Let's talk Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex, named for their coat’s resemblance to that of the rex rabbit, are affectionate, people-oriented, and highly active cats, whose kitten-like antics last a lifetime.
Fetch and catch are truly among the breed’s favourite games and they may even use their agile paws to pick up and toss small objects. That means: you should be prepared for a high-energy cat. Although it has a fragile appearance, the Cornish Rex is a very sturdy breed, they are perfect pets for the owner who wants active cats to participate in family life.
Official name: Cornish Rex
Origins: United Kingdom
| Shedding level |
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Warm weather? |  |
| Physical activity needs (high, low, medium) | High | Family pet?* |  |
| Compatibility with other pets |
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Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Male
20 - 30 cm
Height
3.5 - 4.5 kg
Weight
Female
20 - 30 cm
Height
2 - 3.5 kg
Weight
| Baby cat | Birth to 4 months |
| Growing kitten | 4 to 12 months |
| Adult | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature | 7 to 12 years |
| Senior | From 12 years |
The Cornish Rex is a very sturdy breed, they are perfect pets for the owner who wants active cats to participate in family life
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Get to know the Cornish Rex
All you need to know about the breed
Many words are used to describe the Cornish Rex, from unique and avant-garde to quirky and out of the ordinary. No matter your qualifier-of-choice, you can be sure the breed’s striking appearance has been integral to their broad appeal around the world.
The Cornish Rex has a slender, graceful body set on high, straight legs. Whilst the breed may look delicate, they
have a hard muscle tone that contributes to their high-energy levels and athleticism (take note: this is a cat that needs a lot of activity). Physically speaking, the Cornish Rex’s most recognisable features are their soft, wavy coat
which covers their entire body, their oval eyes, and large, high-set ears. Their whiskers tend to be crinkled or curved, adding to the breed’s distinct look.
In the moments the Cornish Rex isn’t exploring, jumping, or running around, they are likely to follow you from room to room or seek out a warm and comfortable spot on your lap, a social trait that has earned them the nickname “velcro cat”. Playful, extremely intelligent, and (bonus!) easy to care for, the Cornish Rex is an ideal companion for homes with children who have similarly boundless levels of energy and needs for social contact.
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2 facts about Cornish Rex
1. Cat-proof the home for this adventurer
Did we mention the Cornish Rex is high-energy? The breed loves to run, jump, climb, and explore (often into your cabinets and closets, you’ve been warned!) and will need the vertical space to do so freely and safely.
2. Well-known waves, the Cornish Rex hallmark
The wavy coat of the Cornish Rex, the breed’s hallmark, is like the feline version of the marcel wave, the elegant flapper hairstyle of the 1920s. Where most cat breeds have the long hair of an outer coat (called guard hairs), a middle layer, and a down undercoat, the Cornish Rex only has the third, making them velvety in appearance and incredibly soft to touch.
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History of the breed
The Cornish Rex breed emerged from a cat born to a housecat in Cornwall, England, in 1950. Named Kalibunker, the kitten was a red and white male with a tightly curled coat of fur, giving him the impression of a little lamb.
As Kalibunker grew, so did his ears, torso, and head. It became clear that he was significantly different from the other cats in the litter. His fine-boned, slender body was supported by long legs and his head was far narrower than the British domestic shorthair standard. His “bat ears” were especially differentiating, leading to the realisation that this cat was special due to a genuine mutation.
Experimental breeding involving outcrosses to Siamese, British, and Burmese ultimately formed the Cornish Rex as we know it today. Officially recognised in the UK in 1967, the breed has been very popular around the world ever since.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Cornish Rex
1. Ears
Large ears, set far apart, slightly pointed tips.
2. Coat
Distinct soft, dense, plush, fine coat in signature blue-gray hue.
3. Body
Graceful, lithe body, tubular in appearance, firm and muscular.
Many words are used to describe the Cornish Rex, from unique and avant-garde to quirky and out of the ordinary
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Cornish Rex
Not too cold, not too warm please!
Due to the Cornish Rex’s thin coat, the breed is sensitive to temperature. They don’t do well in the cold, even inside of the home. Think of it this way: if you feel cold, chances are your Cornish Rex feels cold too and will seek out the warmest spots in the room (that may be on your laptop!). The opposite is also true: be mindful of keeping the breed in an overly warm or hot environment where they are likely to feel uncomfortable.
May be prone to hypotrichosis (hair loss)
The Cornish Rex is a solid and overall very healthy cat with a long life span (15 to 20 years). Still, the breed is prone to hypotrichosis, or hair loss. Although it is not a life threatening condition, it can lead to the thinning out of the cat’s coat or, in severe cases, baldness in various spots of the body. Your vet will be able to recommend special care to protect your Cornish Rex’s skin.
Their silky and wavy coat is actually quite delicate so excessive brushing or combing could damage the fur as well as the skin underneath
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Caring for your Cornish Rex
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Less is more when it comes to grooming your Cornish Rex. Their silky and wavy coat is actually quite delicate so excessive brushing or combing could damage the fur as well as the skin underneath. Although bathing is rarely needed, it is advisable to check their ears and nails weekly. Where it needs the most attention is in its activity levels as this breed has a lot of energy. Engage your Cornish Rex with fetch and high-activity toys, such as interactive teasers, and be sure to keep cat trees and high perches accessible to satisfy their climbing instincts. A highly intelligent and adventurous cat, the breed can also be taught tricks and be entertained for hours simply by having the space to explore (in other words: the Cornish Rex might be better suited to a house than a small apartment!).
All about Cornish Rex
While the two breeds have similar origin stories and even personalities, their differences lie in their appearance: The Cornish Rex has an egg-shaped head and a short and thin coat with no guard hair whereas the Devon Rex has a more triangular head and a triple coat of curly fur. The Cornish Rex is largely considered to involve less maintenance than the Devon Rex.
The Cornish Rex will go the distance! On average, the breed will live to be 15 years old but it isn’t uncommon for the cat to live a long and healthy life of 20 years. It takes a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and your companionship!
Read more on this topic
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Health risks of overweight and obese cats
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/