A Devon Rex cat lying in their bed

Devon Rex Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Devon Rex breed is descended from a feral tom with a distinctive curly coat that had lived in an abandoned tin mine in Buckfastleigh, Devon. In 1960, he fathered a litter of kittens. One of the kittens had the same curly coat as the tom. A breeder took in the kitten and named her Kirlee.

At first, the cat was thought to be related to another curly-coated cat, the Cornish Rex (the rex part of the name refers to a gene mutation that results in a curly or wavy coat). But it was found that the curly coats of Devon and Cornish Rex cats are caused by different genes. This breed guide will give you all the information you need on how to care for your Devon Rex.

Devon Rex Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 16 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Small to medium
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
2 - 4 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height
25 - 30 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Lively, mischievous, friendly
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
15 mins 3x a day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Devon Rex Right for Me?

Devons are very active and energetic. They love attention and are affectionate and entertaining. They’ll fit in with busy households, and families with children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs. They’ll always want to play.

But don’t leave them alone for too long though - you don't know what they might get up to.

A Devon Rex kitten on a fluffy blanket

What Are Devon Rex Kittens Like?

Devon Rex kittens are adorable, small bundles of energy. They love to play and are interested in everything! Like all kittens, make sure they’re socialised with other cats, pets and people and an early age so that they grow into confident, friendly adults. 

A Devon Rex with big ears looking at the camera

Life with a Devon Rex

Devon Rex cats are easy to care for but watch out for their mischievous side. These cats are always alert. They’ll follow you around the house and be interested in whatever you’re doing. Whether you’re working at the computer, reading a book or preparing a meal, the Devon Rex cat will be on your lap or by your side.

Some may even like to perch on your shoulder and sleep with you as well. There’s never a dull moment with a Devon Rex in the house!

Caring for Your Devon Rex

Your Devon Rex cat should be fed a nutritious, balanced diet. If you buy your kitten from a breeder, ask if they can provide you with a feeding schedule. Follow this schedule by feeding your kitten at the same time every day. If you want to change their diet, do so gradually over a few days to avoid any tummy upsets.

Your vet can also recommend a cat food to suit their age, needs, and advice on how much to feed. Devons are highly active cats and have a healthy appetite so follow the guidelines on the cat food packaging, so you know they’re being given the correct amount.

A Devon Rex coat is low maintenance. They need almost no grooming at all, and brushing may even damage their fragile skin. Some cats, especially those with a thin coat, can be prone to greasiness. A wipe over with a cloth is generally all that’s needed to keep their coat clean, shiny and in great condition.

Devons are intelligent and will quickly pick up toilet or litter training. There should be at least one litterbox for each cat in the house, plus an extra one. They can be taught to play fetch, walk on a leash, and other tricks if they are motivated enough. Use their favourite toys and treats as rewards.

They're slender and lively cats and love learning tricks, so make sure they have interactive or puzzle toys to keep them from becoming bored and getting up to mischief. They like to jump so a cat tree or perch is ideal. Their favourite place is usually somewhere up high so they can keep an eye on everything that’s going on in the house!

Devon Rex Cat Insurance

If you’ve got your heart set on a Devon Rex, it’s a good idea to think insuring your cat before you make the leap and bring them home. Affectionate and playful, these cute kitties may be thought of as a healthy cat breed, but that doesn’t prevent accidents in case they get a little too rambunctious at play time.

Everypaw have a range of Lifetime cover levels that can be there to help look after your Devon from 8 weeks of age. Stick with us, and we can help when it comes to illness or injury. Plus all our Devon Rex insurance policies come with a full range of benefits for you and your cat.

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Common Devon Rex Health Problems by Vetstream

The Devon Rex is generally healthy, but a few health problems have been seen in the breed. Everypaw has teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream to help you spot any signs of these.

Although it’s rare, Devon Rex cats can suffer from a decreased or lack of hair. Cats are either born hairless or lose their hair within a few weeks. There’s no treatment, so if your cat has this condition, they'll need plenty of sun protection if allowed outside. Either that or they’ll have to be kept indoors on very sunny days.

This is also known as Dystroglycanopathy or Spasticity. Cats with this hereditary condition have generalised muscle weakness, head bobbing, and ventroflexion of the neck (where the head is tucked downwards towards the chest).

Other signs are high-stepping, fatigue, prominent shoulder blades, and megaoesophagus (a condition where the oesophagus becomes floppy and weak). ‘Dog-begging', ‘chipmunk’ or ‘Meercat’ postures may be seen.

Cats that are only mildly affected can have a long life but those more severely affected may have a poor quality of life. Some may sadly die after choking on food. There is no specific treatment but feeding on a low platform can help to prevent megaoesophagus.

Small rather than large feeds can also help. As it’s caused by a genetic mutation, unfortunately there’s no cure.

Some Devon Rex cats can be affected by a reduction in the activity of vitamin K dependent clotting factors. This can lead to bleeding in various parts of the cat’s body. Lifelong treatment with vitamin K1 is needed to enable the cat to have a good quality of life. Devon Rex cats should be screened with blood tests, and cats identified with the condition shouldn’t be used for breeding.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a serious heart condition that affects many breeds of cats. Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle. The heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and prevents the heart from working properly, leading to heart failure. Long-term medication can slow the disease down but unfortunately, there’s no cure.

Quick Devon Rex Q&A

A Devon Rex is a breed of cat that has a very short and curly coat. Their coat can come in any colour and pattern and range from ruffled curls to thin and suede-like. They also have crinkled whiskers and eyebrows, and large ears. They have an elfin or pixie appearance – and have a mischievous personality as well.

While there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, the Devon Rex is often thought to be more hypoallergenic than other breeds. So, if you have a cat allergy, you might be more able to tolerate this breed better than other cat breeds.

Yes, Devon Rex cats will shed hair, but they do have a lower tendency to shed than other cats. The hair, being short and fine, may be less noticeable on clothing and around the house.

Yes, these cats are affectionate and love to be by your side for a cuddle. They’re very sociable cats and love companionship.

The average lifespan of a Devon Rex cat is typically 9 to 15 years, though with proper care and a healthy lifestyle, some may live longer.

That’s All You Need to Know About Devon Rex Cats

Descended from a feral tom with distinctive curly hair, Devons are energetic, affectionate and love to play. Known for being mischievous, these intelligent cats will be interested in whatever you’re doing. Their short coats can come in any colour and pattern and range from having wavy curls to being suede-like. They’re easy to care for, may shed less than other breeds, and make great companions.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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