Sphynx Cat's Pure Love of Bathtime Is Off-Brand but So Cute
The generally accepted story is that cats loathe water and that bathing a cat is akin to taking your very life in your hands. My own cat likes to come into the bathroom every time one of us is in the bath and cry piteously while crouched on the lid of the toilet, extremely concerned that we would ever willingly submerse ourselves in water.
Of course, not all cats are so filled with disdain for the aquatic life. Several breeds are known for their love of swimming, such as the Maine Coon and the Turkish Van. This hairless Sphynx cat in an adorable bathing cap loves baths so much that her mom can’t get her out of the tub.
In this video, an adorable Sphynx cat named Kiri shows precisely how wild she is for her regular bath time. She rushes in front of her mom toward the tub, wearing her adorable flowered bathing cap to protect her ears, and leaps right in.
Of course, it could have something to do with the treats her owner gives her while she’s in the tub. What won’t a cat do for a Churu? (Not mine, though. They won’t touch them.)
Related: Sphynx Cat's Weird Yet Adorable Sleeping Position Is Quickly Going Viral
Or maybe it has to do with the owner’s steadfast efforts to get the animal to tolerate or even like the water. With careful training, some cats even seem to enjoy water sports, like this Maine Coon who likes to go paddle boarding.
But this is especially important for hairless breeds of cat, who actually need regular bathing as part of their grooming requirements.
Hairless Breeds and Baths
The “hairless” cat is actually a bit of a misnomer, as cats from hairless breeds can be completely hairless, or they can have short, downy hair on their body. Regardless, they have different bathing needs than normal cats.
While most cats take care of bathing with their tongues, and will not require baths unless they get themselves into something messy, acquire fleas or other pets, or become ill, hairless cats need regular grooming in the form of baths. If they don’t receive bathing, sebaceous oils on their skin can build up, making them dirty, sticky, smelly, and generally unclean. (In furry cats these oils are distributed in their fur and cleaned during regular bathing sessions). Sphynx cats and similar breeds should in fact be bathed about once a week.
However, since even Sphynx cats are—you know—cats, they must be socialized early on if you hope for them to like water as much as the kitty in this video.
Is a Sphynx Cat Right For You?
Sphynx cats are the best known of the hairless cat breeds. The breed was developed in the middle of the twentieth century, and are beloved for their unusual appearance as well as their outgoing personality. But before you invest in this rare and expensive breed, there are a few things you should know.
The first is that their lack of fur means Sphynx cats need more grooming, not less. They need these weekly baths to help remove oily build-up on their skin, w which can make them greasy and more like “stinks” cats. Not only do Sphynx cats get dirty, their ears also need regular cleaning to get rid of the wax build up. In addition, Sphynx cats need to be kept out of the sun as their delicate skin can burn easily, and their claws need to be kept carefully trimmed to prevent them from catching on their thin, velvety skin and making wounds. Finally, their lack of hair makes them extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and they will need to wear protective clothing in the winter.
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