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Curly-coated cat · Great Britain

Devon Rex

Large ears, a soft wavy coat and a lively personality: a Devon Rex usually wants to be involved when something happens at home.

Size: MediumActivity: ModerateCare needs: Low
At a glance Compare breeds ↗
Adult Devon Rex cat with a clear view of its face
Red Devon Rex resting on a bedspread, with body, paws and tail visibleRestingYoung grey Devon Rex held in front of a pale wallYoung catClose-up of wavy fur on a Devon Rex cat’s flankCoat and features

At a glance

Size
Medium
Weight
2.3 to 4.1 kg
Lifespan
12 to 16 yearsUK GCCF cat breed profile
Activity
Moderate
Care needs
Low
Enrichment
Enjoys learning together
Owner experience
First cat with preparation

Part of whatever is going on

Many Devon Rex cats seek physical contact and follow their people from room to room. They are often curious and sociable without being constantly on the move. The International Cat Association (TICA) describes the breed as playful and people-oriented. It needs regular company and daily play. If you are away for long stretches, plan dependable care and interaction.

Play, search and rest

Offer varied, short games. A Devon Rex may search for a small soft toy, bring back a ball or follow a wand toy between low and higher surfaces. A simple food puzzle can add to shared play: put in part of the measured daily ration and let the cat work the food out. Washable puzzles can hold wet food; rolling feeders can hold dry food. Start with an easy task. Provide a stable cat tree and a warm sleeping place away from draughts. Put away toys with strings after playing together.

For practical play, food searches and quiet retreats, read Indoor Cat Enrichment: Play, Food Puzzles and Safe Retreats ↗

Wavy coat and large ears

The short coat feels soft and distinctly wavy. Rough brushing is unnecessary; a hand or a very soft brush can lift loose hair gently. Skin oils may collect around the large ears. Check them regularly and clean only visible dirt carefully, without putting cotton buds into the ear canal. Young cats can have a thinner coat that changes as they grow.

Close-up of wavy fur on a Devon Rex cat’s flank
A closer look at the coat waves

Light frame, distinctive face

A Devon Rex is light yet muscular. Large low-set ears, broad cheekbones, a short muzzle and big eyes make the head distinctive. Its short coat forms waves and may be less dense in places. TICA gives adult females at about 2.3 to 3.2 kg and males at 3.2 to 4.1 kg. The curl comes from a different genetic change from the Cornish Rex, so the two breeds do not share the same coat type. The breed traces back to a curly-coated male called Kirlee from Devon, England. His coat was initially thought to be a Cornish Rex variant, but breeding trials showed that the two mutations had arisen independently.

Red Devon Rex resting on a bedspread, with body, paws and tail visible
Resting on a bed

CMS testing and heart scans

Two different checks matter in Devon Rex breeding lines. A DNA test detects a known genetic variant associated with congenital myasthenic syndrome, CMS. Affected kittens develop muscle weakness, especially noticeable after exertion; carriers can pass on the variant without being ill themselves. TICA also recommends heart screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle, using ultrasound to assess the heart muscle. Ask for written CMS results and recent heart findings for both parents. A clear genetic result tells you nothing about the state of the heart.

Could this breed fit your life?

Could work well if …

  • You like a cat that seeks company and joins in with games.
  • You can provide climbing places, warm resting spots and daily interaction.

May be more difficult if …

  • The cat would spend most days with very little company.
  • You expect a short coat to remove any need to look after skin and ears.

Meet other cat breeds.

Selected by size, activity, care and play needs.

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American Shorthair

MediumNot sufficiently documented

Sturdy, even-tempered and playful, the American Shorthair enjoys shared games while keeping a measure of independence.

Semi-longhair · France

Birman

Medium12 to 16 years

The Birman combines blue eyes, pale silky fur and white paws with a gentle, people-oriented nature. Many seek company and enjoy short play sessions.

Shorthair · United States

Bombay

MediumNot sufficiently documented

The Bombay has glossy black fur and copper eyes. Muscular and sociable, it enjoys playing with its people.

Sources and photograph credit

  1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

    Used in this profile for: Health

  2. How to Feed a Cat: Addressing Behavioral Needs

    Used in this profile for: Everyday life

  3. Devon Rex

    Used in this profile for: Lifespan

  4. Devon Rex

    Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Could this breed fit your life?

  5. Sphynx and Devon Rex Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome

    Used in this profile for: Health