Everything you need to know about Cornish Rex cats

In the 1930s, Cornish Rex cats lived in Moravia. The locals believed they were sick and exterminated them.

The Cornish Rex breed was bred in 1950. The story of its origin is very interesting. In Cornwall, a woman farmer Nina Ennismore's cat Serena brought kittens, including a baby of an unusual appearance. Nature has endowed him with curly hair, a thin and flexible body and a wedge-shaped head.

The cat had very large ears, which made it look like an unearthly creature, and it was called strangely - Callibanker. Since at that time the village cats, the inhabitants of English farms, basically differed from each other only in color, Miss Ennismore, having looked closely at the cat, decided to castrate the matured pet, almost depriving us of the breed of these amazing cats.

The veterinarian to whom Nina brought the matured cat had a good knowledge of genetics and saw the beginning of a new breed in Callibanker. Taking into account the doctor's advice on breeding cats, Miss Ennismore went to breeders A.C. Jude and B. Stirling-Webb - they were famous at that time and had great authority and a good reputation in the field of breeding. The vet's words that Callibanker will be the first feline to differ from those registered in nature were confirmed by Dr. Jude.

Now the responsibility of Nina Ennismore was the task of breeding a new breed, the name of which she came up with - the Cornish Rex.The beginning of the name of the breed indicated the area where the kitten appeared, and the second part of the name of the breed determined the occupation of Miss Ennismore (she was the owner of a farm for breeding rabbits with curly hair of the Astrex breed). Breeders were asked to control the Callibanker mutation for stability, and when the cat reached puberty, he was paired with his mother, the cat Serena, who did not stand out for her natural beauty and breed.

After a while, three small kittens were born, two of them had the same curly hair and an unusual appearance as Callibanker. The only cat survived from the two "astrakhan" was later named Polda.

From year to year, Miss Ennismore continued her experiments on crossing, in this case fixing the correspondence of "astrakhan" to smooth-haired kittens. The correspondence was 55% towards "curly-haired". The properties typical for this breed were preserved provided that the female and the male were carriers of "astrakhan" wool. But after 6 years of breeding work, Nina Ennismore started having financial problems.

Raising and keeping animals became difficult. The very first cats, Serena and Callibacker, met a terrible fate - the previously beloved cats were euthanized at the request of the mistress of Miss Nina Ennismore. A similar fate awaited the Cornish Polda, but the silicate B. Stirling-Webb decided to continue working without the help of other employees and bought the cat (however, when taking biomaterial on the cat's experiments, Polda faced a fatal accident - he was castrated).

In 1957, an officially registered breed of Cornish Rex cats appeared in England, and in the same year, Francis Blancheri acquired two cats of this breed and transported them from England to the United States of America. Thus, the "resettlement" of these peculiar animals took place. One of the first animals transported, which has a bright red color and is called Tabby, did not produce offspring.

After a while, the blue cat (her nickname is Lamorna Cove), already pregnant, was transported to the USA, where she brought the offspring of white kittens with a blue tint - two adorable Cornish Rex babies. It is worth noting that the kittens' father was Poldu, who had not yet been neutered at that time.

With this amazing story, the Cornish Rex breed began in the United States. The lover and breeder of cats, Ellen Weiss, could not resist the charm of the Lomorna Cove babies, she bought the cat and named him Marmaduke (later other lines of Cornish Rex breeds went from him).

In an effort to engage in breeding work more actively, Miss Weiss decided to get acquainted with the well-known at that time Nina Ennismore, with whom she wanted to conclude an agreement on a lucrative deal for breeding the breed, but Miss Ennismore by that period managed to get rid of her "economy", which she regretted after , since the money offered by Ellen Weiss could fully offset all the costs of animals with interest.

Once again, cats of this breed were at risk of extinction. In order to somehow prevent the extinction of the breed, they were crossed among themselves. Subsequently, the North American shorthair cats, as well as the Siamese and Burmese, became the genetic material for this.

During selection, there were small changes in the breed, however, at the same time, a wide variety of their colors and colors appeared.

To date, cats have gained immense popularity due to their aristocratic appearance and boundless love and affection for their owner.

The generally accepted standards for a Cornish Rex cat are:

• a distinctive feature of the breed - pronounced aristocracy;
• cats have short "astrakhan" hair, which has no guard hair;
• the head is of the correct oval shape;
• the muzzle looks like a small wedge, the forehead smoothly merges into the Roman-type nose, which is vertically in line with the chin;
• the ears are set rather high, wide and large at the base of the head;
• the shape of the eyes is oval, the eyes are inclined upward, the pigmentation of the iris of the eye corresponds to the color of the cat's coat;
• strong jaws, straight bite;
• the cheekbones are high, the chin is quite pronounced;
• the neck conquers with its grace, but rather long and muscular;
• the body is muscular, long, taut;
• limbs graceful, muscular;
• the tail is long, tapering towards the end, flexible, like a whip.

