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#1 Food allergies: It is not uncommon for some sphynx to have food allergies. Many studies have shown that certain ingredients contained in cat food are more likely to cause food allergies than others. The most common offenders are chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, corn, soy, wheat gluten and dairy products. If you take notice, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in many cat foods on the market.
Primary symptoms of food allergies is itchy or irritated skin that will range anywhere from small pimples, bumps or rashes to larger open wound type soars that ooze. In the sphynx breed, these symptoms are much easier to identify due to the breed having no hair and their skin exposed.
You can get your cat tested to find out the culprit quickly. If you do not want to start with testing first, you can try a limited ingredient food where the primary protein is different than what you are currently feeding. Example we see chicken is often the issue, so try a beef limited ingredient food instead. Limited ingredient foods are just that very few ingredients so less to be allergic to when trying to figure things out. This can take a couple of weeks and yes their tummies can be upset due to the change, but hopefully you see the skin improve/bumps go away…and then the tummy might adjust.
Homemade diets (raw diet) are often used, as the ingredients can be carefully restricted. Regardless of the diet used, it must be the only thing the cat eats for a couple of weeks to see. This means no treats, and no human food absolutely nothing but the special food and water
Contact Dermatitis: Symptoms include red, itchy bumps and inflamed skin where your Sphynx cat had made contact with a chemical or another type of irritant. It can also be caused by rubber or plastic food bowels or dishes. The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to keep Sphynx away from areas where chemicals are being used and to feed your Sphynx with glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic bowels or dishes.
Feline Acne: Very common in the Sphynx breed where they form comedones (also known as blackheads) on the underside of the chin and edges of the lips. These symptoms may be associated with plastic or rubber food dishes or bowls. Using stainless steel or ceramic bowls is best. It is common in the Sphynx breed because of their oily skin as well. Applying witch hazel using a cotton ball can help. Please see your vet and get their advice on this before hand.
Stud Tail: This is caused by glands near the tail that excrete excessive oils. The result is a greasy, rancid-smelling waxy brown material at the top of the tail near the base. This condition is most often often found in Un-neutered males, but fixed males and females can get it as well. Treatment involves neutering your Sphynx cat, and a daily wash with an antiseborrheic shampoo. Please see your vet and get their advice on treatment.
Sunburn: The Sphynx cats are very prone to sunburn and should be kept out of direct sunlight during peak sunlight hours if possible, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to reduce the risk of sunburn and minimize the long-term risk of developing skin cancers. The symptoms of too much sun usually consists of blotchy brown spots, redness or patches of red in the torso area or red bumps (heat rash) on the body. You could also put a shirt on them during these hours as well for protection under supervision or look into getting your windows tinted. They sell film you can place on your windows.
Just bear in mind that when it comes to any form of skin condition on your Sphynx cat ask yourself; What has changed recently in my household that could of caused my Sphynx to get a rash or irritated skin?
1. Diet (Food or snacks) 90% of rashes and irritated skin is from food. Chicken or not using a grain free food is usually the culprit.
2. Laundry soap and dryer sheets (Perhaps you washed their favorite blanket or bed)
3. Pet Shampoo
4. Over bathing - yes over bathing can cause skin irritation and rashes - try extending your bath times, some owners only wash monthly.
5. New Medication
6. Water bowl or dish (try to use ceramic, stainless steel or glass bowls, stay away from plastic bowls (plastic causes pimples or black heads)
7. Cleaning chemicals (Just cleaned the tub or sink, even the toilet seat or lid with a cleaner where your Sphynx frequently goes to drink from the drippy tub faucet or just hang out?)
8. Changing kitty litters
9. Sunbathing/ window bathing can cause a red spotty rash and irritation
Always see your vet when in question!
Primary symptoms of food allergies is itchy or irritated skin that will range anywhere from small pimples, bumps or rashes to larger open wound type soars that ooze. In the sphynx breed, these symptoms are much easier to identify due to the breed having no hair and their skin exposed.
You can get your cat tested to find out the culprit quickly. If you do not want to start with testing first, you can try a limited ingredient food where the primary protein is different than what you are currently feeding. Example we see chicken is often the issue, so try a beef limited ingredient food instead. Limited ingredient foods are just that very few ingredients so less to be allergic to when trying to figure things out. This can take a couple of weeks and yes their tummies can be upset due to the change, but hopefully you see the skin improve/bumps go away…and then the tummy might adjust.
Homemade diets (raw diet) are often used, as the ingredients can be carefully restricted. Regardless of the diet used, it must be the only thing the cat eats for a couple of weeks to see. This means no treats, and no human food absolutely nothing but the special food and water
Contact Dermatitis: Symptoms include red, itchy bumps and inflamed skin where your Sphynx cat had made contact with a chemical or another type of irritant. It can also be caused by rubber or plastic food bowels or dishes. The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to keep Sphynx away from areas where chemicals are being used and to feed your Sphynx with glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic bowels or dishes.
Feline Acne: Very common in the Sphynx breed where they form comedones (also known as blackheads) on the underside of the chin and edges of the lips. These symptoms may be associated with plastic or rubber food dishes or bowls. Using stainless steel or ceramic bowls is best. It is common in the Sphynx breed because of their oily skin as well. Applying witch hazel using a cotton ball can help. Please see your vet and get their advice on this before hand.
Stud Tail: This is caused by glands near the tail that excrete excessive oils. The result is a greasy, rancid-smelling waxy brown material at the top of the tail near the base. This condition is most often often found in Un-neutered males, but fixed males and females can get it as well. Treatment involves neutering your Sphynx cat, and a daily wash with an antiseborrheic shampoo. Please see your vet and get their advice on treatment.
Sunburn: The Sphynx cats are very prone to sunburn and should be kept out of direct sunlight during peak sunlight hours if possible, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to reduce the risk of sunburn and minimize the long-term risk of developing skin cancers. The symptoms of too much sun usually consists of blotchy brown spots, redness or patches of red in the torso area or red bumps (heat rash) on the body. You could also put a shirt on them during these hours as well for protection under supervision or look into getting your windows tinted. They sell film you can place on your windows.
Just bear in mind that when it comes to any form of skin condition on your Sphynx cat ask yourself; What has changed recently in my household that could of caused my Sphynx to get a rash or irritated skin?
1. Diet (Food or snacks) 90% of rashes and irritated skin is from food. Chicken or not using a grain free food is usually the culprit.
2. Laundry soap and dryer sheets (Perhaps you washed their favorite blanket or bed)
3. Pet Shampoo
4. Over bathing - yes over bathing can cause skin irritation and rashes - try extending your bath times, some owners only wash monthly.
5. New Medication
6. Water bowl or dish (try to use ceramic, stainless steel or glass bowls, stay away from plastic bowls (plastic causes pimples or black heads)
7. Cleaning chemicals (Just cleaned the tub or sink, even the toilet seat or lid with a cleaner where your Sphynx frequently goes to drink from the drippy tub faucet or just hang out?)
8. Changing kitty litters
9. Sunbathing/ window bathing can cause a red spotty rash and irritation
Always see your vet when in question!
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are they littermate brothers ? look forward to an introduction post of your sweeties! 
