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Selkirk Rex

Felis catus · also called Sheep cat

A plush, curly-coated 'cat in sheep's clothing' with a dominant natural curl mutation. Patient, cuddly, and laid-back, available in short and long coats.

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 ~23-28 cm; weight 4-7 kg; heavy-boned, sturdy build
Lifespan	10–15 years
Social needs	pair
Native region	United States
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)

Selkirk Rex Shorthair →

Short, dense, plush curly coat.

Selkirk Rex Longhair →

Long, woolly ringlet-curled coat giving the signature 'sheep' look.

representative

All colors and patterns →

Accepted in the full range of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, tortie, pointed, and bicolor.

Habitat & enclosure

Easygoing indoor and apartment cat. Moderate energy — playful but happy to lounge and be held. Provide scratching posts, perches, and daily play. Its tolerant nature suits busy or multi-pet families; appreciates company and does well with a feline companion.

Diet

Standard complete carnivore diet. The breed is sturdy and prone to gaining weight if overfed; portion control supports joint and heart health. No unique breed dietary needs.

Behavior & temperament

Mellow, affectionate, patient, and people-oriented — often described as cuddly and a good lap cat. Moderate, balanced energy; playful without being demanding. Excellent with children, dogs, and other cats. Trainable with positive reinforcement and tolerant of handling, making them great family pets.

Health

Because Persian, British Shorthair, and Exotic were used in development, the Selkirk can inherit predispositions including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — DNA/echo screening of breeding cats is recommended. Otherwise a fairly robust breed; the curl gene itself is not linked to coat or skin disease. Watch for obesity.

Tips, DIY & hacks

Soft, loosely curled coat (curliest on belly, neck, and tail). Brush gently and infrequently — over-brushing straightens and frizzes the curl; a comb 1-2x weekly and occasional bathing maintains it. Both shorthair and longhair shed; expect some grooming upkeep. Curl is most pronounced in kittens, relaxes, then returns by ~8-10 months.

Sources

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