Californian Rex

Black / seal, blue / slate grey, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red, white, 
All colours are accepted.

Solid / plain, tabby / striped, colourpoint, bicolour, calico, mink / sepia

Mid-length

Blue, aquamarine, golden yellow, green, odd / dichroic

The Californian Rex is slender and slinky, just like their Cornish cousin, although their mid-length fur gives them a rounder and weightier appearance. This fur, free of jar hair, is particularly silky and pleasant to the touch. The coats of this breed are fascinating, coming in all sorts of different patterns and colours. Everything about this cat is svelte, from their vaulted back to their tail, and their legs to their ears and nose. Even their whiskers are long, which sets them apart from their short-haired counterpart, whose whiskers are often shortened.

Reputed for their cuddliness, these cats often seek human company, in order to press up against them and keep themselves warm. Despite their mid-length fur, they love the warmth of human contact.

Their willowy physique makes them good at running, and daily interactive play sessions help to keep them in shape.

This kitty is very capable of being calm once their needs for exercise have been met. They will greatly appreciate being given the option to perch up high and observe their surroundings.

Curious and creative, the Californian Rex will impress with their intelligence. Teaching them a few tricks, like offering their paw or fetching their toy, is an excellent way to stimulate them intellectually while building a flourishing relationship with them.

There are plenty of variations between individuals of the same breed, which can be explained by genetic factors or their life experiences.

Many cats of this breed have well-developed social skills and seek the company of humans and other domestic animals. However, this trait varies a lot from one cat to the next, depending on their life history.

The Californian Rex can prove to be talkative, particularly if you show them some attention while they vocalise!

These felines have a moderate need for exercise, which can be met with individual and interactive play sessions. It’s important to vary their toys to keep them interested.

Since they have no jar fur, California Rexes are less resistant to changes in temperature than other breeds. On that basis, they’re unlikely to stray from the heat of their home… and their family!

Feeding your Californian Rex with interactive bowls will help to satisfy their need for stimulation and manage their appetite.

Cats of this breed usually get along well with other felines. To foster a good relationship between cats sharing a house, you should take the time to present them to one another progressively and offer them an environment that is rich in resources.

A dog-and-cat relationship can become a lovely exchange of playful complicity, as long as the animals are presented to each other gradually, with patience and understanding. A living space that includes high-up hiding places will allow the cat to escape any unwanted interactions.

Supervising encounters with little ones is an excellent way of teaching them a respectful approach to the cat whilst ensuring a good relationship between the two. Children with a good understanding of the Californian Rex’s body language will most likely find them a wonderful friend to share games with.

It goes without saying that anyone adopting a cat must be prepared to meet the varied needs of the animal they are responsible for. That said, the Californian Rex could be well suited to a person who lives a calmer life.

Although their fur is mid-length, they lose little hair, like their cousin the Cornish Rex. Also, the absence of guard hairs and the texture of their fur gives their coat a characteristic softness.

Their life expectancy is on average 12 to 15 years.

Despite their mid-length hair, the general characteristics of their fur make these cats sensitive to cold temperatures. So it’s important to be careful to always keep them warm.

Like other Rexes, they have no particular propensity to being overweight. In any case, it’s recommended to ensure their needs for physical exercise are met on a daily basis to prevent them from harbouring any excess weight.

The Californian Rex can suffer from the same diseases as other domestic cats, like those associated with oral health. But it’s also important to look out for the development of the following conditions:

• Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease that can cause gradual blindness. A genetic screening test is possible.
• Hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a disease that can affect a number of breeds, as well as non-pedigree cats. In time, it can lead to heart failure. A screening test can be done with an echocardiogram, which usually takes place annually. Cats suffering from this disease can receive treatment to alleviate their symptoms.

Pairings are authorised between the Californian Rex and the Cornish Rex.

Litters tend to comprise about 3 kittens.

The Californian Rex was first developed in the US in the 60s, as a long-haired variant of their Cornish Rex cousin. A number of feline associations didn’t recognise the Californian as a breed in their own right, but rather as a distinct variety of the same breed. These cats remain rare and little-known to this day.