Meowing Royalty

Exotic vs Sphynx: Cat Breeds Comparison

Are you thinking about getting a new cat for your family but are torn between the Exotic and the Sphynx? Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences.

While Exotic comes from United States, Sphynx has Canada origin.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds make excellent family cats, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Exotic vs Sphynx

Exotic
Length13 to 15 inches
Weight7 to 12 pounds
Overall Health
OriginUnited States
Life Span8 to 15 years
Sphynx
Length13 to 15 inches
Weight6 to 12 pounds
Overall Health
OriginCanada
Life Span8 to 14 years

Exotic vs Sphynx Appearance

Both breeds are more or less similar in size. Exotic typical length is 13 to 15 inches and a weight is 7 to 12 pounds, while a typical length of Sphynx is 13 to 15 inches and they usually weight 6 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Good news!

You won't go wrong with Exotics and Sphynxs, who are known for being clingy. They need a lot of affection and love being around people.

These cats love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

They will choose one person and claim as their person. In multi-human households, cats will choose a favorite, usually the person that does the most work around them.

Kid-Friendly

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 5, as they are usually more patiente with children than 3s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Sphynxs are more friendly than Exotics. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Exotics in some cases:

  • Your home is always full of people
  • You like to make parties at your home
  • You consider getting a cat for office or working place
  • You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
  • You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Exotics might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

Cats being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

Sphynxs are generally more pet friendly than Exotics.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

Some cats are naturally more playful than others.

In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Exotic or Sphynx.

If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.

Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.

General Health

Unless you are ready to cover high veterinarian costs you should stay away from both Exotic and Sphynx, as they are considered to be cats of poor health.

If you want Exotic or Sphynx be ready to do throughout research on finding the best breeders possible, and finding the best veterinarian so your feline can have the best care possible.

Know that cats are prone to eye problems, and lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD), including infections and bladder stones, in most cases, but not limited.

Once you find a responsible breeder, check for medical records of the breed and take your new pet to your veterinarian.

Grooming

These breeds are super easy to groom. When it comes to low maintenance both breeds are great options to consider having.

In general, both breeds are easier to groom than their other counterparts, no matter how long or short their hair might be. Safe and fast grooming has more to do with the cat's personality than hair length.

These cats are intelligent, calm, and affectionate which makes them 'easy to groom', although you will have to implement proper grooming practice.

These breeds are 'dog-like' when it comes to grooming, so make sure that you provide them a nice treat afterward. Treats can do wonders even for cats.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Sphynxs, as they shed less than Exotics.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

Both Exotics and Sphynxs are known for being highly vocal breeds. They can talk all day long!

Cats enjoy social contact with people and they use their voices to get human attention, over and over again.

If you prefer quietness, or you have toddlers who sleep a lot, you might think about getting a less vocal feline.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Sphynx. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Exotics are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Sphynxs.

The Final Word

We hope our Exotics vs Sphynxs comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.

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