In this article
By Dr Duncan Houston
A Rex cat's curls may catch your attention first, but bringing one home is about more than coat care. The right setup should support their confidence, activity and health from the first day.
Devon, Cornish and Selkirk Rex cats are distinct breeds. Avoid treating 'Rex' as one personality or one grooming routine.
Quick Answer
Prepare a quiet starting room with separate food, water, litter, rest and scratching resources, then let your Rex cat settle at their own pace. Match gentle grooming to the actual coat and discuss breed-relevant health screening with your vet or responsible breeder. Curly or sparse fur does not make a cat allergy-free or remove the need for normal feline preventive care.
How do Rex breeds differ?
| Breed | Relevant feature | Practical care point |
|---|---|---|
| Devon Rex | Short wavy coat with delicate hair | Avoid harsh brushing; inspect skin without assuming every thin patch is normal. |
| Cornish Rex | Fine curled coat and slender build | Offer comfortable warm resting places and protect from temperature extremes. |
| Selkirk Rex | Fuller curly coat, with short- and long-haired varieties | Check regularly for tangles and use gentle coat-appropriate grooming. |
The GCCF provides breed-specific information for Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Selkirk Rex. Descriptions are useful context, but temperament and health still vary between individuals.
What should you prepare before arrival?
- A quiet room with a hiding place and an accessible litter tray.
- Separate food and water locations, familiar food and secure storage for household hazards.
- A stable scratching surface and safe climbing or resting options.
- Secure windows, balconies and doors.
- A carrier, veterinary appointment and the cat's vaccination, parasite-control and medical records.
Keep strings, ribbon and small detachable toy parts stored away when not supervised. Do not rely on a fine coat to protect against sun or cold, and use only veterinary-advised skin products.
How should the first few days work?
- Open the carrier in the prepared room and let the cat emerge voluntarily.
- Maintain the existing diet initially and watch actual eating and litter use.
- Offer quiet interaction and short play sessions without repeatedly picking the cat up.
- Expand access as confidence develops, keeping the safe room available.
- Introduce other animals gradually, using separate resources and controlled stages rather than an immediate face-to-face meeting.
Which changes need veterinary advice?
| Observation | Concern | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brief hiding while still eating and toileting | Possible settling-in stress | Keep things quiet and monitor closely. |
| Itchy skin, ear odour, matting or persistent digestive upset | Needs assessment | Arrange a veterinary check. |
| No food, marked lethargy or repeated vomiting | Potential illness | Contact your vet the same day; kittens need especially prompt advice. |
| Straining with little urine, collapse or breathing difficulty | Emergency | Seek emergency veterinary care now. |
What health and grooming questions should you ask?
Ask what screening is appropriate for the exact breed and family line, and request actual results rather than accepting 'vet checked' as a guarantee against inherited disease. Routine examinations, weight monitoring, dental care, vaccination and parasite prevention remain important for every Rex cat.
Check ears but do not repeatedly clean deep inside them or use cotton buds. Discharge, odour or discomfort may indicate disease rather than normal wax. Bathing frequency should follow the individual skin's needs and veterinary advice, not a fixed rule for all curly-coated cats.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a Rex cat cannot trigger human allergies.
- Overbrushing a delicate coat or cutting tight mats with scissors.
- Using frequent baths to manage undiagnosed greasy or itchy skin.
- Expecting sociable breed descriptions to guarantee tolerance of every person or animal.
How do you support long-term wellbeing?
Provide regular play, food puzzles suited to ability, scratching choices and predictable rest. Feed a complete life-stage-appropriate diet, monitor body condition and introduce grooming gradually with rewards. A confident cat still benefits from the option to be alone.
Frequently asked questions
Are Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No cat breed guarantees an allergy-free home. Discuss significant allergies with your clinician before adoption.
Do all Rex cats need bathing?
No. Coat and skin needs differ; excessive washing can cause problems.
Should I dress a Rex cat for warmth?
Comfortable room temperature and warm resting places are usually a better starting point. Clothing should never restrict movement or cause distress.
Can a Rex live with another cat?
Some can, with compatible personalities and gradual introductions. Breed alone cannot predict success.
Prepare for the breed's likely needs, then adjust care around the individual cat you bring home.
Explore ASK A VET™ for practical guidance on helping cats settle and thrive.
