Selkirk Rex Insurance | Cat Breed Guide

Selkirk Rex breed

Thinking of adopting a Selkirk Rex? Discover the charm of this happy lap cat and learn how to care for their curly coats.

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Selkirk Rex cat breed information and advice

The Selkirk Rex is a charming, sociable and playful breed – ideal for first time cat owners. They need a calm environment but are talkative, great with families and enjoy playing games.

Their gorgeous curly coats come in both a long and short haired variety. The amount of curl depends on their age, gender and climate. But they’re always very soft and have a luxurious feel to them.

Read on to learn more about Selkirk Rex cat characteristics. Our breed guides can help you prepare to bring your new furry friend home.

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Selkirk Rex facts
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
How much	£400 – £1,200
Size	Shoulder height up to 30cm and length up to 60cm
Weight	4.5 to 7 kg
Colours	All colours including lilac, chocolate, white, cream, black, red, sable, silver, blue, fawn and lavender
Grooming	Both long and short coated varieties need daily grooming
Temperament	Curious, playful, cuddly
Exercise	Medium but should be kept indoors

Pet insurance for Selkirk Rex cats

Health problems can happen when you least expect them – and at any stage of your cat’s life. Get covered with kitten insurance from eight weeks old.

Cat insurance doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, so it’s wise to get cover as early as you can. It could help you towards vet fees, medication and treatment costs for your Selkirk Rex.

While Selkirk Rexes are generally a healthy breed, they’re still at risk of certain conditions. Here are a few potential health complications to be aware of:

Sainsbury’s Pet insurance

Sainsbury’s can provide new cat insurance cover for your Selkirk Rex from eight weeks old.

You can customize your cover depending on your pet’s needs. There are three levels of protection to choose from:

Lifetime – the most comprehensive option, offering up to £10,000 towards vet costs each year.
Maximum benefit – provides illness, accident and condition cover up to £6,000.
Time limited – your Selkirk Rex will be covered for different treatments of up to £3,000 for up to 12 months from start of treatment.

Terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.

How to care for a Selkirk Rex

As with all feline friends, Selkirk Rexes have specific needs that need to be taken care of. While they’re a fairly low maintenance breed, there’s a few things to be aware of.

The breed can grow to be medium to large sized cats, with moderate exercise needs. Their curly coats – that have coined them the nickname as a ‘cat in sheep’s clothing’ – require a thorough grooming once or twice a week to stop any knots forming. While your Selkirk Rex’s coat might need more grooming during shedding seasons, overdoing it can loosen the curls.

Find out more about the needs of this affectionate lap cat:

Feeding and nutrition

Each feline has their own personal likes and dislikes, but they all need specific nutrients from their food. They must be fed a complete and balanced diet, catered to their age. Check the back of the food packaging or ask your vet for advice on amounts to feed your growing furry friend.

When preparing for a new cat you should find out what food they’re used to from the breeder. If you need to change their food, do so gradually, as to not upset their tummies.

Bear in mind that Selkirk Rexes can be a little greedy, so keep an eye on their portion sizes.

Grooming

Selkirk Rex’s coats are soft and curly. But these teddy-bear like cats need a quick daily brush to separate the curls and tease free any knots - overbrushing can cause the coat to become frizzy. A more thorough brush once a week will help the long-coated varieties keep their coats fluffy.

Exercise

While Selkirk cats are lap cats at heart, they can grow fairly large and need plenty of indoor space so they can let their energy out.

Due to their teddy-like appearance they are at risk of theft, so it’s best to keep them as indoor cats. If you can provide outdoor access, ensure that it’s fully secure.

Try to recreate as natural as environment for them as possible, with dedicated toys to scratch, climb and play with.

Training

Selkirk Rex cats are easy to litter train. You can even try to clicker train them – just be sure to provide lots of positive reinforcement.

They love company, so when you leave the house make sure they have plenty of enrichment things to keep them mentally stimulated. Provide them with food puzzles (but don’t overdo it) and scratching posts.

Temperament and behaviour

A loving, affectionate and social breed, Selkirk Rexes make great family pets for first time cat owners. Just make sure to introduce to any children gradually and under supervision.

They have similar genetics to American Shorthairs, Persian cats and Himalayans and have the friendly and laidback qualities of these breeds.

They enjoy being lap cats but will have sudden bursts of energy and will often leap around before having a snooze.

Common health problems

Selkirk Rex cats are generally healthy, but as with all breeds there are certain conditions to look out for. It can be ideal to pet insurance as soon as you can, as preexisting conditions are not covered.

Hypotrichosis

Hypotrichosis is an inherited condition, caused by a gene mutation. It causes fur not to grow in certain places, resulting in skin infections. The fur usually produces oil, so in these bald patches the lack of oil can cause unhealthy skin and yeast infections.

The main symptoms include:

Hair loss from birth
Start losing hair from one month

While there is no treatment, it shouldn’t affect your cat’s quality of life.

Polycystic kidney disease

An inherited condition that causes cysts in the kidneys. It damages kidney function and can result in kidney failure. Affected kittens are born with tiny cysts in the kidney or liver which get bigger over time – with symptoms often appearing around seven years.

Symptoms include:

Vomiting
Weight-loss
Excessive thirst
Poor health in general

There is no cure, but special diet and medication can help slow the process.

While the breed isn’t prone to this condition, there is still a risk in all cats. There are DNA tests available to see if your cat has the potential to develop it.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Selkirk Rex cats can be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It’s a type of heart disease that can ultimately lead to heart failure, but it can be managed with lifelong medication.

Symptoms of the condition include:

Laboured or open-mouth breathing
Lethargy
Problems eating
Pain or paralysis in back legs

Sadly, sudden death is sometimes the first sign anything is wrong with your cat’s heart. This condition is hard to detect.

So, is a Selkirk Rex right for you?

If you’re ready to welcome an affectionate, charming lap cat into your life, a Selkirk Rex could be the one for you. As long as you can provide enough mental stimulation and grooming time to keep their plush curls looking their best.

Frequently asked questions

Are Selkirk Rex cats rare?

Yes, compared to other cats Selkirk Rexes are considered a rare breed thanks to their unique fur and specific genetic background. They have a curly coat, curly whiskers and loving characteristics.

What's the differences between a Devon Rex ad a Selkirk Rex

Both Rex cats have unique curly fur. But Devon Rex cats have been bred to be slim and elegant, whereas Selkirk Rexes have a more robust look. They are larger and heavier boned.

Are Selkirk Rex cats cuddly?

Yes, Selkirk Rex cats are affectionate, loving and cuddly companions. They enjoy company and make great lap cats. The mellow breed is also happy to sleep with their owners and usually tolerates petting – even from visitors.