Care and grooming for a Selkirk Rex: coat, litter and prevention
Selkirk Rex : Brush sparingly and gently: too-frequent brushing straightens and breaks the curl. A wide-tooth comb once or twice a week (more for the longhaired variety) and a light water mist to revive the curls are enough.
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🩺 The health watchpoints on this page are for information only: only a veterinarian can examine your animal and make a diagnosis.
In short: Medium to large cat (3 to 7 kg), short or long curly coat, moderate energy and a placid temperament. A placid, patient sheep-like cat, cuddly without being demanding, heir to the British Shorthair’s composure. Its curly fleece is maintained with a wide-toothed comb, avoiding heavy brushing that would flatten the curls.
Coat care
The Selkirk Rex needs almost no brushing: the wavy coat is fragile, an occasional soft glove is enough. During the moult, simply step up the pace a notch.
Litter: the most sensitive product in the house
For its build, a tray at least 60 cm long, fine unscented litter and a quiet spot away from the bowls. Golden rule: one tray per cat plus one, scooped daily — most toileting accidents start there.
Health watch-points for the Selkirk Rex
The breed is monitored for: polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Check claws every three to four weeks, inspect teeth and ears while grooming, and keep parasite treatment year-round even indoors. Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years — and for anything unusual, the vet comes before the forums.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a Selkirk Rex be brushed?
Plan on almost no brushing: the wavy coat is fragile, an occasional soft glove is enough.
What litter tray size for a Selkirk Rex?
At least 60 cm long: the cat must turn around without touching the sides. Preferably uncovered, with fine unscented litter.
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