Devon Rex
Also known as: Poodle Cat, Alien Cat
Enormous ears, curly coat and the personality of an over-caffeinated toddler.
- Mischievous
- Extremely affectionate
- Acrobatic
- Sociable
- Persistent
The Devon Rex looks like nothing else — huge low-set ears, a wedge face, enormous eyes and a soft wavy coat that feels like suede. Behind the elfin appearance is one of the most relentlessly social cats in existence. Devons want to be involved in everything: your keyboard, your dinner, your shower. They are not cats for people who want a decorative pet.
At a glance
- Origin
- Devon, England
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5–9 lb (2.3–4.1 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Short, soft, wavy rex coat with fragile guard hairs
- Colours
- All colours and patterns
- Average cost
- $70–$80 / month
Breed ratings
Rated 1–5 on the same scale as every other entry, so scores are comparable between breeds. Amber stars mark things that cost you effort rather than things that benefit you.
Temperament
Devons are relentlessly people-focused and have essentially no concept of personal space. They do genuinely badly when left alone all day, and a second pet is close to a requirement for owners who work outside the home.
Care & upkeep
Exercise
Devons exercise themselves and then some. Provide vertical space — shelving, tall trees, walkways — because they climb everything. 30 minutes of interactive play daily channels the worst of it.
Grooming
The delicate coat should be handled gently — brushing can break the fragile guard hairs. A weekly wipe with a soft cloth is enough. Ears produce wax quickly and need weekly cleaning.
Training
Highly trainable by cat standards — Devons learn fetch, recall and tricks readily and enjoy clicker work. They also learn how to open doors and cupboards, so latch anything that matters.
Feeding & diet
- Typical diet
- Calorie-dense high-protein diet
- Daily amount
- 150–220 g wet food, or equivalent
- Meals per day
- 2–3 meals a day
The thin coat means Devons burn extra calories staying warm and often eat more than their size suggests. They are also enthusiastic food thieves — secure the bin and the counters.
Foods to avoid
- Onion and garlic
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Raw dough
- Anything left unattended on a worktop
Who this breed suits
A good match for
- Families with children
- Multi-pet households
- Apartments
- People home most of the day
Probably not for
- Owners out all day
- People wanting a calm, independent cat
- Cold homes
- Anyone who values an undisturbed keyboard
Common health problems
This section describes conditions the breed is known to be predisposed to, so you know what to ask about. It is not veterinary advice and is not a diagnosis — always speak to a vet about your own animal.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)The most important concern. Ask breeders for cardiac screening and rescreen through life.
- Patellar luxationSlipping kneecaps are seen more often in Devons than in most cat breeds.
- Devon Rex hereditary myopathyA muscle-weakness disorder with a DNA test available — reputable breeders screen for it.
- Congenital hypotrichosisA hereditary baldness variant. DNA testing is available.
- Sensitivity to coldThe sparse coat provides little insulation; a chilly house is a real welfare issue for this breed.
Devons feel unusually warm to the touch because there is little coat between you and the skin — that is normal, not a fever. They will seek out radiators, laps and duvets, and should have a heated bed in winter.
Interesting facts
- The entire breed traces to a single curly-coated kitten found in Devon in 1959.
- The rex mutation is different from the Cornish Rex's, despite the similar look — crossing the two produces straight-coated kittens.
- Devons often sit on shoulders and are frequently described as more monkey than cat.
Diet & Feeding
Devons run hot and burn more calories than their size implies, because the sparse coat provides little insulation. Feed a calorie-dense, high-protein diet — around 150–220 g of quality wet food daily, across two or three meals. They rarely become obese, but they are exceptional food thieves: a Devon will open a bread bin, get into a bin bag and take food off a plate you are still eating from. Secure worktops and cupboards rather than relying on training alone.
Exercise & Play
Devons do not need encouragement to exercise; they need somewhere safe to do it. Vertical space is essential — tall cat trees, wall shelving, walkways — because they climb everything regardless of whether you provided it. About 30 minutes of interactive play daily takes the edge off. They fetch, chase and learn games readily. A bored Devon redecorates, so rotate toys and keep a puzzle feeder in circulation.
Grooming
Handle the coat gently. The wavy rex coat has fragile guard hairs that break under brushing — a weekly wipe with a soft cloth or a gentle rubber mitt is all it needs, and vigorous grooming causes bald patches. The real tasks are elsewhere: those large ears produce wax quickly and need weekly cleaning with a vet-approved solution, and the skin can get greasy, so an occasional bath is sometimes needed. Nails every 2 weeks.
Health & Vet Care
The serious concern is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — ask breeders for cardiac screening certificates and continue scanning through the cat's life. Also screened by good breeders: Devon Rex hereditary myopathy and congenital hypotrichosis, both DNA-testable, plus patellar luxation. One welfare point that is easy to miss: Devons are genuinely sensitive to cold. A chilly house is not a minor discomfort for this breed — provide heated beds and warm spots in winter.
Living with a Devon Rex
Devons are among the most demanding cats to live with, in the nicest possible way. They want to be in whatever you are doing — on the desk, in the sink, under the duvet, on your shoulder. They get on famously with children, dogs and other cats, and they do badly alone; if you work outside the home, a second pet is close to a requirement rather than a nice-to-have. Anyone wanting a cat that decorates a room quietly should choose a different breed.
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