Facts & advice

Selkirk Rex

Selkirk Rex cats’ loving, lively personalities make them a great family pet

A Selkirk Rex cat is a rare cat with a distinctive curly coat, curly whiskers, and an affectionate personality.

They love to be close and can be perfectly content curling up in your lap. Selkirk Rex cats are mostly low maintenance, with a playful and laid-back temperament. They’re an ideal addition to a busy family with children, depending on the individual cat, and they make loving companions.

Vital stats

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Size:	Medium to large
Coat:	Can be both short-haired and long-haired
Life span:	11 – 14 years
Temperament:	Friendly, gentle, affectionate, energetic

Selkirk Rex personality & temperament

The Selkirk Rex cat’s personality is a lovely blend between playful and gentle.

The Selkirk Rex cat will often enjoy sitting close by or even on your lap. They bond closely with their family and seek out affection. Their gentle and sociable temperament makes them a lovely companion for children and other pets – provided they’re socialised well and any introductions are done gradually, with all contact supervised.
Sometimes your Selkirk Rex cat will get a little burst of energy and become lively and playful. You’ll see them bounce and leap around before finding a quiet spot for a snooze.
While they’re not demanding, the Selkirk Rex cat does need frequent human interaction. So, if you’re usually out for long portions of the day, you may want to opt for a more independent breed. Selkirk Rex cats are great pets for retired people and those who work in the home.
Selkirk Rex cats are rarely territorial or aggressive, although all cats are individuals. They’re playful and docile, and more timid than boisterous.

Selkirk Rex food & diet

a red cat food bowl full of dry cat biscuits

As with all cats, Selkirk Rex cats are obligate carnivores, so they need a meat-based diet to keep them healthy.

A complete and balanced diet that is for the correct life stage of your cat.
Fully grown Selkirk Rex cats can weigh up to 16 pounds (7.5kgs). Larger cats can suffer with joint issues so ensure that you are always feeding the recommended requirement from the food packaging, and ask your vet if you are unsure.
Selkirk Rex cats have big appetites and are prone to obesity. This, combined with their love of being lap cats, means owners should carefully consider their Selkirk Rex’s portion sizes and treats. If you’re unsure about your cat’s weight, it’s always best to consult your vet.

Selkirk Rex grooming & coat care

a close up of a grey and white selkirk rex

A Selkirk Rex cat’s relaxed attitude and social nature means that looking after their coat is easy.

You might think that the Selkirk Rex cat’s rarity and unusual coat would make grooming them a challenge, but that’s not the case. They can mostly manage their own grooming needs and over-brushing their curly coat could make it appear frizzy.
Once per week you’ll need a grooming session, where you can check their ears and nails, and brush their curly coats. If you can, it’s best to start this when your cat is young so they get accustomed to the process.
It's also a good idea to occasionally visit a professional grooming service, especially if your cat has longer hair.
This is also a good opportunity for your cat to have a hygiene clip as well as have the fur round their paws trimmed, as these can be sensitive areas.
Selkirk Rex cats are bred in every single colour and pattern combination. Colours options include white, cream, black, red, blue, chocolate, lilac, sable, silver, fawn, and lavender.
Hair length may vary but a Selkirk Rex coat is nearly always curly. Some even have curly whiskers! This can mean that your cat might struggle to communicate and process information about their environment, but on the whole most curly-whiskered felines do just fine!
Selkirk Rex kittens are born with curly fuzz, and then their fur can become straight as they mature, before becoming dense and kinky when they are through adolescence at around two years old.

Selkirk Rex training & behaviour

a selkirk rex cat sitting in a rhododendron bush

Selkirk Rex cats are intelligent when they set their mind to something, but their relaxed personality means they need some extra encouragement when it comes to training.

Selkirk Rex cats don’t like to be on their own too much, so they need to be kept mentally stimulated whilst you’re out of the house. Toys, scratching posts, and food puzzles are a real treat to keep them occupied – Just remember to account for any edible treats in your pet's daily food allowance to ensure they stay a healthy weight.
Selkirk Rex cats tend to respond well to litter training and you can even try clicker training. You’ll need lots of patience and positive reinforcements.
It’s a good idea to provide your cat with lots of opportunities to play fun games with you. As Selkirk Rex cats are so comfortable relaxing next to you, they need some extra motivation to exercise to keep them healthy.

