Sphynx cats are a unique breed with wrinkly skin and no apparent hair. But their distinctive nature does not mean they need a low-quality diet. On the contrary, these felines require a wholesome, nourishing diet that meets their natural biological needs.
The best cat food for Sphynx cats should be protein-rich, have moderate fat, and be low in carbohydrates. The diet should be similar to what a cat would eat in the wild.
You need to choose foods in which the protein sources are real meat like beef or poultry, not meat byproducts. Moreover, it should contain minimal fillers like rice, corn, and wheat.
To get you started, here are the best cat foods for your Sphynx cat. They are high-quality, balanced, and digestible foods.
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Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription |
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Budget Buy
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Purina Cat Chow Naturals |
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Cat Food |
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Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin |
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Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Savory Chicken |
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The 10 Best Foods for Sphynx Cats
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Proteins: | 49.6% |
| Fats: | 8.05% |
| Calories: | 550 kcal/ half cup |
| Fiber: | 0.4% |
The Sphynx is a large cat and while it does not have a coat to worry about, it’s still very important that you feed a high-quality food packed with meat protein. And because their bodies have to work harder to keep them warm, they tend to have a voracious appetite.
Smalls Human Grade Fresh is a cat food that uses high-quality ingredients. The chicken formula contains 86% chicken (including skin, liver, and heart) with the rest of the food being made up of fruit, vegetables, and some supplements. It is designed to closely mimic the natural diet of a cat in the wild and owners report that it can improve health, as well as skin condition, with the latter being especially important to this breed. Its high-quality ingredients, which consist primarily of meat, as well as its palatable appeal, make Smalls Human Grade Fresh the best overall cat food for Sphynx cats.
Smalls offers a subscription package, which means that you do need to commit to buying, and it isn’t cheap food because it is packed with premium ingredients. It is also less convenient than some foods because it needs to be refrigerated until feeding time.
2. Purina Cat Chow Naturals — Budget Buy
| Proteins: | 34% |
| Fats: | 13% |
| Calories: | 398 kcal/cup |
| Fiber: | 3% |
Purina Cat Chow Naturals is our pick as the best cat food for Sphynx cats for the money. It has chicken as the main ingredient, so it’s high in protein, which will help keep your pet full longer, and it provides a balanced diet, complete with 25 essential vitamins and minerals that include vitamins A and E, along with omega-6 fatty acids that help with brain development. Most pet owners report that their cats enjoy eating it, and it’s not hard to find in stores or order online, so there is less risk of running out.
The downside of Purina Cat Chow is that the kibble can get dry and dusty.
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
| Proteins: | 40% |
| Fats: | 18% |
| Calories: | 443 kcal/cup |
| Fiber: | 4% |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a fantastic choice for the Sphynx cat in your home. It has chicken as the first ingredient, so your cat will receive plenty of protein, and there are also peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, and parsley, which help provide essential vitamins and minerals. Fish meal provides valuable omega-3 fatty acids, while flaxseed provides omega-6 fatty acids, which help with everything from brain function to a healthy shiny coat.
The only downside of Blue Buffalo Wilderness is that some cats simply don’t like it.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin
| Proteins: | 29% |
| Fats: | 17% |
| Calories: | 524 kcal/cup |
| Fiber: | 3% |
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a great option for Sphynx cats, as they often suffer from sensitive stomachs and skin. It uses a highly digestible formula without artificial colors to give your pet the nutrition that they need to stay happy and healthy. It has chicken as the first ingredient and several other natural ingredients, including rice, whole-grain corn, and eggs. Also added are vitamins and minerals to ensure that your cat receives a balanced meal.
The downside to Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive is that it’s higher in calories per serving than many of the other brands on this list, and some users report that their cats don’t like it.
5. Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Savory Chicken
| Proteins: | 9% |
| Fats: | 5% |
| Calories: | 40 kcal/serving |
| Fiber: | 1.5% |
Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Savory Chicken is a good choice for Sphynx cats that sometimes avoid their water bowl. This wet food will help keep your pet hydrated and has chicken as the first ingredient, providing plenty of protein. Other flavors, including turkey and beef, are also available, so you have a good chance of finding something that your pet enjoys. Each package is pre-portioned, so you can quickly serve your pet without worrying about overfeeding them, which can lead to weight gain.
