Devon Rex Breed Guide: The Pixie Cat With Curly Coat
The Devon Rex is a cat that provokes a strong reaction in everyone who encounters one. With its enormous elfin ears, large round eyes, prominent cheekbones, and tight curly coat, the Devon Rex looks like something between a pixie and an extraterrestrial. But it is the personality that truly sets this breed apart. Playful, mischievous, intensely social, and deeply devoted to its human family, the Devon Rex has earned comparisons to dogs for its interactive, following behaviour. For those who want a cat that actually wants to spend time with them, the Devon Rex is hard to beat.
Origin and History
The Devon Rex originated in Devonshire, England, in 1960. A curly-coated kitten was discovered in a litter born to a stray cat near an old tin mine in Buckfastleigh. The kitten's mother appeared to be a straight-coated feral, but the father was believed to be a curly-coated tom that had been observed in the area. The curly-coated kitten, named Kirlee, was acquired by a cat fancier who initially assumed the same gene was responsible as in the Cornish Rex, which had been discovered in the neighbouring county only a decade earlier. Breeding trials proved the mutations were entirely different. The Devon Rex mutation affects a different protein to the Cornish Rex, and crossing the two produces only straight-coated offspring.
The Devon Rex was accepted for championship status in the United Kingdom and internationally, and the breed has grown steadily in popularity ever since.
Temperament and Personality
The Devon Rex is famously described as "a monkey in a cat suit." It is acrobatic, inquisitive, and gets into everything. