Rex cat Medium size 3-6 kg

Ural Rex

A rare curly-coated cat with a gentle, affectionate nature - easy to keep and adaptable to family life.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
3-6 kg, 20-25 cm
Moderate
Activity
Playful but calm
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Social, fairly adaptable
Moderate
Handling
Cooperative and gentle
Low
Coat care
Wavy coat, weekly brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle with children
Good
Other pets
Sociable with other pets
Light
Health burden
Generally healthy breed

The Ural Rex typically weighs 3-6 kg, stands 20-25 cm, and lives 13-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a gentle, affectionate cat with an unusual curly coat,
you like a calm, adaptable breed that fits family life easily,
you accept the rarity - finding one means patience and travel,
you want a relatively low-maintenance, healthy companion.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a common breed that is easy to find locally,
you expect a highly active, demanding cat,
the home is empty long days with no companionship,
you cannot budget for importing or a long breeder waitlist.

A typical day with a Ural Rex

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Gentle greeting, ready for breakfast
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Quiet exploring or a warm sunny nap
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Rests near its people
  4. 17:00 · Afternoon
    Relaxed play with toys
  5. 19:30 · Evening
    Lap time and calm affection
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Curls up to sleep beside the family

Temperament and training

Sociability High
Tolerance of handling High
Playfulness Moderate
Vocality Low
Independence Moderate
Hunting drive Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Over-bathing or over-brushing a delicate curly coat · Assuming a calm cat needs no play or enrichment at all · Buying from an unverified source given how rare the breed is

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and patient with respectful children.
Other cats Good
Sociable and usually accepts feline company.
Dogs Good
Fine with calm, cat-friendly dogs.
Apartment Ideal
Content indoors as a calm companion.
Seniors Great fit
Affectionate, quiet and easy to handle.
First cat Great fit
Easygoing and forgiving of beginners, if you can find one.
Busy household Conditional
Adaptable, but appreciates company on long days.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) Thickening of the heart muscle; genetic screening exists for some lines
Dental disease Plaque and gum inflammation; routine dental care helps
Obesity Weight gain from overfeeding and low activity; managed by diet
Coat and skin sensitivity The rex coat can be delicate; avoid over-bathing

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Curly-coated rex breed with a friendly, active nature
Cornish Rex
A playful, warm-seeking cat with a soft wavy coat and low shedding - very people-focused and not fond of being left alone.
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Wavy-coated rex, playful and people-oriented
Devon Rex
A mischievous, people-obsessed pixie of a cat with a soft wavy coat - endlessly playful but really dislikes being left alone.
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Another naturally curly-coated rex breed
German Rex
A gentle, playful curly-coated cat with an even temper - easygoing and low-shedding, a good fit for calm households.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Ural Rex cost in the US?
The Ural Rex is one of the rarest cat breeds, with very few breeders worldwide, so US availability is extremely limited and usually means importing from Russia or Europe with long waitlists. When available, kittens can run well over $1,500-$3,000, and lifetime care typically adds $10,000-$18,000 or more.
What makes the Ural Rex different from other rex cats?
It carries its own recessive gene for the curly coat, separate from the Cornish and Devon Rex mutations, and is prized for a dense, springy wave. Beyond the coat, it is known for a calm, gentle and affectionate temperament. Reliable breed-specific data is limited given how few exist.
Is the Ural Rex easy to care for?
Generally yes. The wavy coat needs only light, occasional brushing and does not require frequent bathing, so grooming is undemanding. The breed is reported to be healthy and even-tempered, though its rarity means long-term health data is thin.
Is the Ural Rex hard to find?
Very. This is an exceptionally rare breed maintained by a small number of dedicated breeders, mostly in Russia. Expect to join a waitlist, travel or arrange an import, and to verify any breeder carefully given how scarce genuine Ural Rex cats are.