Devon Rex Breed Guide
Energetic | Jester | Loving. Devon Rex’s are well-known for their wavy coats, elf-like visage and modelish limbs. We all know not to just judge a book by its cover though, which is lucky, because Devon Rex’s also have beautiful personalities to match. They’re often likened to dogs (and monkeys) due to their playful nature and affectionate temperament, but we don’t think they need any comparison - they’re just themselves in our eyes! We’ll be delving into what makes Devon Rex’s such distinctive kitties, how to care for one, and finish with some fun facts. Let's tuck in...
Origins
Like all the best things in life, the Devon Rex really came about by a (biological) mistake. In the 1950’s a certain Miss Cox was looking after a pregnant stray, who gave birth to a crimped-coated kitty with elf-like ears. This peculiarly adorable kitten was named Kirlee, and became the founding father of the breed.
Initially their wavy coat led breeders to believe that the Cornish and Devon Rex could be bred to produce an ultra-wavy kitty. However, quite the opposite occurred, with the litters always having straight coats. Hence the two are very much different breeds.
What do Devon Rex cats look like?
The Devon Rex might just be one of the easiest cats to identify. Starting off with their noggins, they have mahussive pixie ears, great big eyes, and stubby little noosies. Working on down they have a slender physique, with muscular legs and a long tail for balance (especially when climbing trees). Last but not least, perhaps their most distinctive feature is their short, wavy coat.
Here's one we made earlier: 
They're a relatively small breed, with adults tending to weigh around 13-20 kg and grow to around 12" to 13" inches tall. Their coat can come in a huge array and combinations of colours, including; chocolate, silver, blue, white, dawn, sable, and, grey. We think Joseph and his coat would be a tad jel, don't you? Just check out the differences in colours between these two siblings:
Are Devon Rex cats friendly?
Whilst they're wavy coats garners them the most PR, these fur balls have equally epic personalities. They're super friendly, playful, and just a tad cheeky. Compared to some other breeds, they're also extremely affectionate and can even verge on being needy. They make great family kitties, and get on well with other four-legged members of the household.
It's not all just hugs and chin rubs though, as these studious kitties are extremely intelligent and require plenty of mental stimulation to keep them happy and entertained.
The many nicknames of Devon Rex’s
If you thought, you had lots of nicknames. Think again. Due to these kitties distinctive looks, they’ve acquired many a nickname in their time, ranging from flattering to potentially not-quite-so. Here are the most common ones:
- Pixie Cat
- Elf Cat
- Monkey in a Cat Suit
- Alien Cat
- Poodle Cat
Hopefully you can see how they got them...
How much does a Devon Rex cost?
Devon Rex's can cost anywhere between £500 to £1500 for a healthy kitty from a safe home.
Don't forget to check out rehoming charities for floof's in need of a loving home!
How to care for one
With such a distinct look you might think that Devon Rex’s require a fair amount of TLC to keep up their looks. And if you did, you’d be wrong. Caring for these kitties isn’t much different to any others. The only thing to point out as it that due to their short coat, their floof can get greasy quite easily, so you’ll want to give them a wash every other week or so with a mild pet shampoo. Apart from this, like all kitties, you’ll need to keep their nails trimmed and do the occasional ear clean.
As we’ve mentioned, the Devon Rex is a bundle of energy and loves playing. Enrichment activities and plenty of playtime are key to keeping them happy and healthy. They’re also quite capable of learning funky tricks, just make sure to provide plenty of praise and have some tasty cat treats to hand.
Feeding a Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats don’t have any specific nutritional needs. Like all kitties they’re obligate carnivores, so require a diet high in proper animal meat to thrive to get all the essential amino acids they need. They also need a moderate level of fat, small amount of carbs and vitamins and minerals. From here it’s really up to you both what to feed, wether that’s a complete dry cat food, complete wet cat food, or a combination of them both.
Devon rex's have bundles of energy to burn and will be up for lots of play and exercise. Devon rex's tend to be indoor cats and some breeders will insist on this. Like any indoor kitties, this can lead to weight gain, so be sure to feed a balanced healthy diet and regularly check their body condition. A catio can be your cat's bff, after you of course, and ensure your cat gets the right level of mental stimulation, and enjoys the outdoors securely.
Five Fun Facts to finish:
- The secondary cats in Lady and the Tramp were Devon Rex’s, aptly named Devon and Rex
- Devon Rex’s thin coat mean they don’t get much protection from the sun, and therefore should be kept as indoor kitties only
- Their coat changes depending on the season, both in thickness and length. No wonder they’re seen as such fashionistas!
- Countertops are their fav surface. Don’t be surprised if you come home to carnage if you’ve left things out!
- The very first Devon Rex was called Kirlee, so why not pay tribute and name your kitty after him, or add an extra middle name? Khalid Kirlee the Third has a pretty strong ring to it don’t you think
