Cat lovers everywhere have fallen in love with curly cats because of their unusual and striking wavy fur. Not only do these unique cats have a striking appearance, but their playful and loving dispositions also make them stand out. These cats with curly coats will pique your interest whether you’re a cat lover already or are just interested in learning more about other breeds.
A few breeds, each with unique characteristics and a fascinating history, are well-known for having curly coats. Curly cats are full of charm and variety, ranging from the well-known Selkirk Rex to lesser-known breeds. However, what precisely causes their fur to curl, and what should prospective owners understand before adopting one?
This article will discuss the peculiar world of curly cats, how to take care of them, and why they make such cherished pets. These curly-coated wonders are sure to delight, whether you’re looking to adopt or just want to learn more!
| Breed | Description |
| Selkirk Rex | Known for its soft, plush curly coat, the Selkirk Rex is a friendly and patient cat that enjoys being around people. |
| Devon Rex | The Devon Rex has short, curly fur and large ears. These cats are playful and love interacting with their owners. |
| Cornish Rex | With a wavy coat and slender body, the Cornish Rex is active, energetic, and loves to explore its surroundings. |
Curly cats are a unique and fascinating breed of cats that stand out for their personalities as well as their distinctive, wavy coats. The soft, curly fur of these cats—like the Devon Rex and Selkirk Rex—adds to their allure and helps them become well-liked by cat lovers. Despite their peculiar appearance, they make wonderful companions because they have loving, playful temperaments and require little upkeep in terms of grooming. This article explains why curly cats could be the ideal pet for some people by examining their traits, requirements for care, and appeal.
Cornish Rex
In 1950, one of the first breeds of curly cats emerged; 17 years later, felinologists formally recognized and registered the breed. In breeding this variety, breeders were able to achieve stable characteristics through mating with Siamese and non-pedigree pets.
The characteristic sphinx-like ears and long muzzle of Cornish Rex cats set them apart. These cats have astrakhan-like fur. These characteristics result from the main hair’s nearly total absence and the soft, short undercoat.
Beautiful, attractive men are intelligent and have a submissive nature. They are eager to spend a great deal of time in the arms of those they love. Families that are willing to provide a lot of attention are good homes for curly-haired beauties. They are consistently obedient, simple to train, and quick to execute basic tricks.
Devon Rex
The original kitten of this breed was discovered in 1960 in the English county of Devonshire. These pets look a lot like the Cornish Rex, another breed of curly cats. They do, nevertheless, have unique qualities.
Devon Rex cats have a rather elegant body with a unique flat head that holds large ears. Their somewhat snub nose and slightly slanted eyes complete their appearance. Though there aren’t many guard hairs, their fur is still soft and pleasant to the touch. Their decreased allergenicity is one of the breed’s advantages over other rex cat breeds.
Devon Rexes, sometimes referred to as "little elves," are lively and enjoy playing. They are also simple to train because, like dogs, these cats can obey their owners’ instructions.
German Rex
This curly cat’s origin story started in East Prussia prior to World War II. It was there that unusual curling kittens were born to a blue cat and an Angora cat. It was not until the 1970s that the German Rex breed standard was finally developed.
This is one of the most widely used types nowadays. Representatives of the species can be identified by their rounded heads and slightly protruding muzzles. German cats have medium-sized ears that are not as flexible as those of other cats. The short hair has a delicate, soft texture. The animals’ backs are noted for having the most curls.
When these purrs move into a new home, they rapidly come to terms with the norms of conduct and establish a common language with all family members. Their musicality blends in naturally with their gregariousness, activity, and playfulness. The breed’s characteristic that makes it so pleasant to talk to is precisely this.
Oregon Rex
It is thought that this incredibly uncommon breed of Rex cats is practically extinct worldwide. Appearing in the mid-1900s, or more accurately in 1944, it enjoyed some popularity in the United States of America for a while. However, some members of this curly breed started to crossbreed with Devon and Cornish cats. Consequently, the Oregon signs started to disappear. In 1972, the last purebred cat of this breed passed away. Cats that exhibit the traits of the Oregon Rex breed still exist today, but they are incredibly rare.
These cats’ bodies resemble those of American shorthairs. However, their fur stands out because it is shorter than that of the Cornish Rex or their German counterpart. The guard hairs are notably longer than the undercoat and not very thick. Oregon cats of the curly breed are particularly notable for their gentle nature. This cat is a kind and gentle companion, especially for young children.
LaPerm
We can truly refer to these unusual pets as magnificent. LaPerms dominate with their beauty, standing out from other curly cats with their large size. Pets with long hair have wavy hair, while those with short hair have enticing curls. The fur on the chest, behind the ears, and the rest of the body curls into rings, but the curls are disorganized otherwise.
The fact that kittens in this breed of Karakul cat can be born with straight fur or even without any fur at all is an intriguing characteristic. By the time the cats are a year old, they develop distinctive curls. The hypoallergenic nature of the fur is an additional pleasing attribute.
Lovely LaPerm kitties astonish with their personality. They are so devoted to each other that they show love and care to everyone, even the houseguests. They want to crawl into your arms and purr loudly to let you know how they feel.
Bohemian Rex
One theory claims that the Cornish Rexes are the ancestors of the Bohemian Rex breed. However, these stunning cats also have some Persian ancestry in their blood. The rare kittens were first seen in Czechoslovakia in 1981, and their breed’s selection process got underway then.
Long or medium-length curly hair is one of the Bohemian line’s defining characteristics. Particularly stylish are the "pants" and the area around the neck. The ears and muzzle are the only parts without curl. The distinctive feature of cats’ appearances are their enormous, expressive eyes, which complement their coat color.
Curly bohemian cats have a strong physique and a serene demeanor. These pets’ amiability, sociability, and tranquility make them appealing to households with young children and pets already living there.
Selkirk Rex
The offspring of a Persian and a short-haired Rex were found to have non-standard kittens in the not-too-distant 1987. They were the ones who provided the impetus for the development of the curly Selkirk Rex breed. The Selkirks are distinct even though they have wavy coats like other Rex cats. Three types of hair make up their coat: clearly curly, slightly wavy, and completely straight.
Because of their long, curly fur, Selkirk Rexes resemble small sheep in appearance. These people have been rewarded by nature with variable curliness. It has been observed that while a kitten’s hair straightens out at birth, it regains its natural curl by the time the kitten is 8 to 10 months old.
The world has gained a lot of true domestic friends from this curly cat breed. These affectionate and adorable cats don’t stop being mischievous and active as they get older.
Skookum
Pretty little cats were obtained by breeders as a result of mating LaPerms and Munchkins. In addition to dwarfism, these curly cats are distinguished by a beautiful collar. Some unique Skookum cats have short hair, some have long hair. In the latter case, the “permanent curl” is expressed more noticeably. Looking at these crumbs, one cannot help but notice the wavy mustache and eyebrows, which are mandatory according to the standard.
Skokum, as little curly-haired cats are sometimes called, enjoys playing, running, and swimming in the water—something that many other cats do not enjoy. They never announce their presence to their owners loudly or inconveniently, even though they love them. Another characteristic that sets skookum cats apart from their furry counterparts is that they don’t shed. Nevertheless, searching for them is a required weekly task.
Ural Rex
In the 1940s, the first records of Aboriginal curly cats were made in the Urals. Their appearance is only connected to organic processes. The new cat line was acquired by breeders, and intrabreeding was the only way to achieve perfection. Animal genetics is so stable that hereditary anomalies are nonexistent.
The silky, medium-length hair of the muscular, slender Ural Rex cat sets it apart from other breeds. It curls beautifully in beautiful waves throughout the body. Every member of the breed can be identified by their curly tail and tiny mane.
This breed of cat stands out for having a kind disposition and a trusting outlook on people. They willingly join in the game with the kids and readily jump into the arms of even complete strangers.
Curly cats stand out for their soft, wavy coats, making them distinctive and endearing. These breeds are wonderful companions for cat lovers because they not only have captivating looks but also frequently have warm, loving dispositions. From the Devon Rex to the Selkirk Rex, each variety of curly cat has unique characteristics that offer a wide range of options to prospective owners.
It’s not hard to take care of a cat with curly coat, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Frequent brushing keeps their tangles and curls in place, and taking care of their skin helps keep irritation at bay. Although there aren’t many breed-specific problems with these cats, it’s always a good idea to be aware of them.
A curly cat can be the ideal choice if you’re searching for a pet with a bit more personality. They provide a distinctive addition to any home by fusing their striking appearance with a loving and playful nature.
