😽 Would you change your lifestyle for a “Velcro cat?”

May 28

If you’ve ever had the chance to pet a cat while they purr contently in your lap, you may have experienced one of the most soothing feelings (even if you’re not a “cat person”!).

The soft fur against your hand and the gentle vibrating purr are enough to soothe a racing mind and help you feel more calm.

But what if that cat didn’t have fur? Would they still have that effect?

When Elka was on a mission to get her first cat, it needed to be a perfect match. Not for her… For her dog.

Turns out, it was a breed of cat with a big personality and absolutely no fur that fit the bill. (And yes, they’re still full of calming cuddles!)

The fix for a lonely dog

“Both my parents worked insanely long hours, so being home alone as a kid, I don't know if I would’ve been responsible enough to know how to care for a dog or a cat. But as soon as I moved out of the house and turned 18, I got my first dog.”

For as long as she can remember, Elka’s always been an animal lover.

And though her mother loved animals too (she fed and cared for outdoor cats in the neighborhood), she preferred to keep the home neat and tidy.

That meant, the only pet Elka was allowed to have was fish.

But as soon as she was out of the house, she immediately got a dog… One who ended up having bad separation anxiety.

No matter what Elka tried–dog training, hiring a dog walker, meds–her dog would cry and bark all day while she was alone.

The only other thing she could think of was to get her dog a friend.

“That's when I thought, how about I get her a cat? I was always attracted to the Sphinx breed. I thought they looked really cool, like a piece of art or sculpture. But once I started doing research and I was reading about their overly friendly and quirky personalities, that really made me fall in love.”

Image: Lasso & Cowboy

She also learned they’re at the top of the list of cat breeds that do well with dogs.

That sealed the deal.

The perfect introduction to cats

“I got Wicked at seven and a half months old, and he was my first cat ever. It's funny, because I had always considered myself to be more of a dog person, but Wicked changed my mind.”

Elka knew she didn’t want a young kitten, so after lots of searching, she found a breeder who was retiring a young show cat, Wicked.

After a long day flying cross country, and even more hours spent stuck in NYC rush hour traffic, Wicked didn’t waste any time making himself at home.

Image: Wicked

As soon as they finally stepped foot in the apartment, he ran out of his carrier, made a beeline straight for the dog, and started rubbing against her and headbutting her.

He was the perfect companion, for both Elka and her dog.

He loved sitting on people’s shoulders, going in the car, visiting the vet (wild, right?!), getting baths… He literally just enjoyed every part of life.

“He was such an easy cat to have, with an incredible personality. He was unreal. He really introduced me to this breed, and I saw just how special this breed is.”

As her dog was getting older, she knew Wicked would need a friend… Another Sphynx, of course.

With love comes loss… Then room to love even more

“When Diabolik died, Wicked was legit grieving. It was just weird, and I remember telling my husband, ‘He's not going to make it.’ Sure enough, his health just went downhill fast.”

Because of how social Wicked was (as is common for this breed), Elka knew he wouldn’t do well alone. She brought home another Sphynx, Diabolik, to be his new buddy.

Image: Wicked & Diabolik

The two boys immediately bonded.

Unfortunately, he had severe health issues Elka was unaware of, and he ended up passing early.

To make sure Wicked (who was 14 at the time) would always have a buddy, she was already on a waitlist with a reputable breeder. But good breeders do things ethically, and that meant a long wait.

Time was something she didn’t have though. Wicked’s demeanor changed once he was alone.

He was grieving Diabolik’s absence and while some animals do better with time, his well-being wasn’t improving even after spending days at the animal hospital. Sadly, he didn’t make it.

Image: Wicked & Diabolik

Processing the grief herself, she waited a few months before reaching out to Wicked’s breeder, sending a simple thank you for giving them such an incredible cat.

What Elka didn’t expect was the response.

She had a sweet cat named Akasha who couldn’t be bred and needed a loving home. And Elka had a hole in her heart that needed to be filled.

“Akasha was not planned. I was on a waitlist for two kittens with this other breeder, and then Akasha just popped up. I was on that waitlist for so long already. I was like, ‘Who knows what's going to happen?’”

Image: Akasha

After two years on the waitlist, she brought home a spunky kitten, Cowboy.

And then, seeing Lasso’s kitten photo not too long after, she ended up bringing him home too.

