The Devon Rex Cat is a friendly, intelligent, and playful cat with large ears and curly fur. This active and energetic feline enjoys being with its owner.
If you want to know more about the feline breed, here you will find information about its characteristics, origin, care, and fun facts.
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DEVON REX CAT CHARACTERISTICS
- Country of Origin: Devon, United Kingdom.
- Weight: 6 to 9 pounds (2.72 to 4 kilos)
- Height: 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.48 cm).
- Eye color: Amber, Aquamarine, Blue, Copper, Green, Gold, Hazelnut, Odd-eyed, Orange, Yellow.
- Lifespan: 9 to 13 years
- Coat: Short and curly
- Colors: Black, blue, brown, champagne, chestnut, chocolate, cinnamon, cream, fawn, frost, lavender, platinum, red, seal, white.
- Patterns: Bicolor, points, shaded, smoke, solid, tabby, ticking, tortoiseshell, tricolor (calico),
- Tendency to shed: Low
- Grooming needs: Low
- Attention needs: moderate.
DEVON REX CAT APPEARANCE
The Devon Rex is a rare cat breed and differs from other cats because of her external appearance. The skull is flat, with prominent ears and large eyes.
Devon cats have unusually soft curly coats, and some cats lack fur in some areas.
The fur is brittle, and even grooming can cause the coat to break completely. The whiskers are also brittle.
HISTORY AND ORIGIN
Devon Rex cats are a natural mutation. Its origin dates back to the late 1950s in Devonshire, England, where Miss Berly Cox realized that her straight hair cat had given birth to a curly-haired kitten. Miss Cox guessed that the kitty’s father was a stray cat from the tin mine near the town.
Knowing about the effort to preserve the curly coat gene of the Cornish Rex cat, Miss Cox offered her kitten Kirlee to help to maintain the breed. But, during this process, the breeders discovered that Kirlee had a different wavy hair gene than the Cornish Rex, and that is how the Devon Rex breed appeared.
The breed first came to the United States in the late 1960s. Today all Devon Rex cats have their lineage traced back to Kirlee.
PERSONALITY
The Devon Rex is an intelligent cat that loves the company of his family and other felines. This breed adapts easily to different spaces.
These cats are playful and have a dog-like personality. They may follow you around the house or want to stay by your side during the day and at night.
This cat is suitable for any type of home, especially for people who live alone.
DEVON REX CAT HEALTH
Although the Devon Rex appears fragile, this feline is healthy and vigorous.
It is recommended annual veterinary check-ups start at eight or ten years of age.
Also, it is essential to do blood tests to make an early diagnosis of problems such as kidney disease, which is unfortunately common in older cats.
The most common problems are related to excess earwax.
DEVON REX CARE AND GROOMING
The care of this adorable cat is simple.
- When brushing your cat, you must be careful not to pull the hair. Use a soft cat brush.
- You can comb your cat several times a week. That also strengthens the bond, helps circulation, and makes the hair healthy and shiny.
- Since these cats do not have hair on their ears, they do not clean their ears themselves. Clean the ear canals frequently.
- Devon Rex’s fine coat can suffer from skin sunburn.
FOOD AND DIET
Make sure you always have enough drinking water available throughout the house.
Cat fountains optimize the cat’s fluid intake encouraging it to drink more. That prevents urine infections and supports the proper functioning of the kidneys.
When your cat gets older, she can suffer from gum disease and tooth decay. A proper senior cat diet is essential.
Buy cat food with good quality fats. Your vet will give you information related to this.
Do not feed your cat with dog food. Dog food does not cover a cat’s energy needs.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE DEVON REX CAT
- In 1972 the breed was officially accepted by the TICA and in 1983 by the ACFEC.
- The Devon Rex is a very greedy cat.
- This cat reached the shores of the United States in 1968.
- In 1998, a Devon Rex cat named RassySassoul was the first to win a CFA national title.
- There are few specimens in the world, as it is a relatively recent breed.