Thai vs Selkirk Rex - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Thai cat is also referred to as the Wichien Maat. It is an old cat breed descended from the cats of Thailand.

The Wichienmaat is a cat that was spoken of already centuries ago in a book. Over the years, the cat has remained much the same as its original breeding. Today this cat is popular in Thailand.

It was in the late 1800s that the Wichienmaat was imported to the West by British cat breeders, and the cats became known as ‘Siamese’.

Western breeders wanted to add in some other qualities to the cat and through selective breeding, they developed a finer-boned type of Siamese cat. Today some people refer to these cats as Old-Style Siamese, while others refer to them as Thais, but they are one and the same.

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 Thai is a short-haired, glossy cat and comes in a variety of colors but no white.

The soft, silky fur is a warm cream shade, much like the Siamese, with dark brown, black, smoky colored extremities.

The Thai is considered to be a medium-sized cat and he will weigh between 3 an 6kg. The body is lean, slender and muscular, the ears medium size with rounded tips and set wide apart. The eyes are are beautiful blue, large and slightly slanted.

Temperament

Thai cats are curious, active, and intelligent. They are also social and vocal and are able to communicate to their human owners what they want.

They thrive on getting lots of attention from their humans and will even follow them around the house. They do well with children in the home when the children have been taught to be kind and respectful to animals.

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.

The Thai cat is social and friendly and enjoys time spent with his human family. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and it just might be a good idea to have a feline friend for this cat.

He is also a vocal cat and lets you know his feelings and certainly when he wants his food. The Thai wants to be your friend and companion and he will thrive in any kind of home when he is made to feel important and loved.

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.

These cats are known for their good health. Just because he is considered healthy, you can't ignore looking out for signs that he may be in distress.

There are actually a whole lot of common cat illnesses your cat could succumb to, so you want to be sure you recognize some of the signs such a vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and battling to urinate. Make sure that the eyes are always bright and clear and that he is his active self.

Have your Thai cat vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases that there are. You will also need to have your cat dewormed. Speak to your vet about the best way to prevent fleas.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens.

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.

You’ll see your Thai cat preening and grooming, but he will still need to have the silky coat brushed gently to keep it shiny and healthy.

The brushing will make him happy as he just loves the attention, and it is good for the cat’s fur – to remove dust and loose hairs.

Make sure to visit your vet if you suspect that your Thai cat is ill.

Your Thai cat is a scratcher just like any other cat, and if you don’t want to have your furniture scratch, invest in a scratching post.

Examine the inside of your cat’s ears to make sure they are clear of dirt and wax that could cause infection.

Some people say you should brush your cat’s teeth, but this can be too traumatic for your cat. Pets have always done well without their teeth being brushed. It can frighten your cat so much, he’ll want to scratch you.

Your Thai is an active, energetic cat, and you will want to provide him with a cat tree for climbing.

Provide your cat with feeding- and drinking bowls, litter box, warm, soft bed and toys to keep him occupied. It is always a good idea to put a collar on your pet and an ID disc in case he runs away.

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.