Selkirk Rex vs Jungle-Bob - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

This hybrid cat is a cross between a Chausie and a Pixie Bob.

What is notable about this cat is that it can have a Bobcat like tail or it can have a full-length tail. They’re a fairly new breed and have been bred since the early 1990s. The whole purpose of breeding the cat was to develop a jungle cat hybrid with a spotted pattern.

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.

These are big cats and can weigh between 6 and 10kg. The leopard-spotted coat comes in all shades – brown, tawny, gold, silver and black with you not likely to see solid shades.

The coat can be short or medium-length. The cats have a thick muzzle and he has hooded eyes. The ears are fairly large and placed high o the head. They’re well muscled with long legs with the hind legs being fairly longer than the front legs

Temperament:

The Jungle-Bob loves his food. He loves interactive toys that hold the food and encourage him to think about how to get the food out.

He loves his human family and bonds strongly with them, loving to play rough and tumble games with the kids. He gets on well with children as well as other pets in the house.

You may find your Jungle-Bob being shy and not wanting to be friendly with strangers. They’re intelligent cats and have been known to learn how to open certain doors and cupboards. They can also be taught to walk on a leash.

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.

Your Jungle-Bob, just like all cats with a wild side, should have a largish outdoor cage. Keeping a hybrid cat like the Jungle-Bob is far more challenging than keeping a regular domesticated cat.

Hybrid cats like these are always active and they require lots of exercise. They can learn to walk on a leash.

Hybrid cats like this are made up of many species and they come with lots of interesting fur patterns. but that shouldn't be your motivation for buying one.

Think carefully before you own one of these cats as they’re beautiful for sure, but sometimes they become too much for the owners and then they land up in shelters. Be informed before you invest in one of these cats.

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.

Even a trip to the vet can be a challenge and it can be a frightening experience for a hybrid cat. They may even need to be sedated before the vet can examine them.

Also, did you know that in terms of rabies, which can be a fatal disease, it is not positive that these vaccines even work with a hybrid cat? So if your pet is exposed to rabies, it could spell great danger for you and your hybrid pet.

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.

Before you invest in one of these hybrid exotic cats do research because they’re different from your regular domestic cats.

Because they have a wild side, they’re not suited to small apartments. Apart from being both an indoor and outdoor cat, he will require a fairly large outdoor cage with one part dedicated to shade and shelter for him.

Even though you will buy your Jungle Bob a litter box for indoors, remember that even though you train your cat to use it, the wild part of the cat means that he will spray and do his business on your carpets or against your furniture as well.

This is precisely why so many cat shelters are full of these cats. They become a handful for their owners, and their owners just hand them in as a bad experience.

A hybrid cat like the Jungle-Bob has a digestive system not quite the same as your regular domestic cat. It is absolutely imperative that these cats receive a meat diet as they are carnivores.

Keeping such a cat as a pet means you will need to invest in high-quality protein foods that sit well with this cat’s digestive system. A good guide for the Jungle Bob-cat is to steer clear of carbohydrates and feed your cat a protein-rich diet.

It is also a wise move to feed your new kitten the food that he has been eating at the breeder and then to make a gradual change to the best food protein there is.

Speak to your vet if in any kind of doubt. There are excellent high protein, high-quality commercial cat foods available on the market that make feeding a cat convenient as well.

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.