Selkirk Rex personality: what life with a curly cat is like

You can spot a Selkirk Rex by its plush curls, but people who live with these cats usually talk about their temperament first. The breed is generally described as calm, patient and deeply attached to its people. Still, this is a typical portrait, not a guarantee: every kitten has its own temperament, and one may want to be in your arms from day one while another prefers to watch quietly from the side.

A well-balanced companion

The American association CFA neatly describes Selkirks as “more interactive than active”. They enjoy play, but they don't race around the flat all day or go looking for adventure on top of the wardrobe. Part of this steadiness is put down to their pedigree: Persian, Exotic and British Shorthair cats, all known for their composure, helped to build the breed.

A typical Selkirk likes to be close by: dozing on the sofa next to you, watching you work, following you into the kitchen. Most have quiet voices and are not inclined to demand attention with loud meowing.

Play, yes, but no marathons

Calm doesn't mean lazy. Selkirk Rex kittens are just as curious and mischievous as any others, and adult cats happily join in a game, especially when a person starts it. Good options include:

• wand toys with feathers or ribbons to “hunt”;
• balls and toys that roll across the floor;
• puzzle toys with treats inside;
• boxes and tunnels for hiding and ambushes.

Two or three short play sessions a day are usually enough to keep the cat fit and stop it putting on extra weight. For sturdy, solidly built Selkirks, who aren't always in a hurry to get moving on their own, this matters all the more.

Children, visitors and other pets

Patience is one of the breed's most valuable traits. Both the CFA and the UK's GCCF note that Selkirks get along well with children and other animals, including friendly dogs. But even the gentlest cat deserves respect, so a few rules help:

• teach children to stroke the cat with an open hand, never to tug its curls or tail;
• pick the kitten up calmly, supporting its hind legs, and don't carry it around like a toy;
• introduce the cat to other pets gradually and under supervision;
• give it a quiet spot where nobody will disturb it.

That curly coat practically begs to be stroked, so kittens that were gently handled from an early age usually grow into real cuddle lovers.

Time alone and the daily rhythm

The Selkirk Rex isn't a cat that mourns every absence dramatically, but it isn't fully independent either. Like most cats, Selkirks are most active in the morning and evening and happily sleep somewhere warm during the day. A typical day might look like this: breakfast and a short game, a long daytime nap, an evening “hunt” for the wand toy and a quiet evening with the family on the sofa.

Most adults cope calmly with a working day alone if there is something to do at home: a scratching post, a bed by a window with a secure screen, a treat toy. Frequent long trips with nobody around, however, are a real test for such a people-oriented cat. If your home is often empty, consider two cats that get along.

Temperament and grooming

A calm nature helps with grooming too. Most Selkirks accept a comb well if they are introduced to it young: short sessions, treats and no force. This matters because longhaired Selkirks need regular combing to prevent mats. In the same way, most Selkirks come to accept a carrier calmly if it stays open at home and is linked with treats rather than only with trips to the vet. More in our article “Selkirk Rex grooming”.

As the kitten grows up it becomes more sensible, but the love of people and cuddles usually stays for life.

Who the Selkirk Rex suits

A Selkirk is a good choice for a family looking for a gentle, calm cat for a home with children or other pets, and willing to share the sofa and plenty of attention. Think about coat length too: a shorthaired Selkirk needs very little grooming time, while a longhair needs a few minutes with a comb on a regular basis. If you dream of a tireless athlete that demands complex games every day, or of a cat that barely needs people, look at other breeds — or at least look very carefully at the personality of the particular kitten.

Before choosing, ask the breeder how the kitten behaves with people and how confident it is. There's more about the breed on the breed page. Look for available Selkirk Rex kittens, and if there are none right now, join the waiting list.