The Selkirk Rex is a medium to large sized cat characterized by its robust, muscular build, short muzzle, short legs, and rounded head. Its large eyes and soft, ruffled fur create a uniquely appealing look. Available in both long and short haired varieties, the Selkirk Rex's coat curl can vary with age, gender, climate, and season, but it always maintains a plush, luxurious appearance. This Cat Breed comes in a wide range of colors and coat patterns. Long haired Selkirks feature a plumed tail and a prominent ruff around the neck and chest.

• Ideal for first time cat owners.
• Active and enjoys playing games.
• Playful and curious.
• Sociable and affectionate.
• Mildly vocal.
• Medium sized Cat Breed.
• Daily Grooming required.
• Thrives with both indoor and outdoor access.
• Perfect for families.
• Can tolerate being left alone.
• Prefers a calm environment.
• Expresses affection by Purring and Kneading.
• Communicates through relaxed Body Language.
• Cat Teeth should be regularly checked and cared for.
• Has a gentle, soothing purr.
• Great for first-time cat owners due to easygoing nature.

The Selkirk Rex breed may face certain health issues:

• Hypotrichosis A condition where some areas of fur fail to grow, leading to potential skin infections (especially yeast infections) due to the absence of natural oils that typically maintain skin health.

• ---

  Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) An inherited disorder where cysts form in the kidneys, affecting their function and potentially causing kidney failure. Notably, the risk of PKD in the Selkirk Rex is lower compared to other breeds known for this condition.

• ---

  Hip Dysplasia – can occur, especially in larger cats.

• ---

  Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – a heart condition found in many cat breeds.

• ---

  Dental issues – regular teeth checks and cleanings are important.

• ---

  Obesity – like many cats, they can gain weight and suffer with Obesity easily if overfed or under-exercised.

Available Testing

• DNA Testing for Polycystic Kidney Disease This test, developed by experts like Jeri Newman, determines if a Selkirk Rex is at risk for this inherited kidney disease. The Selkirk Rex is a relatively new breed, and such testing helps manage and reduce health risks associated with polycystic Kidney Disease.

The Selkirk Rex is known for its gentle temperament, perfectly matching its charming, teddy bear like appearance. Loyal and devoted to its family, this breed is also friendly with visitors, making it an easygoing and low maintenance companion. Despite its fluffy exterior, the Selkirk Rex is an energetic and playful cat that enjoys interactive play but won’t disrupt your home if you’re busy.

The Selkirk Rex is a medium to large-sized cat known for its distinctive curly fur, setting it apart from other breeds like the British Shorthair and Devon Rex. With a muscular, chunky build and a rounded head, this breed features unique curly haired coats that can be short or long. The plush, soft fur comes in various colors and patterns, and long haired Selkirks often have a plumed tail and a ruff around the neck and chest.

The breed originates from a blue tortoiseshell and white feral cat found in Montana in 1987. This cat gave birth to a litter that included a curly haired kitten. This kitten was adopted by British Shorthair and Persian Cat breeder Jeri Newman and named DePesto due to her attention seeking nature. Through breeding DePesto and researching her mother, Newman discovered they both carried a new dominant gene that resulted in a curly coat. This gene was different from the ones causing curly coats in Cornish Rex or Devon Rex Cats. DePesto was then bred with a black Persian Cat, resulting in a litter of six kittens, three of which had curly coats.

The Selkirk Rex breed, a type of Rex cat, is named after the Selkirk Mountain range in the Northwestern US and Southwestern Canada.

Friendly and sociable, the adorable, teddy bear like Selkirk Rex, a type of Rex cat, is not well suited for outdoor life and is at risk of being stolen. To provide your Selkirk Rex with safe outdoor time and fresh air, use a built in cat run or a fully secured garden. They will enjoy having branches to climb and platforms in sunny spots.

While the Selkirk Rex, a type of Rex cat, is relatively relaxed, they still enjoy climbing trees and playing with Cat Toys on strings. However, they are not overly demanding and will often be content with your presence and a lap to cuddle on. They don’t cope well with being left alone for extended periods, but are sociable with other cats, provided you are home for a reasonable amount of time. For times when you are away, consider getting an Automatic Cat Toy - ideal for self play and keeping your Selkirk Rex entertained.

Every cat is unique, with its own particular likes, dislikes, and nutritional needs. However, as obligate carnivores, all cats must obtain 41 specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients varies depending on the cat's age, lifestyle, and overall health. For example, a growing, energetic kitten requires a different nutrient balance than a less active senior cat. Additionally, it's important to feed the right quantity of food to maintain an 'ideal body condition' according to feeding guidelines, and to cater to individual preferences for wet or dry food recipes.

Learn more about feeding your Selkirk Rex with our article on Cat Feeding & Cat Nutrition.

Both long and short coated Selkirk Rex cats require daily grooming, as their fluffy coats are too dense for them to manage on their own. A quick daily brush and a more thorough Cat Grooming session each week for the long coated variety will keep their coats in excellent condition. If your cat's coat appears greasy, it may indicate that they are not grooming themselves, which could be a sign of poor health.

As with all cats, regular Vaccinations and Flea Control are recommended.

The Selkirk Rex is an excellent family cat, being relaxed and cuddly much of the time and ready for fun and games when available. This 'low chaos' cat is suitable for most households, provided someone is home during part of the day and each night to keep them company. Their teddy bear like softness may be too much for very young children to understand they are living beings who need space and respect, but they are wonderful with older children and teens.

• Naturally curly coat – The Selkirk Rex has a unique, plush, curly coat that sets it apart from other breeds.

• ---

  "Teddy bear" cat – Known for its cuddly, teddy bear-like appearance due to its thick, soft curls.

• ---

  Born with curls – Kittens are born with curly fur, though it may change slightly as they grow.

• ---

  Gentle and laid-back – They are known for their calm and patient temperament, making them great for families.

• ---

  Low shedding despite fluffy coat – Their curly fur sheds less than other longhaired breeds, although they still need grooming.

• ---

  Comes in long and short hair – Selkirk Rex cats can have either long or short curly coats, both equally unique.