About

Breed information

 

Length range  : N/A-N/A cm

Height range  : N/A-N/Acm

Weight range : N/A-3.6kg

Coat : Short , extremely soft , silky , dense , wavy or marcel-curled coat with no guard hairs.

Life expectancy years : 12-16 (depends on health situation)

Colors: white|blue|black|cream|red|brown|frost|platinum|fawn|chocolate|chestnut|cinnamon|lavender|champagne|seal|all colors|all patterns.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: United Kingdom

Similar Breeds : Devon Rex|Siamese|British Shorthair

 

History

The breed began in Cornwall , England in 1950 when a curly-coated kitten named Kallibunker was born from a spontaneous mutation. Early breeding established the recessive coat gene and helped found the breed. Cornish Rex were brought to the United States in the 1950s and were accepted for CFA registration in 1962 before achieving championship status two years later.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Playful

Personality

active|playful|sociable|vocal|affectionate|intelligent|alert|adaptable|adventurous|loyal|loving|energetic|clownish|athletic|devoted

Needs

Needs substantial exercise , space to run and climb , family interaction , and an outdoor enclosure or supervised outdoor safety. May also need protection from cold and sun because the coat is fragile and sparse.

Social Needs

High social needs. The breed likes to be with people , is often described as a lap cat or Velcro kitty , gets along with children , cats , and dogs , and may not enjoy being left alone for long periods.

Grooming 

Regular combing is usually not needed because of the short close coat. Ears may need frequent cleaning because wax can build up. Occasional bathing may help if the skin becomes greasy. Nails and teeth also need routine care and the breed may need warmth because it chills easily.

Nutrition

Nutrition should help maintain a lean body condition because Cornish Rex cats are active but may overeat. Fresh water should always be available and portion awareness may help prevent excess weight gain.

 

Breed Standard

The breed standard describes a small to medium , fine-boned , muscular , racy cat with an egg-shaped head , Roman nose , large high-set ears , oval slightly upward slanting eyes , long slender legs , long flexible tail , arched back , tucked-up waistline , and a short , dense , extremely soft coat in tight uniform marcel waves lying close to the body.

Did you know?

The Cornish Rex is often called the Greyhound of the cat world and is known for staying playful into old age.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Skin conditions, Dental disease, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Patellar luxation, Congenital hypotrichosis

 

Symtoms

Skin conditions -> 1. Oily or greasy skin , waxy or black debris in nail beds and folds , scratching , licking , red irritated skin and musty odor may occur 2. Sunburn may cause red , painful , peeling skin on ears , nose and eyelids

Dental disease -> 1. Bad breath , red swollen or bleeding gums , tartar buildup , drooling , mouth pawing and dropping food may occur 2. Cats may prefer soft food or chew on one side

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -> 1. Early disease may be asymptomatic and a murmur or gallop rhythm may be the first sign 2. Lethargy , rapid resting breathing above 40 breaths per minute , open-mouth breathing , collapse or sudden painful hind leg paralysis from a clot may occur

Patellar luxation -> 1. An intermittent bunny hop or skipping gait may occur 2. Brief pain , persistent lameness , difficulty jumping and crouched stance may appear in more severe cases

Congenital hypotrichosis -> 1. Marked lack of hair at birth or failure to develop a normal coat may occur 2. Skin may remain exposed and vulnerable

Onset of symptoms

 

Skin conditions

1. Oily skin and waxy buildup may be noticeable from under 1 year
2. Yeast flare-ups may occur at any time and may be linked to allergies or humidity

Probability Of Onset:

1. High 2. The text indicates many Cornish Rex may need lifelong skin and nail bed maintenance

Dental disease

1. Mild gingivitis may begin by age 1 to 2
2. Many cats may show some dental disease by age 3 without prevention

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high 2. It indicates significant dental disease is likely without preventive care

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

1. May be detected by screening as early as 1 to 2 years
2. Clinical signs often appear in adult to middle-aged cats around 2 to 8 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate 2. Responsible breeder screening may reduce risk

Patellar luxation

1. Often first noticed from 6 months to 2 years
2. Arthritis secondary to the condition may develop later

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate 2. Severity may range from mild Grade 1 to severe Grade 4

Congenital hypotrichosis

1. Present from birth

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very low from reputable breeders 2. Higher from untested sources

Reasons

Skin conditions       

1. Not a deficiency disorder
2. The core issue may involve excess sebum and reduced protective fur

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

1. Primarily genetic and not due to a deficiency

 

Skin conditions       

1. Not a deficiency disorder
2. The core issue may involve excess sebum and reduced protective fur

 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

1. Primarily genetic and not due to a deficiency

 

Dental disease

1. Mechanical abrasion for cleaning teeth may be lacking rather than any chemical deficiency

Patellar luxation

1. Structural or genetic rather than a deficiency
2. Reduced joint-supporting nutrients may worsen later arthritis

Congenital hypotrichosis

1. Genetic hair follicle defect rather than a nutritional deficiency

Normally Treament Methods

Skin conditions:

  1. Routine bathing every 2 to 4 weeks with veterinarian-recommended medicated shampoo may help control oil and yeast overgrowth
  2. Nail fold cleaning , sun protection , indoor living during peak sun exposure and antifungal treatment for active infection may be used
  3. The content suggests shampoos with keratinolytic , keratinoplastic , emollient , antibacterial or antifungal agents may be considered depending on oiliness and scale

 

Dental disease :

  1. Daily tooth brushing , professional scale and polish under anesthesia and regular dental monitoring may help
  2. Extractions may be needed for painful or loose teeth
  3. Periodontal treatment under anesthesia and home oral hygiene may be important

 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  1. Early stages may not need treatment for years
  2. Echocardiographic screening by breeders may help reduce affected lines
  3. Medical management may include blood thinners , furosemide , ACE-inhibitors , pimobendan or other drugs named in the text depending on severity

 

Patellar luxation:

  1. Mild cases may be managed with lean body weight , joint support and pain control
  2. Severe cases may need surgical correction

 

Congenital hypotrichosis:

  1. Prevention may rely on avoiding carrier-to-carrier breeding
  2. Management may focus on warmth , indoor living , sun protection and skin injury prevention. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Skin conditions :

  • Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for regulating sebum and supporting the skin barrier.
  • Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune and skin support
recommend product

Dental disease

  • Ascophyllum nodosum can,might be helpful for reducing plaque buildup.
  • Dental probiotics can,might be helpful for competing with plaque-forming bacteria
recommend product

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  • Taurine and L-carnitine can,might be helpful for heart muscle support.
  • Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for cardiac energy support.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for cardiovascular support
recommend product

Patellar luxation

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cartilage and joint support.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for reducing joint inflammation
recommend product

Congenital hypotrichosis

  • Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for supporting exposed skin integrity
recommend product