Cornish Rexes: breed overview and care tips

The Cornish Rex is a remarkable breed distinguished by its distinct look and lively demeanor. These cats stand out from the crowd thanks to their sleek bodies and curly, soft coats. However, the Cornish Rex’s lively and loving personality truly makes them stand out, which is why they’re so popular with cat owners who like having interactive pets.

Social butterflies at heart, Cornish Rex cats love to be the center of attention for their owners. They enjoy playing and exploring, and they frequently look for ways to participate in household activities. Their inquisitive nature and exuberant demeanor render them ideal companions for individuals or families seeking a playful feline companion.

Even though their short, wavy fur might suggest that they don’t need as much maintenance, Cornish Rex cats still require some attention to stay happy and healthy. If you’re thinking about adopting one of these adorable cats, it’s important to know about their general upkeep, exercise needs, and grooming requirements. Here’s a closer look at the breed along with some useful maintenance advice.

The unusual and lively Cornish Rex cat breed is distinguished by its large ears, curly coat, and lean, athletic frame. These cats are excellent companions for families or individuals searching for a lively and affectionate pet because they are highly intelligent, social, and active. In order to keep a Cornish Rex happy and healthy, regular attention to their delicate skin and coat is required, along with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. To ensure their wellbeing, they need a healthy diet, frequent grooming, and regular trips to the veterinarian.

History of the breed"s origin

In 1950, on a modest English rabbit farm, a cat named Serena gave birth to an unusual kitten with curly fur, which led to the appearance of the first Cornish Rexes. The unusual baby caught the attention of the farm’s owner, Miss Ennismore, who made the decision to start the process of selecting a new breed.

Kallibunker was the name of the kitten. All long-term attempts to elicit similar progeny from him proved fruitless. Every kitten born had hair that was completely smooth and devoid of curls. After crossing Kallibunker with Serena, the selection eventually produced results. It was discovered that this feature was caused by a recessive gene, and that fixing it was extremely challenging.

The curly kittens were imported to the United States seven years later, and extensive efforts were made to improve the breed. Originally, Siamese, Oriental, and Thai cats were crossed with Cornish cats to produce an expressive, elongated muzzle. As a result, the breed was divided into two categories: European and American. The American nose is more graceful and elongated than the European nose, and it has a hump on it.

As of right now, the breed is categorized:

• FIFe – III – Shorthair and Somali – CRX standard;
• WCF – 3 – Shorthair — CRX standard.

Distinctions between Devon, Selkirk, and Cornish Rex

There are twelve distinct Rexes if you dig deeper into the subject. Of them, Devon, Selkirk, and Cornish Rex are the most well-known. Although it is difficult to mistake a Selkirk Rex for someone else, Devon and Cornish dogs were once thought to be a single breed until the 1960s. However, due to differences in their characteristics, breeders were forced to make this decision.

Cornish Rex	Devon Rex	Selkirk Rex
The coat is wavy, short, has no topcoat.	The coat is wavy, short, however, the curls on it are larger.	The coat is wavy, long.
The nose has a small hump.	The nose is snub, slightly curved upwards.	The stop on the muzzle is clearly expressed.
The head is wedge-shaped, the outlines of the head smooth.	Head is wedge-shaped, with pronounced pointed cheekbones.	Head is round with a wide forehead, powerful chin.
Body is slightly elongated, small, graceful. Long slender legs.	The body is more massive, the legs are powerful.	The body is powerful, large, resembling a rectangle.

A Devon Rex is on the left, a Cornish Rex is on the right, and a Selkirk Rex is below.

Breed description

Standard

• Body: small, elongated, with developed muscles. The back is arched, forming an arc. The female cat weighs up to 3.5 kg, the male cat – 4 kg.
• Limbs: long and thin, the paws are small, oval-shaped. The tail is also long and thin, flexible.
• Head: wedge-shaped, with pronounced contours and rounded cheekbones. The forehead is flat, the nose is humped, the profile is slightly elongated, the cheeks are full.
• Wool: short, soft and curly, the curls are small, which is a feature of the Cornish. No guard hair. The color varies, the most common are white, black, gray and red cats.
• Eyes: almond-shaped, elongated towards the edges. Color matches the coat. Colorpoint cats have only blue eyes.
• Ears: large, set high, tapering and tapering towards the tips.

