Sphynx vs Javanese - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Javanese is also known as the Colourpoint Longhair in some cat registries, but it's a purebred domestic cat that was developed in North America.

It was Helen Smith that coined the name Javanese cat in 1950 with the name being derived from the tradition where cats of the Orient have the names of the countries and islands of south-east Asia.

The name Javanese was chosen by choosing Java, an island near Bali.

The Sphynx cat is well known for its hairlessness. This breed started its development in Toronto, Canada.

A hairless kitten was born and it was mated to produce more hairless kittens. These kittens were called Canadian Hairless Cats. They were used as the foundation for a new breed.

In the 1970s, more hairless kittens were born and placed into the Sphynx breeding program. They were mated with Devon Rex cats. The International Cat Association recognizes this cat breed.

The Javanese is a medium-sized, slender, muscular cat that weighs between 3 and 6kg. It has a short or long, silky coat that comes in a number of colors. The short-haired variety has a single coat, in contrast to the double coat found in the long-haired breeds.

The tail is fairly plumed. The Javanese also has point coloration which means that the body is paler than the darker face. The coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from dark brown to cream to tortoisehell and others. The ears are large and the almond-shaped eyes are always blue.

Temperament:

Siamese and the Javanese differ a little in coat length and color but otherwise they are much the same in temperament. They love their human families and will follow them around like a dog.

When you sit down they like to curl up in your lap and simply be around you. They may not be as vocal as the Siamese but he is still prepared to have a jolly good conversation with you.

They’re clever cats too and like stimulating games and toys. He loves to climb, so a climbing tree will be excellent for him. He also likes being busy, so if you leave him alone for a length of time, ensure that he has activities to keep him happily amused.

If you have a Javanese be sure to include him in your activities just like you would a child of yours.

The Sphynx is a medium-sized, fine-boned, muscular cat that weighs roughly between 3.5 – 7 kg. The skin of the cat has a soft chamois type feel to it.

Sometimes there can be a few hairs. The head of this cat is longer and narrower than many of the other cat breeds. The ears are large.

This cat is going to need a bath once a week with special medicated cat shampoo. The cat also has no whiskers or eyelashes. The legs are long and slender and he has a barrel chest. All skin patterns and colors are available with the cat.

Temperament:

The Sphynx is a loving, friendly, energetic, extrovert cat that loves nothing more than to be petted and pampered.

It one of the few dependent cats there are. Even though he is social, he isn’t very vocal. They are playful too and because they are also intelligent, they will need stimulating games and toys to keep them from becoming bored.

They get on well with children in the home. Like many other cats, the Sphynx cat can be doglike and they like to welcome their owners home.

Your medium-sized Javanese cat is active and talkative. These are cats that love leaping up onto high perches and into trees and it is therefore imperative that you invest in climbing equipment for him.

These slender Oriental cats need an excellent diet to maintain the fine-boned, muscular physique. You don’t want your Javanese becoming overweight as this spells bad health and sluggishness.

The Javanese is such a lively cat if his weight is maintained and he loves being around his human family, purring away while he is lovingly made a fuss of.

The Sphynx can be in a house where there are children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

The cat is energetic and loves to entertain and amuse his human family with his antics.

He is loving and loyal to his human family and absolutely hates staying on his own. He can actually get depressed when he is left on his own often.

He would be far better off with another cat companion. If you're looking for a fun, playul, loving and affectionate feline companion, you need look no further than the weird-looking sphynx cat.

The same health issues that you’re likely to pick up with the Siamese may well be found in the Javanese too.

Some of the health issues to look out for include among others, asthma or bronchial disease, heart defects, lymphoma as well as gastrointestinal conditions.

For the health of your Javanese cat, make sure the vaccinations are up to date.

The Canadian Sphynx, just because of its lack of hair, already faces challenges. Other cats have fur to keep them warm and to protect the skin from sunlight.

In fact, when the kittens are born, without hair, they are vulnerable and become prone to respiratory infections. Reputable breeders, therefore, only allow their kittens to go to new homes when they are at least 14 weeks of age.

This cat is also prone to skin problems and this could include rashes and fungal infections. As with any other cat, the Sphynx cat requires protection from harmful cat diseases by being vaccinated.

Diet:

Cats are carnivores and have special dietary needs. They have unique nutritional needs, something like lions and cheetahs.

Their protein needs are very high, especially when they are kittens or nursing mothers. They need animal protein in their diets. Some of the unique nutritional needs of cats require them to have this protein as well as very important amino acids such as arginine and taurine.

Just because your cat needs such a high intake of protein, it doesn’t mean he won’t need other nutrients. Cats need balanced nutrition that is right for them. The best commercially manufactured cat food with fats, carbs, minerals, and vitamins will ensure a healthy cat. Speak to your vet if you’re not sure.

Not all cat foods are the same and choosing the right cat food will ensure your cat gets a sufficient dose of protein powder. So important is a cat’s diet for good health, that it will be important to speak to your vet about the food requirements of cats.

Grooming:

With grooming, the fine silky coat can be cared for easily by giving it a brush each week. You want to remove loose hairs from shedding. You can also take a damp cloth and wipe your Javanese down.

The nails will also need to be trimmed. When you brush your cat, check up on other things too.

Make sure the eyes are nice and clear, the fur soft and vibrant, make sure there are no new and unusual lumps.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth that could be causing all kinds of health issues and check inside his ears too. For all these grooming issues, a pet grooming parlor can do it all for you.

General:

Provide your Javanese with a litter box and keep the box scrupulously clean.

Even though the Sphynx cat is hairless, he isn’t to be regarded as a low maintenance cat. First of all, the sheer lack of hair means he is more vulnerable to the sun and to the cold. If he goes outdoors, you have to be careful that his skin doesn’t get burned.

These cats also have more ear wax than other cats as they don’t have hair in their ears. Dirt, wax, and oils can accumulate in the ears. They will need to be cleaned regularly, and a vet or the pet groomer can help you with this.

The Sphynx cat also collects oil and dirt under their nails, so just like the ears, the nails as well as the surrounding skin folds will need to be properly cleaned. Cat owners need to know that these hairless cats aren't as low maintenance as thought, but require quite a bit of grooming. Special grooming products are available for this cat.

What one cat likes to eat won’t be the same as another cat. The Sphynx, like every other cat, is a carnivore and he will need all the different nutrients from his food.

The best commercial cat food manufacturers know that the proportion of these nutrients will vary as the cat ages and goes through different stages of its life. Your cat needs the right meat foods and he needs the right quantity as well.