Why Sphynx Cats Should Not Be Banned
Some countries are rashly banning Sphynx
The Netherlands banned “Nude” cats in April 2024. It was a shocking turn of events. Austria has legislation proposed to ban Sphynx.
The Netherlands report is very daunting as it’s very long and clearly they spent a lot of time to fight against the breed. However, the length does not give it legitimacy.
These are my thoughts, if you or anyone you know has any ideas or scientific knowledge or would like to help us fight these bans, please contact me citizenkat@rocketmail.com
1) Claim That They Cannot Thermoregulate.
This is false.
Sphynx are able to control their body temperature just like any other cat.
Thermoregulation defined: the maintenance or regulation of temperature specifically; the maintenance of a particular temperature of the living body.
If we were to take 100 temperatures of Sphynx from vet reports (of healthy cats) - The majority of them would be 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 - 38.9 Celsius) as is found standard in cats. This is something we could achieve without a study. I would love for a study to be done as well and published as there is a lot of misinformation about this on the internet. Due to this widely circulated misinformation, many people think Sphynx are 4 degrees warmer.
2) CLAIM: Whiskers Are Needed.
Sphynx have adjusted so they can hunt and have balance without them. Balance comes from the inner ear. Cats can happily adjust without whiskers. There are no visible detriment to show they are clumsy or cannot function without them. There are no valid scientific studies to prove otherwise. Anyone who sees a Sx in person will note how agile and balanced they are.
3) CLAIM: Sphynx Cannot Survive Outside.
While this is partially true if it is a colder climate, it would not be true in a warmer climate. They could easily thrive in warmer climates.The same could be said of humans. We need shelter and clothes to survive in the colder climates.
Most animals have evolved and behaviorally adapted to the climates they live in.
A polar bear or penguin is best in North Pole. This does not mean they should not exist. An iguana needs a warmer climate. Per Dr Lyons study, cats are originally from the desert and have adapted to their environment as they spread across the continents.
Example: Longhair cats would not do well in very hot climates. You will find them in colder climates.
Cats are active mostly at dusk and dawn to hunt. Their skin would not be exposed to the extreme midday sun.
The reality is that Sphynx should live happily as indoor pets as it is safer. Allowing cats outside is detrimental to the wild life as they are prolific hunters. Therefore, it is hard to justify these claims made in the “bambino Sphynx“ report.
4) Claim: Sphynx Have More Skin Diseases.
Uticaria pigmentosa happens in all cats and the scientists believe it is related to the immune system and is likely a mast cell issue. This is manifesting in the skin, it is not because they are hairless.
There is no scientific evidence or studies that I have found that prove it happens more in Sphynx and Devon Rex. In one study done, the scientists admitted that it may be that owners notice it more because the hairlessness or thinner coat makes it more apparent.
Also, in a 2023 French scientific study done on Sphynx cats, there were several tests performed and nothing showed that they suffered from being hairless. (See below for more detail)
Sphynx may have more Malassezia on their skin, however, this is not detrimental to their health or life and there are no medical consequences from this. This can also be curbed with bathing regularly.
5) Claim: Sphynx Have Eye Issues
There is a study that claims Sphynx get more eye issues but it lacks comparison to other breeds. All cats are prone to eye issues. If you look at feral kitten rescues, other breeds etc, you see a lot of them with swollen, runny eyes.
Eye diseases and infections are a cat issue, not specifically a Sphynx issue. If you take a look at dogs- puppies don’t get these issues.
6) The gene mutation they say is an issue… I believe it is found in humans and in mice. If it exists safely in other animals, it can in cats too. I’d really need someone with a science degree to help with that part of it to make sure my take is right.
7) From the 2023 Paper “Skin Physiology of Cat Breeds With Modified Hair: Sphynx, Devon Rex And Cornish Rex”, (SPMH)
“It has been shown that they have, perhaps by compensation, a particularly large quantity of sebum and a skin flora, fungal and bacterial, more diverse than that of cats with unmodified hair.”
There were several tests detailed in the study, such as skin elasticity, the flora of the skin, the hydration of the skin, and pH of the skin. While some of these tests showed differences from standard haired cats, none of these deviations were a health issue that affected the quality of life.
The authors of the study believe that Sphynx and Devon Rex are more susceptible to skin cancer. However, they did say this remains unproven in the population. While this hypothesis remains unproven, as a Sphynx breeder of 20 years, I agree it is likely to be true. This one of the many reasons I recommend Sphynx stay indoors. Like humans, if taken outside, they should remain in the shade.
The SPMH study discusses some skin conditions such as Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP). This is caused by excessive numbers of mast cells in the skin. They think UP might be more prevalent in Sphynx and Devon Rex. There is no scientific study to show what percentage of the population has this ailment. I believe it is still exceedingly rare and the cases may be caused by inappropriate food for cats.
However, is it just more noticeable in these breeds and reported more because it can be visually seen? There are reports of this disease in coated cats, humans and dogs. In humans, some of the mutations that cause this disease are known.
From Pediatric Mastocytosis Is a Clonal Diseases Associated with D816 V and Other Activating c-KIT Mutations by Christine Bodemer, et al.
“A mutation of codon 816 (exon 17) was found in 42% of cases, and mutations outside exon 17 were observed in 44%. Unexpectedly, half of the mutations were located in the fifth Ig loop of c-KIT's extracellular domain, which is encoded by exons 8 and 9. All mutations identified in this study were somatic and caused a constitutive activation of c-KIT. There was no clear phenotype– genotype correlation, no clear relationship between the mutations and familial versus spontaneous disease, and no significant change in the relative expression of the c-KIT GNNK+ and GNNK isoforms. These findings strongly support the idea that, although pediatric mastocytosis can spontaneously regress, it is a clonal disease most commonly associated with activating mutations in c-KIT.”
If this disease is caused by a mutation as it is in humans, then it would be wiser to fund a study to find the mutation in felines and have a DNA test for it so the mutation can be removed from the population. Sphynx and Devon Rex originated from the domestic population, so if it is a mutation, it is in all cats.
Final note from the SPMH paper:
“This data must, however, be confirmed by additional studies on several body sites, of a large population of Sphynx, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and European type cats.”
Conclusion:
Years ago, I was concerned about this happening with this incredible breed. This is why I included information to help fight animal rights groups in my TICA Sphynx breed presentation. I wanted everyone to understand that Sphynx do not suffer from being hairless and to be prepared with information to fight it.
I believe this breed was grouped into others simply because of discrimination about how they look. If you look at the facts, how they live, it is very clear this was an unfair and biased report.
The bottom line, these clever affectionate cats live wonderful lives and deserve to exist as a breed.
You may be wondering what you can do to help. You can help!
Writing letters of support of the sphynx, providing health records, etc.
We are looking for scientists to do studies as well, and we know we could help fund them as Sphynx are an incredible breed that will have incredible support.
Please contact the following people:
Alessio Pasquini, 2024 TICA Sphynx Breed Chair
Email: ilgattoblu@hotmail.com
Saskia Derwig, longtime Sphynx breeder in Europe
Email: Saskiaderwig@icloud.com
Emily Greene
Email: CitizenKat@rocketmail.com
Bibliography:
Glaziou Heloise, Skin Physiology of Cat Breeds With Modified Hair: Sphynx, Devon Rex And Cornish Rex, 2023
Tomich, L., Pieper, J., Urticaria pigmentosa-like skin disease in a domestic shorthair cat, 2019