Frequently Asked Questions

Sphynx care includes attention to skin, ears, nails, teeth, food, and warmth. Our Intro Care Guide covers the everyday basics, with individual homecoming notes provided for Kitness kittens.

Sphynx are naturally social and often do very well with children and other animals. They frequently become the little social director of a multi-pet household.

As with any cat, personalities differ, and good introductions help everyone settle in. Children should be taught to handle their new family member gently, and other pets should be introduced at a comfortable pace. With a good introduction and respectful handling, Sphynx generally enjoy being part of the family rather than watching it from the sidelines.

Yes. Sphynx are very social cats and enjoy being involved with their people, but that doesn't mean you need to be home with them all day. Cats naturally spend a large portion of the day sleeping and resting, with their typical bursts of activity occurring around morning and evening.

Give them a comfortable place to sleep, food and water, a clean litter box, and some things to keep them entertained while you're away. A normal workday is not, by itself, a reason you can't have a Sphynx.

That depends on what you mean by outside. Some of my clients take their Sphynx for walks in a stroller or on a leash, and a secure catio is an excellent way to provide fresh air and outdoor stimulation.

What I don't recommend is treating a Sphynx like a typical indoor/outdoor cat and allowing it to wander the neighborhood. Sphynx are generally very friendly, recognizable and valuable cats, which unfortunately makes theft a real concern. Outdoor roaming also increases exposure to disease, parasites, traffic, predators and other hazards.

Be particularly careful around entry doors if your cat becomes determined to get outside. Kitness cats are microchipped, but a microchip is a backup—not a substitute for preventing escape.

There isn't one useful number because prices may vary depending on the cat's taste. 😹

Sphynx may cost slightly more to feed than the average coated cat because their higher metabolism helps them maintain body temperature. Expect somewhat higher food—and therefore litter—use.

Grooming supplies such as shampoo and ear cleaner last quite a while, so those costs are relatively minor. Veterinary costs are less predictable beyond routine annual care.

The Intro Care Guide includes a suggested supply list to help estimate your initial setup costs.

Pet insurance is an individual decision based on your needs, budget and comfort level. Some owners prefer insurance, while others choose to maintain a dedicated pet fund for veterinary expenses.

If you choose insurance, compare coverage, exclusions and deductibles carefully, as policies can vary considerably.

No cat is truly hypoallergenic. Sphynx still produce Fel d 1, the most common cat allergen, although their lack of a traditional coat changes how allergens accumulate and spread.

Individual cats—and individual people—vary considerably, so spending time with a Sphynx may give you useful information about your likely reaction but cannot guarantee that you won't react.

If you're considering purchasing a Kitness kitten and would like to see how you react to Sphynx in general, contact me. Arrangements can sometimes be made to meet a vaccinated adult away from the kittens.

Once we’ve agreed on your kitten, I’ll send the contract for review and signature. A $500 deposit is then required and applied toward the total price.

A deposit represents a commitment to a particular kitten or cat. Once an animal is reserved, I stop offering it to other potential homes, so deposits are generally non-refundable if the buyer changes their mind.

If I am unable to complete the placement, I will work with you toward a suitable alternative, such as another available kitten. If a suitable alternative cannot be found, the deposit will be refunded.

Please refer to the purchase contract for the complete terms.

Payment: Kitness accepts Venmo, Zelle, or cash. Payment instructions are provided directly after the purchase agreement is completed. A receipt for cash payment is available upon request.

No additional payment is required until pickup, although advance payments toward the remaining balance can usually be arranged for budgeting purposes.

Other payment services, credit cards and third-party financing are not currently offered.

I do not allow visitors to my property or direct exposure to young kittens before they are fully vaccinated. Illness can be carried in on clothing, hands or shoes, and protecting the litter has to come before making a sale.

If you're considering a Kitness kitten and would like to meet a Sphynx, arrangements can sometimes be made to meet a vaccinated adult away from the kittens.

I'm also happy to arrange a live video call so you can see the cats play and interact and ask questions. WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet and FaceTime can generally be accommodated.

Photo updates are typically sent weekly while you wait. You’re always welcome to check in between updates.

We aim to complete spay/neuter and allow time for recovery by 12 weeks of age, depending on veterinary appointment availability. Once the appointment is confirmed, I’ll let you know the expected homecoming date (hopefully with about four weeks’ notice).

Delivery within a 30-minute drive of Kitness is included. Longer-distance and nationwide delivery can be arranged for an additional fee based on your location and travel needs. We’ll discuss and agree on the cost before you commit.

Your kitten comes with age-appropriate vaccinations, spay/neuter, a veterinary check, FeLV/FIV/heartworm testing, a microchip, and litter training. You’ll also receive a starter supply of their current wet and dry food for a gradual transition, along with the kitten’s and parents’ records.

