Curly haired cat have fur that curls or waves in a unique way. This kind of fur is caused by a genetic change that affects the hair cells, giving the animal a curly coat that is easy to recognize. The Devon Rex, the Cornish Rex, and the Selkirk Rex are three of the most well-known curly-haired cat breeds. Many cat fans love these breeds because of how unique and friendly they look.
The curly coat of a curly-haired cat makes it a visually stunning and distinctive breed. The first curly-haired cats appeared in the 1980s, making them a relatively recent addition to cat breeds. This article provides comprehensive information on Curly haired cats, including their distinctive curly or wavy fur caused by a genetic mutation. The article also covers popular breeds of Curly haired cats, such as the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and Selkirk Rex, which are well-known for their unique appearance and friendly personalities.
History of Curly haired Cat:
The first Curly haired cat was not seen until the 1980s, making their history brief. Jeri Newman, a cat breeder, developed the breed by crossing a black Persian with a shelter cat with a curly coat. The cat’s name was changed from Selkirk Rex, Jeri Newman’s stepfather, to Selkirk, Scotland. New breeds with curly coats include the LaPerm and Devon Rex. Curly-haired cats are a new breed, but their remarkable beauty and calm temperament have made them popular with cat owners.
How Is a Cat’s Coat Constructed?
The exterior layer of a cat’s coat comprises guard hairs that repel debris and moisture, while the interior layer comprises a down or undercoat, providing warmth and comfort. Varying cat breeds can have drastically varying coat textures, colours, and lengths according to their genetic makeup. Some cats have long, glossy fur and others have short, thick fur. Cats’ coats come in various colours and patterns, from solid to multicoloured and everything in between.
Grooming your cat will assist in maintaining the health and lustre of its coat. Despite their peculiar appearance, cats with curly hair are not hypoallergenic. They can cause allergic reactions in some people. People allergic to cats might find them a suitable alternative because their fur is said to shed significantly less than the fur of other types of cats. Curly-haired cats have the advantage of being both beautiful and laid-back, making them a great choice as a pet.
1: Devon Rex:
| Specification | Description |
| Breed Name | Rex Devon |
| Origin | Devon, England |
| Coat Type | Soft, curly, short, dense |
| Coat Colors | Wide range of colours and patterns |
| Eye Color | Any colour, often green or gold |
| Lifespan | 9-13 years |
The Devon Rex is an unusual and entertaining cat breed with huge ears, a curly coat, and a warm disposition. In the 1950s, a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee was born to a feral cat in Devon, England, marking the breed’s beginning. The Devon Rex cat breed was developed by crossing the kitten with Siamese and British Shorthair cats. Curly, short, and dense, the coat of a Devon Rex cat is easily recognizable. Their coat is considered to be hypoallergenic and comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns.
Their eyes are typically a stunning shade of green or gold, and their ears are huge and perked up. They enjoy playing and engaging with their owners, earning them a reputation for being friendly and gregarious. They are known for being talkative and will meow or purr to their owners. They live between 9 and 13 years and are considered healthy throughout. The Devon Rex is a special and endearing breed of cat that will offer love and happiness to any home it enters.
2: Cornish Rex:
| Specification | Description |
| Breed Name | Cornish Rex |
| Origin | Cornwall, England |
| Coat Type | Soft, wavy, short |
| Coat Colors | Wide range of colours and patterns |
| Personality | Playful, affectionate, intelligent, curious |
| Lifespan | 11-14 years |
The Cornish Rex is an endearing and one-of-a-kind cat breed because of its fluffy, wavy coat and lively disposition. In the 1950s, a kitten with a curly coat named Kallibunker was born to a barn cat in Cornwall, England, and the breed was established. The Cornish Rex breed was developed by crossing the kitten with Siamese and British Shorthair cats. Cats of the Cornish Rex breed are easily identified by their short, wavy, and plush coat. Their coat is considered to be hypoallergenic and comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns.
They are recognized for their agility and athleticism and have long, slender bodies and huge ears. In addition to their intelligence, they also have a reputation for being playful and affectionate. Smart and curious, these felines do best in households where they can freely play and explore. They also have a reputation for being talkative, often meowing or chirping to their owners. They live between 11 and 14 years and are considered healthy throughout. The unusual and adorable Cornish Rex cat breed is a wonderful addition to any home.
3: La-Perm:
| Specification | Description |
| Breed Name | LaPerm |
| Origin | Oregon, United States |
| Coat Type | Soft, curly, hypoallergenic |
| Coat Colors | Wide range of colours and patterns |
| Eye Color | Any colour, often gold or green |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
The LaPerm is an uncommon and lovable cat breed with a gentle disposition and a curly, hypoallergenic coat. The first curly-coated kitten, Curly, was born to a barn cat in Oregon, United States, in the 1980s. The LaPerm cat breed was created by crossing the kitten with Siamese and American Shorthair cats. The distinctively curly coat of a LaPerm cat is hypoallergenic, silky, and wavy. They have a low-shedding coat that comes in various colours and patterns.
They adore their owners and often follow them around the house, begging for attention. Smart and curious, these felines do best in households where they can freely play and explore. They also have a reputation for being talkative, often meowing or chirping to their owners. They live between 10 and 15 years and tend to be quite robust. The LaPerm is a special and endearing cat that can brighten up any home.
