If you are a cat lover who is looking for cute cats with curly hair, then we are going to help you with the same thing. As, in this blog, we will be providing you with 7 stunning cat breeds with curly hair that will add warmth, love, and tenderness to your life.
Curly Facts About Rex Cats🐾
- The cats with curly hair are referred to as “rex” cats.
- There is a genetic mutation that happens in cats and this mutation makes their hair curly rather than straight.
- Basically, cats have three layers of fur coats; guard hair, awn hair, and down hair. The cats with curly hair don’t have any one of these three layers.
- Just like humans, cats, dogs, horses, and many other animals have the genes of having curly hair.
- This genetic mutation in cats occurs naturally and so these rex cats are quite rare and have a limited number of breeds.
- Curly-haired cats suffer mostly from allergies and thus become hypoallergenic cats.
- Cats with curly hair do not shed at all and even if they do it will be very less. Hence, they are a perfect choice if you are a cleanliness freak.
- Their eyebrows as well as whiskers are also curly making them curly from head to toe.
- The Devon Rex is one of the smallest curly-haired cats that weigh less than 8 pounds.
We are sure that this information about curly cat breeds will enhance your knowledge and prove to be beneficial for you in every aspect!
List Of 7 Stunning Cat Breeds With Curly Hair
- LaPerm Cat
- Devon Rex
- Selkirk Rex
- Cornish Rex
- Ural Rex
- German Rex
- Skookum
7 Best Cat Breeds With Curly Hair
1. LaPerm Cat
LaPerm cats are a natural breed that has been found in or around 1982 in Oregon. And LaPerm was born out of a kitten who was born bald but then later developed soft curly hair. This kitten then gave birth to more curly-haired kittens and thus they were names LaPerm because of their hair which seems to be permed. These cats are famous for being affectionate, active, and low-maintenance. These cats may have different curls and patterns of hair.
Facts & Features:
- LaPerm cats have descended from a common ancestor which was a barn cat called Speedy.
- Most of the LaPerms are born bald and then they eventually grow soft curly hair.
- Even though most Rex cats are hypoallergenic but LaPerm cats aren’t.
- This breed of Rex cats is still unknown in many countries and it is a rare breed in North America.
2. Devon Rex
The most peculiar feature of Devon Rex cats is their big bat-like ears and curly hair coat and this breed of cats was found in Devonshire, England in 1960. Just like LaPerms cats, this is also a naturally occurring breed. Devon Rex cats have wavy short hair coats and big ears, they give an alien-like appearance. They do not shed much hair and are not hypoallergenic. They have a wide variety of fur coats as there a many patterns and shades of their coats.
Facts & Features:
- These cats are also known as ” a monkey in a catsuit” because of their peculiar appearance.
- They are affectionate, playful, and loving cats that obviously love and crave attention.
- The first cat in this breed was Kirlee who was found and adopted by Beryl Cox in Devonshire, England.
- They are quite mischievous cats and hence are also known as “Dennis the Menace” and “Poodle the Purrs”.
- This breed of cats enjoys food and traveling.
3. Selkirk Rex
This breed was discovered in a litter of regular or normal kittens in Montana in 1987. They are the curliest cats who because of their curly coat and curled whiskers are known as “the cat in sheep’s clothing.” They may have long or short hair or can even have a curly or straight coat. These cats are believed to be people-oriented and outgoing. These are muscular cats who do shed regularly and will follow you quietly wherever you go.
Facts & Features:
- They are one of the longest-living rex cat breeds.
- Their curls are naturally occurring as they are a result of genetic mutation.
- These cats originated from a litter of kittens who were born out of a Calico shelter cat.
- This kitten was then crossed with a Persian cat and the name Selkirk was given by the breeder in honor of her grandfather.
- This cat is fully curly and is the only rex cat that has got all three coats of fur.
4. Cornish Rex
Cornish Rex is similar in appearance to Devon Rex but it is a completely different breed that was found in Cornwall in 1950. Even though it shares similar physical traits with Devon Rex, this breed doesn’t have guard hair and awn hair and thus only has one fur coat called the awn hair. And this is what makes its coat very soft even though it is curly. These are also people-oriented cats that do not love when they are left alone by their pet parents.
Facts & Features:
- The first ever Cornish Rex cat was a farm cat named Kallibunker and it was even rumored that radiation in the mines had caused this mutation.
- But this cat was born like this only and purely because of a natural genetic mutation.
- This cat was found by Nina Ennismore who was a rex rabbit breeder and in honor of her bunnies she names this cat.
- Cornish Rex cats aren’t hypoallergenic and have an unusually proportioned bodies and are compared with Greyhound.
- These cats are temperature sensitive and feel both temperatures very easily and are friendly like dogs.
5. Ural Rex
Ural Rex cats are a relatively new breed as compared to their counterparts and this breed is still in its developing phase. These are sociable, affectionate, and loving cats and have been named after their place of origin which are the Ural mountains of Russia. They have their curly coats developed as a result of natural genetic mutations which didn’t have any interference from humans.
Facts & Features:
- Ural cats are quite popular in Russia and Germany and come as both short-haired as well as long-haired ones.
- In this breed, the female cats are slightly smaller than male cats.
- They have a lifespan of up to 11-13 years.
- They are calm and balanced cats who need a lot of care and attention from their pet parents.
6. German Rex
German Rex cats look similar to Cornish Rex cats and were even counted as a part of the Cornish Rex breed for a very long period of time. But it was later classified and identified as a separate breed called German Rex by The International Feline Foundation. This breed was first discovered in the 1950s in Germany by a doctor. This breed because of being identified so late hasn’t even been known by many people.
Facts & Features:
- They come in various colors and have wavy, curly, and short hair, and have a lifespan of 11-14 years.
- They have no awn hair which makes their coat velvety and soft.
- This is the only cat breed known that is from Germany.
- They are loyal and extremely loving cats and are intelligent and quite playful.
7. Skookum
Skookums are different from its other counterparts in a way that these cats aren’t a result of any natural genetic mutilation rather they are an experimental breed that was discovered and found when a LaPerm cat was bred with a Munchkin cat in 1990s. So, the offspring produces developed curly hair like LaPerm cat and short legs like Munchkin cats.
Facts & Features:
- These cats are famously known as “Shirley Temples” of the Feline world.
- The short legs make them so cute little creatures that your heart will melt at their sight.
- They are so affectionate that they will always curl up to you and will want you to pet them.
- They are smart, intelligent, and quick-learner adorable creatures.
Conclusion
All of these curly hair cat breeds will make you want them but obviously you have to chose your favorite and go for it. This list of 7 Stunning curly haired cat breeds will make you aware of the Feline world around you and will also guide you to buy or adopt the breed you desire! 🐾
