Sphynx and other hairless cats don't have a coat to trap their body heat, so they feel a chill much faster than furry cats. When the weather turns cold, a few simple changes can keep your cat comfortable all winter.
Signs your sphynx is cold
- Hunting for heat: laptops, heating vents, sunny windows or your lap
- Burrowing under blankets and staying there
- Curling up into a tight ball
- Cool ears and paws, or shivering
1. Add a warm layer
A well-fitting sweater is the easiest way to keep a hairless cat warm. Fleece is our warmest everyday fabric, minky is our softest and coziest, and long sleeves add extra coverage on the coldest days. For the deep freeze, try faux fur and sherpa.
2. Create cozy spots
Give your cat warm places to nap: a covered or cave-style bed, soft blankets they can burrow into, and a sunny window perch. If you use a heated pad, choose one made for pets, use a low setting, and make sure your cat can easily move off it.
3. Keep drafts away
Move beds away from drafty doors and windows, and keep the rooms your cat uses comfortably warm.
4. Watch for overheating too
If your cat starts seeking out cool floors or seems restless in a sweater, take a layer off. Clothes should keep your cat comfortable, not hot.
5. Keep clothes and skin clean
Sphynx skin produces natural oils that collect on fabric, so wash your cat's clothes regularly and rotate a few shirts. It also helps to give your cat's skin some time without clothes now and then.
If you notice changes in your cat's skin, appetite or behavior, check in with your veterinarian.
Not sure which size to get? See our size guide.