Personality and Temperament of The Devon Rex Cat- Complete Breed Information

The Devon Rex, also known as the Devon Cat, is a breed of domestic cat with a genetic change that makes its fur grow in rings. The Devon Rex is a relatively new breed. It was created by a breeder in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s.

The wavy fur and friendly attitude of the Devon rex breed have earned it the nickname “poodle cat.” The Devon Rex is quite social, and it enjoys the company of both friends and family.

Learn more about the Personality and Temperament of the Devon rex cat.

Appearance 

The Devon rex looks almost like an elf or an alien. She is about 10 to 12 inches tall and weighs between 6 and 9 pounds. Beyond her characteristic wavy coat, the obvious characteristics of the breed include her enormous ears, large eyes, high cheekbones, long neck, and lean physique.

This cuteness has a beautiful, wavy coat. The areas around their faces, ears, necks, paws, chests, and bellies have the shortest coats. Their coats come in black, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, lilac, white, and almost every other color. In addition to the classic tabby and calico coat patterns, Devon rex cats can also have pointed or colored markings.

A Devon rex may be a suitable option for a family with allergies because of its short, fluffy fur, while no pet is completely hypoallergenic. This doesn’t mean that the Devon rex doesn’t shed, because they do. However, the way their hair is curled helps to reduce the number of loose hairs that stick to furniture and fabrics.

People often compare the Devon rex to the Cornish rex because they both have curly coats. However, their curly coats are caused by different genes. The Cornish rex also has a thinner face and a coat that is a little bit longer.

Personality and Temperament of the Devon Rex Cat

Intelligent, sociable, and outgoing, Devon rex cats are a popular breed. Kids can get along with these incredibly friendly creatures and they enjoy being in the company of both humans and animals. A Devon rex’s favorite activity is playing and cuddling with her human family.

“They need things to do and somebody to love,” says a cat behaviorist. They are attentive to their owners and will even follow them around the house. As a breed, Devon rex is known for their devotion to their people. These cats need a lot of attention and have gotten the name “Velcro cats” because they stick to you like glue.

The highly energetic Devon rex is clownish and loves to engage her humans. This breed isn’t hesitant to do what it takes to attract your attention. Even when they are old, these cats are still playful and full of energy as they did when they were young.

The Devon rex isn’t a very loud cat, even though her personality can be a bit pushy. They don’t remain completely silent, either; they’ll meow occasionally to express themselves.

The Origin and Evolution of the Devon Rex

Beryl Cox, a resident of Devonshire, England, in 1960, discovered a unique, curly-coated kitten that she named Kirlee; this was the first Devon Rex cat. At first, Cox thought the kitten was a Cornish Rex hybrid. However, experiments with Kirlee and Cornish Rex queens showed differently.

To get kittens with the same coat attributes as Cornish Rex cats, Kirlee was bred to female Cornish Rex cats. We were only able to produce straight-coated kittens from this cross. Later, scientists determined that a mutation in a separate gene caused the wavy coat and other distinctive Devon Rex traits. After concluding, Cox devised a more thorough breeding procedure to maintain Kirlee’s mutation.

Although the Cat Fanciers’ Association didn’t officially recognize the Devon Rex breed until 1979, the first Devon Rex cat arrived in the United States in 1968. Devon Rex can be purchased from reputable breeders throughout the United States today.

Basic Requirements

The Devon rex should live in a family that can provide it with companions and lots of attention. These playful felines frequently carry their favorite toys to their human caregivers or use their paws to point to them.

These friendly pets thrive in households with older kids, many pets, and plenty of visitors. “They’re people kitties,” However, “it depends on where they originate from if they came from a breeder, and whether or not the breeder socialized them at an early age.”

They do poorly when isolated frequently due to their intense need for attention. A Devon rex would feel lonely if its owner was always busy. The Devon rex is an excellent travel companion that would rather hit the road with you than stay at home while you’re gone.

 Devon rex cats might have sun sensitivity due to their short coats. Make sure your cat doesn’t get sunburned by making her stay indoors as much as possible.

Devon Rex Care

Maintaining Devon’s wavy coat is a breeze. Caring for your Devon Rex is pretty simple and like how you care for most house cats. Learning the ins and outs of cat care is crucial if you want to give your cat a long and happy life.

Exercise

The active lifestyle suits the exuberant character of the Devon Rex. They need a lot of physical activity, which you can give them by teaching them tricks and giving them interesting things to play with and places to climb and bounce. A well-trained cat is a happy cat, and training can help you build a stronger bond with your pet while also providing the necessary mental stimulation for such a smart animal. Whether for play or rest, Devon Rex cats are known for their preference for elevated perches, so it’s important to provide your cat with environments that satisfy its energy needs.

