PurrWiseCat Care & Health
Back to Breed Directory

Devon Rex

Origin: England

An impish, highly social breed with oversized ears, prominent cheekbones, and a soft, wavy ripple coat.

Affection Level5/5
Energy Level5/5
Child Friendly4/5
Apartment Friendly5/5
Devon Rex cat portrait

The Devon Rex is a playful, elf-like cat known for its large saucer ears, wide eyes, and unique short wavy fur caused by a recessive gene. They are energetic clowns that thrive on human warmth and interaction.

Key Breed Traits

  • People-focused shadow: Devon Rexes love riding on owners' shoulders, snuggling under blankets, and participating in every task.
  • Low-shedding wavy coat: Their delicate guard hairs shed minimally, though they are not completely allergy-free.
  • Warmth seeking: Due to their light coat, they love cozy heated beds and warm spots in winter.

Home & Care Considerations

Common Inherited Conditions & Screening

Screen for hereditary Devon Rex myopathy (spasticity), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and patellar luxation. Their ears accumulate wax quickly and should be cleaned gently every week.

Routine Care, Exercise & Environment

Keep Devon Rexes indoors to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and cold drafts. Provide high vertical towers and puzzle games. Monitor daily nutrition with our Calorie Estimator.

When to Consult a Veterinarian

Seek veterinary advice if you notice skin redness, excessive head shaking from ear wax accumulation, or muscle weakness/gait abnormalities.

Interactive PurrWise Care Tools

Use PurrWise tools to calculate tailored daily nutrition, convert feline age to human years, and check food safety for Devon Rex cats:

Sources & Scientific References (3)

GCCF Devon Rex Breed Standard

Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) • Accessed 2026-08-03

View

CFA Devon Rex Breed Profile

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) • Accessed 2026-08-03

View

Devon Rex Health & Genetic Screening

International Cat Care (iCatCare) • Accessed 2026-08-03

View

More Breed Profiles

Cornish Rex cat portrait
SmallShort Coat

Cornish Rex

Cornwall, England

An extraordinarily energetic, soft-wavy coated feline with bat-like ears, slender greyhound-like frame, and playful personality.

Apartment Friendly
Affection5/5
Energy5/5
Lifespan: 12–15 yearsView Profile
Tonkinese cat portrait
MediumShort Coat

Tonkinese

Canada / United States

A loving, active hybrid of the Siamese and Burmese featuring striking aqua eyes, mink coat patterns, and playful warmth.

Apartment Friendly
Affection5/5
Energy4/5
Lifespan: 13–18 yearsView Profile
Russian Blue cat portrait
MediumShort Coat

An elegant, quiet breed with vivid green eyes, silver-tipped blue plush double coat, and a gentle temperament.

Lower Fel d 1 Apartment Friendly
Affection4/5
Energy3/5
Lifespan: 15–20 yearsView Profile