🐾 LandCare difficulty: IntermediateLegal complexity: Low

Cornish Rex

Felis catus · also called Greyhound of Cats

A slim, graceful breed with a soft, wavy 'marcel' coat made only of down hair, known for being playful, kitten-like, and warm to the touch throughout life.

Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.

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Quick facts

Size	Height ~8-12 in; weight 6-10 lb; slender, arched, fine-boned build
Lifespan	12–18 years
Social needs	pair
Native region	United Kingdom (Cornwall)
Family	Felidae
Genus	Felis

Part of the Cat breeds

Recognized domestic cat breeds, from ancient natural breeds to modern pedigrees.

Abyssinian American Bobtail American Curl American Shorthair American Wirehair Australian Mist Balinese Bambino Bengal Birman Bombay British Longhair British Shorthair Burmese +47 more →

Habitat & space requirements

From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.

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Minimum

Secure indoor home + daily play

Indoor-only home, n+1 litter boxes, scratching posts

Welfare floor for a free-roam pet cat: a secure indoor home with one litter box per cat plus one extra (placed in different rooms), multiple scratching posts and a sturdy cat tree, food and water stations kept away from the litter, and 20–30 minutes of interactive wand/puzzle play every day. Outdoor access only via a fully-fenced catio or harness walks.

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Recommended

Multi-room home with vertical territory

≥ 2 floors / wide rooms, cat trees, catio access

A multi-cat-friendly household with several tall cat trees and wall-mounted perches, window seats with a view, separate feeding stations per cat to reduce resource guarding, and access to a screened catio or balcony for sun and air. Vertical territory matters as much as floor space for cats.

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Ideal

Indoor home + catio + enriched garden

House + outdoor catio + cat-proofed garden

Indoor home paired with a large outdoor catio (or a cat-proof-fenced garden), abundant environmental enrichment (climbing branches, foraging puzzles, water features), and group-compatible housing if multi-cat. This combines the safety of indoor-only living with the behavioural enrichment of supervised outdoor time.

Life & growth stages

How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.

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Newborn

Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).

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Juvenile

After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.

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Adult

Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.

Senior

Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.

Color & pattern variants

Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.

Selectively bred (man-made)

representative

All colors and patterns →

Accepted in essentially every color and pattern, including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor, and pointed — the distinguishing feature is the wavy rex coat, not color.

Habitat & enclosure

Excellent apartment cat — agile, athletic, and loves to climb, jump, and race around. Provide tall cat trees and interactive toys to satisfy its energy. Because the coat is thin and lacks guard hairs, the breed feels the cold; keep the home warm, offer cozy heated beds or blankets, and avoid drafts and outdoor cold exposure. Indoor living strongly recommended.

Diet

Feed a balanced, energy-dense diet — these lean, high-metabolism cats often have a brisk appetite to fuel their warmth and activity. Monitor body condition; despite the thin coat they can still become overweight if overfed. Fresh water at all times.

Behavior & temperament

Highly active, acrobatic, mischievous, and people-oriented — often described as perpetually kitten-like. Very intelligent and trainable (fetch, tricks, leash). High energy. Affectionate and social; typically excellent with children and other pets, and dislikes being left alone for long stretches. A natural companion-seeking lap warmer.

Health

Coat genetics aside, predispositions include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), patellar luxation, and a higher sensitivity to anesthesia and some medications owing to low body fat — inform your vet. The sparse coat means greater sun-sensitivity (sunburn risk on exposed skin) and cold intolerance. Skin can become oily. The breed is generally long-lived, with many cats reaching 15-18 years or more. Recommend periodic cardiac screening (echocardiogram) and careful anesthetic protocols.

Tips, DIY & hacks

Minimal brushing — the delicate down coat can be damaged by aggressive grooming; gentle hand-stroking or a soft cloth suffices. Low shedding but NOT hypoallergenic (still produces Fel d 1). The skin/coat produces oils that build up, so periodic gentle bathing and ear cleaning are needed. Keep warm in winter. Great candidate for clicker training and enrichment.

Sources

TICA — Cornish Rex Breed (registry)
Wikipedia — Cornish Rex (encyclopedia)
Wikipedia: Cornish Rex (wiki)