German Rex

The German Rex arose in Germany in the middle of the twentieth century, when a cat with a wavy coat was found. The coat is short, soft, wavy and plush, and genetically it is similar to that of the Cornish Rex. The body is medium-sized, sturdy and muscular, and adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms. Little grooming is needed, and stroking suits the coat better than brushing. The breed is rare, so choice is limited, but it is generally described as friendly and playful. Because of its rarity, few detailed descriptions exist, so it is worth talking to a breeder before choosing one. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

German Rex: how old in human years?

2.5–4.5 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Lykoi

FIFe category: Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: GRX
Country of origin: Germany

Energy level

4/5
Playfulness

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 3–4.5 kg

Females 2.5–3.5 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

wavy (short)

Temperament & Family Life

German Rex: average score for sociability and trainability is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Activity & Living Space

German Rex: average score for activity and living space is high.

Energy level 4/5
Playfulness 4/5
Hunting instinct 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5

Personality & Communication

German Rex: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 4/5
Independence 3/5
Vocality 3/5

Grooming & Shedding

German Rex: grooming and shedding demands are low.

Shedding 2/5
Grooming need 2/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the German Rex

The moment a ball comes out of the drawer, your German Rex is sitting beside you waiting for the throw. Its energy lasts well into adulthood, and a curious mind soon works out how a cupboard opens or where the treats are hidden, so puzzle toys and several short games a day suit it better than one long one. A scratching post and a few high spots with a view of the whole room will spare your sofa.

This is a gentle cat that bonds closely with its people: it will happily settle on your lap, and for a short-coated cat a warm blanket or a sunny windowsill is the best seat in the house. It gets on well with children who play calmly and with friendly dogs, while visitors are first inspected from a distance before it decides whether they are worth approaching. It talks in moderation, but it will never forget to tell you the bowl is empty.

A flat suits it perfectly well, as long as there is something to do. It can cope with a working day alone, yet you will come home to a cat that wants your attention right now, so a companion, another playful cat, can brighten its days.

Grooming and coat

Run a hand along a German Rex and your fingers find ripples: the short coat lies not flat but in soft waves, plush as velvet. It sheds little, so long brushing sessions are unnecessary; once a week, a soft brush or a damp palm lifts away the loose hairs. A stiff brush has no business here, since the waves look their best when you mostly leave them alone.

A short coat hides nothing, so a check-over takes a few minutes. Look for clean skin without flakes, tidy ears and no discharge in the corners of the eyes, trim the nails when they need it, and let a vet look at the teeth and gums at the yearly check-up.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 55 g of dry food a day, from €3,13 a month For a neutered, normally active 3,4 kg cat. Calculate for your cat