Devon Rex:   Origin, Temperament, Cost, Care, Facts

Imagine how it will make you feel to gaze into your cherished cat’s deep eyes. Those who already own a Devon Rex cat are familiar with this emotion. This particular breed of cat has expressive eyes that have the power to instantly win someone over.

Cats of the Devon Rex breed are friendly, playful, and intelligent. These cats also have striking features, such as their unusually curly coats, elfin ears, and big, expressive eyes. They make excellent companions, so they are ideal for those with gregarious dispositions. These cats never hesitate to make friends, whether they are humans or other pets.

Devon Rex might be a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a cat that shares your personality! I’ll be providing comprehensive information about the Devon Rex cat breed in this blog today. I’ve covered everything, including its temperament, history, cost, and maintenance advice. Decide if this cat breed is right for your family by reading through to the end!

Devon Rex Overview

Origin:  United Kingdom

Other names:  Alien cat, poodle cat, and pixie cat

Height:  10 to 12 inches

Weight:  6 to 9 pounds

Lifespan: 9 to 15 years

Coat: Short

Coat colors: Black, brown, gray, silver

Temperament: Affectionate, Mischievous, and extroverted

Diet:  Omnivore

Needs for Grooming: Low

Hypoallergenic: Yes

Associations:  CFA, ACFA, and TICA

Let’s now examine this cat breed’s appearance and history in order to gain a better understanding of it.

History 

What is a Devon Rex cat? 

  • A woman by the name of Beryl Cox discovered the first Devon Rex in 1959 in the Devonshire region of England.
  • After finding a unique kitten with a curly coat, she gave it the name “Kirlee.”
  • She attempted to breed Kirlee with a female Cornish Rex cat after a while. This was an abject failure, though, because the kittens’ coats were all straight from birth.
  • Beryl created a more focused breed programme to save this cat after realising this.
  • The Devon Cox breed was initially brought to the United States in 1968, and several organisations, including the Cat Fanciers’ Association, officially recognised it in 1979.
  • These days, this cat breed is among the most widely used as pets worldwide.

Appearance 

What does a Devon Rex cat look like? 

  • As you can see, the Devon Rex breed is unique in appearance due to crossbreeding with multiple breeds, including Siamese, Cornish Rex, and British Shorthairs.
  • This feline has an exquisite and endearing appearance due to the various combinations of her genetic features.
  • These cats have an alien appearance with their large eyes, high cheekbones, and low-set, rounded ears.
  • They also have powerful, athletic legs and a lean, muscular body.

FUN FACT

Devon Rex is also known as Pixie Cats because they have big eyes, elfin ears, and short, curly coats, making them look like they came out of a Disney movie. 

How big do Devon Rex cats get?

Here is the Pixie Cat general height and weight chart for your reference: 

Age (weeks)Height (in)Weight (lbs)
040.5
461.5
882.5
1293.5
16104.5
20115.5
24126.5
28127.5
32128.5
36128.5
40128.5
44128.5
48128.5
52128.5

Coat Colors

  • These cats’ short coats will be a relief to those who are allergic to or do not own cat fur.
  • These felines have short, lustrous coats that are simple to keep clean.
  • The best part, though, is that you can get these gorgeous cats in practically any colour you could want for their coat.

These cats are commonly available in coat colors such as: 

  • Brown
  • Blue
  • Chocolate
  • White
  • Cream 
  • Tan
  • Orange
  • Lavender
  • Red

NOTE :

Devon Rex’s coat is short but fragile, with less guard hair. This is why these felines can be prone to bald spots and whisker breakage. 

Characteristics and Temperament

Do you love to be around a talkative cat? 

If yes, you’ll love this poodle cat! 

  • Despite their diminutive stature, these cats have quite distinct personalities.
  • These intelligent, gregarious, and extremely spirited cats are constantly seeking attention.
  • For this reason, they instantly form a close relationship with their humans and end up being their best friends.
  • This indicates that these cats are a great option for families because of their generally excellent temperament and good behaviour around kids and other pets.
  • These cats can’t be left alone for an extended period of time, though, because they have separation anxiety.

Here is the characteristics table for the Devon Rex cat:

Devon Rex Characteristics

Affection LevelHigh
FriendlinessHigh
Kid-FriendlyHigh
Pet-FriendlyHigh
PlayfulnessHigh
Energy LevelHigh
IntelligenceHigh
Tendency to VocalizeMedium
Amount of SheddingLow

Health and Nutrition

Are Devon Rex healthy breeds? 

