Are you looking for the best cat food for Sphynx?
Each cat breed has unique nutritional needs that should be met for optimum health. The Sphynx is no exception to this rule. The best food for your kitty should contain high-quality protein, animal fat, carbohydrates, and micronutrients.
What may work for one breed may not be a wise choice for the other.
In this blog post, we will go through the best cat food for Sphynx and a few things you need to know about the right nutrition for your kitty.
Let’s get started.
Let’s Get to Know the Sphynx Cat!
Sphynx is one of the most popular cat breeds best known for their hairless and unique bodies. These medium-sized cats are down-to-earth and grow to be between 6 to 12 pounds in weight.
Like most other breeds, female Sphynx cats are smaller in size than males.
While these cats don’t have hair on their bodies, they still come in various colors and patterns such as pointed, solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, etc.
The breed is known to be inquisitive and is highly curious about everything that’s going on. These kitties are extremely social and love to be around people–they make the perfect lap cat!
And they love attention.
Since the Sphynx doesn’t have hair, they’re more prone to changes in the temperature and need a good skin routine to stay healthy and happy.
Here’s The Deal: Common Sphynx Health Issues
Every breed is prone to developing certain health issues. The Sphynx is no exception to this rule. The best Sphynx cat food is one that is made keeping in mind all the health issues to keep your kitty protected from them.
Common Sphynx health issues include:
Periodontal Disease
Sphynx cats are prone to getting periodontal disease, so the right cat food for the breed should be easy to chew and must contain the right amount of calcium.
Urticaria Pigmentosa
This is a type of skin disease that leads to the formation of crusty sores on the kitty’s body. Foods rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are the right choice for the disease.
Cutaneous Mastocytosis
The condition causes mast cell tumors to appear. Foods rich in antioxidants and micronutrients are an excellent choice.
Hereditary Myopathy
This hereditary condition targets the cat’s muscle function and leads to death when the cat loses the ability to swallow.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
In this heart disease, the heart muscle thickens, making it less effective in pumping blood. Foods low in fats and carbs help prevent the condition.
Best Cat Food for Sphynx: One That Meets Unique Dietary Needs
Like I’ve mentioned before, each cat breed has unique dietary needs that should be met. In this section of the article, we will go through the nutritional requirements of the Sphynx breed.
Take a peek.
Say Hello to High Metabolism
Since this breed is hairless, the metabolism has to work overtime to maintain their body temperature. So, all the rules that apply to other cat breeds don’t apply to the Sphynx.
A Sphynx cat has a body temperature higher by 4 degrees than other kitties.
So, they burn more calories than your average housecat would as they have a higher resting metabolic rate than the others. So, these cats have incredibly large appetites–the more active your Sphynx, the more food she’ll need.
These kitties do best when you give them small meals throughout the day.
You can also leave some kibble in a bowl for your cat to munch on throughout the day.
So, what does this have to do with food?
Three moisture-rich yet small meals will help keep your kitty satisfied throughout the day. Foods high in protein and fat are the best choice for your Sphynx.
Food Sensitivities: They Happen
While Sphynx is a generally healthy cat breed, these kitties aren’t immune to digestive and gastrointestinal issues. The most common complaint you’ll come across is that of a smelly litter box.
In this case, you should go for a low-residue diet—something that’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates and grains.
What is the Best Cat Food for Sphynx?: Here’s the Deal
Feeding your kitty the right food can improve her health and overall well being. To find the best food for your cat, you need to know all about her unique nutritional requirements along with what a nutritionally-balanced cat food for the particular breed must contain.
In this section of the blog, we’ll go through the ideal cat food for Sphynx.
Here we go.
Since kitties are obligate carnivores, they thrive on a high-protein, animal-meat based diet. This small breed has a large appetite, and in order to satisfy your kitty and to keep her healthier, you should go for a high-protein diet. A raw food diet could also work if you have the time.
You can give your Sphynx raw liver, heart, fish, etc. to meet her protein needs.
According to vets, the best cat food for Sphynx contains 35-45% protein.
The best cat food for Sphynx is one that offers complete and balanced nutrition. The carbohydrates should come from high-quality sources such as whole grains and vegetables.
