Devon Rex

Devon Rex are mischievous, playful, and intensely devoted companions that some owners describe as "monkeys in cat suits." They are acrobatic, fearless, and endlessly curious, climbing to improbable heights and squeezing into impossible spaces. They are exceptionally food-motivated and will attempt to steal food from plates, counters, and even your hand. Deeply affectionate, they want to be touching their person at all times — on your shoulder, in your lap, or burrowed under the covers. They are intelligent and can learn tricks, open doors, and respond to their name. They get along with everyone — children, other cats, dogs, and strangers. They are one of the most social cat breeds and suffer greatly when left alone. Their playful, kitten-like behavior persists throughout their entire lives.

The Devon Rex has a uniquely pixie-like face with very large, low-set ears (often described as "bat ears"), enormous wide-set eyes, high cheekbones, a short muzzle, and a strong chin. The head is a modified wedge with a flat skull and prominent cheek bones. The body is medium-sized, compact, and well-muscled with a broad chest. The legs are long and slim with small, oval paws. The coat is soft, fine, and wavy — shorter and less uniform than the Cornish Rex, sometimes with areas of near-baldness on the temples, chest, and belly. Guard hairs, awn hairs, and undercoat are all present but modified and fragile. Whiskers and eyebrows are short and often curly or broken. The tail is long, fine, and covered with short wavy fur.

The Devon Rex was discovered in 1959 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, when Beryl Cox noticed a curly-coated feral tomcat near an abandoned tin mine. When her adopted stray cat produced a curly-coated kitten, she named him Kirlee. Initially thought to carry the same gene as the Cornish Rex, breeding attempts between the two produced only straight-coated kittens — proving the Devon mutation (gene re) is different from the Cornish mutation (gene r). The breed was developed independently using outcrosses to British Shorthairs and other breeds. CFA accepted the Devon Rex in 1979, and TICA also recognizes the breed. Despite sharing similar wavy coats, the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex are genetically distinct breeds.

Devon Rex myopathy (spasticity) is a breed-specific inherited muscle disorder causing generalized muscle weakness, particularly when eating and exercising. It typically appears between 3 weeks and 6 months of age and has no cure, though affected cats can live comfortable lives with management. DNA testing can identify carriers. HCM should be monitored through regular cardiac screening. Patellar luxation may occur and should be checked routinely. Malassezia dermatitis (yeast skin infection) is more common in Devon Rex due to their unusual coat, requiring regular skin care. Periodontal disease requires proactive dental hygiene. Their thin coat provides limited insulation, so they need warm environments.

The wavy coat requires gentle handling — brush very lightly once a week to avoid damaging the fragile hairs. Over-grooming can cause bald patches. Regular bathing every two to four weeks helps manage oil buildup on the skin. Keep the indoor environment warm, and provide heated beds, blankets, and cat sweaters for cooler weather. Protect them from excessive sun exposure. Feed a high-quality diet — they are notorious food thieves, so secure all food storage. Regular dental care is essential. Provide abundant climbing structures and interactive toys to channel their acrobatic energy. They need daily interactive play and companionship — a second Devon Rex or similar social breed is ideal if you work outside the home.