Tennessee Rex
Updated July 19, 2026
The Tennessee Rex is a young American breed defined by a naturally occurring recessive coat trait that produces both waves or curls and a reflective satin sheen. Beneath that unusual coat is a medium, athletic, rectangular cat developed from domestic and formerly free-roaming Tennessee cats. Both longhair and shorthair forms are recognized, all colours and patterns are allowed, and the curl can change markedly while a kitten matures. TICA advanced the breed to championship competition on 1 May 2024, but its small population and limited published health data still call for careful, transparent breeding.
Highly affectionate, Social and people-seeking, Curious and involved, Playful and athletic, Often cuddly after activity, Responsive to positive training
8-14 pounds (3.6-6.4 kg)
12-16 years; breed-specific longevity data are not established
At a Glance
Maintenance Level
Affection Level
Energy Level
Good with Kids
Vocalization Level
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About Tennessee Rex
The Tennessee Rex is a young American breed defined by a naturally occurring recessive coat trait that produces both waves or curls and a reflective satin sheen. Beneath that unusual coat is a medium, athletic, rectangular cat developed from domestic and formerly free-roaming Tennessee cats. Both longhair and shorthair forms are recognized, all colours and patterns are allowed, and the curl can change markedly while a kitten matures. TICA advanced the breed to championship competition on 1 May 2024, but its small population and limited published health data still call for careful, transparent breeding.
Coat Length
Medium Hair
Breed Group
Rex
Weight
8-14 pounds (3.6-6.4 kg)
Great For
What Makes Tennessee Rexs Special
Rare American natural-mutation breed first documented in 2004
Satin reflectivity and a wavy-to-curly coat occur together
Medium, rectangular, athletic body rather than an extreme rex outline
Longhair and shorthair varieties in every colour and pattern
Curl can moult out and redevelop while a kitten matures
Generally social, playful, affectionate and family-oriented
Gentle grooming protects fragile hair and whiskers
Small population means health claims require caution and good records
Tennessee Rex History & Origin
The Tennessee Rex began with curly, unusually reflective kittens born in Tennessee in 2004 and brought to the attention of Franklin Whittenburg. Test matings supported a recessively inherited phenotype in which the satin sheen and rex texture appear together. Breeders developed both longhair and shorthair forms while using non-pedigreed domestic cats as approved outcrosses to build a functional, genetically broader population. The breed progressed through TICA's new-breed programme and entered championship competition on 1 May 2024.
The founding coat mutation appeared naturally in Tennessee domestic cats in 2004
Franklin Whittenburg recognized and helped develop the unusual cats
The satin shine and rexed texture are described by TICA as a combined recessive phenotype
Both longhair and shorthair varieties are included in the breed group
TICA granted championship status effective 1 May 2024
Tennessee Rex Characteristics
Individual Variation
Cats are individuals and not all cats, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Grooming Needs
Shedding Level
Tennessee Rex Appearance
A medium, athletic cat with a rectangular torso and moderate boning
The modified-wedge head has broad cheekbones and a distinctive straight profile with a stop
Large, slanted, full almond eyes give an open expression
The coat ranges from tousled waves to curls and shines with a satin-like iridescence
Longhair and shorthair coats, all colours and all patterns are accepted by TICA
Physical Features
Ears
Medium to large, broad and cupped at the base, forward-facing with slightly rounded tips, widely spaced and set upright toward the back of the head.
Eyes
Large, slanted and full almond-shaped, with rich, intense colour preferred according to coat and pattern rather than one mandatory eye colour.
Nose
Medium and straight; in profile the straight bridge changes direction at a definite stop near eye level, forming a parallel relationship with the long, relatively flat forehead.
Coat & Build
Tail
Medium to long and broad at the base; the shorthair standard particularly values a strongly rexed tail, while longhairs carry a plume.
Tennessee Rex Temperament
Rare American natural-mutation breed first documented in 2004
Satin reflectivity and a wavy-to-curly coat occur together
Medium, rectangular, athletic body rather than an extreme rex outline
Longhair and shorthair varieties in every colour and pattern
Curl can moult out and redevelop while a kitten matures
Generally social, playful, affectionate and family-oriented
Gentle grooming protects fragile hair and whiskers
Small population means health claims require caution and good records
Temperament Traits
Good With
Health
No robust peer-reviewed study has established a distinctive disease profile for the Tennessee Rex. TICA's first post-championship breed report said that no health issues had been reported during the 2024-2025 season, but voluntary reports from a rare population cannot prove that a disorder is absent. Health decisions should therefore be based on individual examinations, family records and broad feline preventive care, while breeders preserve diversity through documented domestic outcrosses permitted by the standard.
Common Health Issues
Preventive Care
Schedule at least annual examinations and twice-yearly visits for seniors or cats with chronic concerns. Maintain vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care and identification; monitor weight, skin, coat, appetite, thirst and litter-box habits. Breeders should record health across relatives, use cardiac and other testing when indicated, retain genetic diversity through the approved programme, and avoid claiming the breed is disease-free simply because case numbers are small.
Caring for Your Tennessee Rex
Grooming Requirements
The satin-rex coat is soft and usually manageable, but its wavy whiskers and hairs may be fragile. Groom to remove debris and loose hair without flattening, stretching or breaking the curl. A temporarily straighter or thinner kitten coat can be a normal developmental phase under the TICA standard.
Brushing
Finger-comb or use a wide-tooth comb gently about once weekly, concentrating on friction areas in longhairs. Shorthairs may need only a soft hand polish. Stop if the coat is pulling or breaking, and do not dry-brush out every wave.
