Cornish Rex Cat: Wavy Coat, High Energy and Care Needs

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

The Cornish Rex is a greyhound among cats, with a lean frame, long legs, a rippled coat and a speed that makes it look like it is running on springs. It is affectionate, playful and warm, literally and figuratively, since it seeks out laps, blankets and heaters.

Origins

The breed began in Cornwall, England, in 1950, when a curly-coated kitten named Kallibunker was born on a farm. A veterinarian helped breeders recognize the mutation, and the line was developed with outcrosses to Siamese, Burmese and British Shorthair cats. The breed reached the United States in the 1950s and 1960s and has remained a small but dedicated community.

Appearance

Cornish Rex cats are slender and muscular, with an arched back, a tucked waist, a long tail and an egg-shaped head with large ears set high. The coat is short, plush and wavy, made only of the soft downy undercoat, so it lies in tight ripples along the back and sides. Whiskers and eyebrows are often curled. All colors and patterns occur.

Temperament

Cornish Rex cats are playful, curious and devoted. They run, jump and climb, and often keep kitten behavior into old age. They want to be in your lap, on your shoulders or in the middle of whatever you are doing. They tend to learn tricks quickly, fetch, open cupboards and investigate everything.

They need interaction and company. They are good with children and cats, but may be too busy for very quiet households. Left alone for long periods, they can become bored and mischievous.

Care and warmth

The coat is very easy to care for, and brushing can damage it, so use a soft cloth or your hand. Skin oils can build up, so your vet may suggest occasional baths. Check ears for wax, trim nails and brush teeth. Because the coat is thin, Cornish Rex cats get cold, so provide heated beds, blankets and sweaters in winter. They also sunburn, so limit direct strong sun.

Feeding

The breed has a high metabolism and often eats more than a similarly sized cat. Offer measured meals of a complete diet, and watch body condition. See how much should I feed my cat.

Health

Known concerns include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Screening by echocardiogram is recommended.
• Patellar luxation. A kneecap problem seen in the breed.
• Skin problems, including greasy skin and infections.
• Dental disease.
• Sensitivity to anesthesia and temperature, so tell your vet about the breed before procedures.

Ask breeders about testing, and see our cat health guides.

Is a Cornish Rex right for you?

A Cornish Rex suits active, home-based owners who enjoy an interactive cat and can keep it warm. It is not for people who want a calm or independent cat. For comparison, read the Devon Rex and Sphynx profiles, and use our cat breed finder. Our indoor cat enrichment ideas offer ways to burn off that energy.

A day with a Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex cats are early risers and sprinters. A morning typically involves laps of the house at high speed, followed by a long warm nap on a lap or beside a radiator. They are usually most active in the evening, when they leap onto shelves, steal socks and demand a game of fetch. They rarely walk where they can run.

Questions to ask a Cornish Rex breeder

• Has the breeding pair been screened for HCM, and when?
• Have the parents been checked for patellar luxation?
• What are the kittens' coats and skin like, and have they had any skin problems?
• Do you offer a health guarantee and take-back clause?

Mistakes to avoid

Do not brush the coat with a stiff brush. Do not let a Cornish Rex get chilled, since a cat that is cold becomes inactive and may get sick. Do not underfeed a fast-metabolism cat, but do not free feed either. Expect high energy for many years, and plan play accordingly with ideas from indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Keeping a Cornish Rex safe

A fast, agile cat needs a safe home. Anchor tall furniture, remove string and rubber bands, and secure windows with sturdy screens. The thin coat offers little protection, so avoid hot radiator covers without a barrier and check bathwater temperatures. Never leave a Cornish Rex in a cold car or a hot one, and use a warm, padded carrier for travel. See how to travel with a cat by car.

Ownership and costs

Anesthesia for dental work or surgery requires care in thin-coated breeds, so choose a vet who is comfortable with them. Plan for dental care, annual checks and heart screening if recommended, and see cat vet visit costs.

Finding one

Ask breeders about heart screening and patellar health. Rex cats are less common in shelters, but rescue groups exist. Our guide to cat vet visit costs can help you plan.