Tennessee rex cat: A guide to one of the newest cat breeds

Despite being nicknamed after a prehistoric beast, the Tennessee Rex or T-Rex cat is anything but ancient. As one of the newest cat breeds to appear in this world, these kitties have entered the cat collection with as much style as they have personality. Known for its unusually beautiful curly fluff, the Tennessee Rex cat is relatively unheard of amongst feline fanatics.

Well, come with us as we go back in time (to 2004) to uncover the fossil records of where the T-Rex cat came from, their quirks and quibbles, and why they might be the world’s next favorite cat breed.

Tennessee Rex cat facts

Origin: Tennessee, United States

Size: Medium to large

Character: Gentle, quiet, affectionate

Coat colors: Most commonly found with red, ginger, and white fur, but can come in any coat color or pattern

Coat texture: Long, curly fur with a satin sheen

Eye colors: Amber, green, orange, yellow

Energy levels: Medium - playful but not super active

Intelligence: High

Lifespan: 12 to 18 years

Hypoallergenic: Nope, these guys shed!

Tennessee Rex cat appearance

Are stunningly gorgeous or silken angels two of the best ways to summarize these purr babies? Their luscious ringlets are as soft as they look and make them appear to sparkle in the sun. Alongside their lion locks, they’re of a medium to large build with angular faces, prominent jowls, and almond-shaped eyes often in shades of green or amber.

Tennessee Rex cat personality

Just when you thought the T-Rex cat couldn’t get any better - not only are they lovely to look at, but they are also very affectionate, calm kitties. With a low prey drive, these cats are happiest chilling and playing with their human than out stalking the local wildlife. They make great lap cats and are ideal for family homes too.

Tennessee Rex cat health

Well, the Tennessee Rex just gets better and better because guess what? They’re not known to have any genetically inherited illnesses or issues. This needs to be taken with a pinch of salt as we only have 20 years of health records to go on, so something could crop up in the future. However, in the present, the Tennessee cat is currently known for good health and a long lifespan of up to 18 years.

What’s the ideal home for a Tennessee Rex cat? 

The T-Rex cat could be adaptable for any type of home, as long as it has enough space and is provided with enough entertainment (especially for indoor cats). Because of their size, small apartment spaces might be a bit too cramped for them and they are happiest if they have some space outside to run around and play.

What’s the ideal human for a Tennessee Rex cat? 

These flexible felines are likely to gel with most humans at any age. Their patience and gentle nature mean they’re great with kids, while their calm and cuddly demeanor means they’re great for those who work from home. As they do thrive on human companionship, parents who are regularly away from home may not be the best option for these sociable kitties.

Tennessee Rex cat grooming 

Despite having the fur to rival the interior of a luxury limousine, the Tennessee Rex doesn’t require a huge amount of maintenance. All long-haired cats need to be brushed several times a week anyway, and this doesn’t differ for the Tennessee cat either. Brushing will prevent matting which will prevent a trip to the groomers.

The history of the Tennessee Rex cat

It may come as no surprise that the story of the T-Rex cat starts down in old Tennessee, USA, in Chattanooga to be exact. Back in 2004, a gentleman by the name of Franklin Whittenburg took in a stray female domestic short-hair cat whom he named Satin Silky. Well, not long after being taken in, Satin Silky gave birth to a litter of cute kittens, including two rather striking-looking males. These two babies had been born with long, curly fur which had a satin sheen to them. Taken aback by their beauty, Franklin Whittenburg made a few phone calls to local breeders and the International Cat Association (TICA), and none had heard of kittens being born like this before.

Franklin kept doing his research and even sent off some DNA samples to find out what breed they were. As it turns out, the two little red kittens had a new mutation that caused this high-quality, satin fur. A new, naturally created breed of cat had been born! 

Getting a Tennessee Rex cat

Now, before we all start keyboard marching to find our own satin baby, don’t be disappointed if you struggle to find Tennessee Rex cat breeders (particularly outside of the US). This breed has only existed for 20 years, and word has yet to spread about these wonderful fuzzballs, so they’re not in high demand either. Basically, they’re rare to come by and hard to find. So, if you’re hoping to adopt from a shelter, chances are low you’ll find one in at a local cattery. But, to quote Justin Bieber, never say never!

If you are lucky enough to come across a genuine and responsible breeder of the T-Rex cat, well it ain’t going to be cheap. In fact, these kitties are so rare the average price for one kitten seems to vary from $3,000 to $100,000 (£2,500 to £95,000)! Let’s just be optimistic (and realistic) and say you’ll be looking at least $3,000 (£2,000) per cat.

On the plus side, their low maintenance health and grooming costs will certainly save those pennies!