Common Selkirk Rex health conditions

As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Selkirk Rexs are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Selkirk Rexs.

1. Mouth and gum disease

Like most breeds, Selkirk Rex may suffer from gum and dental disease during their lifetime. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented with basic routine care such as feeding cats dry food and brushing their teeth, helping them to lead a normal, pain-free life.

2. Eye conditions

Like all cats, the Selkirk Rex can suffer from eye problems such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the insides of a cat’s eyelids); glaucoma (caused by increased pressure inside the eyeball); cataracts (opacity of the lens); entropion (inward rolling of the eyelids); or retinal problems. This breed is particularly prone to an excessive amount of discharge from the eye as a result of its twisted and partially blocked tear ducts. Treatment of each eye condition depends on the type and severity of the problem, although many are treated using eyedrops.

3. Heart disease

Heart disease in cats refers to when the heart’s structures aren’t working as they should be. There are two categories of heart disease: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops later in life). Congenital heart diseases include defects in the wall of the heart, abnormal valves and blood vessels. Selkirk Rex are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.

4. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It can come on suddenly or grumble under the surface over a longer period of time (chronic). The chronic form is more common in cats. Pancreatitis can be caused by trauma, parasites, infection, or drug reactions, although often no identifiable cause is detected. Treatment is usually required over two time frames: the acute phase involves intravenous fluids and careful monitoring of a cat’s blood parameters; in the longer-term, dietary management is required to ensure that a cat can continue to live normally.

5. Gastrointestinal tract disorders

The Selkirk Rex, like all cats, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis caused by infections (like feline enteritis), poisoning or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the cat eating string for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery.

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What to know before you buy or rehome a Selkirk Rex cat

They’re a low-maintenance breed but keep these tips mind so your Selkirk Rex cat stays happy and healthy.

As with most cats, Selkirk Rex cats will benefit from outdoor access. Some owners may worry about theft, and therefore may prefer to offer supervised access or provide an enclosed cat-safe garden.
You’ll need to take your cat to the vets regularly for check-ups, vaccinations and dental management. There are some mild illnesses which can affect all kittens, and there are some illnesses which the Selkirk Rex cat is more susceptible to than other cat breeds. Generally they are healthy, but they can suffer with joint issues, as well as kidney and heart conditions.

While your Selkirk Rex cat is still young it’s a good idea to take out reliable cat insurance for them to help you access the best care for your cat if they need it.

Selkirk Rex frequently asked questions

Where does the Selkirk Rex cat breed come from?

Despite its name, the Selkirk Rex cat actually originated in Montana in the USA and is named after the original breeders' stepfather, not the Scottish town! A relatively new breed, the Selkirk Rex can trace its origins back to a curly-haired kitten born in 1987 in an animal shelter. The kitten, named Miss DiPesto, was then bred with a Persian cat to create the curly-haired Selkirk Rex breed we know and love today.

Is the Selkirk Rex an old breed of cat?

The Selkirk Rex cat was first intentionally bred in 1987. It was officially recognised as a breed in 1990. The first Selkirk Rex cat came to the UK in 2002.

Can Selkirk Rex cats be trained?

Selkirk Rex cats are a relaxed breed, happy to stay on their owner’s lap and be cuddled. However, with patience and positivity, they can be trained to walk on leads, perform tricks, and play fetch.

Do Selkirk Rex cats have a friendly temperament?

The Selkirk Rex cat shares its genetics with American shorthairs, Persians and Himalyans, and have the best features of these cats. This makes Selkirk Rex cats a friendly, affectionate and laid-back breed.

Do Selkirk Rex cats have another name?

Officially, the breed is just called a Selkirk Rex, but their distinctive fuzzy coat has led to them be affectionately nicknamed "a cat in sheep's clothing".

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Selkirk Rex insurance considerations

Selkirk Rex cats sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.

We always offer these things as standard:

Physiotherapy

Dental illness & injury

Cancer treatments

Diagnostic tests

Hereditary conditions

Physical & online consultations

Prescription medicine

Behavioural conditions

Surgery & specialised care

Congenital conditions

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