An active, energetic breed, the Devon Rex enjoys delighting her parent with playful performances rewarded with loving attention.

When the Cornish Rex cat began exhibiting in cat shows in England, it caused a large amount of interest and the photos of them appeared in newspapers. This won over Beryl Cox since the old tin mine she lived near also had cats with curly coats. As Cox had a kitten with curly hair, “I assumed that my mother” from the tin mine was the sire. “Kriklee” was named after him and later became known as the inventor of the breed known as the Devon Rex.

At first, breeders believed that the curly coats of both the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex were related, upon which they attempted breeding. However, the kittens produced from this breeding all had straight coats. The curly coat cats were finally discovered to be two distinct breeds.

#1. The Appearance of Devon Rex

An adult Devon Rex is a medium-sized cat, although the head looks large and the chest is broad. The males tend to have medium boning, while the females may have lighter boning, so some males are significantly larger than females.

With its broad ears and large ears set low on the head with a wide base, the Devon Rex’s facial features are much like those of the pixie or elf. The head is triangular, and the nose appears to change shape just under the eyes.

The soft, curly coat of the Devon Rex is also unusual because the coat is fragile and suffers from breakage, especially in the areas where it can lick herself. Devons frequently lose their whiskers owing to the way their whiskers are delicate as well.

#2. Personality and Activities

Their friendly, yet playful nature makes Devon Rexes ideal pets for people of all ages, and they are especially suitable for families with children. As they love to demand attention, they are best suited to people that have a lot of time for them. They would not be suited to a family who are out at work all day and only home for a few hours. This will likely lead to them being lonely, bored, and possibly destructive around your home. Devon Rexes love to be social with their humans and other pets. They love nothing more than to play and cuddle.

An active, energetic breed, the Devon Rex is an individualistic, humorous pet that delights both her owner and child through her enchanting, playful performances. In return for her generosity, the Devon will return attention with purrs.

Devons are jumpers, so cat trees and perches should be provided for exercise, yet her food intake must be carefully managed. There is no need to brush Devons since their fur is very delicate. It can be gently rubbed with a cloth to keep them neatly groomed. Devons enjoy warm places in the sun and should be provided with extra heated areas in the winter. 

They can also be quite noisy and vocal compared to other cat breeds. Your Devon Rex needs to be kept busy and happy by giving it toys and scratching posts. They like to climb and be in high places. The Somerzby Condo is the perfect cat scratcher for your Devon Rex at 185cm high. It allows plenty of space to climb, play and explore. The poles also have sisal rope for your cat to scratch.

Devons have been referred to as high-jumpers and will occupy any space that is large enough for them. They are characterized as mischievous, playful, and very people-orientated. The Devon prefers to obtain the highest spot in the room and sometimes will go to extraordinary lengths to acquire that position. They are relatively easy to care for; their nature leads them to focus their attention toward one person. They like to love to play and play throughout their lives.

The Devon Rex breed is typically very intelligent; they are typically able to walk on a leash, fetch, and demonstrate a range of canine behaviors such as jumping, heeling, and tagging. An additional characteristic is their tendency to show affection; the Devon Rex is especially fond of being close to human companions’ heads and necks and holds themselves on their shoulders when they are resting. It is a faithful companion and is possible to see them by the side when they are lying flat.

#3. Housing of Devon Rex

A small cat like the Devon Rex can be accommodated in a smaller cat enclosure. However, make sure that there is plenty of space in its enclosure so that it can play. Keeping your cat in a Somerzby enclosure allows your cat time outside whilst keeping it safe from danger.

There are many potential dangers to cats including being taken by other animals, getting attacked, being caught in traps, experiencing harsh weather, and contracting diseases such as Feline AIDS.

On average, cats in enclosures will live longer. A Somerzby enclosure also prevents your cat from being able to hunt and injure local wildlife. The Somerzby Cabana and Run give your Devon Rex an enclosed shelter at one end and an open run at the other, to allow space to play in the sunshine.

#4. Feeding of Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is an active breed, so its diet must be varied to ensure that it gets enough nutrition. Do not overfeed your cat or give them too many treats as they will continue eating once they are full. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and related health problems.

#5. Grooming Devon Rex

Devon Rexes have thin fur and shed little. Their fur is very soft and must be handled gently, but overly rough brushing without damage will harm the hair from repetitive and excessive brushing. 

Generally speaking, Devon Rex cats have a very little shedding, which is partially what makes them hypoallergenic. However, just as with any cat, they should have their teeth brushed (or given dental treats), claws clipped, and ears checked. It is okay to bathe them if their skin becomes too oily (especially around the paws and folds; however, don’t do so too often, as cats will naturally come to clean themselves).

#6. Training Devon Rex

The most effective method of training the Devon Rex is by using positive reinforcements, we can give them food rewards for these successes and praise them with pats and affection.

Always be patient with your cat. Some will require training longer than others. Persistence is crucial. Never scold your cat when it does not get its trick right. This will not improve the behavior of Devon Rex cat but can make it fear you. Your Devon Rex will benefit from puzzle toys that require your cat to get treats by squeezing them into place on a flat surface.

Physical Characteristics of Devon Rex

The Devon should never be brushed because her fur is too fragile.

Weight range:

Male: small: <8 lbs.
Female: small: <8 lbs.

Eye color:

Amber, Aqua, Blue, Copper, Green, Gold, Hazel, Odd-eyed, Orange, Yellow

Expectations:

Longevity Range: 9-13 yrs.
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Tendency to Shed: Low

Coat:

Length: Short
Characteristics: Curly
Colors: White, Blue, Black, Cream, Red, Brown, Frost, Platinum, Fawn, Chocolate, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Lavender, Champagne, Seal
Pattern: Solid Color, Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Ticking, Smoke, Shaded, Points
Less Allergenic: Yes
Overall Grooming Needs: Low

Club recognition: Cat Association Recognition:
CFA, ACFA , TICA
Prevalence: Common