Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a small-to-medium, muscular cat with a broad chest, slender neck, long legs, large low-set ears, prominent cheekbones, and wide expressive eyes. Its short coat forms loose waves or ripples and varies…
Recognized by: CFA · FIFe · +2
Size
Medium
Weight
2.3–4.1 kg
Life span
12–17 years
Breed Traits
Energy Level
High energy
Energy Level: 4 of 5
Low energyHigh energyChild / Family Compatibility
Very high compatibility
Child / Family Compatibility: 5 of 5
Low compatibilityHigh compatibilityGrooming Need
Light grooming need
Grooming Need: 2 of 5
Low maintenanceHigh maintenanceTrainability
Very easy to train
Trainability: 5 of 5
Hard to trainEasy to trainApartment / Home Suitability
Excellent apartment fit
Apartment / Home Suitability: 5 of 5
Needs space / yardExcellent for apartmentsAlone-Time Tolerance
Very short alone time (a few hours)
Alone-Time Tolerance: 1 of 5
Needs frequent companyHandles long alone timeFirst-Time Owner Suitability
Manageable with guidance
First-Time Owner Suitability: 3 of 5
Needs experienced ownerGreat for first-time ownersCompatibility with Other Pets
Shows very high compatibility
Compatibility with Other Pets: 5 of 5
Single-pet homes are a better fitHighly compatible with other animals
The Devon Rex is a small-to-medium, muscular cat with a broad chest, slender neck, long legs, large low-set ears, prominent cheekbones, and wide expressive eyes. Its short coat forms loose waves or ripples and varies naturally in density, with some individuals showing thinner or suede-like areas.
The breed began with Kirlee, a naturally curly-coated kitten born in Devon, England, in 1959. Early test matings showed that Kirlee's coat was produced by a different recessive mutation from the Cornish Rex, leading breeders to develop the two breeds separately.
Devon Rex cats combine an unusual appearance with a highly social, playful temperament. They are best suited to indoor homes that welcome close companionship, provide regular activity and mental stimulation, and can protect their relatively lightly insulated coat from uncomfortable cold.
Devon Rex cats are typically affectionate, curious, intelligent, and strongly involved in household life. Many follow familiar people from room to room, seek laps or shoulders, join activities, and remain playful well into adulthood.
They often enjoy retrieving toys, climbing to high places, exploring puzzle feeders, and learning simple routines through positive reinforcement. Their confidence and sociability can make them engaging companions, although individual cats differ in boldness and vocal behavior.
Well-socialized Devon Rex cats commonly live successfully with respectful children, compatible cats, and cat-friendly dogs. Their strong need for interaction means they are poorly suited to frequent prolonged isolation or a home that offers little play and companionship.
The short wavy coat is low maintenance but can be delicate. Gentle hand grooming or a very soft brush is usually sufficient, while vigorous brushing and repeated rubbing may damage fragile hairs or worsen thin areas; bathing should be based on the individual cat's skin and coat condition rather than a fixed schedule.
Daily life should include interactive play, stable climbing furniture, scratching areas, puzzle activities, and warm resting places. Devon Rex cats are agile and inventive, so household hazards, fragile objects, and accessible cupboards may need extra attention.
Routine care should include dental hygiene, nail trimming, ear checks, body-condition monitoring, and regular veterinary examinations. Food portions should reflect the individual cat's age, activity, health, and body condition, and owners should provide warmth without allowing unsafe contact with heaters or excessively hot surfaces.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome, historically called Devon Rex myopathy or spasticity, is an inherited neuromuscular condition associated with a recessive COLQ variant. A DNA test is available to identify cats that are clear, carriers, or genetically at risk, making documented screening particularly important in breeding programs.
Patellar luxation has also been reported more often in Devon Rex cats than in the general cat population. In addition, blood type B alleles occur at a relatively high frequency in the breed, so responsible breeders may use blood typing or validated genetic testing when planning matings.
Prospective owners should ask about CMS results, family mobility and muscle health, blood-group information relevant to breeding, longevity, and veterinary records. This information is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian.
Recognizing organizations
Independent registries that list this breed. Tap a badge to learn more.
These statuses reflect each registry’s recording and show systems. They are not a health, quality, or superiority score.
Frequently asked questions
Are Devon Rex cats good family pets?
Devon Rex cats are often affectionate, playful companions in homes that provide frequent interaction and respectful handling. They commonly live well with children and compatible pets, although introductions and play should still be supervised.
Can a Devon Rex live in an apartment?
A Devon Rex can adapt very well to apartment living when the home provides climbing space, daily interactive play, scratching areas, and mental stimulation. Their high activity and curiosity mean that a small home still needs to be carefully enriched and secured.
Can Devon Rex cats be left alone during the day?
Most adults can manage ordinary short absences, but the breed is strongly people-oriented and may struggle with frequent prolonged isolation. A predictable routine, enrichment, and dependable companionship before and after absences are important.
How much grooming does a Devon Rex need?
The coat usually needs only gentle hand grooming or occasional use of a very soft brush. Because the hairs can be fragile, aggressive brushing and unnecessary frequent bathing may damage the coat or irritate the skin.
Are Devon Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No cat breed is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic, and Devon Rex cats produce common feline allergens. Their shedding may be less noticeable than that of some breeds, but this does not reliably predict whether a person will have an allergic reaction.
What is the difference between a Devon Rex and a Cornish Rex?
The breeds have separate curly-coat mutations and distinct body and head types. Devon Rex cats usually have very large low-set ears, prominent cheekbones, a broader chest, and a looser, less uniform wave than the slender Cornish Rex.
Do Devon Rex cats need extra warmth?
Their coat provides less insulation than a typical dense coat, so many Devon Rex cats seek warm beds, blankets, or sunny resting places. They should be protected from cold drafts and unsafe direct contact with heaters or hot surfaces.
What health screening should a Devon Rex breeder discuss?
A responsible breeder should provide documented DNA results for congenital myasthenic syndrome and discuss family muscle and mobility health. Blood-group testing may also be relevant in breeding programs, and buyers should ask about longevity and veterinary records in related cats.
More about Devon Rex
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