Description
Size: 3.5-7 kg
The medium to large elf cat resembles a sphynx in appearance, with high cheekbones, a hairless body, and blue to gold eyes. The skin around the shoulders, ears, and snout of the elf cat is wrinkled, and its whiskers and brows are scant and short. Its unusual ears have a genetic abnormality that causes them to curl backward. Some ear decorations are lacking because of this mutation. With the exception of its ears, the elf cat shares most of its physical characteristics with its sphynx parent due to their close genetic relationship.
There is no breed standard for the cat because it is so new. This implies that all elf cat colour and pattern variants are accepted as normal.
Origin and History
The Elf cat has a relatively short history because it is a brand-new and exceedingly uncommon breed. The elf cat is credited to breeders Karen Nelson and Kristen Leedom who, in 2004, came up with the idea of creating a cat with curled ears that kept the character and physical characteristics of their beloved sphynx cats. The sphynx and American curl were successfully crossed to create the elf cat, which has hairless ears.
Despite being less than 20 years old, the elf cat has already created a name for itself in TICA (The International Cat Association) cat events. However, the elf cat is not acknowledged as a distinct breed but rather as a sphynx variant.
Behavior
Social Needs: Elf cats are incredibly gregarious and playful animals. They adore spending time with families and want their owners’ undivided attention.
The elf cat is amiable and gentle, adapts well to most living situations and family structures, and usually gets along with other pets in the house. They are known to demand attention and are playful and intelligent. Elf cats do best with owners that have plenty of time to devote to them.
As Pet
Exercise
An elf cat has similar exercise requirements to other household cats. Considering that hairless breeds are indoor cats be careful to give them access to stimulating play areas. The recommended amount of active playing for cats is 15 minutes per day, but providing surfaces for autonomous climbing and jumping will also enable your cat to release some of its pent-up energy on its own.
Grooming
Even though elf cats don’t have fur, they nevertheless need to be bathed and cleaned frequently. To get rid of skin secretions, grooming is necessary on a regular basis. Otherwise, an elf cat may become touchably sticky or experience skin problems. Although hairless cats do some self-grooming, they can’t get on their own because of their many folds to some crevices. Additionally, because hairless cats are particularly vulnerable to sunburns, you should moisturize your elf cat using a chemical-free solution that contains SPF.
Diet and Nutrition
Hairless cats must continuously burn calories to maintain a healthy body temperature. This indicates that the elf cat needs a diet high in calories to stay warm. Sphynx and American curl cats have robust appetites, so providing these cats with a healthy, varied food is essential. Elf cat owners should be aware of this. To figure out how much food your cat should be eating, talk to your veterinarian.
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