Selkirk Rex vs Maine Coon - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Maine Coon cat hails from Maine, USA. It’s a natural cat breed with actually little being known of its exact origins.

In fact, the first reference to the cat seems to have been in about 1861. It was in 1895 that a female Maine Coon was named Best Cat at a cat show held in Madison Square Gardens.

The Cat Fanciers Association was formed in 1908, and the 5th cat registered as a Maine Coon named Molly Bond.

The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968. The cat is also the official state cat of Maine.

The Selkirk Rex originated in the USA in 1987. A host of cats have been used to develop this cat breed – Persians, British Shorthairs, Himalayans, American Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and others.

There was a litter of kittens and the odd one out, one with an unusual coat – was placed with the breeder, Jeri Newman, who bred the cat with a black Persian.

Three Selkirk Rex kittens were born as well as three straight-haired kittens. The cat has been developed with either long- or short coats. The Selkirk Rex cat breed is recognized by various cat associations such as the International Cat Association, the American Cat Fanciers Association in the 1990s as well as the Cat Fanciers Association in 2000.

This is a large cat breed with strong bone structure. They can weigh between 5 and 9kg.

The height of these cats can be in the region of 25 and 41cm and they can reach a length of 97cm, including the tail. The body is muscular and robust with the chest being broad.

When it comes to the cat’s coat, the Maine Coon is characterized by the ruff along its chest. It has a 3-layered, water-resistant coat with longer hairs over a silky undercoat, and a long, bushy tail. The color of the coat can vary but the most common color is brown tabby. . It is medium- to long-haired. It’s a seasonal shedder with the fur being considerably thicker in the winter. All colors are available in this cat except blue.

Temperament:

The Maine Coon is a sociable cat and known for it playfulness as well as it being an intelligent cat and easy to train.

You’ll certainly need to supply the cat with some puzzle toys so as to stimulate his brain. It is also one of these cats known to have dog-like characteristics, becoming attached to its human owners, and being good-natured.

It is a loving cat and is also fairly vocal, wanting to tell its human owners what it wants. It’s not a lap cat. It is a gentle cat and gets on well with children and dogs as well as other cats.

The Selkirk Rex is a medium- to large-sized cat that will weigh between 3 to 6kg. He is a well-built cat of which you get a short- and long coat variety. The coat is available in all colors. The coat has a soft, woolly look to it with some curls.

With the long-haired variety, the cat has a well-plumed tail. One drawback perhaps is that the cat is a fairly heavy shedder, and perhaps wouldn’t be a good choice for those with allergies.

Temperament:

This is a lively, playful, energetic cat with a friendly temperament. Cat experts will tell you that it is the Persian and British Shorthair ancestors that have given him his placid, lovable nature. He is, however, more active than those cat breeds and loves to play.

Tolerant and affectionate, the Selkirk isn't a lap cat. Because he has a sociable nature, he dislikes being left alone for long periods of time.

The Selkirk Rex fits in well with households where there are well-behaved children and other pets. He is such a loving cat and loves to be in the company of his human companions. He isn’t demanding and likes to talk to you in a quiet voice.

Maine Coon cats are such awesome pets and highly entertaining. They're excellent climbers too and to add to their many amazing characteristics, they love playing in water too.

You’ll be doing him a favor by providing him with a paddling pool. They’re so clever, they may even learn to turn a tap on.

He is such a social, friendly, family-loving cat and it's not surprising that he’s a firm favorite with most cat lovers.

When you welcome a Selkirk Rex cat into your home, you’ll have a loving friend and companion.

They love to bask in the attention they get as they’re quite unusual with their wavy to curly coats. People are always wanting to touch it.

The Selkirk Rex cat is an active, playful cat and has a whole lot of love to offer you.

There are certain health problems that seem to occur in this particular cat breed, including hip dysplasia and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint that can cause degeneration of the joints. It can lead to stiffness and pain for your cat and it can be that your cat develops osteoarthritis.

If your cat develops hip dysplasia it won’t want to jump, it becomes lethargic and there may even be muscle loss in the rear legs.

The Selkirk Rex cat, if looked after well and given excellent food can live to be 15, 16, or 17 years of age. Some of these cats can suffer from hair loss. Remember, that every cat will require vaccinations and de-worming.

Kidney Disease:

Chronic kidney failure usually develops over a number of months. Chronic kidney failure in cats is a progressive illness but if you get your cat to the vet it can be managed. The vet will want a sample of your cat's urine and possibly a blood test.

Cat owners need to realize that diet is one of the most important factors of keeping a cat healthy. The Maine Coon needs nutritious food.

Some people give their cat a mix of dry kibble as well as wet food. It is better to feed your pet smaller meals as opposed to large meals. What is very important is that the cat food is of a high-quality and that it be made up of meaty protein as every cat is a carnivore.

Provide your Maine Coon with a litter box and put it in a quiet, private area. It’s a large cat so make sure the litter box is large as well. With a cat you may need to experiment with him to figure out where he prefers his litter box to be.

This is an active cat so ensure that he gets plenty of exercise. Provide him with climbing equipment and stimulating toys. Your Maine Coon might even enjoy going for a walk and for this, you’ll need to get a cat harness.

Every cat likes to scratch – it’s normal behavior. Make sure you have one or two scratching posts with heavy bases set up for your cat otherwise he may direct his scratching on your furniture.

Every cat owner needs to know a good vet in their area so that their pet can get immediate veterinary help when he becomes sick.

Your Maine Coon’s coat is thick – made up of 3 layers. To maintain its silky feel, and to prevent matting, make sure to brush it once or twice a week. Make it an enjoyable, gentle grooming session for your furry pet. Speak to your vet about the right kind of brushes.

Your Selkirk Rex will need to have his fur brushed. You don’t want to brush him too hard every week as this can cause the curls to frizz. Rather use a spray bottle with some cat conditioner and lightly spray the curls and use your fingers to ‘comb’ his hair.

Provide your cat with well-balanced meals. Your Selkirk Rex is a carnivore and you have to ensure that his food is made up of meat. The best commercially manufactured cat foods know how to correctly balance your cat’s food so that it gets the perfect blend of vitamins and minerals. Always choose a good brand of cat food that will meet your cat's nutritional needs. If you’re unsure, you can always ask your vet for suggestions about good quality food that will help towards ensuring good health for your cat.

The cheaper, unknown brands may not have the best ingredients to keep your cat happy and healthy. Remember to read the labels as a growing kitten will require different food to a senior cat.

Provide your Selkirk Rex with a litter box, scratching post, and a climbing tree.

Your kitten will need to be vaccinated to protect him from some of the life-threatening diseases cats can get. Most of the vets these days recommend a combined vaccine, starting at about 8 weeks of age. These vaccines will protect your kitten from Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Parovirus, and cat flu.