Can a Selkirk Rex keep those sheepy curls without turning grooming into a frizz project?

Short answer: yes, but only if you’re willing to stay ahead of the tangles. Selkirk Rex coats are plush and loose-curled, which means they mat easily if ignored-especially behind the ears, under the armpits, and along the belly. I’ve found that a weekly finger-combing (not a brush, which can break the curl pattern) with a wide-tooth metal comb or just your hands works best. Avoid over-bathing; it strips natural oils and turns the coat into a frizzy mess. A monthly wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually enough unless she gets into something sticky. The key is to start the routine early, when she’s a kitten, so she tolerates it without a fight. I’ve seen too many owners give up because they waited until mats formed-then it’s a miserable shave-down for everyone involved.

A weekly grooming session with a boar bristle brush or a very soft slicker brush actually helps define the curl, not flatten it. The key is to work in small sections, lifting the fur upward and outward rather than dragging it flat. Over-bathing is the real enemy of curl-it strips natural oils and creates frizz. I recommend a dry shampoo or waterless foam in between baths, and only a full wash every six to eight weeks. A damp chamois cloth wiped over the coat after brushing also helps reset the curl pattern without water damage.