Crucial! The Cornish Rex’s hair can be nearly undetectable, but bald spots, or its total or partial absence, are a flaw.

Health

These cats’ health cannot be characterized as strong. These cats are prone to several challenging illnesses.

• Hypoglycemia. Is a developmental pathology, expressed in a lack of glucose in the blood.
• Progressive retinal atrophy. It is also a pathology. This term hides several symptoms at once, inevitably leading to blindness of the kitten.
• Hypotrichosis. A congenital disease characterized by uncontrolled hair loss.
• Solar dermatosis. Can develop as a result of hypotrichosis and subsequently lead to more serious consequences, for example, skin cancer.

If the recessive gene is carried by both parents, the first two diseases manifest. A veterinarian must examine sick kittens. It is forbidden for animals with diseases to mate.

The cat shouldn’t be left outside in the sun to avoid developing solar dermatosis.

The lifespan of a Cornish Rex under ideal circumstances is roughly fifteen years. Cats can live up to 20 years old.

Character of the Cornish Rex

Cats that are affectionate and kind are Cornish Rexes. These cats, according to breeders, are incapable of living alone. Since Cornish Rexes are attached to their owners rather than the house, they require a lot of care from their owners. They seek out activities for themselves when left alone at home, which is not always accepted by the family, because they are depressed.

These cats are easy to train and will follow basic instructions. They will gladly lay down at their owner’s feet or bring him a thrown ball.

Throughout their lives, these cats maintain their playful and curious nature. Cornish Rex are even capable of creating original games. They will also get along well with kids and other animals.

Therefore, Cornish Rex’s primary characteristics are:

• Playfulness.
• Loyalty.
• Curiosity.
• Friendliness.
• Affection.
• Trainability.

Potential problems

1. The short fur of the Cornish Rex will not protect it from either frost or the scorching sun.
2. You need to take care of the cat"s health, because due to their structure they are very sensitive to anesthetics. During surgery, the Cornish Rex may simply not survive the anesthesia.
3. If you are a busy person, then the Cornish Rex is not for you. Upon arrival home, you will see torn pillows and broken cups – victims of cat games, and next to them – the cat itself, offendedly staring at the floor.
4. The paw pads of the Cornish Rex are small, so they cannot completely retract their claws. The cat will need a scratching post or regular claw trimming.

Gallery of Cornish Rex colors

Care

Wool

Though it has a thin coat, the Cornish Rex needs maintenance just like any other cat.

The Cornish require combing once every one to two weeks, and perhaps more frequently during the shedding season. It is advised to use combs with short, soft teeth or gentle brushes made of natural bristles for this. The cat’s sensitive skin may be harmed by sharp teeth.

The Cornish Rex is similar to a sphinx in that its sparse fur does not accumulate excess fat, so you should wash it more frequently than other short-haired cats. The cat needs to be bathed once every two weeks. Fortunately, the Cornish Rex has a good affinity for water, particularly if it is introduced to it at an early age.

Crucial! These cats almost never cause allergies in people because of their short fur. However, keep in mind that the enzymes in the saliva, not the fur, are what trigger allergies, so those who have them should still exercise caution around Cornish Rex.

Nutrition

Because of their high level of activity, this breed should eat mostly protein-rich foods. Naturally, you can feed the cat commercially prepared, well-balanced food, but many cats would rather be fed naturally.

Crucial! Seafood and fish should not be fed to cats in order to prevent urolithiasis.

