Curly-haired cats are extremely rare, and this anomaly indicates that the cat is actually missing at least one layer of its natural hair.
Cats have an outer coat of stiff hair called guard hair that protects against the rain. They have a middle, softer layer called awn hair, and they also have a short and soft layer that is called down hair. When one of these layers is missing, a cat may have curly hair. This is a rare occurrence in a single cat, and where it has occurred, it has not always been possible to breed this trait. As such, it is even rarer to find curly-haired cat breeds. With that said, some do exist. In fact, there are four known curly-haired cat breeds, and most of them are in the Rex class.
Curly-haired cats are less prone to shedding and may not shed at all. This has led some to refer to them as being hypoallergenic, and allergy sufferers may turn to these breeds as a means of safely owning a cat without having to endure the symptoms of cat allergies.
The 4 Curly Haired Cat Breeds
1. Selkirk Rex
Image Credit By: athree23, pixabay
The Selkirk Rex is a large cat with a rounded head and robust limbs. It has a long coat and is revered for its teddy bear looks, which includes almost woolen-looking fur. The breed is not known for being particularly affectionate or athletic, but it can have a distinguished and unique look. It should be kept indoors because, among its various traits, it tends to lack energy and enthusiasm. The Selkirk Rex also usually has wavy whiskers, and all cats of this breed can trace their lineage back to a single cat called Miss Depesto.
2. LaPerm
Image Credit By: CC0 Public Domain, pxhere
The LaPerm cat’s coat is short and wavy, and it gives the breed a look as though they have just been woken up. Unlike the Selkirk Rex, the LaPerm is known for being sweet and affectionate with people. They will follow you around, waiting to be noticed, and they crave attention, which they are sure to receive plenty of, thanks to their incredible and unique looks.
They can come in various colors and markings, and they’re available in shorthaired and longhaired varieties, but if you get one as a kitten, be prepared for the fact that their curly hair will disappear after birth before re-emerging when they are about 10 months old.
3. Devon Rex
Image Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock
Known as the pixie cat or the alien cat, thanks to their large ears and slender body, the Devon Rex is a beautiful and distinctive-looking feline. They come from Devon, UK, hence their name, and they are prized for their intelligence as well as their looks.
Their hair is short, and they have big eyes. The curly coat is actually quite fragile, and the breed is prone to over-grooming, leading to areas where the fur has been completely licked away. The Devon Rex is not only affectionate but incredibly playful and will gladly perform tricks if it means that it will get the love of its owner.
4. Cornish Rex
Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock
The Cornish Rex breed comes from Cornwall in the UK, which borders Devon and is another breed that has short and curly hair. In fact, it shares a few physical traits with the Devon Rex because it is slender and has large ears. The Cornish Rex has no guard hair or awn hair and only has a soft undercoat. This soft cat is also similar to the Devon Rex because it not only wants but demands attention and affection from its owner. It’s also an agile and athletic cat and can run and play endlessly.
Curly-Haired Cats
There may be other individual cats with curly hair, but these four are the only known curly-haired cat breeds. Although they are described as being hypoallergenic, there isn’t really such a thing, but because of the lack of one or two layers of fur, owners are less likely to suffer allergic reactions around these cats than around long-haired felines.
If you are looking for truly unique and attractive breeds, these curly-haired cats meet the criteria and more.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