Bathing
Bathe only when dirty or oily using a mild cat-safe shampoo. Rinse thoroughly, blot rather than rub, and let the coat air-dry in a warm room so the natural wave can reform.
Eye Care
Remove occasional discharge with a separate soft damp pad for each eye. Redness, squinting, pain, cloudiness or recurring discharge requires veterinary care.
Nail Care
Check every one to two weeks and trim the translucent tip without cutting the quick. Offer sturdy horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces.
Essential Grooming Tools
Exercise & Play
The breed standard describes an athletic, curious, playful and social cat. Most Tennessee Rex cats benefit from active games followed by close family time, although needs vary with age and individual temperament.
Daily Requirements
Provide roughly 30-45 minutes of interactive exercise in several sessions, along with unrestricted access to climbing, scratching and independent play opportunities.
Mental Stimulation
Rotate toys, introduce safe boxes and tunnels, vary food-puzzle difficulty and teach brief reward-based behaviours. A window perch or secure catio provides novelty without free-roaming hazards.
Recommended Activities
Nutrition & Feeding
A Tennessee Rex needs a complete and balanced life-stage diet, not a supplement intended to create curl or shine. Coat quality is supported by overall nutrition and health rather than oils or vitamins added without veterinary guidance.
Daily Amount
Start with the manufacturer's feeding guide, divide a measured daily ration into two or more meals, and adjust according to weight trend, body-condition score, life stage, neuter status and activity with veterinary input.
Special Considerations
Keep fresh water readily available and consider moisture-rich complete food when appropriate. Longhaired cats that swallow more loose hair may benefit from grooming and hydration, not unbalanced hairball remedies. Avoid unrestricted feeding and use therapeutic diets only for diagnosed needs.
Living Environment
Space Requirements
Suitable for an apartment or house when vertical space, hiding places, scratching options and daily play are provided.
Climate Preferences
The coat is present in three hair types but can thin during moulting phases; provide a warm retreat in cold weather and cool shade and water during heat.
Ideal Lifestyle Match
A good match for people seeking a sociable, hands-on companion. The breed should live indoors or use a secure enclosure; introduce respectful children and compatible pets gradually and provide separate resources.
Colors & Patterns
TICA accepts every colour and pattern. The defining visual effect is not a particular pigment but the satin-rex coat, which makes well-developed colours appear glowing, pearlized or iridescent under strong light; this effect is more immediately visible in some colours than others.
Solid Colors
Patterns
Eye Colors
All eye colours appropriate to coat and pattern; intense colour is preferred
Fun Facts About Tennessee Rex
The founding satin-rex phenotype appeared naturally in Tennessee in 2004.
TICA describes the curl and satin shine as expressions of one recessive coat trait.
Its reflective hairs can look pearlized or iridescent in sunlight rather than merely glossy.
Both longhair and shorthair Tennessee Rex cats compete within the breed group.
Kittens can lose visible curl and regain it as the coat matures, sometimes over many months.
Curly or wavy whiskers may be fragile and break without indicating deliberate trimming.
Non-pedigreed domestic longhairs and shorthairs remain permissible TICA outcrosses.
The breed entered TICA championship competition on 1 May 2024.
Training Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Tennessee Rex coat different?
Its defining inherited phenotype combines rexing—mild waves through stronger curls—with satin, a pearlized or iridescent reflectivity that makes colour look especially luminous in good light. TICA describes the two effects as appearing together through a simple recessive trait.
Do Tennessee Rex kittens stay curly from birth?
Not always. Kittens can moult, become woolly or look temporarily straighter before curls return, and coat development can continue for up to about two years. Wavy or fragile whiskers may remain an important clue, but pedigree—not curl alone—establishes breed identity.
Is the Tennessee Rex hypoallergenic?
No cat breed is reliably hypoallergenic. Allergens come mainly from saliva and skin secretions rather than straight hair itself, so a curly coat does not guarantee that an allergic person will tolerate the cat.
Is the Tennessee Rex fully recognized?
TICA advanced both longhair and shorthair Tennessee Rex cats to championship status effective 1 May 2024. Recognition is registry-specific, so this does not mean every international registry accepts the breed.
Does the satin coat require frequent bathing?
Usually not. Gentle combing or hand grooming and bathing only when dirty help protect fragile curls. Frequent degreasing or heavy brushing can dry the skin, break hairs and reduce the natural texture.
Specialized Care Guides
Kitten Care
Expect the coat to change: loss of curl or temporary thinning can be developmentally normal, but itching, redness or illness is not. Choose a breeder who supplies pedigree and health records and keeps kittens with their mother and littermates until socially ready, commonly at least 12-14 weeks. Arrange prompt veterinary care, continue a complete kitten diet and establish gentle coat, claw, carrier and dental routines.
Senior Care
Schedule at least twice-yearly examinations and monitor weight, muscle, teeth, heart, kidneys, mobility and cognition. Changes in coat quality may reflect systemic illness as well as age, so do not assume they are merely part of the rex trait. Provide warm beds, steps and low-entry litter trays as needed.
First-Time Owner Tips
This friendly breed can suit a committed first-time owner, but rarity demands careful breeder verification. Ask for family health information, registration and the rationale for any outcross; learn gentle curl care, measure meals, provide daily active play and budget for routine and emergency veterinary treatment.
Looking for a Tennessee Rex?
Connect with responsible breeders, rescue organizations, and pet adoption services in your area.