We can tell you everything about Cornish Rex

Don’t know much about Cornish Rex? That’s okay – we’ve got you covered! 

Below, we have outlined the most frequently asked questions regarding Cornish Rex and the Matjka Cornish Rex Cattery. If you have a question, but don’t see the answer below – don’t fret! As always, you can reach out to the cattery at info@matjkacornishrex.com or through our social media pages. We’re always happy to answer any questions!


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Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

In Regards to the Cornish Rex Breed and Matjka Cornish Rex Cattery
Answered by Cornish Rex Breeder, Alexis Robertson

1. Are Cornish Rex Cats hypoallergenic?

No. Lesie Lyons, a cat geneticist who operates the University of Missouri’s Feline and Comparative Genetics Laboratory, says hypoallergenic cats are indeed a fallacy.

Allergies do not stem from cat hair; they are reacting to proteins that are in their saliva. Cats then groom themselves by licking, and spread the saliva onto their skin. Skin cells then shed causing dander.

You may think cats are allergy-friendly based off of their coat texture and missing guard hairs but, that’s simply not the case. It is true that some people react better to a cat that has no guard hairs and shed less overall. No reputable breeder will guarantee a hypoallergenic pet. Furthermore, there is no scientific data correlating that any particular cat breed is is more or less allergenic than any other breed.

2. Are Cornish Rex Cats affectionate?

Yes. Honestly, their wonderful temperaments make them so easy to love. At Matjka, we are breeding only the best personalities along with structurally correct conformation. We are very active on social media so give us a like or follow and see for yourself how delightful these little shoulder monkeys really are. You will be surprised if you are new to the breed. Our seasoned owners will be thrilled to see how happy our cats are. This breed usually retains a kitten-like personality well into their senior years. They are very playful and extremely affectionate. They make great companions.

3. Are Cornish Rex vocal?

Only when they are hungry! Matjkas are very non-vocal unless they truly need something. There is no time to waste in their eyes. All of their energy is spent being little acrobats or snugglers

4. Do Cornish Rex shed?

Yes, but very minimally. When I take my hand and pet the cats, nothing really comes off. Every bloodline is different and genetics play a big role in hair growth and development. Our problem is we live with very hairy dogs so we only notice the dog hair first. I think our Roomba vacuum will walk out the front door and abandon us one day.

5. Do Cornish Rex cats need baths?

Do you need a bath? The correct answer is yes. We bathe our cats about twice a month. Trim their nails weekly, and clean their ears twice a month, right after the baths. Cornish Rex have very large satellite ears. They collect a lot of dust and dirt so gently cleaning them with a warm rag is recommended. Never go deep down the ear canal, or you can damage the ear drum. Use gentle movements to only remove what you can see. If you have a bleeding disorder or are elderly, we recommend putting caps on your cats nails to prevent damage to your skin. Some people are highly against this, but it's none of their business. You decide what’s best for you!

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Cornish Rex

6.

Are Cornish Rex Cats aggressive?

No. It's not typical for the breed to be aggressive. Our pride has never turned on one another once fully acclimated to their new home. You will see that once you bring a kitten or adult cat home, having another feline in the house can be quite stressful at first. It does take some time to adjust and have the cats understand that the newbie is not a threat. We encourage a quarantine period for the animals when you bring them home for the first time. This will help for a smooth and peaceful transition into the family.

7.

How much is a Matjka Cornish Rex kitten?

Cost varies from breeder to breeder. We know, as responsible and reputable breeders, what goes into producing healthy and happy kittens. Send us a direct email and we would be happy to discuss how we configured our pricing. We do require a $500.00 USD non-refundable deposit. This ensures the seriousness of the buyer along with providing care for the kittens and the queen before and after birth. Our kittens receive the basics such as vet visits, vaccinations, microchipping, sterilizations prior to leaving our cattery. Then there’s all the stuff the buyer tends to forget, such as genetic testing prior to mating and our time spent caring for these babies so they grow up strong and successful. The kittens will stay at the cattery until 16 weeks of age. That is a long time for a kitten. Most breeders send them away at 10-12 weeks. Think of the food and supplements they will need until then. We offer a health guarantee and even offer money-back if for any reason you can not keep the cat. No questions asked at any point throughout its life. We do not want our cats to end up in shelters or someone’s home that we did not approve of.

8.

Are the Matjka adult cats available for purchase?

From time to time we will have a king or queen available. We are never in a rush to rehome our adult cats, but if the right circumstance and perfect home came along, we wouldn’t say no. Every cat deserves to be loved and adored and sometimes being in a single cat household or a home with fewer cats may be the right call. It depends on the cat's personality and whether or not the stars align.

