Devon Rex

All You Should Know About Devon Rex

Often confused with the Cornish Rex, its cousin of sorts, this cat is actually very distinct in its own right. With a look not unlike that of the famous alien, E.T., and with the fun personality more typical of a dog, the Devon Rex is much more of a playful pup than a purring pus.

Funny by looks and funny by nature, the Devonshire Rex is intelligent and loyal too. And it is no surprise that this relatively recent addition to the cat world has gained a big following. 

There are more and more people searching for Devon Rex kittens, and wanting to know everything about the famously big eared cat.

Appearance Matters. What does a Devon Rex look like?

Whether fair or not, this unorthodox breed is often compared to elfs, fairies, pixies, goblins and even creatures from another world. All because of their unusual, angular face, and prominent and precious ears...

The Devonshire Rex does have a wedge shaped head, with strikingly large ears (its most famous feature), which are set low, and very wide at the base. It has large, wide eyes too, oval in shape, and they can come in any color.

The body is surprisingly hard and muscular for such an elfen cat. They are broad in the chest but quite slim and long legged.

Their lovely coat is short, soft, springy and wavy. Unlike the Cornish Rex they do have guard and awn hairs (the upper coat layers), and not just down (the undercoat). But all 3 layers are still very thin, giving them a very light coat, with far less hairs than most cats.

What colors do the Devon Rex come in?

The short answer is quite a few. The long answer is, well, a bit longer…

There are very few colors that this breed of cat does not come with, but the main ones are as follows...

• White
• Black
• Blue
• Red
• Cream
• Chocolate
• Lavender
• Cinnamon 
• Fawn

And it doesn’t stop there!

We haven’t listed all the different shaded versions of all these colors, (we would run out of space) and the many patterns that are allowed. But the tortoiseshell, tabby and calico Devon Rex are all popular patterns found in varying colors. 

So whatever Devon Rex color you are looking for, it is likely you will find it!

It's all Personal. The Devon Rex Character

The breed is most famously known for its curly coat and its enormous ears. But by its very nature it can set itself apart from other cats. And this ‘personality plus’ is a key factor in its continuing popularity...

Are Devon Rex cats affectionate?

Looking for a little affection from your cat? Then don’t get a Devon Rex! They don’t do anything just a little! They will give you LOTS OF LOVE!

When you choose a Devon Rex kitten, you will discover as the years go by, that while it matures in size, it doesn’t mature in nature. They remain frisky, fun and full of frivolity right through their years.  

It is very much a snuggly, soft and sweet breed. They will cuddle, kiss and purr with affection! Agile too they are just as likely to want to leap and snuggle on your shoulder, as anywhere else.

So if you are looking for a cuddle cat, then this is the breed for you!

Do Devon Rex cats make good family pets?

Most Devons do tend to choose one top person with whom they will give the most attention and affection. But they are still very much a breed for family life. 

They are grand cats for children, bring playful, fun loving, active and quiet ‘dog like’.

Peace and quiet is one thing that the Devonshire Rex cat is known to hate, so a boisterous, bouncy home will suit them down to the ground. It takes a lot to tire out this cat, but at the end of the day it will still be snuggle time.

They also tend to do well with other pets. So for a multi animal family home, a Devon Rex should fit right in. 

Caring for your Devon Rex

There is a rumour going around that the Devonshire Rex is a non shedding breed. And while this may be pushing the truth, it is kind of correct.

Since the Devon Rex has a very light coat, it sheds far far less than other breeds. Therefore grooming needs are at a minimum, and a light, occasional brush is just fine. 

Some Devon Rex fanciers would even recommend not to brush at all, as their sparsh hairs are delicate and can be damaged by brushing.

How often should you bathe a Devon Rex?

You might be surprised by this… Cats with very short coats like the Devon Rex can be bathed very infrequently, if at all. At absolute most you can bathe them every 1 - 3 months.

If they do end up rolling around in mud, you can give them a dunk in the bath then of course!

Another big rumour is that this low shedding cat is also hypoallergenic. 

While shedding is extremely minimal, they cannot be classed as hypoallergenic, no cat breed really can. But there is good news, this cat is the next best thing.

Because this cat only has a thin coat, it has less hair to shed, and so has less allergies to spread around when dropping these hairs all over your house. 

So sneezing cat lovers can celebrate, as a Devon Rex would be a much safer choice.

Can a Devon Rex Cat be Left Alone?

As you might guess from the fact that this breed is active, playful and loves to be around people, the answer is a definite NO.

The Devon Rex is one of the worst breeds to have if you will be out all day. They are ideally suited for a home with people there all the time, and as much happening as possible. 

This cat is as companionable as they come, and left alone they will suffer mentally, and that ain't what we want. Never leave your Devon Rex alone for more than a few hours max!

Is Devon Rex a Healthy Cat?

The good news here is that this is a general healthy breed, and is no more prone to any particular health concern than any other cat. So you don’t have to be overly worried here. But to have a better chance of avoiding health issues, make sure to choose a Devon Rex kitten from a reliable breeder.

The Devon Rex lifespan is around 15 years.

Where Can You Locate Good Devon Rex Breeders?

The Devon Rex is an intelligent cat that is extremely popular as a pet. Finding a good breeder can be quite a chore so we’re here to help you out.

Take a look at our list of Devon Rex breeders to find the right one for you. These kittens can reach a price of up to $1,000 so you want to make sure you know what you’re getting.

This is why it is important to find reputable breeders. It is incredibly helpful, especially later on when it comes to your pet’s health.

Feline History. Where does the Devon Rex come from?

The Devon Rex Cat did not even exist until the 1960’s. The origins of the Devon breed, is believed to be a curly coated, feral tomcat living in an abandoned mine near Devonshire, England. 

This cat mated with a straight-coated calico. One of the kittens, a brownish-black male had the same light curly coat as its father. Quite quickly it was named as a Devon Rex, the Rex being given due to its close resemblance to the nearby Cornish Rex.

As soon as 1968 this breed arrived in the U.S. And in the 1970’s it was accepted by all the major cat associations. Since then this breed, thanks to its beautiful looks, its happy nature, and its suitability with allergy sufferers, has continued to grow steadily in popularity.