Let's talk Devon Rex
“Me and my shadow” is a good summary of life with a Devon Rex. This British breed is all ears and highly affectionate to its humans. Relatively new to the cat scene, having first made an appearance in the mid-twentieth century, the Devon Rex is more than making up for lost time with a playful temperament and lively manner. This feline is the perfect choice for tight-knit families looking to include a cat in their home life.
Official name: Devon Rex
Origins: United Kingdom (England)
| Shedding level |  |
Warm weather? |  |
| Energy Level* | Medium | Family pet?* |  |
| Compatibility with other pets | |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Male
30 - 31 cm
Height
3 - 5 kg
Weight
Female
30 - 31 cm
Height
3 - 5 kg
Weight
| Baby age | Birth to 4 months |
| Puppy age | 4 to 12 months |
| Adult age | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age | 7 to 12 years |
| Senior age | From 12 years |
Relatively new to the cat scene, having first made an appearance in the mid-twentieth century
1/7
Get to know the Devon Rex
All you need to know about the breed
Bat-like ears, wide eyes, and a diminutive stature all add up to make the Devon Rex a cutie pie in the looks department. However, this small-to-medium-sized feline should not be written off as just a pretty face. They’re highly intelligent and capable of learning new tricks, and more than content to keep themselves busy with an interactive toy or puzzle.
When not working the brain cells, the Devon Rex likes to stay close to its humans at all times, preferably perched on their shoulder (yes, you read that right) so they can witness the action as it unfolds. This feline is not so much a lap cat but a full-on body hugger, which some might find a tad clingy. But we just think it’s adorable. In short, the Devon Rex doesn't do well when left alone for long periods of time.
With plenty of energy to go around, but not so much as to completely wear you out, the Devon Rex makes for a great playmate to small children, as well as other household pets that have been responsibly trained. They have been known to chirp with pleasure and wag their tail when having a particularly swell time of it!
The breed does equally well in the countryside and the city. However, their fine fur makes the Devon Rex sensitive to the cold, so they’ll require a feline jumper (or two) if they’re playing outside during autumn and winter.
A laid-back, affectionate and well-adjusted breed with a sound constitution, the Devon Rex will shower you with all the devotion you need - and then some - during your long lives together.
2/7
2 facts about Devon Rex
1. Curly Sue
And not necessarily in that order. But that’s what training is for. There are plenty of great Labrador puppy training videos on the internet - and great trainers locally. The playing helps keep your Labrador in great shape and prevents him from getting bored. You’ve got this!
2. A bottomless stomach
Despite their slender stature, the Devon Rex will always try to find more food to eat, wherever, whenever. They may even try to take a seat at the dinner table and expect a plate of human food - but nip this in the bud, and quickly. Keep a close eye on your Devon Rex to make sure they don’t become overweight, so as to stay trim and maintain their muscular form. Especially if they are neutered, which is recommended for all domestic cats.
3/7
History of the breed
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the Devon Rex is a happy accident of cat breeding. Set against the bucolic backdrop of the Devonshire countryside, the breed unexpectedly made its first appearance in the 1960s when a curly-coated kitten stood out from the rest of the litter. Named Kirlee as a nod to her distinctive wavy coat, it was first believed that she was part of the Cornish Rex breed. However, as a result of several formal breeding attempts, it was confirmed that the Devon Rex was a unique feline breed.
By 1968, the breed had already been taken to the US and received official recognition from The Cat Fancier’s Association in 1979. From such humble beginnings - to Hollywood? It is heavily rumoured that Steven Spielberg was inspired by the Devon Rex cat when it came to creating well-known characters such as Yoda and E.T
Today the Devon Rex remains a rare sighting, especially outside of the U.K., but they’re a real head-turner of a breed.
4/7
From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Devon Rex
1. الأذنان
آذان مرنة ولكن ليست ثقيلة تتدلى بجانب رأس الكلب
2. الشعر
شعر قصير وكثيف فوق طبقة سفلية مقاومة للماء
3. الفراء
فراء يتراوح بين الأسود إلى لون الشوكولاتة أو الأصفر، ومن الكريمي الفاتح إلى المحمر
4. الذيل
ذيل منتصب وهو بطبيعته طويل ونادرًا ما يتوقف عن الاهتزاز – والجسم كله يمكن يهتز في بعض الأحيان.
5. الساقان والعمود الفقري
متناسب بشكل جيد، مع توازن جيد بين طول الساق والعمود الفقري.
This feline is the perfect choice for tight-knit families looking to include a cat in their home life
5/7
Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Devon Rex
Bald spot
Compared to most other felines, the Devon Rex has a finer coat, which makes them sensitive to the cold. But some Devon Rex cats have been known to have less fur, due to a hereditary recessive gene known as hypotricotic. As of yet, there’s no medical treatment available for the condition, but have a chat with your vet about your Devon Rex’s body temperature, which may need to be regulated through diet.
Kneecap issues
The Devon Rex is one of several breeds to be prone to luxating patella, which causes the knee joint to occasionally pop out of place. Walking, running, and jumping can become painful for your Devon Rex, which is a bit of a bummer for such an active breed. If you notice that your Devon Rex has acquired a limp, schedule a vet appointment right away. They’ll take an X-Ray to determine the best-suited treatment - the good news is that there are several therapeutic options available.
This feline is not so much a lap cat but a full-on body hugger, which some might find a tad clingy
6/7
Caring for your Devon Rex
Grooming, training and exercise tips
The Devon Rex is low-key when it comes to grooming. Avoid brushing, which will break their fragile fur, and instead give your Devon Rex a gentle stroke to evenly disperse the natural oils throughout their coat. Their teeth require a daily brush but if this proves tricky, seek regular veterinary dental care (descaling and polishing), as well as use of special dental kibble. Be sure to clean their ears on a weekly basis - the Rex breeds are more susceptible to regular build-up of waxy deposits. For exercise, just get their brain cells working and you’ll have a fulfilled Devon Rex cat. Especially if you play along with them, as the breed tends to form a tight bond with their humans! Apply the same logic to training your Devon Rex - turn it into a game and use lots of positive reinforcement, which will result in a well-behaved feline.
All about Devon Rex
Yes, the Devon Rex is a sociable breed, so they tend to get on well with other cats and dogs. Early socialisation will help your Devon Rex to feel comfortable in the presence of other animals, and training will make sure that every pet of the household behaves respectfully. Rabbits and rodents however are not a good match, due to the prey drive of the Devon Rex - the temptation is just too strong, even for the most well behaved feline!
Read more on this topic
How your cat's diet affects its skin health
My cat is losing its hair
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/