The Selkirk Rex Longhair is unique and striking with a devoted following. But their distinctive genetics come with health considerations - heart disease, dental issues, and skin conditions need attention.
No breed-specific studies yet - unranked. Missing data is not low risk.
Known risks
Well documented in the breed - but no study has counted how often.
Obesity ~30%
$0.2-0.5k/year Weight management
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All cats No Selkirk Rex-specific obesity data exists. Colliard L, et al. (2009) found roughly 27-30% of cats in French veterinary clinics overweight or obese (J Feline Med Surg) - a general feline baseline, though weight gain compounds this breed's existing joint risks.
Excess body weight accelerates joint wear, raises diabetes risk, and strains the heart - a particular concern for a breed already prone to hip and patella problems. Full profile →
$1.5-5k/year
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All cats No breed-specific HCM prevalence study exists for Selkirk Rex, though its Persian/British Shorthair ancestry are both HCM-prone breeds. Payne JR, et al. (2015) screened 780 apparently healthy cats and found HCM/equivocal changes in 14.7% (J Vet Cardiol) - applied here as the general feline baseline.
Thickened heart muscle that can cause sudden death without warning. This is the most common heart disease across all cats, not a documented Selkirk Rex-specific finding. Full profile →
Dental Disease ~10%
$0.5-2k Cleaning
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All cats No Selkirk Rex-specific dental study exists. Lund EM, et al. (1999) found periodontal disease in roughly 10% of cats examined at US veterinary practices (JAVMA) - a general feline baseline.
Periodontal disease requiring professional cleaning or extractions. A general feline risk, not Selkirk Rex-specific. Full profile →
Polycystic Kidney Disease Confirmed in breed
$1-4k/year
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Confirmed UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists Selkirk Rex by name among breeds appropriate for PKD1 testing, as a Persian-derived breed. No population prevalence study specific to Selkirk Rex was found - responsible breeders confirm both parents are PKD1-negative by DNA test before breeding.
Inherited kidney cysts leading to eventual kidney failure. Persian cats were used in the Selkirk Rex's foundation breeding program, carrying the PKD1 mutation into the gene pool. Full profile →
Hip Dysplasia Documented, not counted
$1.5-4k Diagnosis & management
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Breed study Breed-health sources (PetMD, Embrace Pet Insurance) describe hip dysplasia as a known risk in Selkirk Rex linked to Persian/British Shorthair ancestry. No large-scale prevalence study isolates Selkirk Rex specifically - a 2021 Czech pedigree-cat study of hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (PMC8465978) did not include Selkirk Rex in its sample.
Malformed hip socket causing pain, reduced mobility, and reluctance to jump. Linked to the Selkirk Rex's heavier, cobby body type inherited from Persian and British Shorthair ancestry. Full profile →
Luxating Patella Documented, not counted
$1.5-3.5k Treatment
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Breed study General veterinary sources note patellar luxation is more common in heavier cats, a body type the Selkirk Rex shares with its British Shorthair and Persian ancestors. No Selkirk Rex-specific prevalence data was found.
Kneecap slips out of place causing intermittent lameness and pain, more common in heavier-bodied cats. Full profile →
How we know these numbers
- Confirmed = measured or gene-confirmed specifically in this breed
- Breed study = scientists counted it in this exact breed
- Body type = comes from the cat's build - size, skull, skin
- Genetic risk = the gene is proven, the odds are not
- All cats = an average for all cats, not this breed
- Not measured = nobody has counted it yet
- How we grade evidence →
Red flags
Insurance Traps
Most owners sign a policy based on ads, but learn the real rules only when their first big claim gets denied. We don't want to scare you. We want to prepare you.
Price Explosion Premium creep
Premiums typically rise 15-20% per year. By senior age, your monthly payment can easily be 3x what you started with.
Hostage Status Pre-existing
Once your cat gets a chronic diagnosis, you can't switch insurers. No other company will cover a sick animal.
The Year 6 Rule Age limit
Many companies drastically cut hereditary condition coverage after age 6. Even if you've been paying faithfully since puppyhood.
Symptom = Game Over Pre-existing
The insurer doesn't need a diagnosis. A vet note from years ago saying 'cat limped slightly today' is enough to deny any future orthopedic claim.
Bilateral Exclusion Bilateral
If your cat tears a ligament in one leg, the insurer automatically stops covering the other (healthy) leg too.
AI Claims Adjuster Coverage
Insurers use AI to scan thousands of pages of medical records with one goal: find a 'kill-word' to deny your claim.
Orthopedic Waiting Period Waiting period
Ligament and hip claims often have a 6-12 month waiting period. Any symptom during that window means zero coverage for the rest of your cat's life.
UCR Limits Exclusion
The insurer doesn't pay your actual bill - just the 'usual, customary and reasonable' rate for your region. Go to a top specialist and you pay the difference.
Common Questions
Real answers about costs, treatment, and insurance coverage.
What is the most common health problem in Selkirk Rex Longhairs?
There is no dedicated large-scale health study for Selkirk Rex Longhairs, but the clearest documented risk is Polycystic Kidney Disease, inherited through the Persian ancestry used to found the breed - UC Davis lists Selkirk Rex Longhair by name among breeds appropriate for PKD1 DNA testing. Hip dysplasia and luxating patella are also linked to the breed's heavier, cobby body type. Ask breeders for PKD1 test results and hip screening before buying.
