Going Home
General Instructions to help care for your new Sphynx!
Bringing a kitten into a new home can be very stressful for them. Everything they know changes at once, and it can feel as if their entire world has shifted. This is why I send each kitten home with the essentials they need and clear instructions for their care. It is important to keep their routine as consistent as possible. Changingfood, litter, or ignoring vaccination protocols can have serious or even fatal consequences.
Sphynx kittens are extremely sensitive. Small choices that may seem unimportant can determine whether a kitten thrives or struggles. In just three short months, your kitten has already gone through many major milestones. They were born, learned to nurse which is often difficult for sphynx, learned to eat on their own which can be another challenge, and learned to use the litter box. They also went through weaning which is a significant digestive transition that can be life or death if it does not go smoothly and often requires antibiotics. Vaccinations can also cause temporary illness or trigger upper respiratory infections.
Once they reach about two and a half pounds, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated again, and then prepared for their new home. These milestones are not easy for such young kittens. I do everything I can to have them ready at twelve weeks, but sometimes complications or slower growth mean they need a little more time. My priority is always their health and safety.
Food
Your kitten will go home with plenty of food, so you do not need to purchase anything beforehand. Do not change their food or offer anything other than what I provide. If you are unsure about anything, please contact me. Kittens are fed canned food twice a day, and all of it will be included in your care package.
Where to Keep Your Kitten
Your kitten’s world has been very small. For the first few weeks, move the litter box into the room where your kitten spends most of their time. When you are not home, your kitten should stay in one room, ideally your bedroom, where they can sleep with you. They do not do well being shut in a bathroom or left alone. Sleeping with you helps them feel safe and eases the transition. They may cry or wander at night looking for their siblings, but your presence will comfort them.
Pet Insurance
You will receive a form for 30 days of free pet insurance. If you want it, you must call within 24 hours. I strongly suggest you take advantage of it. If you choose to keep the plan, the best option is around 26 dollars a month. Veterinary care is expensive, and having insurance is helpful for any pet owner.
Vaccines
At your kitten’s 72‑hour wellness check, do not allow the vet to give any additional vaccines. With the type of vaccine I use, a series of three is not required. If the vaccine is given after 12 weeks, only one is needed. If it is given before 12 weeks, then a second is required, but never a third. Your kitten is already under significant stress, and another vaccine too soon can be harmful or even fatal. Sphynx cats do not handle vaccines the same way coated cats do. Vaccines and transitions place a heavy burden on their immune system. I am not a fan of unnecessary vaccines. If I did not have to give them, I would not. The only vaccine your kitten will need after going home is rabies. If you choose to give it, wait until they are closer to six months old. It is the same dose given to a fifty‑pound dog.
Bathing and Ear Cleaning
Despite what you may read, sphynx cats do not need weekly baths and should not be bathed that often. Frequent bathing strips their skin of natural oils, causing their bodies to overproduce oil, which leads to a greasy, dirty appearance. It becomes a cycle that is hard to break. Sphynx cats groom themselves like any other cat. They do not need regular baths for health reasons. Occasional baths are fine, but leaving their skin alone helps it stay balanced and clean. An ear cleaning kit is included for you. I use mineral oil, cotton swabs, and baby wipes. Ears should be cleaned once a week.
Litter
Your kitten is trained on wood pellets, and a bag will be provided so they can recognize their litter box in your home. After a few days, you may switch to any litter you prefer. Do not use a hooded litter box. They will not recognize it as a litter box. A simple plastic rectangular box is all you need. I do not recommend clay litter because it smells, creates dust, tracks everywhere, and can damage hardwood or laminate floors. If you prefer to continue using pellets, the ones I use are the same pellets sold for wood‑burning stoves.