Selkirk Rex vs Devon Rex - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Selkirk Rex originated in the USA in 1987. A host of cats have been used to develop this cat breed – Persians, British Shorthairs, Himalayans, American Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and others.

There was a litter of kittens and the odd one out, one with an unusual coat – was placed with the breeder, Jeri Newman, who bred the cat with a black Persian.

Three Selkirk Rex kittens were born as well as three straight-haired kittens. The cat has been developed with either long- or short coats. The Selkirk Rex cat breed is recognized by various cat associations such as the International Cat Association, the American Cat Fanciers Association in the 1990s as well as the Cat Fanciers Association in 2000.

The Devon Rex is a cat known for its large ears and its curly, soft coat. It hails from England, emerging in the 1950s.

The cat is recognized by quite a few cat associations. The first of these cats was discovered by Beryl Cox in 1959 in Buckfastleigh, Devon. When the cat started appearing in cat shows in the UK, people starting becoming interested in owning these unusual cats.

The Selkirk Rex is a medium- to large-sized cat that will weigh between 3 to 6kg. He is a well-built cat of which you get a short- and long coat variety. The coat is available in all colors. The coat has a soft, woolly look to it with some curls.

With the long-haired variety, the cat has a well-plumed tail. One drawback perhaps is that the cat is a fairly heavy shedder, and perhaps wouldn’t be a good choice for those with allergies.

Temperament:

This is a lively, playful, energetic cat with a friendly temperament. Cat experts will tell you that it is the Persian and British Shorthair ancestors that have given him his placid, lovable nature. He is, however, more active than those cat breeds and loves to play.

Tolerant and affectionate, the Selkirk isn't a lap cat. Because he has a sociable nature, he dislikes being left alone for long periods of time.

The Selkirk Rex fits in well with households where there are well-behaved children and other pets. He is such a loving cat and loves to be in the company of his human companions. He isn’t demanding and likes to talk to you in a quiet voice.

Known for its slender, light build, and weighing roughly between 2 and 4kg, the medium-sized Devon Rex has large, rounded ears. It is the large, rounded ears, set low on the sides of the broad head that make it slightly gremlin-like in appearance.

Their eyes are also large, and their noses are slightly upturned. It’s short, curly coat is another unusual feature and comes in many colors and patterns. The eyes can be blue, yellow, copper or he can be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

Your Devon Rex is quite a naughty cat, enjoying getting up to all kinds of mischief. Energetic, they love leaping up high onto perches so you’ll often find your Devon Rex in odd spots, more so if it's a spot in the sun as he loves warmth. It is why it is important to buy a cat tree for this cat.

It’s a loving, loyal cat and it will attach itself to one member of the family and then they are capable of pouring out the love and affection on this particular person. They’re also playful cats, as well as being intelligent.

He can learn a few tricks and can also be trained to walk on a leash. This is an active, energetic breed and will provide his human family with hours of amusing entertainment.

When you welcome a Selkirk Rex cat into your home, you’ll have a loving friend and companion.

They love to bask in the attention they get as they’re quite unusual with their wavy to curly coats. People are always wanting to touch it.

The Selkirk Rex cat is an active, playful cat and has a whole lot of love to offer you.

Your Devon Rex is a social cat and is happy to be found on your lap. He doesn’t take kindly to being left on his own though. He isn’t a suitable fit for someone who works all day.

If you love animals, then maybe another companion animal would be a good idea as he is an amicable cat and gets on well with other animals.

When you spend time with your cat, make sure it is a special time, full of treats and stimulating play as he will learn to even fetch a small ball.

Just give him lots of attention and he’ll be your provider of companionship and entertainment.

The Selkirk Rex cat, if looked after well and given excellent food can live to be 15, 16, or 17 years of age. Some of these cats can suffer from hair loss. Remember, that every cat will require vaccinations and de-worming.

Kidney Disease:

Chronic kidney failure usually develops over a number of months. Chronic kidney failure in cats is a progressive illness but if you get your cat to the vet it can be managed. The vet will want a sample of your cat's urine and possibly a blood test.

This particular cat isn’t known for any extreme health issues but even so, there are some health problems that are important to know about -

Patella Luxation:

This is where the patella or knee cap moves out of its usual spot. It can occur because of a number of reasons such as an injury or congenital malformation. The vet will want x-rays because sometimes hip dysplasia is also present.

Devon RexMypathy:

This is an inherited condition seen in both male and female cats and usually in young kittens. The cat has an odd gait with a head that bobs along as is tries to walk. The cat has tremors and also has difficulty with swallowing. With a visit to the vet and special care, your cat can do well.

Your Selkirk Rex will need to have his fur brushed. You don’t want to brush him too hard every week as this can cause the curls to frizz. Rather use a spray bottle with some cat conditioner and lightly spray the curls and use your fingers to ‘comb’ his hair.

Provide your cat with well-balanced meals. Your Selkirk Rex is a carnivore and you have to ensure that his food is made up of meat. The best commercially manufactured cat foods know how to correctly balance your cat’s food so that it gets the perfect blend of vitamins and minerals. Always choose a good brand of cat food that will meet your cat's nutritional needs. If you’re unsure, you can always ask your vet for suggestions about good quality food that will help towards ensuring good health for your cat.

The cheaper, unknown brands may not have the best ingredients to keep your cat happy and healthy. Remember to read the labels as a growing kitten will require different food to a senior cat.

Provide your Selkirk Rex with a litter box, scratching post, and a climbing tree.

Your kitten will need to be vaccinated to protect him from some of the life-threatening diseases cats can get. Most of the vets these days recommend a combined vaccine, starting at about 8 weeks of age. These vaccines will protect your kitten from Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Parovirus, and cat flu.

The Devon rex cat breed is known for its unusual looks with its wavy fur, large ears and large eyes. It is considered a rare breed and you want to make sure that you take proper care of him.

Owners of the Devon Rex know that these cats love their food and it has to be top quality food to enhance good feline health.

Cats are carnivores, ad this actually means that they should stick to a meat diet. Any food you buy your cat should be mainly meat. Look at the packaging of the commercially manufactured cat foods you want to buy, and make sure that the first few ingredients are some sort of meat.

Remember that any uncertainty with feeding your cat, you can chat with your vet.

Keep the inside of your cat’s ear free of an accumulation of wax and dirt as well as infection. If you don’t like the idea of probing in your cat’s ears, be in contact with your vet or a reputable, professional cat groomer.

Trim the cat’s nails.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth as this could be causing him pain.

Clean your cat’s litter box every single day and also replace the grit regularly.

Get your cat veterinary care as soon as he shows signs of illness. Certainly, make sure all his vaccines and deworming are up to date.