How much does pet insurance cost for a Selkirk Rex Longhair?
Pet insurance premiums for Selkirk Rex Longhairs vary based on age, location, and coverage level. Expect to pay $30-$60/month for a puppy, increasing 15-20% annually. By age 8-10, premiums can reach $100-$200/month. Always compare the actual coverage against the premium - a cheap policy with broad exclusions is worse than no policy at all.
Is pet insurance worth it for a Selkirk Rex Longhair?
Selkirk Rex Longhairs are prone to breed-specific conditions costing thousands to treat. Enroll as a puppy before symptoms appear for genuine financial protection. Read the fine print - check waiting periods, pre-existing condition definitions, and breed-specific exclusions. The workbook helps evaluate whether insurance makes sense for your Selkirk Rex Longhair.
What is the average yearly vet cost for a Selkirk Rex Longhair?
A healthy Selkirk Rex Longhair costs roughly $600-$1,500/year in routine veterinary care (exams, vaccines, preventive medications). With chronic conditions, annual costs jump to $2,500-$5,000+. Senior Selkirk Rex Longhairs with multiple health issues can exceed $6,000-$10,000/year. Breed-specific conditions make financial planning essential from day one.
What pre-existing conditions affect Selkirk Rex Longhair insurance coverage?
Any symptom, sign, or irregularity documented in your Selkirk Rex Longhair's medical records before the policy start date - or during the waiting period - becomes a permanent exclusion. Common flags include any noted lameness, skin issues, eye abnormalities, or digestive problems. Even a casual vet note can be used to deny future claims for related conditions.
Does pet insurance cover polycystic kidney disease in Selkirk Rex Longhairs?
Most policies cover PKD only if your cat showed zero symptoms before enrollment and the diagnosis comes after the waiting period. Because PKD is a well-documented hereditary risk in Persian-derived breeds, some insurers apply hereditary-condition exclusions or sub-limits. Ask breeders for both parents' PKD1 DNA test results before buying, since a clean genetic test can support your case with an insurer.
How much does hip dysplasia treatment cost for a Selkirk Rex Longhair?
Costs range from a few hundred dollars a year for pain management and weight control in mild cases to $1,500-$4,000+ for surgical correction in severe cases. Always get itemized estimates before proceeding and verify insurance coverage. Keeping your cat lean reduces strain on an already-compromised hip joint.
Why does my Selkirk Rex Longhair insurance premium keep going up every year?
Pet insurance premiums increase based on your cat's age, breed risk profile, and regional vet cost inflation. For Selkirk Rex Longhairs, expect 15-20% annual increases with no legal cap. A policy that costs $40/month for a young cat can reach $150-$200/month by senior age. Some insurers offer rate lock options, but read the fine print carefully.
Can I switch pet insurance if my Selkirk Rex Longhair has a diagnosed condition?
You can switch, but any diagnosed condition becomes pre-existing with the new insurer and won't be covered. This effectively locks you into your current insurer for ongoing conditions. Switching only makes sense for coverage of future, unrelated issues. The longer you wait, the more conditions accumulate, and the harder it becomes to switch.
What does pet insurance not cover for Selkirk Rex Longhairs?
Common exclusions include: pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, breeding costs, cosmetic procedures, and preventive care (without a wellness rider). Breed-specific exclusions may apply to hereditary conditions after certain age thresholds. Many policies also exclude behavioral treatments, supplements, and prescription food. Always read the full exclusion list before signing.
Should I get pet insurance or self-insure my Selkirk Rex Longhair?
It depends on your risk profile and finances. If you save $100-$150/month from puppyhood, you'd have $6,000-$9,000 by age 5 with no exclusions or denials. But one early catastrophic event can wipe out your fund. Selkirk Rex Longhairs' health risks make this breed-dependent. The workbook includes a calculator.
What questions should I ask before insuring my Selkirk Rex Longhair?
Ask in writing: (1) How do you define pre-existing conditions? (2) Waiting periods, especially orthopedic? (3) Bilateral exclusion clauses? (4) Premium examples at ages 1, 5, 8, and 10 for a Selkirk Rex Longhair. (5) UCR fee schedule for my zip code? (6) Claims denial rate? If they dodge any question, that's your answer.
Similar cats
My mother-in-law's boxer. Problem. $1,200 in tests, no answers. Another vet solved it with $8 pills. When you're scared, you'll pay anything - and some vets price accordingly. So I built what I couldn't find: real costs, real exclusions, plain language. Not selling policies.
Sources
Research and data used to compile this profile.
- 1 UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD1) test - relevant breeds including Selkirk Rex.
- 2 Pretorius S, et al. The prevalence of feline hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in pedigree cats in the Czech Republic. Vet Med (Praha). 2021.
- 3 Payne JR, Brodbelt DC, Luis Fuentes V. Cardiomyopathy prevalence in 780 apparently healthy cats in rehoming centres (CatScan study). J Vet Cardiol. 2015;17 Suppl 1:S244-57.
- 4 Lund EM, Armstrong PJ, Kirk CA, Kolar LM, Klausner JS. Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999;214(9):1336-41.
- 5 Colliard L, Paragon BM, Lemuet B, Bénet JJ, Blanchard G. Prevalence and risk factors of obesity in an urban population of healthy cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(2):135-40.