Brief characteristics of an adult cat:

• growth on average 23-27 cm;
• weight - from 3 to 5 kg;
• adult cats are much larger than females.

Popular colors of kittens:

• White: eyes golden or blue, paw pads and pink nose;
• black: this color is always saturated, the eyes are golden, the nose and pads on the paws are black;
• chocolate: dark eyes, paw pads and dark colored nose;
• ginger: golden eyes, pink paw pads and nose;
• Gray: eyes are golden in color, nose and paw pads are also gray.

Cornish Rexes are very active, inquisitive, cheerful. They are sophisticated intellectuals, their character is docile and gentle. These cats are neither vindictive nor nasty, but very attached to the owner. A tail wagging like a dog shows increased susceptibility. Feeling the mood of the owner, they know how to behave in any situation. They are very obedient, learn simple commands. They can walk on a harness, and, like dogs, bring small toys during training.

Corniches are considered to be very active. They will never bask in the sun or "roll" on the couch, as other cats do. Animals love to explore the area (albeit known from a feline childhood) and will never disregard a rustling newspaper forgotten in an armchair or a sparrow sitting by an open window.

Try to remove seemingly more valuable and necessary things, because the object, whatever it may be, will be regarded by the "rex" as a new game. In any case, you need to be able to distract the pet's attention with a cat toy or a thrown ball.

This breed of cats is a little annoying and, trying to spin underfoot, makes itself felt with its meowing, but very well feels the mood of the beloved owner and can give loneliness if a person needs it. Other times, you will have no time to get bored. Cornish Rex cats are wary of strangers. Keeping a distance is very important for these animals, but they always start to reduce it first. If the cat feels that the person is not dangerous, he will be the first to allow himself to be stroked, and may even jump onto your lap himself.

When purchasing a Cornish Rex for a long friendship, you need to remember that this breed of cats does not tolerate loneliness. Do not leave the animal for a long time. Prolonged absence of the owner can lead to not very pleasant consequences. You should not start birds and rodents with them, because this can awaken the instincts of a wild hunter in them.

Given the good genetics of this breed, the lifespan of these amazing cats is quite long. A lot depends on proper care and nutrition and the attitude of the owners towards them. A Cornish Rex cat with good care and maintenance can live 15-20 years.

When keeping corniches, the appearance of fatty folds should not be allowed, cats should look slender and fit, with well-defined muscles. It should be borne in mind that the caloric content of the daily diet of cats must correspond to the energy needs, since animals lead an active lifestyle, in addition to everything, cats with short hair require a lot of energy to heat their bodies. Food portions are determined empirically. If the animal does not eat enough and looks very thin, you should not limit it in food, it may even need to increase the diet.

When choosing a ready-made, balanced diet, wet and dry foods are suitable. It is important to know that this breed is distinguished by its sensitive digestion.The amount of dry food should not exceed 1/6 of the total feline diet. The water in the bowl should be refreshed twice a day. When feeding with natural food, the diet should include 20% of vegetables, cereals and fermented milk products and 80% of meat.

Sample diet:

• feeding with vegetables is supposed to be both raw and boiled (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, cauliflower), they are mixed with meat and given several times a week, sometimes vegetables are exchanged for porridge;
• dairy (fermented milk) products - kefir, cream is given daily + cheese instead of a treat;
• raw yolk with sour cream and cottage cheese is given 2 times a week;
• boiled offal (chicken hearts, liver, kidneys) - once a week;
• boiled chicken (necessarily boneless) - daily;
• frozen raw beef - daily;

There is a separate diet for kittens:

• cereals with the addition of milk are given up to 3 months;
• cottage cheese - three times a week;
• whole milk is allowed only up to 5 months;
• they are fed chicken breasts for up to 3.5 months (after that they can be fed with chicken legs);
• frozen raw beef is poured with milk, then cut into pieces (helps with constipation);
• boiled meat can be mixed with vegetables;
• you cannot feed kittens with meat alone or just vegetables;
• 30 grams of beef can be given per day (at about 8 months we increase to 120 grams);
• feeding kittens with fish is strictly prohibited.

Due to possible stomach upsets and food poisoning, prohibit kittens from eating right off the floor.

How often to feed kittens:

• 1.5-2 months - up to 5 times a day;
• 3-5 months - 4 times;
• 6-7 months - 3 times;
• from 8 months - 2 times.

To maintain the beauty of the roots, wash them 2 times a month. You should start accustoming your kitten to water procedures at about 16 weeks. You need to wash the cat with massaging movements along the growth of the coat. The water temperature should be about 38 degrees. After bathing, the wool should be soaked in a towel, but not wiped off. If the animal is not afraid of a hair dryer, then you can dry it in a warm setting. To create "karakul" on wool, natural citrus oils are used.

