Although they don’t have the same diversity as dogs, cat breeds show considerable differences among themselves. One of these differences is their lifespan.

The average lifespan of a domestic cat is considered to be between 13 and 18-20 years, depending on the source consulted. Many cats live over 20 years, and it is expected that these ages will increase over time, thanks to better care and advances in veterinary medicine.

However, these values vary depending on the breed.

In the UK, a study tracked the deaths of nearly 8,000 cats between January 2019 and March 2021.

While two breeds stood out for their longevity (the Burmese and the Birman), Sphynx cats (or sphinx cats) had the shortest lifespan.

Taking all the data together, cats in the UK had an average lifespan of 11.7 years, with purebred cats living 1.5 years less than mixed-breed cats.

Although it is commonly said that Sphynx cats usually live between 8 and 14 years, in this study, their average lifespan was only 6.7 years.

A bit of history

The Sphynx is a recent breed. The first recognized sphinx cat was named Prune, a hairless cat born in Ontario, Canada.

The lack of fur is due to a recessive genetic mutation that occurred naturally. Some breeders, upon learning of the existence of these cats, focused on fixing their specific characteristics through breeding to create the current Sphynx breed.

All current Sphynx cats descend from just two families of cats.

Over time, other hairless cats were added to the breeding process to strengthen the breed genetically, as many kittens did not survive.

For example, in the Netherlands, they were crossbred with Devon Rex cats, producing healthier offspring. However, they also inherited a genetic condition, which we will discuss later.

As a relatively recent breed, their genetic variety is very limited. These breeds often carry more harmful mutations than older breeds, in which selection over time has favored the improvement of health in the descendants.

Common serious diseases

One of the main health problems of the Sphynx cat is its predisposition to heart diseases, among other conditions.

The most prominent one is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats. This condition mainly affects the left ventricle, causing thickening of the heart muscle, which reduces the space inside the ventricles and decreases the amount of blood pumped.

It is estimated that between 14.5% and 34% of cats suffer from this condition to varying degrees.

The disease progresses over time in a variable manner and can be asymptomatic until a serious event occurs. If suspected, a veterinarian can diagnose it through echocardiography.

The problem with the Sphynx breed is its genetic predisposition to this disease. Although the condition does not manifest until adulthood (for these cats, 2-3 years old are already considered adults, and even earlier according to some experts), the genetic mutations are present from birth, meaning the disease develops over time.

In 87% of Sphynx cats, the responsible gene is ALMS1. Since this is a severe condition in advanced stages, genetic testing is recommended if possible.

Another condition with high genetic risk in Sphynx cats is congenital myasthenic syndrome or hereditary myopathy. This genetic disease is caused by abnormalities in the COLQ gene and is shared with the Devon Rex breed, a breed used in the development of the Sphynx.

The disease causes defects in the transmission of signals from the nerves to the muscles, leading to generalized weakness in the animal.

With proper care, the animal can live as long as a healthy cat, but it will experience periods of muscle weakness and fatigue. It is important to monitor the cat while eating to prevent choking or asphyxiation.

Hairless cats face problems

Being hairless, they are very vulnerable to the cold. While they are a loving breed, there is another reason they often seek physical contact with their owners: to take advantage of human warmth.

They are one of the breeds that require the most food relative to their weight for this reason. In addition to being active, they have a higher metabolism than other cats to compensate for the greater heat loss.

Their lower resistance to cold also increases the risk of respiratory problems, a condition further aggravated by the lack of hair.

On one hand, Sphynx cats may suffer from common respiratory problems found in any other feline breed, such as asthma or bronchitis.

But, lacking fur, they lose protection against allergens and irritants in the environment, which more easily reach the animal’s respiratory tract.

To make matters worse, Sphynx cats have a short muzzle, known as a flat or squashed face. It is not as extreme as the Persian cat, but it can cause breathing difficulties, mainly in high-temperature and/or humid conditions.

The lack of fur also poses a risk from the sun. In that regard, they are like us: spending too much time in the sun (something they also enjoy) carries the risk of sunburn.

Severe cases can lead to different types of skin cancer. Again, this is similar to what happens in humans.

It is important to monitor these animals, especially during the hours of peak sun intensity, to prevent possible harm.

And for all the Egyptian gods, please don’t use human sunscreen on them! The main problem is not only that it can be absorbed by their skin, but that dogs and cats have the habit of licking themselves.

These creams can be ingested and cause poisoning later on. We’re talking about the animals, of course. Don’t lick your cat’s back.

Despite all this, they are a breed with a friendly and peaceful personality.

They are curious and intelligent, with a calm temperament, ideal for people who prefer a cat that is not constantly jumping from curtain to curtain.

Moreover, they learn quickly and easily memorize commands.

They are very affectionate, and not just in search of warmth. They are animals that love to rub their face against their owner as a sign of affection and are very prone to purring.

They may require some care that their furry cousins do not, but we don’t know any Sphynx cat owner who regrets it. For added peace of mind, you always have Koko’s genetic analysis.