Canadian Sphynx Health & Responsible Breeding
The Canadian Sphynx is a unique breed whose health and wellbeing depend on understanding its characteristic features, regular health screening, and thoughtful breeding decisions. In our breeding program, every pairing is planned on the basis of echocardiographic heart examinations (HCM), genetic testing, and careful evaluation of pedigree lines. Our goal is to breed long-lived, well-balanced, and healthy Sphynx cats.
Are Hairless Cats More Prone to Disease?
Evidence from Finnish Data
A peer-reviewed Finnish survey study examined the health and behavior of over 8,000 cats of various breeds to identify breed-associated disease risks, providing a useful reference point for evaluating the health profile of the Canadian Sphynx (Vapalahti et al., 2016).
Across the dataset, the most common disease category among cats overall was dental and oral disease, yet in the Canadian Sphynx the prevalence was the lowest reported, at 16 percent (Vapalahti et al., 2016). This indicates that the Sphynx does not belong among the breeds at high risk for dental disease; rather, dental issues occur in this breed at a comparatively low rate.
Across the dataset, the most common disease category among cats overall was dental and oral disease, yet in the Canadian Sphynx the prevalence was the lowest reported, at 16 percent (Vapalahti et al., 2016). This indicates that the Sphynx does not belong among the breeds at high risk for dental disease; rather, dental issues occur in this breed at a comparatively low rate.
Similarly, the Sphynx was not identified as having elevated disease prevalence in other major disease categories. The breed differentiated primarily in the category of cardiac health, which is a previously recognized and clinically manageable breed-associated risk (Vapalahti et al., 2016). Acknowledging this does not imply that the breed is generally disease-prone, but instead underscores the value of informed monitoring practices.
Overall, the Canadian Sphynx’s health profile placed it at the mid-range among the breed groups examined, and it appeared balanced when the known follow-up areas are addressed appropriately. The research does not support the notion that hairlessness itself increases disease susceptibility; the identified risks are predictable, recognizable, and clinically manageable (Vapalahti et al., 2016).
We are committed to supporting the long-term wellbeing of the breed. We perform regular echocardiographic examinations, maintain vaccination protection, and ensure consistent basic care, while also preserving genetic diversity in our breeding decisions. In doing so, we aim to support healthy, well-balanced, and long-lived Sphynx cats.
Cardiac Health in the Canadian Sphynx
HCM, Genetic Testing, and Breeding Decisions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common cardiac disease in cats, is a health concern in many breeds, including the Canadian Sphynx. The condition is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the left ventricular wall, which may impair heart function. Its expression can range from completely asymptomatic to severe clinical presentations.
» Additional information on HCM is available in the article further down on this page.
Our breeding approach is guided by the most current research-based knowledge related to the prevention and early detection of HCM. All of our cats undergo regular echocardiographic examinations, including individuals retired from breeding. We also utilize genetic testing for the ALMS1 variant, which is currently the only identified inherited factor associated with increased HCM risk in this breed. While research indicates that this is not the sole genetic risk factor underlying the disease, we consider this testable variant to be an important breeding tool.
In practical breeding decisions, genetic testing has guided us to exclude ALMS1-homozygous individuals from our breeding program. Maintaining genetic diversity is essential in preventing hereditary disease. With this in mind, one of our breeding lines is based on a pedigree that includes a carefully selected domestic (non-pedigree) foundation cat. We believe that this contributes to the overall health and vitality of our kittens – both in cardiac wellbeing and general robustness.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome or hereditary myopathy is a hereditary disease that causes congenital muscle weakness in Devon Rex and Sphynx cats. The disease is caused by an autosomal mutation in the COLQ gene (Abitbol et al., 2015).
» All of our breeding cats have tested negative for CMS.
CMS - Congenital myasthenic syndrome
PawPeds
International Breeding and Health Program
PawPeds is an international breeding and health program for pedigree cats that provides databases, education, and recommendations to support feline health and responsible breeding practices. It is a widely recognized and respected tool among breeders, veterinarians, and breed associations. The health data recorded in the PawPeds database are typically verified by veterinarians and reviewed by the program’s administrators, ensuring reliability and accuracy.
PawPeds serves as the de facto international health registry within the pedigree cat community. It is an independent, widely used, and standardized system that breeders rely on for breeding planning and health monitoring.
» All of our breeding cats undergo regular PawPeds heart ultrasound screenings, this practice also applies to our retired breeding cats.