4: Selkirk Rex:
| Specification | Description |
| Breed Name | Selkirk Rex |
| Origin | Montana, USA |
| Body Type | Medium to large, muscular and well-rounded |
| Personality | Affectionate, laid-back, playful, intelligent |
| Coat Type | Thick, curly, plush, woolly |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
The Selkirk Rex is a rare and endearing cat breed, notable for its fluffy, curly coat and calm demeanour. In 1987, a curly-haired kitten named Miss DePesto was born to a rescued cat in Montana, United States, and the breed was officially established. Ultimately, the kitten gave birth to the first litter of Selkirk Rex kittens after being bred with a Persian cat. Curly-coated Selkirk Rex cats are easily recognizable due to their unique appearance. Their coats look woolly because of the loose curls in their silky, velvety hair.
These felines have a well-deserved reputation for being calm and loving companions. They don’t make much noise, but they’ll meow or purr if they want to talk to you. They enjoy interacting with their loved ones and are both bright and energetic. The average lifespan of a Selkirk Rex cat is between 10 and 15 years. Because of their easy-care coat, they make for a great low-effort pet. The Selkirk Rex is a fantastic and rare breed of cat that will provide love and happiness to every home it enters.
How Should I Take Care of My Curls?
Curly hair takes more attention and maintenance than straight hair to keep the curls healthy and well-defined. The following is a list of specific methods that you can follow to care for your curls:
· Make sure you pick the appropriate products:
Make sure to use shampoos and conditioners that do not include sulfates and are formulated especially for curly hair. Find products that contain nourishing nutrients like shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil to help keep your curls nourished and frizz-free. These ingredients can be found in shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil.
· You should wash your hair frequently:
Maintaining clean and hydrated hair is essential if you have curly hair because it is more likely to get dry. However, washing the hair can lead it to lose its natural oils, resulting in it becoming dry and brittle over time. You should wash your hair twice or thrice a week or as often as necessary, depending on your hair type.
· Use conditioner regularly:
When washing your hair, you should always condition it, especially if you have curly hair, which needs a lot of moisture. If you have naturally curly hair, this must be stressed more. It would help if you opted for a detangling conditioner that hydrates your curls and nourishes them to keep them looking their best. You should be able to avoid breaking anything by doing this.
· Detangle curls without tugging:
Your curls can be gently detangled with your fingers or a comb with wide teeth by beginning at the ends and working your way up to the roots of your hair. It would help if you tried to avoid putting a brush on your curls because doing so can lead to the formation of frizz.
· Use a leave-in conditioner on your hair:
Applying a curl cream or leave-in conditioner to your hair after washing and conditioning is an excellent way to help define your curls and ensure they continue to seem bouncy and healthy. Apply the product to your hair from the roots to the ends, paying particular attention to the sections of your hair that tend to become frizzy.
· Avoid heat-based styling tools:
Heat styling products can cause damage to your hair and cause it to become frizzy. Some examples of heat styling tools include blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. Instead, it would help to let your hair dry naturally in the air or use the diffuser attachment that comes with your hair drier to dry your curls gently.
· Sleep with a braid or loose bun:
When you want your curls to last through the next day, sleep with your hair tied back into a braid or a loose bun. This will help keep the curls in place. In addition to assisting in maintaining your natural curl pattern, this will help avoid tangling and frizzing of your hair.
· Protect your waves from the elements:
If you expose your ringlets to damaging factors like wind, rain, or extreme temperatures, your curls will have a greater chance of becoming frizzy and broken. If you want to prevent the elements from harming your curls, wear a hat or a scarf whenever you go outside and try to avoid exposing your hair to the environment for as long as possible.
· Trim hair regularly:
If you give your curls a regular trim, you will reduce the likelihood of split ends emerging in your hair, which will help your curls continue to appear beautiful and healthy. If you want your curls to give the appearance of being healthy and full of life, you should have a fresh haircut every six to eight weeks at the absolute least.
How Much Do They Cost and Where to Find Them?
You can find cats with curly hair in pet stores, adoption centres, and animal shelters that are of high quality. The cost of a curly-coated cat can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the breed, the age of the cat, and the locality. Adopting from a shelter or rescue group usually costs between $50 and $300, whereas buying from a breeder might cost between $500 and $2,000. If you care about the feline’s well-being, look for a reputable breeder or rescue group.
| Cat Breed | Where to Find Them | Average Cost |
| Selkirk Rex | Reputable breeders | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Animal shelters | $50 – $300 | |
| Rescue organizations | $50 – $300 | |
| Cornish Rex | Reputable breeders | $500 – $1,000 |
| Animal shelters | $50 – $200 | |
| Rescue organizations | $50 – $200 | |
| Devon Rex | Reputable breeders | $800 – $1,500 |
| Animal shelters | $50 – $200 | |
| Rescue organizations | $50 – $200 | |
| LaPerm | Reputable breeders | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Animal shelters | $50 – $200 | |
| Rescue organizations | $50 – $200 |
Conclusion:
Any household would benefit from having a curly-haired cat because of its unique appearance and charming personality. Curly-coated breeds like the LaPerm, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, and Selkirk Rex are immediately identifiable by their fur, which is fluffy, wavy, and hypoallergenic. Other curly-coated types include the Devon Rex and the Selkirk Rex. They do best in homes where they are given a lot of attention and opportunities to play and are celebrated for their active intellect and friendly temperament. They are low-maintenance and easy to care for, yet their curly coats may require more attention than the usual dog because of the extra volume they create.
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