9.

How much is a kitten from other breeders?

Depends on the breeder, their geographic location, and what they offer along with the sale of the kitten. How old is the kitten when it leaves the cattery? Will it need more vaccines? Will you be paying for the spay or neuter surgery or will the kitten come home already having undergone the operation? What type of care do they give their cats? Do they buy enrichment items? Are they fully prepared for an emergency such as a c-section? Are stocked up on formula? Do they make their own formula? Do they have all the necessary equipment to properly birth, feed, and care for these little angels? It really all depends. We do, however, find our prices to be extremely competitive for what we bring to the table.

10.

Can Cornish Rex Cats go Outside?

Yes, fresh air is a no brainer during the right season howeverrrrr it should be in an enclosed space such as a catio or sunroom. If you want to get adventurous, you can buy a secure butterfly style harness off of Etsy (we have favorited shops under our purrferred products page.) There's nothing worse than having your cat run away and never come home. We urge every buyer to be prepared and always make ‘recess’ a safe and enjoyable experience for the cat. If you are taking the cat outdoors for a walk, please never let any other animals get near the cat such as a neighbor's dog. Dogs can be cordial inside the home, but outside things *cough cough* like your cat, become fair game. Squirrel!

11.

Does Matjka offer Breeding Rights on Kittens?

This is a very big question, but I will try to make the answer as short as I can. Please keep in mind I am not here to deter anyone truly interested in breeding. If I didn’t follow my heart and dreams, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

If you are an established breeder, we would have to have a conversation about your breeding program and I would make a decision based on if I felt it was a good fit for our bloodlines. The kitten would still be sold on a very stringent contract, with detailed terms and conditions.

If you are just starting out and are seriously interested in becoming an ethical breeder, I strongly urge you to take a couple weeks and think through some of the deciding factors. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone. You will need 10-20k minimum to upstart your cattery. What are the cost associated with this upstart? What are the potential unforeseen cost and risk factors? Do you have a lawyer if sh*t hits the fan? How many breeding females will you want to buy? How many males will you have? Spaying and neutering is a must before any kitten is sent to their forever home! What will your contracts consist of for the new pet families and have you looked into animal sales laws in your area? As you can see, the costs are not an exaggeration. It’s not for the faint of heart either. What happens if the queen is having difficulties delivering her litter? What is the average cost of an emergency C-section where you live? What if the kittens can’t latch or the queen doesn’t produce enough milk? Newborn kittens require around the clock care and must be bottle fed every 2-3 hours for the first two weeks. What if the kittens start to fade?  These are just a few scenarios to play out as you think about this commitment. And of course, the breeding kitten from Matjka will be sold on a co-ownership contract and mentor program. Feel free to contact us with any further questions regarding breeding rights and co-ownership. 

12.

What is the best reason to choose a matjka brand cornish rex?

You want to be in the cool kids club don’t you?! All jokes aside, I have put all of me into creating a successful cattery with a great reputation. One that produces exceptional kittens. I would hope that you chose us because you have the confidence in a well-bred purebred Matjka Cornish Rex. With Matjka,  you are getting the very best and I make sure to provide lifelong support, as well. Before taking one of our kittens home, I am careful to develop a relationship with you and make sure I trust you –  just as much as you trust me. I do not fit the mold for a back yard breeder and I do not support mills. My cats will not end up shelters. My contracts provide binding obligations that allow me to sleep at night knowing my cats are always be well taken care of and loved.  

13.

What does a matjka kitten come home with?

A tote of goodies accompanies your new baby to it’s forever home! Your new kitten will come home with individual packets of food from our favorite pet food companies (yes it’s really what we feed our critters) to make a smooth transition into a continued at home diet or if preferred can gradually change the food as to not upset the GI tract. Also, we believe every kitten should be offered reliable pet insurance from the start. Matjka has partnered with Trupanion Pet Insurance to provide our adoptive families with a go home day offer and information packet. You are supplied with all the info you need in order to activate the insurance within 24 hours BEFORE or AFTER taking your kitten home. 

California residents, listen up! Trupanion has graciously waived the enrollment fee, offers immediate coverage with no waiting periods, and allows you to pick the deductible to determine what your premium is. The go-home day offer for residents outside of CA (not including FL) are offered 30 days coverage zero obligation, immediate coverage with no waiting periods, and $250 deductible with no payout limits. Information packets will be supplied about your kittens microchip and an assortment of new toys and whatever else trinkets mom has will be included as well. 

Have more questions? No problem! Reach out to us using the form on our Contact Us page or by emailing the breeder directly at info@matjkacornishrex.com