How to Bathe a Sphynx: 8 Expert Tips

It's easy to assume that a Sphynx requires less care than a furry cat, but hairless cat owners know the opposite is true. Sphynx cats need regular bathing to keep their sensitive and delicate skin healthy and bacteria-free.

The good news is that most Sphynx cats will grow up with regular bathing, so they will hopefully enjoy being in the water.

In this post, we'll share eight tips on how to bathe your Sphynx.

Eight tips for bathing your Sphynx

Prepare everything you need

The last thing you want is to put your cat in the bath only to realize you forgot something, like shampoo or a towel. This will only cause you and your cat more stress than necessary.

Before you begin, prepare by gathering all your supplies and placing them within easy reach of the tub.

You will need:

• Towel – to be placed at the bottom of the bathtub.
• Towel - for drying the sphinx.
• Washcloth
• Hypoallergenic shampoo for cats.
• Liquid ear cleaner
• Cotton discs

Create a calm atmosphere

Before you begin, try to make the room as quiet as possible. Turn off the TV or radio and alert everyone in the house that it's time to bathe your kitten—avoid slamming doors or people coming in and out of the room.

Once the house is quiet, fill the bathtub with warm water. The sound of water can scare your cat, so it's important to do this before bringing her into the same room.

Prepare the bath

Fill a bathtub or large bowl with enough water to reach the height of your cat's belly, but no more. Make sure the water is nice and warm, but not too hot.

Place one of the towels on the bottom of the tub. This will create a non-slip surface so your cat can feel more confident while standing in the bathtub.

Add a small amount of hypoallergenic cat shampoo to the water and stir.

Give your Sphynx a bath

Gently lower your Sphynx cat into the bath, making sure her back paws go in first, then her front paws. Speak calmly and quietly and talk to your cat to calm her down. Gently hold them in place by keeping one hand on your neck, but do not press on them.

Use a washcloth to wash your cat clean, taking care to clean between the folds of skin as well. Remember to wash your cat's tail, but avoid getting water on his face. You can clean between your cat's toes by gently pressing on the pads to expose the claws—dirt often gets trapped here.

Clean your cat's face with a washcloth, taking care to clean the area around the eyes.

Rinse off

When you're done washing your Sphynx cat, you can either use a pitcher of clean, warm water to rinse her, being careful not to get water on her face, or use a shower head. If you use the shower to wash them off, the sound may scare your cat, so make sure you hold your cat firmly.

Dry

Wrap the cat in a large dry towel and quickly dry it. To make your cat even happier, use a warm and toasty towel, but make sure it's not too hot! By this point, your cat may feel like she wants to leave you, so try not to drag out the process.

However, don't let your cat go just yet—there's still one important step left!

Ear cleaning

Sphynx cats need to have their ears cleaned at least once a week. These cats produce a lot of earwax, and their lack of hair means their ears quickly trap dirt. Using ear cleaner and a cotton swab, gently press down on each ear and wipe around the outer ear canal.

Time to treat yourself to something delicious

Once you've finished bathing your Sphynx, offer him a treat. First, hopefully your cat will begin to associate bath time with treats. Most cats tend to dislike water, so offering your cat a small treat after bathing will reassure her that you still love her!

What happens if you don't bathe your Sphynx?

Sphynx cats produce a lot of oil on their skin. If they are not bathed regularly, the oil will attract dirt and over time promote bacterial growth, especially between skin folds.

How often do you bathe your Sphynx?

Depending on how active your Sphynx is, you should bathe him once every one to two weeks. If you notice that your cat smells bad or is looking rusty or brown, it's probably time for a bath!

How to bathe a Sphynx cat?

Use shampoo specifically designed for cats. Hypoallergenic shampoos, especially those without fragrance, are best.

Conditions such as acne and yeast infections are more common in Sphynx cats. These conditions may require a medicated shampoo, so it is best to talk to your veterinarian about the best products to use when bathing your Sphynx.

Conclusion

When you bathe your Sphynx, it's important to have everything ready and then take your time to make the process as stress-free as possible—for both of you! Try not to let water get into your Sphynx cat's ears or face. Instead, use a washcloth to gently clean their face, and cotton balls and ear cleaner to clean the inside of their ears.

With patience, plenty of praise and a treat to finish, bathing your Sphynx can be an enjoyable and relaxing experience for both of you!