No, the cat breed is entirely healthy; similarly, Devon Rex also suffers from a few health issues, including:

  • Patellar luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

In addition to these, poodle cats can occasionally be susceptible to a disorder called Devon Rex Myopathy, which causes muscle weakness primarily in the head and neck. For this reason, routine veterinary examinations are essential to maintaining the health of your cherished companion.

  • Providing your cat with a nutritious food is another essential action you should take. Despite their diminutive appearance, you probably believe that these cats require a light diet, but that isn’t the case at all.
  • This breed is extremely gregarious and will stop at nothing to get their owners to give them more goodies.
  • For this reason, it’s critical to understand what kind of food and how much to feed your cats.
  • Always feed premium cat food made especially for active breeds to your feline companion.
  • A diet plan tailored to your cat’s age, activity level, and overall health can also be created in consultation with your veterinarian.

So, how much should you feed the Devon Rex cat?

AgeFeeding AmountFrequencyFood Type
Kitten (0-4 months)1/4 cup dry food or 1/2 can wet food3-4 times per dayKitten food
Kitten (5-8 months)1/2 cup dry food or 1 can wet food3-4 times per dayKitten food
Kitten (9-12 months)3/4 cup dry food or 1-1.5 cans wet food3 times per dayKitten food
Adult (1-7 years)1 cup dry food or 2 cans wet food2 times per dayHigh-quality adult cat food
Senior (8+ years)3/4 cup dry food or 1.5 cans wet food2 times per daySenior cat food

Exercise and Training 

  • You don’t need to do much because Devon Rex is an extremely energetic and active breed, as we’ve already stated multiple times!
  • Make sure they get enough playtime and exercise, though.
  • To strengthen your kitten’s body and your bond, play interactive games with them and give them stimulating toys like a ball or a cat tree.
  • These cats pick things up quickly, whether it’s potty training or walking on a leash.
  • All you have to do is utilise techniques for positive reinforcement and keep the training sessions brief and engaging.

Grooming Needs 

  • The best thing about this breed is that they require little maintenance despite having a distinctive coat.
  • Unlike other cat breeds, these animals don’t need to be brushed as frequently because their short fur prevents it from becoming matted and tangled.
  • All they need is a weekly gentle brushing to keep their coat shiny and free of loose fur.
  • In addition to brushing, remember to regularly clean the teeth and ears of your Devon Rex kitten.
  • You can also occasionally take your cat to a professional grooming facility to make her look amazing.

Is Devon Rex hypoallergenic?

The Devon Rex breed of cats is, in fact, hypoallergenic. These cats are suitable for individuals with allergies because of their short coats and lower shedding than other breeds.

Devon Rex Price 

How much is a Devon Rex cat? 

Because Devon Rex cats are a rare breed, they are regarded as an expensive breed. A trustworthy breeder may charge between $1,500 and $2,500 for a Devon Rex. But this is only the starting price; the final cost will depend on the kitten’s age, location, and breeder’s reputation.

Lifespan

How long do Devon Rex cats live? 

The typical lifespan of a Devon Rex is 10 to 15 years when they receive lots of love, care, and a balanced diet.

Devon rex kittens for sale

Greetings and welcome to Planet Devon, your one-stop resource for information on breeders and the hilarious, devoted, and extraordinary Devon Rex.

Read the ASPCA Breeder Best Practices to learn how Planet Devon supports responsible pet owners and Devon Rex breeders. Here at Planet Devon, you can find responsible breeders if you’re ready to bring home your forever Devon friend.

Breeders can upload photos of their available Devon Rex kittens and cats and use this space to privately communicate with prospective owners. Create an account to showcase your accomplishments, share announcements and photos, and create a personalised cattery profile.

FAQs

Are Devon Rex cats good family pets?

Indeed, Devon Rex are regarded as excellent family companions. These are friendly, lively, and loving cats. They also require very little upkeep.

Are Devon Rex cats good for apartment living?

Indeed, indoor-dwelling Devon Rex cats are flexible and adaptive. To keep their minds active, they require a lot of playtime and exercise.

What is the best way to groom a Devon Rex?

Grooming your cat with a soft brush at least once a week is crucial, as is providing dental and ear care. It’s advised not to go overboard though, as this breed is balding susceptible.

Final Words

Cats of the Devon Rex breed are uncommon and distinctive, with lively dispositions and a loving disposition. These cats make ideal indoor companions, getting along well with children and other animals. You now have a better understanding of the temperament, grooming requirements, and health issues of the Devon Rex cat breed after reading this extensive blog post. Therefore, if you believe you can achieve these goals, you can expand your family with this adorable cat and go on amazing life adventures.

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