Omakissa
Database of the Finnish Cat Association for Registered Cats
Omakissa is an electronic registry and member service maintained by the Finnish Cat Association (Suomen Kissaliitto), used for managing pedigree cat information.
The health data presented in Omakissa are based on information and documents submitted by breeders and owners to the association’s registry. Therefore, the completeness and timeliness of the data may vary. It is recommended to view Omakissa as a reference source and to use the PawPeds database as a complementary tool, particularly regarding heart ultrasound examination records.
A heartfelt matter
This article summarizes research-based information from peer-reviewed studies on cardiac health in the Canadian Sphynx, viewed from a breeding perspective. The content is intended to support understanding of breed-specific considerations and does not replace individualized veterinary evaluation.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac disease in cats and can occur in any breed, including mixed breeds; however, certain purebred breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, and others show a higher predisposition (de Sousa et al., 2025).
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac disease in cats and can occur in any breed, including mixed breeds; however, certain purebred breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, and others show a higher predisposition (de Sousa et al., 2025).
Cardiac Health in the Canadian Sphynx
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Several clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that Sphynx cats have an increased risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In a prospective cohort study involving 55 Sphynx cats living in New Zealand, the final prevalence of HCM was found to be 40%, with a median age at diagnosis of 5.8 years. This prevalence is significantly higher than the approximately 15% prevalence of HCM reported in random, multi-breed domestic cats. In addition, retrospective clinical data show that the disease can occur at an exceptionally early age in the Sphynx breed, with a median age of approximately two years. Although genetic associations, such as a variant of the ALMS1 gene, have been described, their causal significance remains uncertain, and the etiology of HCM in the Sphynx breed appears to be multifactorial, i.e., the disease is influenced by several different factors simultaneously — for example, both genetics and environment (Seo et al., 2024).
Although genetically determined diseases occur in every purebred cat and dog breed, the Canadian Sphynx is no exception as a breed. and with proper screening and responsible breeding, the incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be significantly reduced and the well-being of the breed improved (Fuentes et al., 2020).
Although genetically determined diseases occur in every purebred cat and dog breed, the Canadian Sphynx is no exception as a breed. and with proper screening and responsible breeding, the incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be significantly reduced and the well-being of the breed improved (Fuentes et al., 2020).
Sphynx Predisposition to HCM: What the Research Shows
Not a congenital defect – the progressive nature of HCM and the breeding perspective
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not a congenital structural abnormality, but a long-term progressive heart muscle disease whose pathogenesis involves thickening of the heart muscle and impaired diastolic function (Luis Fuentes et al., 2020). Cats with HCM often do not show clinical symptoms until around six months of age, and confirmation of the diagnosis can take several years due to the mild symptoms in the early stages of the disease (Fox et al., 2016). The disease is not gender-specific, but epidemiological findings suggest that male cats are more likely to develop HCM than females (Trehiou-Sechi et al., 2012). Although the disease has been reported in cats ranging in age from three months to seventeen years, most cases occur in middle age, typically between four and eight years of age (Payne et al., 2024).
In breeding practices, this requires both repeated cardiac ultrasound examinations before breeding and throughout the breeding career, as a one-time health check does not rule out the development of disease later in life (Trehiou-Sechi et al., 2012). In addition, combining genetic screening and clinical monitoring reduces risk at the population level and supports the long-term maintenance of cardiac health in the breed (Luis Fuentes et al., 2020).
In breeding practices, this requires both repeated cardiac ultrasound examinations before breeding and throughout the breeding career, as a one-time health check does not rule out the development of disease later in life (Trehiou-Sechi et al., 2012). In addition, combining genetic screening and clinical monitoring reduces risk at the population level and supports the long-term maintenance of cardiac health in the breed (Luis Fuentes et al., 2020).
One mutation does not tell the whole story – persistent research and testing are the keys to the success of breeding
ALMS1: genetic puzzle and breeding challenges
Recent genetic research has identified an ALMS1 gene variant (A3: g.92439157G>C) in the Canadian Sphynx breed, which has been proposed for inclusion in screening to support breeding decisions. (Meurs et al., 2021). The use of testing as a tool for breeders and the importance of genetic research in managing population-level risks have been highlighted, but at the same time, warnings have been issued about technical testing challenges, such as allele loss, which can distort results (Turba et al., 2023).