The kibble should not contain filler ingredients such as wheat and soy as they only inflate the caloric content in the food. A low-carb diet is the best for your Sphynx because:
- It is an excellent preventative measure from developing health issues later in life
- Improve lean body mass in young cats and slow the loss of muscle in older kitties
- Supports healthy functioning of the immune system
Most people love to steer clear of fat as it is painted as an enemy of one’s wellbeing.
That isn’t the case.
Fats help absorb important vitamins such as A, D, K, and E while providing your kitty with a concentrated source of energy. In fact, they can keep your kitty satiated for longer, and she’ll be more active in between meals.
Animal fat is ideal for Sphynx.
The breed also needs more fats to compensate for the lack of hair. Additionally, fats also help improve skin quality and control hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Excellent sources of fat include:
- Flaxseed, fish oil, krill oil
- Poultry, pork, beef
- Soybean, corn oil, sunflower
Now that you know all that you should about the Sphynx breeds and its unique nutritional needs, we would like to put all the information we gave you to good use and help you figure out the best cat foods for your feline friend.
We know that you’re busy, and while you would love to look for the best Sphynx cat food, you simply don’t have the time. So, we tried to make things easier for you by rounding up the top three foods on the market.
Take a peek.
Best Cat Food for Sphynx | Here’s Why You Should Get It | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Purina Beyond Grain-Free, Natural, Adult Dry Cat Food | Contains real ocean whitefish and egg, Enriched with probiotics for digestive health and overall wellbeing,
Doesn’t contain filler ingredients such as corn, wheat, and soy,
Free from grains,
No artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives | 4.9 Stars | Check now |
Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food | Chicken is the number one ingredient by weight, Supports muscles and provides energy, Easy to chew kibble made to reduce plaque, 100% complete and balanced meal,
Doesn’t contain filler ingredients | 4.8 Stars | Check now |
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Chicken Recipe | Contains minerals for heart, bladder, and kidney health, Made in FDA-approved facilities in the United States,
Uses natural ingredients
Enriches with Vitamin E, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids,
Improves immune function | 4.7 Stars | Check now |
Now, let’s review each of these individually, shall we?
Purina Pet Food is currently owned by Nestle and is one of the best pet food companies around the globe. The company strives to nourish pets and enrich their lives by creating recipes that provide them with optimum nutrition for overall health.
High-quality Animal Protein
This kibble contains ocean whitefish and eggs as the first two ingredients by weight, providing your cat with high-quality nutrients. The food doesn’t contain low-quality ingredients such as soy or wheat, which is great!
Grain and Gluten-free Recipe
The cat food does not contain wheat, corn, soy, or by-product meals. The wholesome recipes provide complete and balanced nutrition for your Sphynx without unnecessary ingredients.
Skin Health
This cat food promotes optimum skin health as it contains micronutrients and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 40% protein which is above-average
- 16% fat which is average
- 38% carbohydrates which are average
It also contains a moderate amount of meat, making it the best cat food for sphynx.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a quick peek at the pros and cons, shall we?
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Grain-free formula | ✖The bag isn’t re-sealable |
✔100% complete and balanced nutrition | |
✔Made with responsibly sourced ingredients | |
✔Natural ingredients | |
✔Great flavor and taste |
On to the next one.
Iams started in the 1940s and became one of the most popular pet food brands on the market. The brand uses only the best ingredients in its recipes without using filler ingredients and additives. The food is made in the United States in facilities that follow FDA regulations.
Chicken is the #1 Ingredient
The cat food lists chicken as its number one ingredient followed by chicken by-product meal. The meat in this recipe helps maintain strong muscles.
Healthy Digestion
The cat food contains a unique fiber blend that ensures digestive health. The beet pulp in this kibble helps absorb more nutrients, while healthy nutrients such as calcium and potassium improve teeth, heart, and kidney health.
Healthy Skin
This cat food contains Omega 3 and 6 Fatty acids for healthy and supple skin. The food is suitable for kittens as well as adult cats.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 32% protein which is near-average
- 15% fat which is average
- 38% carbohydrates which are above-average
The cat food contains a moderate amount of meat, making it the best cat food for sphynx.
