Feeding a Sphynx Cat: Why It Needs More Calories
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The Sphynx often surprises new owners with its appetite: this virtually hairless cat typically eats more than a densely coated cat of the same weight. That is not fussiness but a direct consequence of its physiology, reflected in the wider review of adult cat energy requirements published by E. N. Bermingham and colleagues in 2010 (see the study). Our general benchmarks are in the cat food section.
Contents · 4 sections
Higher energy expenditure
Without a coat to limit heat loss, the Sphynx regulates its body temperature by burning more calories, especially in winter or in a poorly heated home. It also often runs a somewhat higher baseline metabolism than the feline average. As a result, a ration sized for a "standard" cat of the same weight frequently leaves it too lean, while the Sphynx profile notes that keeping a slight fat reserve is part of normal upkeep for the breed, unlike most others.
Which diet to favour
A diet rich in protein and good-quality fat suits it better than a light formula designed for a sedentary indoor cat. Many owners choose mixed feeding, since wet food provides both calories and hydration at once; our comparison of dry food only or mixed feeding lays out both approaches. Split meals into three or four servings rather than one, to match a metabolism that keeps ticking over all day.
Watch without overfeeding
"More calories" does not mean unlimited feeding: a slightly overweight Sphynx actually loses the thermal advantage of its bare skin, building up subcutaneous fat that does not replace the insulation of a real coat. Weigh it once a month and adjust the ration by feeling its ribs rather than relying on the number on the scale alone. The associated monthly budget, usually a little above average, can be worked out with our monthly cat food budget guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Sphynx really eat more than other cats?
Generally yes, due to greater heat loss without a coat and an often more active metabolism, at comparable weight and age.
Does it need a special "hairless" diet?
No official dedicated range exists: favour a formula rich in quality protein and fat, matched to its activity level.
How can you tell if the ration is enough?
By feeling the ribs and checking weight monthly rather than following a theoretical figure; if in doubt, your vet will help adjust the ration.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