Combing the roots is often not recommended, as cats of this breed do not shed. When combing, use a mitten or a brush with natural bristles so as not to harm the fine hair of the animal.

Without fail, the claws are cut for the Cornish. In cats, they are quite sharp, in this case you have to constantly monitor so that the cat does not spoil the furniture or accidentally leave "scratches" on family members. You need to trim the claws very carefully, only 1-2 millimeters of the transparent part of the claw.

It is necessary to cut with a special claw cutter (its size should be medium). Before the procedure, it is important to treat the instrument with a cotton swab with alcohol or an alcohol napkin, then, cutting off the claw, file it, giving it a rounded shape. Some breeders use natural cosmetic nail oil to protect the cat's claws from flaking and to moisturize them.

Check your cat's teeth weekly and see your veterinarian if necessary. Grooming your cat's teeth should be daily. Teeth can be wiped with plantain infusion by wrapping gauze on a finger, or cleaned with a rubber thimble. You can also buy toothpaste or a special toy for brushing your teeth in specialized pet stores. Remember to include solid foods that are good for your teeth in your diet.

For eye care, it is recommended to use plain boiled water and chamomile infusion once a week (the eyes are treated to prevent infectious diseases). Ears of "Rex" need constant care. In order to clean them, you must use petroleum jelly or special care drops (clean them with a cotton swab). It is necessary to monitor your pet's ears in order to prevent ear diseases in time.

The list of necessary items for the care of the Cornish Rex:

• cat shampoo;
• claw cutter;
• cotton pads and sticks;
• petrolatum;
• special toothpaste and brush for cleaning the teeth of the animal;
• powder for cleaning wool;
• dry shampoo for cleaning wool.

Being in "childhood" age, Cornish Rex cats are easily trained. If you have purchased a kitten, try to immediately draw a line and show what is allowed and what should not be done to the animal throughout its feline life. You should not punish the animal for a minor offense and raise your voice, because in the eyes of the cat you will look big and formidable, but not a source of affection and love.

"Rexes" love pleasant company, they like it when they are given a lot of attention and they love to sit in the arms of family members. Cornish Rexes can be easily taught to give their paws, bring small toys, and also to “sit” and “lie down” commands.

Cats of this breed calmly walk on a harness down the street and in general, their behavior sometimes resembles dogs. Animals are well aware of the purpose of the litter box and what the scratching post is for, and in this sense, with them you will not have any difficulties in maintaining comfort and cleanliness in the house. To the owner of this unique animal be sure to purchase a cozy and warm cat house. A large play complex consisting of a house and various play elements (scratching posts, ropes) is suitable for active corniches.

To keep the cat, in addition to the bed, you will need:

• cat litter box;
• litter for litter (with medium fraction granules, intended for medium-sized short-haired cats);
• care products (see the list above);
• feeding bowls - 3 pieces (1 for water and 2 for food);
• carrying bag (in case of walking, moving or going to the vet);
• toys for cats purchased from a pet store;
• medium-sized scratching post;
• quality feed;
• first aid kit (contents individually);
• clothes for cats in the form of a sweater or jacket with a hood (in case of walking.

This unique breed can live well in any family:

• with a small child (cats get along easily with children);
• in an elderly couple (cats can cheer them up with their cheerful disposition);
• in a family where there are people with allergies (cats do not lose hair even during the moulting season).

If you do not intend to breed Cornish Rex, then it is better to sterilize or castrate. It is possible to sterilize and castrate animals after puberty within 1.5 years of a cat's life (this is due to the correct formation of the genitourinary system). The operation takes place in a veterinary clinic and usually lasts 15-20 minutes under local or general anesthesia. It usually takes 24 hours for the animal to recover after anesthesia. Try to pay more attention to your beloved pet on this day. If the cat has not passed the anesthesia within 24 hours, be sure to contact the veterinarian where the operation took place.

The female, which did not bring kittens and did not undergo sterilization, eventually begins to have health problems, and an uncastrated cat is able to mark corners in an apartment for its entire cat life, releasing specific smelling substances with urine.

The Cornish Rex breed is inherent in good health, but you should still be aware that some diseases do happen to them.

