Losing a cornish rex close to your heart and already considered a family member is what all pet owners wanted to avoid in this life. If you have a Cornish Rex in your home, then you might probably wonder how long it will take for this breed to live.
You have 11 to 12 years to be with your cornish rex, and if your cat is healthy, it could flawlessly meow its way up to its 15th year.
There are cases for this breed that surpassed their twenties. However, it was rare and it is still safe to expect an average of 11-12 years life expectancy for any cornish rex. This article will give you ideas on how you could properly take care of your curly-coated pets prolonging life to be with you and your family.
How can I tell my Cornish rex age?
One of the obvious signs that your Cornish Rex cat is aging is when its movement gets slower than the way it used to. Cornish Rex is regarded as elderly once they have reached 11 to 12 years of age.
Here is a sample chart you can identify in which stage your Cat is.
Cornish Rex is known for its personality trait of being an active and playful cat breed. If you are with your Cornish since it is a kitten until its body changes and gain pounds, then you can, without doubt, identify if your Cat is slower and always sleeping.
It will be harder for them to move, and they no longer want to play. Getting up from a lying position will be a challenge for them. Aging cornish Rex will prefer sleeping for hours, and the clinginess to be with people reduces.
Additional signs that for your aging Cornish is its sensitivity to noise or problems with vocalizing. They could show aggressiveness, disorientation, and separation anxiety whenever you are leaving.
Is your Cornish Rex getting Slower?
If yes, then your cat is getting older. However, do not take this lightly as reduced mobility for Cornish also means ailments that need to be treated.
Here are the following signs that you’re Cornish might need to be treated:
- Drastic change in Weight
- No Appetite
- With appetite but not gaining weight
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Always thirsty without doing anything
- Shortness of breath after doing minimal movement
- Breathing Noises
- Cough
- Lumps & Bumps on the body
- Vision and hearing difficulties
- Difficulty getting up
It is recommended to consult your nearest vet doctor to identify the cause of your cat’s slow mobility.
Cornish Rex Origin
The unusual appearance of Cornish rex is recognizable due to its curly coat, slender body, egg-shaped head, big ears, and long-legged features. This was a result of mutation first recognized in England.
Cornish Rex came from the litter of kittens born in the 1950s on the farm of Cornwall, Uk. This cat breed is a genetic mutation discovered by its owner due to its unique curly hair, resembling its coat to a lamb. Kallibunker, a male cream-colored and the only curly kitten produced by its mother, was brought to a veterinarian. This veterinarian recognized a rare occurrence of natural mutation for Kallibunker.
Mrs. Ennismore, owner of Kallibunker, was advised by the vet to visit a geneticist named A.C Jude. It was then discovered a genuine mutation of Kallibunker and he then suggested for Kallibunker to be bred back to its mother to carry on the sleek appearance. As expected, it resulted in 2 other curly-coated kittens. A further test was made and the cats with curly coat type were bred to Burmese, Siamese, and British domestic Shorthairs. The mutation leads to the conclusion that curly cats contain a recessive gene.
From then on, many tests have been made and Mrs. Ennismore even allowed 2 curly-coated cats to be brought to the US for breeding. Thus, the mutation of cornish rex continued up to this day.
Common Health Issues of Cornish Rex
There is no hereditary or genetic health issue for cornish cats. However, it does not mean that it will not befall on general cat health problems known to its breed.
1. Skin
Cornish cats have a light coat and they don’t have an outer coat like other cat breeds. This will cause a greater chance of skin diseases for cornish cats than cats that do have thicker coats.
- No Cold or Hot weather-cornish cats are prone to burns when exposed to heat. This is similar to cold weather, as it also gets cold easily. They will not survive this temperature because of the coat type they had.
- Seborrhea – cornish cats will also develop this skin irritation. This will produce sebum on your cat’s skin and will cause dandruff and skin to flake off. Cats that have seborrhea will have a foul odor.
2. Hair
Cats that have unusual coat patterns like Cornish Rex, Persian & Devon Rex are susceptible to hair loss because of their unique hair coat.
- Alopecia- due to its lack of guard hairs, the cornish rex will continually suffer from hair loss. This type of Cat does not have LARS6 protein causing the hair to break off easily and create bald spots on its soft coat.
3. Ears
Cats that are white and have blue eyes, either one or both of its eyes, are born deaf. The reason for this is the white coat gene that this white cat carries.
- Deafness- cornish cats that have a white coat color will likely carry a white coat gene causing deafness to these cats. It can be passed on to its kittens when the cat being bred contains a white coat gene.
4. Heart
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) or the thickening of the heart muscle is usual in cats. It will cause slow and difficult breathing to cornish rex cats that suffer from this disease.
It’s one of the reasons why your cat easily gets tired and shows changes in its movement. You can visit an echocardiogram which can confirm if you’re cornish rex is having an HCM. This disease can cause death if left untreated.
5. Knees
- Patellar Luxation can occur naturally in cats, this is the condition in which the patella (knee cap) slips from its original position. A cornish rex cat that has an injury will most likely experience this condition. If not injured, then somehow they can experience it because of its close relation to devon rex. A study in Istanbul University identifies Devon Rex, British Shorthair, and Siamese Cats as most common to patellar luxation.
Keeping Your Cornish Rex Healthy
Cornish Rex is full of personality that makes them a suitable choice for a family. They are people-oriented, intelligent, and active. Enable for you to prolong its life and avoid serious health problems they need to be taken care of properly. Just like humans, they need proper food, exercise, water, and a proper home.
What can you do to keep a Cornish Rex Healthy?
The basic thing to do to keep your cornish as healthy as possible is by providing the right food. Research what’s suitable for your cats’ age and preference. It is important to note the nutrients your cat will be getting from giving them their daily food.
In terms of the frequency of feeding them, you can allow them to nibble food 10-15 times a day. Closely watch their diet as they tend to get obese. Nevertheless, Cornish are great eaters without getting fat, this is because they like to play and run all the time.
Similar to providing healthy food, cornish cats need to be hydrated all the time. Regularly provide water alongside its food.
A proper home when cats are not allowed inside or a proper sleeping spot for cornish rex is important. They are those cats that need a sweater during the winter season. Strictly don’t allow these cats to roam outside during summer because they burn easily due to their thin coating.
Cornish Rex is a playful and curious cat. They love to play and be with people. When they have found something interesting they will play with it. Thus, keeping your cat happy is also keeping them emotionally healthy.
Due to Cornish nature, spending time with them is a must. They are very people-oriented and want to play and fetch toys. They can’t be alone for a long period, it’s best to provide a playmate to keep cornish entertained.
To maintain the coat and to avoid excessive burns on your cornish rex, apply sunscreen that is cat safe and effective.
Once a year consultation with the vet is essential. This will determine the current condition of your cornish rex. Also, your cornish needs to be vaccinated once a year against rabies, distemper, herpesvirus, and calicivirus.
There’s no problem in exercising your cornish rex cat because they are active. However, if your cornish is older then you must initiate an exercise to keep them moving and to slow down the risk of illnesses.
Facts about Cornish Rex
- Cornish Rex is curly-coated cats even to its whiskers and eyelashes.
- The Cornish King, because Rex is Latin for “king”
- Considered greyhound because of its arch body tiny waist narrow head and long leg.
- Dog like personality, cornish cats can fetch and play like a dog.
There is no other way to keep your Cornish Rex longer other than keeping it healthy and happy. As a pet owner, you have to be responsible so that accidents will not occur that might cost you your cat. If ever you feel that the time is near, go through the process with your cat and make peace with the fact that either or, a time will arrive that they have to leave.
