Most Selkirk kittens are born curly. When they are about six months old, they lose their curls and grow in sparse, straight coat. Be patient. When they reach maturity, they develop a thick, soft coat that feels like lambswool. Some Selkirk cats have straight coats and can be born in the same litter as kittens with curly coats.Brush the Selkirk’s coat a couple of times a week to remove dead hair and prevent or remove mats or tangles. Ask your cat’s breeder to show you the best technique; otherwise, you may stretch out the curls.The rest is basic care. Trim the nails every week or so, and brush the teeth with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.
The Selkirk Rex has a dense coat that should be combed a couple of times a week to prevent or remove tangles. Selkirks do shed, so regular combing also removes dead hair that would otherwise end up on your clothing or furniture or hacked up as hairballs. Gently running your fingers through his coat will help fluff up the curls, just about the easiest styling you can do.A bath is rarely necessary, but if your Selkirk gets dirty, use a moisturizing shampoo and let him air dry for a few hours in a warm, draft-free place. Using a blow dryer will give him an appearance more like that of a Poodle.Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the corners of the eyes daily with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, Selkirk Rex are very particular about bathroom hygiene.It’s a good idea to keep a Selkirk Rex as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Selkirk Rex who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such an unusual cat without paying for it.
