Cornish Rex cats are adorable and funky-looking felines that stand out with their unique physical characteristics and lovable personalities. Although they catch your eye with their interesting coats and storybook look, you’ll fall in love with how fun and affectionate they truly are.
Known for their curly coat as well as their large eyes and ears, you don’t get a more enchanting kitty than the Cornish Rex. These cats are cuddly, playful, and devoted to their humans.
If you want a cat that will want to spend all their time with you, the Cornish Rex might be the perfect fit. This little sidekick won’t leave you alone if they don’t have to.
Keep reading to learn more about what makes the Cornish Rex a magnificent feline.
| Cornish Rex cat | ...at a glance |
|---|---|
| Personality | Loving, playful, sociable |
| Life expectancy | 13-20 years |
| Weight | 6-10 lbs |
| Coat & colors | Short, curly; various colors & patterns |
| Energy level | High |
| Affection level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Shedding level | Low |
| Required grooming | Low |
Overview of the Cornish Rex cat
The Cornish Rex is considered a small-sized cat breed. Both males and females are on the smaller side and don’t typically grow larger than expected. These Rex cats have large ears and eyes that give them an alien-like appearance that’s both inquisitive and attentive.
What might surprise you about the Cornish Rex is how compact they feel when picked up. Despite their smaller size, they are proportionate, and it shows when you hold them.
Weight
The Cornish Rex usually weighs 6 to 10 pounds, rarely more. They are active and playful cats and don’t spend much time sitting still.
Because the Cornish Rex is very active, they typically maintain their body weight at a healthy level. It’s good to be prepared for their wild and crazy antics!
Length
As mentioned, the Cornish Rex cat is on the smaller side in most aspects. Their slender bodies reach up to 17 inches in length, which is average for a cat. The Cornish Rex is very athletic—their small bodies allow them to jump and move more efficiently throughout their personal playgrounds (AKA, your house).
Coat
The coat of a Cornish Rex is arguably the feature that stands out most on these furry felines. These cats have short and soft coats that showcase tight curls. These waves cover the Cornish Rex’s body and can vary in size and depth of wave.
Their fur is noticeably wavy and not easily mistaken. The Cornish Rex has one undercoat; their wavy coat is soft but lacks guard hairs, making them more susceptible to extreme temperatures.
Cornish Rex cats come in all variations of colors and patterns, including tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor—so your cat will be unique regardless of their wavy fur.
Life expectancy
Cornish Rex cats can live a long and happy life with proper care, with an average lifespan of 13 to 20 years! Throughout those years, they will amaze you with their willingness to be energetic and active. They are lively and busy cats that aren't likely to slow down anytime soon.
History of the Cornish Rex
The first Cornish Rex was born in 1950 in Cornwall, England, to a proud pair of cat parents: a barn cat and a local tomcat.
Nina Ennismore immediately noticed a curly-coated orange and white male kitten among a litter of barn cats. This curly-coated kitten was named Kallibunker.
Kallibunker stood out among his littermates because of a unique genetic mutation. He had a short, curly coat with a long and lithe body. All of Kallibunker’s littermates were shorter and stubbier, with straight fur similar to their mother’s. He also had very large and pointy ears and a remarkably slender tail.
Ennismore connected with a geneticist over Kallibunker’s fur and was told to breed him back with his mother to see what kind of litter they would produce. Three kittens were born, one with straight fur and two with curly fur. They mated them once more, and more curly-haired kittens were produced.
Through further selective mating with Burmese, Siamese, and British Shorthair cats, the Cornish Rex breed was established and is now a well-loved part of the feline world.
Cornish Rex physical characteristics
The Cornish Rex is a cat breed that stands out, plain and simple. They look like furry little aliens with their large ears and wide eyes, and their coats are undoubtedly unique among most cat breeds.
Their coat’s waviness adds a special charm. These cats are cool from afar with their funky features, but the closer you get, the more fascinating they become. You will gravitate towards their soft, short coat, wanting to feel the curly texture for yourself.
Cornish Rex cats are graceful, with many curves to their bodies. Their back is naturally arched, and they look like something out of a spooky Halloween story. Despite this, they are wonderfully friendly and affectionate cats that want nothing but love!
Personality and behavior
If you’re looking for an active cat that will keep you on the edge of your seat, we introduce you formally to the Cornish Rex. These fun-loving felines want to play, jump, and enjoy themselves all day. Most things are a game to the Cornish Rex, and they are easy to entertain because they find most things entertaining.
The Cornish Rex is known for being easy to handle and a lover of being held and cuddled. They are also highly intelligent and like to interact with their humans. You will need to be attentive with your Cornish Rex so that they don’t get bored and make some trouble elsewhere.
They love to climb, so having cat trees available and being mindful of what shelves you place valuables on is important. If you don’t think you are enough for your Cornish Rex, know that they do exceptionally well with a playmate. Just keep in mind, you won’t only have one Cornish Rex, you’ll have two: Double the trouble, double the fun!
Caring for a Cornish Rex
When it comes to caring for your Cornish Rex, you will need to provide ample activity and interaction. They rely on you to keep them entertained for most of the day, and without proper exercise and play, they can get bored.
We all know what boredom leads to! Having plenty of toys and finding dedicated time to play throughout the day can minimize any issues that might arise with your Cornish Rex.
Though the Cornish Rex has unique fur, it’s relatively low maintenance. You won’t have to brush them frequently, but you will have to bathe them or wipe them down from time to time because they can become oily.
These cats don’t shed frequently, and are often considered hypoallergenic. Keep in mind that no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, though some breeds can be easier on those with cat allergies.
You’ll want to keep the litter box and surrounding area clean for your Cornish Rex. If you are not able to scoop every day, using an automatic litter box like Litter-Robot 4 makes cleanup a lot easier. This self-cleaning litter box keeps your cat’s paws cleaner and provides a fresh place to go after every use.
Health-related issues
The Cornish Rex is typically a healthy cat. They are adaptable and easy to care for, making them great companions overall. Like many cats, they can be susceptible to certain medical conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is when the muscles around the heart thicken and cause problems with blood flow to the heart.
Besides heart disease, they are prone to other health problems like patellar luxation.
Due to their unique coat, the Cornish Rex is more at risk for sunburn and overexposure. When your cat has too much exposure to the sun, they risk developing solar dermatitis, potentially leading to skin cancer. The skin will look scaly and red and might be irritable to the touch, and excessive sunburning only makes things worse.
Adopting a Cornish Rex cat or kitten
You cannot go wrong with a Cornish Rex cat or kitten. They are so devoted and loving to their families that they make for a great companion. If you provide healthy nutrition, regular play, and consistent love and affection, your furry friend can live a long and fulfilled life.
These cats will capture your heart as well as your attention.
Sources:
- Rex Cat | Breed Of Cat | Britannica
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Solar Dermatitis In Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals
- Cornish Rex | VCA Animal Hospitals
