Devon Rex, the curly-haired cat breed

The Devon Rex cats always turn heads with their distinctive and distinguished appearance. Some find it elegant, others almost fear it. Needless to say, this cat has a unique look but it also stands out for being a very affectionate breed and an excellent indoor cat.

Do you know the Devon Rex cat? Here we will tell you all about this cat breed.

Origin of the Devon Rex

A very recent breed, the Devon Rex got their name from the village where they originated: in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, in 1960 near an abandoned tin mine.

The English woman who found this interesting-looking cat was named Beryl Cox, who liked his strange appearance and tried to catch the kitten to breed it. However, she did not succeed.

The first specimen was born from two common cats, so an attempt was made to cross the Devon with a female Cornish Rex (which is a cat with a curly coat) but the result was straight-haired kittens, meaning that they were, in fact, different breeds.

Therefore, it was decided that the two curly-haired mutations were incompatible and the particular characteristics of the Devon Rex were the result of a natural mutation.

The Devon Rex was recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1967, by the Féderation Internationale Féline (FiFe) in 1968, and by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1979.

In 1968 he arrived on the shores of the United States and in 1972, they were recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) and also became eligible for the ACFA championship. In 1983, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognized the Devon Rex for entry into the championships.

Physical characteristics of the cat Devon Rex

Size: they have a height of 30 cm.

Weight: they weigh between 2.5 and 4 kg but generally most weigh 3kg.

Eyes: large almond-shaped, with a very expressive look, they can be amber, aqua, blue, copper, green, gold, or hazel.

Ears: they are triangular and equally disproportionate to the size of their face.

Coat: short, curly, or wavy, soft, and silky to the touch can be of different colors such as white, blue, black, cream, red, brown, platinum, chocolate, cinnamon, lavender, seal, etc. With patterns such as Solid color, tortoiseshell, two-color, tricolor/spotted, tabby, marked, smoked, shaded, and more.

At birth they have no hair, it will grow during the first three months of life, but it will always remain short, so it is important to protect them in winter.

Body: they are slender cats, males tend to be medium-boned, but females may be lighter-boned.

Their head is small and triangular, with distinct facial features and wavy whiskers. Their paws are oval and their tail is long and thin, being thinner at the tip, covered with short, curly fur.

Life span: 9 - 13 years.

The character of the cat Devon Rex

They are extremely affectionate and quite active, they are agile and like to jump and climb, they are also playful, mischievous and fun, and quite sociable with visitors.

The Devon Rex cats are very attached to people so don't be surprised if they chase you around the house looking for your company, they enjoy being pampered, caressed, and sleeping on the lap of their favorite people and usually correspond with purrs.

They learn tricks easily and are very communicative. They have a soft meow, and prefer indoor living, although they adapt well to various types of housing.

They are ideal for families with children as they love to play and are very patient, they also get along well with other pets, the main reason why they are excellent family cats.

Devon Rex cat care

• Although their coat is the main attraction, it is easy to care for and weekly brushing will be enough to keep it shiny. It is recommended to use special gloves to comb them instead of brushes.
• Clean the ears of your Devon Rex once a week as there is a lot of earwax in his ears which can be harmful.
• They will need to take regular baths since cats of this breed perspire and their hair is somewhat greasy, choose a shampoo suitable for their coat and breed.
• It is necessary to provide them with toys and scratching posts to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
• Protect them from the sun. Their thin coat does not protect them enough from the effects of the sun. Therefore, they tend to suffer from sunburn on their skin.
• These cats are very scrupulous about the cleanliness of their litter box, so we recommend keeping it clean, fresh, and well-smelling.

Feeding

The Devon Rex cat has a good metabolism that allows them to burn excess calories quickly, therefore, they need large amounts of feed, about their weight and they are usually very greedy but do not let them convince you, you should portion their meals and offer them at the appropriate times.

They should be fed at 3 hour intervals. Particularly during the cold season, the animal must always have dry food available.

As Devon Rex cats age, they tend to suffer from gum disease and tooth decay, something that should be taken into account when choosing their diet. There are many feeds that help to avoid this problem.

Devon Rex cat health

Devon Rex cats are a very healthy and strong breed and can develop the same diseases as other domestic felines.

Such as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, i.e. an increase in heart muscle volume, Myasthenia, a muscular dystrophy in the forelimbs.

As mentioned above, hygiene is very important as they can suffer from ear infections, due to their coat being prone to fungal skin infections, fat deposits on the skin, and itching and baldness.

In addition, without a proper diet, and sufficient physical activity, they can become overweight or obese.

On the psychological side, if they are alone for long hours, they can often manifest behavioral problems.

The Devon Rex is a truly unique cat

The Devon Rex are very particular cats whose wonderful appearance will not go unnoticed, but they will also be a loving and attentive companion very attached to their owners.

In addition, some owners of this breed of cat point out that they have similar attitudes to dogs such as their devotion to throwing toys and their ability to walk on a harness and leash.