Devon Rex owner's guide

Devon Rex origins

The Devon Rex breed originated in the UK – it got its name from Devonshire, where the first Devon Rex cat was born in 1960. The breed came about through a spontaneous genetic mutation – and has gone on to be a popular breed around the world.

Devon Rex – temperament

Devon Rex are known to be both social and playful. They love to be the centre of attention and thrive in families where they get lots of interaction and stimulation.

These cats are intelligent and can learn various tricks and commands. They are also known for their ability to adapt to different environments and people.

Training and engagement – Devon Rex

Cat behaviourist consultant Anna Jönsson Bergstedt gives tips on how to train your Devon Rex – and keep them active:

• Adapt playtime to suit their needs
  It’s good to adapt toys to your cat’s individual preferences, but things that move quickly such as spring flippers tend to be good for engaging cats.
  Give your Devon Rex the opportunity to sneak about and plan a hunt when you play with them. And make sure they also have opportunities to run after and catch their toy – as this is an important part of the game.
• Use food to keep them active
  All cats have to eat, regardless of their breed. ‘Scatter feeding’ is a great way to keep them active – you can spread food or treats out around the home, and hide them for the cat to find. You can also use activity bowls or food puzzles. However, you may need to do this in place of a regular food bowl, otherwise your Devon Rex won’t see the need to exert itself.
• Training tricks
  To prevent them from getting up to mischief, intelligent cats may need extra guidance with training. Therefore, it’s important to practice fun tricks together using methods like clicker training.
  Using treats and toys is good for reward-based training – this is especially helpful when training cats as they won’t work as hard to impress you as dogs will!
• Other ways to stimulate your cat
  Many cats like to explore and be part of the activities in your home. Encourage them to participate when you’re doing things around the home, and give them outdoor items to play with. For example, you could give your Devon Rex pine cones and blades of grass, or let them explore empty cardboard boxes
  Give them lookout points too so they can keep an eye on their territory, both inside and outside.

Devon Rex – appearance and size

The Devon Rex is a medium-sized cat with a slim body and a long tail. Its head is short, with standout cheekbones, a tiny muzzle, and a sturdy chin. Big ears and big eyes give it a bit of a bat-like look. Some say it even resembles Gizmo from Gremlins or Yoda from Star Wars.

Devon Rex cats often have wide chests, slender legs and small, oval paws.

The Devon Rex also has easy-care fur. Their coat is wavy and they have thin hair, which comes in different colours and patterns, making each individual unique.

Devon Rex health

The Devon Rex is generally a healthy cat breed. Although like other cat breeds, it can suffer from hereditary heart disease HCM.

Caring for your Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is often considered an indoor cat. While they’re curious and playful, their short coat and sensitive skin mean they’re better suited to a cosy indoor life where they’re less exposed to outdoor dangers. They do enjoy climbing and exploring, so an enriched indoor environment with cat trees, toys, and maybe a window perch is ideal. 

Check out our guide on creating a good home environment for your cat.

Remember to clean their ears regularly to avoid infections.

Devon Rex kittens

Devon Rex kittens are adorable and charming. Like adult Devon Rex cats, they have a curly coat and large ears from a young age.

When buying a Devon Rex kitten it is important to make sure it is vet checked, vaccinated and wormed. You should also receive information on how to care for the kitten and when the next vet visit should take place.

Learn more about caring for your kitten, including how to settle them into their new home.

Devon Rex FAQs

Last reviewed by Amanda Andersson in June 2024.