Cornish Rex, a very special curly-haired cat.
If you've ever seen the Cornish Rex you probably don't remember his name but you do remember his incredible curly coat, it is very unique, which few cat breeds have.
They are quite independent but very social. Excellent companions for those looking for an active, intelligent, and quick-learning feline.
But this is not all, there are many more things we want to tell you. Stay to learn more about them, their history, their peculiar coat, and more
Origin of the Cornish Rex
The Cornish rex is a cat that comes from Cornwall, England. They owe their name to a breed of rabbit, the Rex Rabbit, as the fur of this breed is very similar to that of these rabbits.
The first curly-haired kitten was born in the 1950s, from a litter of four kittens, he was a cream-colored cat with curly fur, named Kalinbunker. He differed from his siblings not only by the type of fur: it was delicate, small, with a narrow head, big ears, and a long tail.
Kalinbunker became so popular that, in a short time, everyone wanted a cat like him, and he attracted the attention of the breeding community in England. His affectionate character and easy care made it an excellent and eccentric pet.
His offspring were bred with the British Shorthair and Oriental Shorthair, as well as Siamese and Burmese cats to further develop the breed.
The recessive gene of the Cornish Rex
Sometime later the mixture of kittens of the litter confirmed that the curly hair, something unusual and not seen before, had a recessive trait and all the kittens of the new generation, possessed this characteristic so peculiar, among all the cat breeds.
In 1960 the breed was officially recognized in England and, in the following decade, the USA also recognized the Cornish Rex.
Physical characteristics of the Cornish Rex cat
Size: females measure between 28 and 30 cm and males. Approximately 30 cm, they reach adult size at 12 months.
Weight: females weigh about 4 kg and males up to 5 kg.
Eyes: they are large and oval they can be amber, aqua, blue, copper, green, gold, hazel, or in some cases they can have one eye of each color.
Ears: they are quite large, with a wide base and rounded tips.
Coat: is the most characteristic of this breed, its coat is short, fine, soft, and curly or, at least, wavy and close to the skin.
They only have an undercoat, this is due to a recessive gene from which the cats do not develop a second layer of hair.
It can be solid color, bicolor, calico, brindle or colorpoint etc. There are no restrictions as to the colors accepted in the coat.
Their whiskers are also wavy.
Body: elegant and slender, elongated, with firm and powerful musculature and medium size.
Their back is arched and thin,their head is triangular, narrow, and small, characterized by firm lines and a marked chin and their neck is slender.
Life Span: from 10 to 16 years approximately.
The character of the Cornish Rex
They are affectionate and quite sociable cats and have preserved the original character of a farm cat. They are temperamental and active.
They love cuddles and caresses. They love to be in the company of children and are happiest in the company of another cat.
They tend to adapt easily to different environments although will prefer warm and comfortable indoor spaces. Loneliness is one of the issues that Cornish cats like the least, and they are not cats that spend the day sleeping.
They are very agile and love to jump, climb and even play catch. However, it is necessary to educate them with discipline from an early age, as they have a great eagerness for leadership.
Care of Cornish Rex cats
- Although their coat is the most outstanding feature of the Cornish Rex, it does not need a lot of care. A weekly combing with a soft bristle brush will be enough to keep it healthy and clean.
- They are more sensitive to cold, so they need warm places to take shelter, always indoors.
- Their skin is also more sensitive to sunlight, so be careful not to expose them too much to the sun.
- Their body temperature is high and generates a lot of oil, and it is not necessary to bathe them every day, but you can give them a wipe that does not have any irritating substance.
- They need to have their eyes and ears checked weekly. You should clean them with a damp cloth or wipe them to avoid infections.
Feeding
Cornish Rex natural feed is formulated with a balanced percentage of animal protein and healthy fat.
They are not picky eaters, and can easily be fed commercially produced cat food, either food or kibble.
The important thing is that it is quality food, to provide all the necessary nutrients, and be adapted to their age and activity level.
Avoid giving food out of his schedule as well as leftovers to avoid being overweight.
Health of the Cornish Rex
Generally speaking, the Cornish Rex is a healthy breed.
However, they may suffer from certain pathologies due to their genetics. They can suffer from progressive retinal atrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and dermatitis,
Vision problems such as cataracts or conjunctivitis, some pathologies can cause blindness, so it is best to take them to their reviews with the veterinarian for follow-up. And cardiac insufficiencies that can be translated into arrhythmias or lung problems.
Due to crosses with Persian cats in their origins, they present an average risk of suffering from polycystic kidney disease. This disease causes cysts in the kidney, which eventually cause damage. There is no specific treatment.
Attend regular veterinary visits and consult with your veterinarian about any unusual behavior of your cat.
Cornish rex are very unique cats
They don't go unnoticed not only because of their appearance but also because of their personality, they have a loud voice, are very sociable, love to play, and are restless.
They are ideal cats for all kinds of families and environments because they adapt very well to their environment, they are also easy to take care of and they will definitely steal all the attention wherever they go, now that you know more about the Cornish rex we are sure that they will be an ideal cat for you.
