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A smiling older man in a brown knit cardigan sits on a beach boardwalk bench holding a grey Sphynx cat in his lap. 27 / 29

A Hairless Cat at the Beach Sounds Like Trouble. Grandpa Had a Plan.

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Weathered gray planks stretch toward the dunes, beach houses with porches line the path, and the sky over the shore is soft and cloudy. Clarence has found a spot on a wooden bench along the boardwalk, bundled up in a chunky brown cardigan with a thick shawl collar. He gazes down with a gentle smile at Moonpie, who sits snug in the crook of his arms, ears wide and eyes calmly scanning the walkway. Potted plants dot the porch steps behind them, and the whole scene has that quiet, off-season beach feeling.

Bringing a cat to the beach takes a bit more planning than bringing a dog, and for a hairless cat, it takes extra care. Sand can get hot enough to hurt paws on sunny days, salt air and wind can dry out sensitive skin, and strong sun can burn a Sphynx quickly. Cool, overcast days like this one, short visits, and a secure harness or a cozy pet carrier make outings much safer. Busy places full of new sounds, seagulls and strangers can be stressful for many cats, so watching for flattened ears, a twitching tail or attempts to hide helps you know when it is time to head home. Fresh water and a towel are good to have on hand.

The waves can wait. For now, Clarence and Moonpie seem perfectly content just watching the boardwalk go by.

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