Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed ComparisonSphynx is originated from Canada but American Longhair is originated from United States. Both Sphynx and American Longhair are having almost same weight. Sphynx may live 4 years less than American Longhair. Both Sphynx and American Longhair has same litter size. Both Sphynx and American Longhair requires Moderate maintenance.

History

sphynx - historyThe 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.

american longhair - historyThe handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

Basic Information

Origin:
Canada
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 14 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
Domestic Long Hair
Colors Available:
All colors
tabby , Many colors and patterns - smoke
Coat:
Hairless
Thick, long double coated
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

sphynx kitten - descriptionThe 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.

american longhair kitten - descriptionYou’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

Characteristics

sphynx cat - characteristicsThe 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.

american longhair cat - characteristicsYour American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

Health Problems

sphynx kittens - health problemsThe 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.

american longhair kittens - health problemsThe American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

Caring The Pet

sphynx cats - caringEven 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.

american longhair cats - caringThe long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Tabby vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  2. Thai vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  3. Tiger Cat vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  4. Tonkinese vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  5. Torby vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  6. Tortoiseshell vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  7. Toyger vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  8. Traditional Siamese vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  9. Turkish Angora vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  10. Turkish Van vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  11. Tuxedo vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  12. Ukrainian Levkoy vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  13. Ussuri vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  14. Viverral vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  15. Van Kedisi vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  16. York Chocolate Cat vs Sphynx - Breed Comparison
  17. Sphynx vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  18. Sphynx vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  19. Sphynx vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  20. Sphynx vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  21. Sphynx vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  22. Sphynx vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  23. Sphynx vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  24. Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  25. Sphynx vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  26. American Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Longhair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Longhair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Longhair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Longhair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Cat Breeds