We’re committed to annual HCM screening by echocardiogram for our adult breeding cats. Their latest screening dates and results appear on their profiles. What is HCM?

Kittens are tested for FeLV, FIV, and heartworm before going home. Results are included with their records. What do these tests screen for?

FeLV stands for feline leukemia virus, and FIV stands for feline immunodeficiency virus. Both are viruses that can affect a cat’s immune system. Heartworm is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes. Blood testing screens for signs of these infections; your veterinarian interprets the results and advises on any follow-up. Learn about screening tests.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes the heart muscle to thicken. An echocardiogram—an ultrasound of the heart—is used to evaluate it. A normal screening describes the heart at the time of the exam; it cannot guarantee that HCM will never develop. Learn more from Cornell.

HCM is an important concern in the breed; read our HCM explanation. Some cats have sensitive digestion, so food changes should be gradual. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea deserves a veterinary check. Skin and dental care also deserve regular attention, and their sparse coat means they need protection from cold and excessive sun. More about Sphynx health and care.

Kittens receive age-appropriate vaccinations before going home. Kittens leaving before 12 weeks will need additional vaccinations from your veterinarian; the remaining schedule will be included with their records.

Yes. Pet kittens leave spayed or neutered.

For pet kittens, I generally aim to spay or neuter at approximately 11 weeks of age and a minimum weight of about 2.5 pounds, provided the kitten is healthy and ready for surgery.

You may have heard recommendations to wait until a cat is older before spaying or neutering. Current feline veterinary guidance supports altering cats before sexual maturity, and available evidence has not shown a health advantage to routinely delaying the procedure in cats.

For me, this is also part of responsible breeding. Sending an intact kitten into a pet home creates the possibility of accidental or intentional breeding. Breeding involves much more than producing kittens; complications during pregnancy and delivery can become life-threatening very quickly and require knowledge, preparation and appropriate veterinary care.

Spay or neuter is included in your kitten's purchase price.

Feline Veterinary Medical Association — Pediatric Sterilization in Cats.

Convenience isn't the deciding factor when I choose veterinary care. We travel an hour each way because we trust Dr. Raiser's work and have been consistently impressed by the care and remarkably neat surgical incisions our kittens receive. The clinic has also worked with us on additional precautions to help reduce infectious-disease exposure.

The extra drive is worth it to me.

Dental health is important for every cat, and it's something I pay particular attention to with Sphynx. Regularly check your cat's teeth and gums and, if your cat will tolerate it, establish a routine for cleaning their teeth while they're young.

If your little monster absolutely refuses to cooperate, make dental health part of the conversation at the annual veterinary exam so problems can be caught before they become more serious.

Learn more about feline dental health from Cornell.

Yes. Kitness kittens come with a two-year health guarantee covering qualifying life-threatening congenital defects up to age two, including HCM, subject to the terms of the purchase contract. Your kitten must be examined by your veterinarian within 72 hours of going home to activate the guarantee.

The contract also provides specific coverage for FIP during the kitten's first six months. When a condition qualifies under the health guarantee, the remedy is generally replacement with another kitten of equal value, rather than a monetary refund.

Health guarantees necessarily have requirements, exclusions and documentation provisions, so please read the complete contract carefully.

Kitness is a registered TICA cattery. You can contact TICA directly at (956) 428-8046 to verify my cattery registration rather than relying solely on documents or logos displayed on a breeder's website.

TICA also maintains a public breeder directory, but that directory is a paid listing and is separate from cattery registration. Kitness is not currently enrolled in the paid directory, so not finding Kitness there does not mean the cattery isn't registered.

I also provide redacted TICA registration documents for the parents in my breeding program. Certain identifying information is removed before those documents are posted publicly for privacy and security.

Kitness makes every reasonable effort to help expose kitten scams and to protect our photos, documents and other original material from being copied and used by scammers. When considering any breeder, I encourage you to independently verify the information you're given rather than relying solely on what you see online.

Contact TICA.

Look for a consistent history, not just a polished page—photos, breeder names and registration documents can be copied. A new breeder or a small following alone doesn’t mean someone is dishonest.

• Check contact information against an independently found, established profile or website.
• Read the agreement before paying.
• Watch for pressure to pay immediately, unexpected fees, gift-card requests or suddenly changed payment details.

No single check proves legitimacy. If the details don’t add up, pause before sending money.

If you’re considering a Kitness kitten and would like additional reassurance, ask. We can arrange a brief video call by appointment.

Life circumstances can change. If at any point you are no longer able to keep your Kitness cat, please contact me first. Your contract requires that the cat be offered back to Kitness before other placement arrangements are made.

Depending on the circumstances, I may be able to take the cat back or work with you to help find an appropriate new home. This isn't always something that can happen immediately, particularly when health or behavioral concerns need to be considered, but I want to be involved so we can make the safest and most appropriate plan for the cat.

My responsibility to the cats I produce doesn't end when they leave my home.