The German Rex is a natural cat breed cat, which means they developed without the need for human intervention. These felines are known for being affectionate, loyal, and playful.
You may find these cats in shelters and rescues, so remember to adopt! Don’t shop if you’re looking to add one of these kitties to your home!
Cats of the German Rex breed make excellent companions. They’re tolerant of humans and other animals alike, and their strong social side means that they’ll instantly fit in with your family. They’re also smart kitties, so ensure that you’ll be able to provide enough time and interaction to keep the cat satisfied and happy.
CatTime recommends this interactive cat toy and scratcher to keep your smart German Rex busy. You should also pick up this comfy, medium cat carrier for traveling with your furry friend!
See all German Rex cat breed characteristics below!
German Rex Cat Breed Pictures
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Affectionate with Family
Some cat breeds are typically independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since kittenhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; cats who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
See Cats Less Affectionate with Family -
Amount of Shedding
If you’re going to share your home with a cat, you’ll need to deal with some level of cat hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary among the breeds. If you’re a neatnik, you’ll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. This furniture cover can make it easier to clean up cat hair and keep it off your sofa!
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General Health
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This doesn’t mean that every cat of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they’re at an increased risk. If you’re looking only for purebred cats or kittens, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in.
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Potential for Playfulness
Some cats are perpetual kittens—full of energy and mischief—while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful kitten sounds endearing, consider how many games of chase the mouse-toy you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other animals who can stand in as playmates. A classic wand cat toy like this one is perfect for playful felines!
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Tendency to Vocalize
Some breeds sound off more often than others with meows, yowls, and chattering. When choosing a breed, think about how the cat vocalizes and how often. If constant “conversation” drives you crazy, consider a kitty less likely to chat.
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Kid-Friendly
Being tolerant of children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a nonchalant attitude toward running, screaming youngsters are all traits that make a kid-friendly cat. Our ratings are generalizations, and they’re not a guarantee of how any breed or individual cat will behave; cats from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences and personality.
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Friendly Toward Strangers
Stranger-friendly cats will greet guests with a curious glance or a playful approach; others are shy or indifferent, perhaps even hiding under furniture or skedaddling to another room. However, no matter what the breed, a cat who was exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a kitten will respond better to strangers as an adult.
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Easy to Groom
Some breeds require very little in the way of grooming; others require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a cat who needs daily brushing. You should definitely pick up this awesome de-shedding tool for cats of any hair length!
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Intelligence
Some cat breeds are reputed to be smarter than others. But all cats, if deprived the mental stimulation they need, will make their own busy work. Interactive cat toys are a good way to give a cat a brain workout and keep them out of mischief. This scratcher cat toy can keep your smart kitty busy even when you’re not home!
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Pet Friendly
Friendliness toward other household animals and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home.
History
The German Rex has mysterious roots. Back in the 1940s, a cat with wavy hair was discovered living in the basement of a hospital in East Germany. She was named Laemmchen, and eventually her litters became the basis for the German Rex breed.
However, the German Rex cat is much rarer to come across than the genetically similar Cornish Rex.
The German Rex is officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline.
These days, you may find the German Rex breed in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the cat for you!
Size
The German Rex is a small- to medium-sized cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.
Most German Rex cats weigh in at five to eight pounds. Some cats can be smaller or larger than the average for their breed.
Personality
In general you can expect the German Rex to be a very active and very loving cat. You’ll definitely need to be willing to provide your German Rex with a lot of attention, whether that’s instigating play times or letting the cat come and snuggle up to you on the couch or in bed.
This cat will form a very strong bond with the humans in their life, and they also enjoy being picked up and handled. But it’s important to underscore that you’ll definitely need to be very involved in this breed’s life on a day to day basis. This is a smart feline that will happily learn to play fetch and will love solving problems to secure treats.
If you’re away from the home for long periods of the day, the German Rex might not be the ideal cat breed for you. But if you can commit to lavishing your cat with attention, you’ll have a perfect feline companion.
Health
German Rexes are generally considered to be healthy cats. As always, it’s important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet.
There aren’t any breed specific health problems associated with the German Rex, but always keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be in distress or pain.
Care
As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your German Rex’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.
Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, make sure that you pick up a scratching post for your German Rex’s living environment. This can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition. The German Rex is an active and athletic cat, so it’s imperative that their nails are kept in tip-top shape.
The breed’s ears should also be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. Talk to your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regimen that will suit your German Rex. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques.
Coat Color And Grooming
The German Rex cat can be found in a very large range of colors; although versions based around black, white, chocolate, and fawn are common. The breed also comes in a wide array of patterns, including tabby, calico, smoke, and bicolor.
When it comes to grooming, most German Rex cats are fine with weekly brushing sessions. This will help lessen the likelihood of hairballs and mats forming. Although as a breed with wavy hair, the German Rex often doesn’t naturally produce enough oil to maintain healthy skin and hair, so you’ll need to give the cat regular baths to prevent them from feeling greasy or suffering from skin irritations.
In terms of climate, the German Rex is generally an adaptable breed of cat, although they favor warmer temperatures. You should also always make sure that there’s enough shade and fresh water available during the hotter months.
Children And Other Pets
The German Rex goes great with young kids. They’ll become best friends and instant play buddies. Just make sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides, and supervise interactions between kids and cats.
When it comes to other household pets, the good-natured German Rex fares well with many domestic animals. But again, always supervise playtime between the new cat and existing pets, especially smaller ones who might be seen as prey by the cat.
Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this breed. Make sure to reward your German Rex for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!
Rescue Groups
It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for German Rex cats. However, you may want to try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including German Rex cats, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:
You can also try CatTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code!
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