The downside of Sheba Perfect Portions is that the individual portions create a great deal of waste if you feed them to your cat regularly, especially if you have more than one cat. Another problem is that many customers complain that the portions can be hard to open, with some people even cutting themselves.
6. Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food
| Proteins: | 33% |
| Fats: | 20% |
| Calories: | 469 kcal/cup |
| Fiber: | 3.1% |
Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion is the best dry food for Sphynx cats with digestion problems. It includes prebiotics and a combination of nutrients to balance intestinal flora and prevent digestive health issues.
This cat food is packed with digestible proteins, which gives your Sphynx a higher energy density. This means that your pet will need to consume smaller meal sizes, thus decreasing its digestive workload.
In addition, this sensitive, dry food meets your cat’s palatability. It comes in three different kibble shapes to improve your Sphynx’s appetite.
7. Stella and Chewy’s Duck Goose Morsels Freeze-Dried Cat Food
| Proteins: | 40% |
| Fats: | 30% |
| Calories: | 149 kcal/oz. |
| Fiber: | 5% |
Since Sphynx cats are an active breed, they need high-energy cat food. Stella and Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels nourish your pet’s appetite with duck with ground bone, turkey with ground bone, turkey liver, goose, and turkey gizzard.
98% of this raw cat food is poultry, organs, and bone. This means the diet is nutrient-dense and protein-rich to provide your Sphynx with the most digestible form of nutrition. Besides, the recipe contains probiotics, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that support your kitty’s digestive health.
This Stella and Chewy’s freeze-dried food is rich in natural nutrients present in raw meat and organs. It is designed so that the Sphynx’s body harnesses most of these nutrients and excretes little waste. This cat food is suitable for kitties with chronic digestive issues or with smelly waste. Its low carbohydrate content helps reduce inflammation.
Sadly, some cats get constipated while on this diet. Should this happen with your Sphynx, it would be best to switch to a low-bone product. The excessive consumption of bone can lead to constipation or worsen symptoms of kidney disease.
8. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Turkey and Chicken Can Cat Food
| Proteins: | 11% |
| Fats: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 193 kcal/can |
| Fiber: | 0.75% |
During the first year of their lives, Sphynx kittens need more proteins, calories, and fats to support rapid growth. They need a specially formulated diet that is present in the Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Chicken Recipe.
The formula is crafted with real turkey, chicken, turkey liver, and tuna, all high-quality, digestible proteins to fuel your feline’s muscles. The gravy has a tender texture and an irresistible taste. The recipe is free of grains, wheat, and corn but contains superfoods that promote your kitten’s overall health. These include taurine, omegas, minerals, vitamins, cranberries, kelp, and pumpkin.
The broth-based gravy keeps your Sphynx kitten hydrated.
9. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Duck Canned Cat Food
| Proteins: | 9% |
| Fats: | 7% |
| Calories: | 106 kcal/3 oz. can |
| Fiber: | 3% |
Match your feline’s high energy needs with the Instinct Original Real Duck recipe. The pate comprises of 95% duck and turkey liver, 5% carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, and 0% grain.
This meat-based pate is highly digestible for your Sphynx. The cage-free duck protein supports your pet’s strong and lean muscles, while the omega fatty acids promote a healthy coat.
The canned food is free of preservatives and artificial colors.
10. Wellness Core Grain-Free Protein Rich Dry Cat Food
| Proteins: | 45% |
| Fats: | 18% |
| Calories: | 497 kcal/cup |
| Fiber: | 3% |
Wellness Core brand produces high-quality cat food, including this natural grain-free food. The kibbles are formulated with meat and natural nutrients like cranberries, flaxseed, and probiotics to promote your Sphynx’s optimal health.
This cat food promotes your pet’s healthy skin and coat with omega-rich ingredients like salmon oil and flaxseed. It also supports lean body mass without the risk of obesity, thanks to its high-quality protein ingredients.
This dry food is grain-free and enriched with fruits and vegetables. In addition, it has no known food allergens.