Although this variant is not the only known mutation associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, considering it in conjunction with clinical examination, particularly repeated echocardiographic examination, may promote long-term maintenance of cardiac health in the breed. However, it is noteworthy that (Seo et al., 2024) did not find a statistically significant association between the ALMS1 variant and HCM in their prospective cohort, which supports the view that ALMS1 screening should be used only as a complementary, not exclusive, method of breeding risk assessment.
Ensuring the long-term heart health of the breed also requires the preservation of genetic diversity, as an overly narrow breeding base can increase the risk of other hereditary diseases and weaken overall resistance. (Boeykens et al., 2024) The optimal approach is to combine genetic screening with regular echocardiographic examinations and to plan breeding strategies in such a way as to simultaneously reduce the risk of HCM inheritance and prevent a narrowing of genetic diversity in the population. Utilizing ALMS1 variant genotype data can support the optimization of breeding strategies at the population level, provided that the reliability of testing is ensured by minimizing allele drop-out and using validated analysis methods. Further action is needed in the form of more extensive clinical monitoring and longitudinal studies in order to reliably assess the association of the variant with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at the population level (Turba et al., 2023).
Although this variant is not the only known mutation associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, considering it in conjunction with clinical examination, particularly repeated echocardiographic examination, may promote long-term maintenance of cardiac health in the breed. However, it is noteworthy that (Seo et al., 2024) did not find a statistically significant association between the ALMS1 variant and HCM in their prospective cohort, which supports the view that ALMS1 screening should be used only as a complementary, not exclusive, method of breeding risk assessment.
Ensuring the long-term heart health of the breed also requires the preservation of genetic diversity, as an overly narrow breeding base can increase the risk of other hereditary diseases and weaken overall resistance. (Boeykens et al., 2024) The optimal approach is to combine genetic screening with regular echocardiographic examinations and to plan breeding strategies in such a way as to simultaneously reduce the risk of HCM inheritance and prevent a narrowing of genetic diversity in the population. Utilizing ALMS1 variant genotype data can support the optimization of breeding strategies at the population level, provided that the reliability of testing is ensured by minimizing allele drop-out and using validated analysis methods. Further action is needed in the form of more extensive clinical monitoring and longitudinal studies in order to reliably assess the association of the variant with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at the population level (Turba et al., 2023).
The chain of generations and its impact on cardiac health
HCM appears to be a hereditary disease with a complex and polygenic genetic background; autosomal dominant mutations observed in different breeds are typically characterized by incomplete penetrance and variable expression, which explains why some carriers remain asymptomatic and the expression of the disease varies individually (Grzeczka et al., 2024). In addition, the genetic etiology of the disease is likely to be heterogeneous, involving several known and as yet unidentified variants that together contribute to the onset and progression of the disease (Grzeczka et al., 2024; Raffle et al., 2025).
A sustainable breeding strategy requires combining genetic test results with clinical screening and maintaining genetic diversity in the population in order to reduce the prevalence of HCM in the long term (Grzeczka et al., 2024).
A sustainable breeding strategy requires combining genetic test results with clinical screening and maintaining genetic diversity in the population in order to reduce the prevalence of HCM in the long term (Grzeczka et al., 2024).
How HCM Is Inherited in the Sphynx?
Managing HCM in the Sphynx:
Treatment and Care
Unfortunately, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cannot be cured, but the condition of affected cats can be managed with medication. Treatment is mainly palliative, as the thickness of the heart muscle cannot be reduced. The aim is to improve left ventricular diastolic filling, delay the development of heart failure, and prevent complications such as arterial thromboembolism. The available medication options are selected individually based on the cat's clinical condition, symptoms, and cardiological findings. (Luis Fuentes et al., 2020).
Genetic Diversity in the Canadian Sphynx
A Key Factor in Long-Term Cardiac Health
One practical, forward-looking lever is to increase genetic diversity via thoughtfully designed outcrossing that is not limited to breeds already predisposed to HCM. Random-bred domestic cats carry substantially greater genetic diversity than many pedigreed lines, and reducing inbreeding is known to lower the chance of homozygosity for deleterious alleles and inbreeding-related fitness losses.
Large-scale screenings of more than 10.000 cats have revealed that disease-associated alleles are widely distributed across many breeds, highlighting the limitations of restricting outcrossing to a narrow pool of closely related, high-risk breeds (Mahmoodi et al., 2024).
Large-scale screenings of more than 10.000 cats have revealed that disease-associated alleles are widely distributed across many breeds, highlighting the limitations of restricting outcrossing to a narrow pool of closely related, high-risk breeds (Mahmoodi et al., 2024).