Pros and Cons
Let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Doesn’t contain artificial preservatives | ✖Inconsistent recipe |
✔A complete and balanced meal | |
✔No fillers | |
✔Excellent for cats with sensitive stomachs | |
✔Omega-6 ensures skin and joint health |
A subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive, Hill’s Science, was founded by Dr. Mark Morris, a nutritionist. The brand carries a premium range of pet foods made in the US and strives to ensure your pet is healthy and happy. They use high-quality human-grade ingredients in their recipes.
Taurine for Heart Health
The cat food contains Taurine for heart health as well as balanced vitamins and minerals to support kidney and bladder functioning. The kibble is made in the United States in FDA-approved facilities to ensure your cat gets the best.
Vitamin E and Omega Fatty Acids
This dry cat food is enriched with Vitamin E as well as essential omega-6 fatty acids to help improve skin health–something a Sphynx cat could really use. On top of that, it contains antioxidants to improve immune system health.
Natural Ingredients
This is the best sphynx cat food as it contains high-quality and responsibly-sourced natural ingredients. Real chicken is the number one ingredient followed by chicken fat and chicken meal.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 32.% protein which is average
- 20.7% fat which is average
- 34.8% carbohydrates which are above-average
The dry cat also contains a moderate amount of meat, which is great!
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick peek at the pros and cons!
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔No artificial preservative, color, and fillers | ✖Some cats have a minor reaction |
✔Made in the United States | |
✔Excellent taste | |
✔Natural ingredients used in the recipes | |
✔Excellent for the long run |
In this section of the blog, we will address some of the frequently asked questions about Sphynx cat food.
Here we go!
1. Should I get special cat food for my Sphynx?
A breed-specific recipe isn’t necessary to ensure your kitty is getting the best out of the food.
In fact, some breed-specific recipes may not contain high-quality ingredients at all! You should go for cat food that meets all of your cat’s nutritional requirements and read the list of ingredients–don’t go by the picture on the bag of kibble.
2. What is the average lifespan of a Sphynx cat?
These medium-sized kitties are, on average, 6 to 12 pounds in body weight and have an average lifespan of 8 to 14 years. Weight and age are inversely proportional; the heavier your cat is, the lower her average lifespan gets.
A healthy diet that consists of high-quality cat food along with exercise can help increase your cat’s average lifespan.
3. How much food should I give to my cat?
For this, you’ll have to take into account several factors that include:
- Your cat’s age
- Level of activity
- Bodyweight
If your cat is obese, you’ll need to restrict calories. If your cat is overweight, you’ll need to increase the number of calories she’s getting.
An average house cat needs about 20kcal per pound of body weight to maintain her current weight. However, this number is slightly higher for the Sphynx cat, and your vet will be the best person to estimate how much you should feed your cat.
4. How many meals should I feed my Sphynx?
Two meals per day are sufficient for most cat breeds. However, that isn’t the case with the Sphynx as it has a higher metabolism than most cat breeds–thanks to the hairless body.
So, you’ll have to throw all the rules that you’ve learned about other cats out of the window!
Three meals per day are ideal for the Sphynx cat. If you are away from home during the day, you should invest in an automatic feeder for kibble–it’ll prove to be a great asset.
All in All: The Best Cat Food for Sphynx!
Did we help you find the best cat food for Sphynx?
In this article, we went through everything you needed to know about the Sphynx cat breed and all of the nutritional requirements. We hope that you learned a few things that you could take away from this article.
Each and every cat breeds has a set of its own nutritional needs that must be met to maintain optimum health.
Since cats are carnivores, they do best on a meat-based diet. The Sphynx is no exception to this rule.
Dr. Veronica Heller
Born and brought up in Grand Marais, Minnesota, ever since she was a little girl, Dr. Veronica Heller dreamed of becoming a vet thanks to Sruffy, her family pet. She graduated from College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota and began her veterinary career in Larpenteur Animal Hospital in St. Paul as an emergency Veterinarian. Since then, she has worked with Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, Small Animal Hospital, and Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. Her interests in the field include preventive medicine, internal medicine, nutrition, and surgery. She’s also a loving pet mother to two cats and a Golden Retriever.