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Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Foods for Sphynx Cats
It is essential to keep these three factors in mind:
Sphynxes Have a High Metabolism
Sphynx cats have no fur. This means that the feline’s metabolism has to overcompensate to keep the kitty’s body warm. In fact, your cat’s skin temperature is 4 degrees higher than other cat breeds. Due to this, Sphynx cats have insatiable appetites and are less picky eaters. They need to eat multiple small servings of food, at least three or four meals, throughout the day.
Besides, this cat breed is active and energetic. Therefore, you need to find high-quality, calorie-dense, and protein-rich cat food.
Sphynx Cats are Susceptible to Digestive Problems
Sphynxes have sensitive tummies and intestines and are prone to digestive problems. They have loose bowels and reeking litter boxes. If your cat has these symptoms, it is best to look for a low-residue diet that is easily digestible and moisture-rich. This will reduce the amount of waste your kitty produces and reduce the work of its digestive system.
The Diet Should Maintain the Cat’s Skin Health
Since this cat breed has little fur, it needs a healthy diet that maintains the health of its skin. If your Sphynx does not consume a high-quality diet, its skin may overproduce oils and result in skin problems.
What to Look for in the Best Cat Food for Sphynx Cats
Before you pick a Sphynx cat food, ensure that it has the following:
A Protein-Rich Diet
A high-quality Sphynx cat food should contain real meat as its first ingredient. Keep in mind that cats are carnivores and need a high-protein diet to thrive.
Besides, Sphynxes have a large appetite. This means that they need a high-protein diet to keep them satiated and full. The food should contain at least 26% crude protein for adults and 30% for kittens.
A Low-Carb Diet
The best Sphynx cat food should also contain low carbohydrates from high-quality sources like vegetables and whole grains. A low-carb diet will improve your kitty’s body mass, reduce muscle loss in senior cats, and support a healthy immune system.
It Should Contain Moderate Fat
The Sphynx needs fats to compensate for its lack of fur. Fats also help with the absorption of vitamins while providing a source of energy. Moreover, they improve skin quality, control hormones, and keep your feline satiated for longer.
But where can you find excellent sources of fat? Look for fish oil, krill oil, flaxseed, soybean, sunflower, corn oil, poultry, beef, or pork. A minimum of 9% crude oil in the cat food is suitable for both kittens and adults.
Beneficial Supplements
You will also want to look for supplemental sources like omega fatty acids in the food. They promote skin health and fur quality. Also, look for chelated minerals to improve nutrient absorption.
Ingredients to Avoid in Sphynx Cat Foods
It is crucial that you refrain from purchasing cat foods with chemicals and fillers. Here’s why.
Chemicals
Some cat food manufacturers use chemical preservatives like BHT, BHA, and ethoxyquin to keep food fresh and tasty. Sadly, these preservatives may contain cancer-causing agents. Furthermore, they can damage your pet’s liver and kidneys.
Fillers and Fake Ingredients
It would be best to avoid foods with meat by-products, rendered meat products, cornmeal, and carb fillers. Meat byproducts have low protein content, and it is not always clear where they were derived. Rendered meat, on the other hand, is inferior and of low quality. The rendering process destroys the natural proteins and enzymes found in meat.
How about cornmeal fillers and carb filers? They are a cheap alternative to whole grains and muscle meat proteins. Besides, they are not healthy for cats.
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High-quality cat food is an important part of fostering a long and healthy life for your cat but the right cat food and water dish will promote good posture, offer whisker relief, and aid in good digestion. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite bowl since it offers all of the above and is beautifully crafted to meet modern home stylings. The wide tray design catches any food and water spills and the entire setup is dishwasher safe. Learn more about the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl here.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
When choosing food for your Sphynx cat among these reviews, we highly recommend our pick as the best overall. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food uses high-quality ingredients, including real meat, fruits, and vegetables, to provide your cat with a healthy diet. It’s not as easy to find because it is subscription-based, but as soon as the packages arrive, you’ll feel good about feeding healthy food to your cat.
We recommend our best value choice, Purina Cat Chow Naturals, if you are looking for something more budget-friendly. Our premium pick, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, is easy to find in most grocery stores and online, and it has high-quality ingredients, including chicken, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and carrots.
We hope that this review helps you find the best diet for your Sphynx.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
