of that. I love my Bella and wouldn't change anything!