Now, the trio is living a life full of attention, love, and some loyal Instagram followers too!

The importance of ethical breeding

“After Diabolik passed so young, that's when I started to really do research into breeders, and I realized there are way more unethical breeders as opposed to ethical ones.”

Elka learned that a genetic condition called HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) runs rampant in this breed.

The only way to know if your cat has it is to do annual echocardiograms with a board-certified cardiologist, because they don't show any symptoms.

If a cat shows symptoms like coughing, that means it's already at its end stage, and you're too late.

Ethical breeders will have their cats scanned regularly, and if any have HCM, they pull them from the breeding program.

Image: Wicked & Diabolik

Diabolik’s breeder wasn’t taking those precautionary measures, and that sweet cat paid the price.

That’s why Elka was okay being on a waitlist for two years before getting Cowboy (and then getting Lasso, his “nephew” from the same breeder 1.5 years later).

This breeder goes above and beyond to ensure their cats are healthy and cared for, and it shows.

Image: Lasso & Cowboy

The day-to-day looks different when there’s no fur

“You basically need to imagine yourself if you were naked in the house–If you’d be cold, they're cold. They do a pretty good job finding warmth, whether going under their blankets or cuddling up with a human… But you do need to have a lot of blankets in the house.”

The fact that Sphynx cats have no fur affects more than just their cute, alien-like appearance.

Because they have no insulation, they’re cold all the time. They also have a higher metabolism, having to burn more calories to maintain a normal body temperature.

A higher metabolism means they eat a lot. They also need a high-quality, moisture-rich diet to help maintain good skin health.

And since there’s no fur to trap and filter dust and dirt, they get frequent baths.

Image: Akasha

Looks aside, this breed is very active and social.

To help combat some of their high energy, Elka highly recommends a cat wheel!

But even when they have cat friends to play with, they’re still highly dependent on humans. They’re not the stereotypical “independent” cat.

They love routine, being by your side, and physically soaking up your body heat.

“Personally, I love the neediness of the breed. They're called ‘Velcro cats’ for a reason, so for certain people's lifestyle, a Sphinx Cat is not a good fit. If you're out all the time, this is not the cat for you.”

Image: Lasso

Another thing to keep in mind is vet bills. In addition to annual check ups, Elka takes her trip to get HCM scans.

Pet insurance helps, but the bills still add up.

But when these cats bring so much joy to your life, you’ll do anything to keep them happy and safe.

The special bond that just makes life better

“I truly cannot imagine my life without them, and I feel like that goes for anyone that's had a Sphinx. Like, once you have a Sphinx, you never go back. You’ll always have one. My life feels full… The cats give me everything I need.”

Because this breed is overly affectionate, you’ll never have to guess if they love you. They’ll outright show it.

Elka loves how each cat in her trio rubs all over her, hangs out on her shoulder, and follows her everywhere.

“They're so in your face with their love, and I love that. They also have incredible personalities. They're very intelligent, inquisitive, and quirky. They constantly do the funniest things… They’re like a puppy, monkey, and a clown combined. How can you not love it?”

Though they share overall traits of the breed, each cat is unique in their own way. This allows Elka to feel a special connection with each that the others don’t have.

Cowboy is very happy-go-lucky and perhaps lacks a little instinct. The true definition of “ignorance is bliss.”

Image: Cowboy

Akasha is really smart. She takes hunting very personally.

Lasso is a handful. He's very mischievous like a toddler, he'll throw a tantrum. If he can't have something he wants, he will go and cause trouble.

Together, the cats in this trio are always playing and cuddling together. Seeing how they mesh so well brings Elka so much joy.

Because they’re so needy, they make her feel wanted. She plans her social calendar around her cats, not wanting to be away from them for too long.

But besides bringing joy, they’ve also taught her some unexpected lessons about life.

“They have changed my life for the better. They've taught me patience. For someone who used to be a very impatient person, it really has made me just chill out.”

They’ve also taught her to live in the present. Watching them sit on the porch, sniffing at the air or curiously looking at a butterfly, reminds Elka that even the littlest moments can be filled with awe and wonder.

Image: Cowboy & Lasso

“Our house feels complete. We're just a very happy family and it's hard to describe, but I think it’s mostly because of all the love that they provide. They've really taught me to just live in the moment.”