Meet 5 Curly-Haired Cat Breeds We Love

For those who’re on the lookout for cute cat breeds, the curly-haired cats are a number of the most endearing cats round! The Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation (CFA) and The Worldwide Cat Affiliation (TICA) acknowledge 4 curly-haired cat breeds: the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, LaPerm, and Selkirk Rex. A fifth curly breed, the German Rex, is barely acknowledged by the Worldwide Cat Federation (FÊdÊration Internationale FÊline, or FIFe).

What Makes Curly Cat Fur?

“What I discover fascinating is that each one 4 of our curly coated breeds have a unique genetic mutation that makes their hair curly,” mentioned Teresa Keiger, a CFA allbreed decide. “These are all spontaneous gene mutations—Mom Nature gave them to us—and we will hint every breed’s historical past again to the unique cat. Breeders labored with every of the inspiration cats to create what would develop into the breed as we all know at the moment.”

Curly-haired cat breeds are among the many most unusual within the feline kingdom. A cat with curly hair stands out from the group since most cats have straight or wavy hair. Of all of the breeds of cats, only a handful have curly hair, making them each uncommon and fascinating.

“I believe individuals are taken with the distinctive curly coats of those breeds,” Keiger mentioned. “Visually, they’re all very interesting. Plus, they actually don’t really feel like some other breeds’ coats.” Meet these 5 cute cat breeds with curly hair.

The Cornish Rex has a brief “rexed” coat (tight or free Marcel waves of hair that lie near the pores and skin). The coat is delicate and silky and looks like velvet. All Cornish Rex cats can hint their lineage again to a single curly-haired kitten born in a litter in Cornwall, England, in 1950. This kitten, named Kallibunker (Kalli for brief), was utilized in a breeding program and her offspring grew to become the inspiration cat of the breed.

“Cornish Rex have most likely probably the most distinctive physique of any of our breeds, resembling that of a Greyhound with the lengthy legs and tucked-up waist,” Keiger mentioned. “I discover their coat sample fascinating as it’s row after row of sentimental curls.”

The Cornish Rex is social, energetic, and curious. Described as kitten-like effectively into maturity, Cornish Rex wish to play and be part of the motion regardless of what’s going on. They get alongside nice with children and different pets, making them a beautiful household cat.

The Devon Rex has a brief, wavy coat that’s barely longer and denser than the high quality coat of the Cornish Rex. Devons have a uniquely brief “pixie” face, created by the breed’s giant wide-set eyes, brief muzzle, full cheekbones, and huge low-set ears. Devon Rex cats even have cute curly whiskers.

The Devon Rex breed got here to be when a curly-haired stray pussycat mated with a feminine stray taken in by a girl in Devon, England. One male kitten within the litter inherited his father’s distinctive curly coat, and that kitten, named Kirlee, grew to become the inspiration of the Devon Rex breed.

“Devon Rex are very owner-oriented, and demand on being with their folks,” Keiger mentioned. “And who can resist a cat that appears like a pixie?”

These affectionate cats are playful and energetic. They are often mischievous and even a contact naughty. Most house owners simply snicker at their antics—it’s laborious to be upset with that cute little face!

The German Rex is a really uncommon breed that originated in Germany. After World Warfare II, a stray feminine cat with a singular wavy coat was rescued from the streets. This cat, named Lammchen, was the start of a brand new rex cat breed dubbed the German Rex. The breed will not be acknowledged by any North American breed registries, however it’s acknowledged internationally by the Worldwide Cat Federation (FIFe).

The German Rex’s coat is brief, wavy, and silky, with a really feel like velvet. These medium-sized cats are playful and energetic. They’re recognized for being pleasant and affectionate, bonding intently with their human household.

The LaPerm breed originated when a wierd bald kitten was born in a litter of barn cats in Oregon in 1982. The kitten later grew a delicate, curly coat. Over the subsequent decade, extra bald-to-curly kittens popped up within the barn cats’ litters, and ultimately, the farm’s proprietor determined to breed them in earnest, perpetuating the curly hair gene.

The LaPerm’s delicate coat will be lengthy, brief, wavy, or curly. It would appear to be quite a bit to take care of, however the coat is surprisingly straightforward to groom, requiring brushing just a few instances every week. The LaPerm is good and loving and bonds intently with their people. “LaPerms are quite uncommon within the U.S., sadly,” Keiger mentioned. “Their delicate, springy coat is fantastic to the touch, and they’re very people-oriented.”

For those who dream of proudly owning a long-haired cat with curly hair, look no additional than the Selkirk Rex! This breed’s curly locks additionally are available a shorthaired selection should you choose. The Selkirk Rex breed traces its roots again to a stray curly-haired cat adopted by a Persian cat breeder in Montana. This cat, named Miss DePesto of Noface, was bred to a Persian cat and a brand new breed was born.

“Selkirk Rex have that extremely dense coat, so their curly coats are additionally plush,” Keiger mentioned. “I simply wish to regularly run my palms by means of them! And the shorthair Selkirk Rex jogs my memory of a lamb.”

Selkirk Rex cats are laid-back, very loving, cuddly, and playful. Everybody who comes to go to will wish to contact their intriguing coats, and the Selkirk gained’t thoughts one bit.

Caring for Curly-Haired Cats

A cat with curly hair has completely different grooming necessities relying on whether or not the coat is brief or lengthy. Shorthaired curly-coated cats just like the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, and German Rex want little or no grooming for the reason that velvety hair could be very brief and lies near the pores and skin.

“The Cornish Rex actually requires no combing in any respect,” Keiger mentioned. “Only a tub when wanted. Identical with the Devon Rex—gently comb, after which wash when essential. Towel dry them as blow-drying will blow out all of the curls!”

Longhaired curly-coated cats just like the LaPerm and Selkirk Rex want extra grooming. For the LaPerm, that’s brushing or combing two or 3 times every week to maintain the coat tangle-free and stop matting. The Selkirk wants much less brushing—weekly is normally enough.

“Their curls generally is a bit fragile, so do use care when combing them out,” Keiger mentioned. “You don’t wish to pull out further fur. Ideally, use a wide-toothed comb.”

The place To Discover a Curly-Haired Cat

Curly-haired cat breeds are uncommon, so it’d take a while to search out one. If you’re up for the problem, nonetheless, these distinctive cats are well worth the wait!

The very first thing to do is to arrange your adoption search alerts. Sure, it’s doable to undertake a curly-haired cat by means of a neighborhood animal shelter or a non-public rescue group. It’s easy and enjoyable to make use of a device like Petfinder or Undertake a Pet to arrange alerts for the curly cat breeds you’re eager about.

After attempting adoption, you can even seek for a good cat breeder. Earlier than ever contacting a breeder, do thorough analysis to make sure they’re accountable. Moral breeders present appropriate care and dwelling circumstances for his or her adult-breeding cats and kittens. They may check their grownup cats for genetic ailments earlier than breeding them to cut back the possibilities of passing on well being points to kittens.

“I encourage anybody on the lookout for any pedigreed cat to attend a native cat present,” Keiger mentioned. “There they’ll see examples of the breed ‘within the fur’ and discuss with the breeder or exhibitor in particular person. Whereas not all breeders promote, one other place to look is on CFA’s Discover a Breeder web page. Official breed golf equipment typically have breeder listings as effectively.”