Include the following in your cat’s diet if you feed it natural food:

• Turkey meat. It is lean, does not cause allergies, unlike chicken, and is good for cats.
• Liver and beef tripe.
• Vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin).
• Cereals and porridge.
• White fish (no more than 2 times a week).
• Boiled eggs (1 piece per week).
• Fermented milk products.

Crucial! One thing unites these elegant cats: they are true gluttons. The Cornish Rex will eat five or six times a day with great pleasure; however, you will need to switch it to two meals a day to prevent it from gaining too much weight.

Care for other parts of the body

For the Cornish Rex, ear care is essential. Regular ear exams are necessary. Use a cotton swab or cotton pad soaked in Vaseline oil to clean the ears.

Cats with claws need care as well. They believe that it is worthwhile to get a scratching post and get the cat used to it. In the event that this isn’t feasible, you should carefully trim the growing claws every few millimeters.

Other than that, care is the same as it would be for a different breed. A moist cotton wool pad or cloth soaked in water or eye drops is used to wipe the eyes. The pet’s teeth are brushed with a brush and either dental sticks or cat toothpaste once a week.

Walking

The Cornish Rexes are temperature-sensitive animals. They are prone to colds in the winter and burns from overheating in the summer. Such cats should not be walked; instead, you should purchase a cat complex or simply provide them with more entertainment at home.

The cat in a country house requires a lot of care. The room’s temperature is kept constant. For the sake of the cat’s health, it is preferable to keep it indoors.

Pet card

Characteristics of the cat		Notes
General information	A breed of small curly cats	Can be confused with the Devon Rex
Character	Friendly and devoted. Will happily spend time with family	Becomes attached to one owner

How to choose a Cornish Rex kitten

At three or four months old, the baby is taken from its parents. A kitten from a reputable breeder is used to the litter box and scratching post by this age and doesn’t play with people’s hands or feet. To avoid coming across a sick or non-purebred kitten, it is preferable to select a kitten from nurseries.

Considerations to make when selecting a kitten:

• Behavior of the baby. The kitten should be cheerful, affectionate, should not be afraid of strangers.
• The fur is clean, soft, without bald spots. The cat itself does not smell of anything unpleasant.
• The eyes, nose, ears and anus should be clean.
• There are no inflammations on the gums. Ask the owner of the kitten to open his mouth and examine the teeth and gums of the Cornish.

A Cornish Rex kitten can be expensive. A kitten of a particular class and nursery may cost anywhere between 5,000 and 60,000 rubles.

Breeding the breed

One popular breed is the Cornish Rexe. It’s not hard to find a mate for a cat, but when breeding, caution is advised because this breed of cat can have trouble getting pregnant.

A Cornish Rex can be found in the following catteries:

• Dej-Laxi – Moscow.
• Cornelian – Moscow.
• Kornelita — Moscow.
• FRIZZY*CAT — Yekaterinburg.

Aspect	Description
Breed origin	The Cornish Rex originates from Cornwall, England, and is known for its curly, soft coat.
Appearance	They have a slender build, large ears, and a distinct wavy coat that lacks guard hairs.
Temperament	Cornish Rexes are active, playful, and highly affectionate, making them great companions.
Grooming	Minimal grooming is required due to their short, soft coat. Weekly brushing is enough.
Exercise needs	These cats are very energetic and enjoy interactive play to keep them physically active.
Health	They are generally healthy but can be prone to genetic conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Diet	A balanced, high-quality cat food is recommended to maintain their energy and health.

A distinctive and loving breed, Cornish Rex cats can add happiness to any home. They distinguish themselves from other breeds with their curly coats, lively personalities, and deep bonding with their owners. These kitties are excellent companions for anyone looking for an interactive pet because they adore attention.

A balanced diet, frequent veterinary checkups, and attention to coat maintenance are all necessary aspects of caring for a Cornish Rex. Despite the fact that they are a generally healthy breed, it is crucial to monitor their energy levels and general wellbeing.

A friendly, active cat with a distinctive look, the Cornish Rex could be the ideal addition to your household. Along the way, they will make sure to entertain you and show you lots of love.

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