Shedding  

A completely hypoallergenic cat does not exist, although the Devon Rex is near. It has a very short coat, therefore there is very little shedding. It sheds relatively little even though it is one of the low-maintenance breeds.

Grooming

The Devon Rex is a low-maintenance breed. Since the breed’s hair is thin and easy to break, you won’t have to brush it often. Instead, once a week, wipe your cat’s fur gently with a damp cloth. Only white cats or those with a significant amount of white on their coats need frequent baths. If you don’t give those cats regular baths, they’ll start to look dirty. It doesn’t take long for the coat to dry after washing.

Your cat may experience bald spots from excessive grooming. In addition, you can give your Devon Rex the occasional bath. Ear wax buildup is something to watch out for. If you don’t want wax buildup in your cat’s ears to become a problem, you should clean the canals regularly.

Be sure to maintain a sanitary litter box at all times. Devon Rex cats, like all cats, are extremely clean-obsessed.

Extra Care

Keep a Devon Rex indoors to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, dog or coyote attacks, and traffic accidents. Devon Rex who ventures outside risk getting snatched by someone who wants one for free.

If you can, give your Devon Rex access to a big outdoor area where he may run, jump, and climb without fear of injury. Make sure to apply cat-safe sunscreen all over your Devon Rex’s body if he has access to a sunbathing enclosure outside.

Frequent Diseases and Illnesses

Even though this breed isn’t known for having many health problems, there are a few things you should know about it.

A condition known as patellar luxation occurs when a knee cap “pops out” of its normal position. It’s believed that Devon Rexes have a genetic predisposition to the disorder, which can result in lameness or an abnormal gait.

Most feline cardiac disease is caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). As time passes, the left ventricle of the heart, responsible for distributing blood throughout the body, becomes thicker and less efficient. This condition can cause heart arrhythmias, blood clots, and congestive heart failure. One cat breed prone to this condition is the Devon Rex.

Devon Rex myopathy is a form of muscle weakness that most frequently manifests in the head and neck. Sadly, this condition is inherited and recessive in Devon Rexes. The typical onset age for symptoms is between three weeks and six months.   

Eating Habits and Nutrition 

As a result of their enormous hunger, Devon Rexes will go to any length to steal food off a table or counter. Do not give in to your cat’s incessant pleading, and do not make people’s food a regular part of your Devon Rex’s diet. Instead, ensure you’re feeding it high-quality cat food to help it maintain a healthy weight. It’s important to remember that snacks should be given sparingly.

In most cases, store-bought cat food is fine for the Devon Rex. Make sure to create a diet that increases calorie expenditure to match the breed’s high activity level. Before giving your cat a new diet, you should always discuss it with your vet.

Overview of the Devon Rex 

Devon Rexes are wonderful additions to any household. High-energy owners keen to interact with their cats will appreciate their playful personality, frequently accompanied by a hint of mischief. Although its big appetite often gets it into trouble, the Devon Rex is harmless. Since these cats are uncommon, you should appreciate the chance to bring a Devon Rex into your home.

Breed Overview   

OTHER NAMES:  Pixie cat 

PERSONALITY: Outgoing, active, and social

LENGTH:  18 inches 

SIZE:  Between 6 and 9 pounds 

LENGTH OF COAT:   Short hair 

COLOR OF COAT:  Any color

COAT PATTERNS:  Solid, shaded, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico,

COLOR OF EYES:  Any color

LIFESPAN:  9–15 years 

HYPOALLERGENIC:   Yes

ORIGIN:  England

FAQs Devon Rex Cat

Do Devon Rex Cats Need Baths?   

Devon rex requires frequent, warm baths with pet-safe mild soap because their short, fine coats attract grease.

How Big Does a Devon Rex Get?   

Adult Devon cats weigh between 6 and 9 pounds, with males being heavier than females.

Can Devon Rex Cats Go Outside? 

 While it’s great that your Devon Rex is content to stay indoors, letting it get out and about will help it burn off some of its boundless energy.

Is a Devon Rex a Sphynx?   

The Devon Rex has a curly coat, while the Sphynx is almost hairless. The nearly hairless Sphynx coat is recessive to the normal coat, and the curly Devon Rex coat is recessive to the nearly hairless Sphynx coat.

Should I Get a Male or Female Devon Rex?   

No matter what gender a cat is, it will have its unique personality. Males, on the other hand, are typically friendlier and more welcoming to strangers. Females may be a little pickier when it comes to strangers. Females are more independent and have a greater sense of adventure, but males develop more slowly.

Are Devon Rex Vocal?   

Devon Rexes are playful cats that are very active. Compared to other cats, they can be exceptionally loud and vocal. They get bored easily and need a lot of attention from their owners. To keep your Devon Rex busy and happy, you should give it toys and a place to scratch.