• Alopecia. At the birth of a kitten, a delicate fluff appears on it, which disappears after two weeks and the animal becomes bald. It happens that the disease affects not only the coat, but even the claws and mustache.
• Retinal atrophy - it is a genetic disease. Unfortunately, Cornish are among the leaders in this disease. The disease can only be established in a specialized clinic.
• Disrupted metabolism. Similar troubles with well-being in Cornish Rex can occur due to improper metabolism. Whether the metabolism is impaired can only be determined by a veterinarian.
• Hypokalemia - a complex disease consisting of a lack of potassium. The disease is recognized as hereditary and can manifest itself in a baby if the male and female suffered from this ailment.
• "Greasy tail" - occurs due to the strong secretion of fat from the sebaceous glands that are under the tail. A waxy mass with an unpleasant odor accumulates on the woolen cover of the tail, inflammatory processes occur, the skin turns red and gets wet. In the case of a chronic form of the disease, the tail becomes bald.

When a female turns one year old, she can be mated with a male, but you must definitely miss the first estrus. It is better to start looking for a partner in advance, because it may happen that there is no suitable “groom” nearby. The necessary contacts can be found in the breeding cattery, but be prepared for the fact that you will have to travel to the cat's territory. It is advisable that it was a short-term trip, as the journey negatively affects the mental and physical condition of a pregnant cat.

If you have decided to breed kittens, you must:

• issue documents for a cat, confirming the pedigree;
• get a description of the animal from the club felinologist;
• find a partner;
• conclude an agreement with the owners of the "groom";
• take a document for mating in the club;
• show the cat to the veterinarian, check for vaccinations and treat against parasites;
• be sure to trim your nails to avoid scratching your partner.

Provided that the cat suits you, the female is usually brought to him on the second day after the onset of estrus and left on the cat's territory for 3-8 days. The most ideal time for fertilization will be the second and fourth days. Animals do not need to interfere with mating, everything should happen naturally. If in the morning you notice the calm behavior of the female, which lets the cat close to her and "rolls" on the back on the floor, consider that everything went well.

Pregnancy usually goes smoothly and lasts about 65 days. Childbirth is allowed a little earlier, and a little later (+/- two days). Childbirth ends with the appearance of "astrakhan" kittens from 4 to 5 babies. Babies are weaned from a cat at 2.5 months. As a rule, the owners of the "groom" at the birth of kittens take one baby for themselves, but it may happen that a certain amount in monetary terms will have to be paid for mating.

A Cornish Rex cat is capable of bringing litter 3-4 times a year, but too frequent childbirth is undesirable, because it requires a lot of energy from her. For a cat to bring healthy droppings, she herself must be healthy and have the strength to recover. In order for the female's body to recover, it will be ideal if 1-2 years pass after giving birth.

Considering the feedback from the owners of the Cornish Rex cats, certain conclusions can be drawn:

• Cornish are responsive and do not like to upset their owners;
• they are smart, affectionate, sociable, playful;
• do not shed, their coat is pleasant to the touch;
• love children, docile, devoted;
• kind to others;
• trainable;
• intellectuals.

Disadvantages of Cornish Rex cats according to the owners.

• In the first year of a pet's life in the house, he can get bored with frequent meows, especially if the animal is often left alone (the loyalty of these cats is “off the charts”).
• Can't stand competition in the house.
• Some cats are prone to overeating. Be sure to make sure that your pet does not overeat.
• A specific smell is characteristic (in some individuals, secretion is secreted between the pads of the paws, not everyone may like it).
• Constant craving for warmth (this is due to the fact that the animal is short-haired, in connection with which its body temperature is increased, so the seals have to look for warm places). Such cats are not suitable for a private house and a cold apartment.

With all this, you need to understand that you can meet Cornish Rex, which will not have such negative qualities. All cats are very individual in character, however, there are general characteristics inherent in the breed. For this reason, before purchasing such an animal, it is recommended to think about whether you can come to terms with its imperfections. But here it is necessary to realize that any breed has shortcomings. You should also know that Cornish Rex is more susceptible to disease if it was taken from the hands, and not from the nursery.

It is very important to determine what specific intention you pursue when choosing a cat, what you expect from it in the future (for example, suppose you want to acquire a reliable assistant in the fight against rodents, but this in no way applies to the Cornish Rex breed). For most potential owners, an important point in the process of choosing a cat is its origin.

Of particular importance can be the age of your pet. Some cat lovers believe that buying an adult cat rather than a toddler is considered the best decision. For people who live calmly and measuredly, in some cases it is quite difficult to deal with a kitten, since it must be fed very often, pay more attention, caring for him, because with the restless character of the baby, he will "rush", turning everything upside down, and demolish everything that comes his way.

Mature Cornish Rex are often also characterized by a very cheerful disposition and agility, but nevertheless they are much more balanced than kittens. Of course, if you nevertheless decide to acquire an adult animal, then in the future you will not need to come into conflict with the difficulties of training him to the toilet at all. A pet with a pedigree should be purchased if you intend to really take part in various exhibitions, so that after that you have the opportunity to feel proud of your pet.

For the characteristics of the Cornish Rex cats, see the following video.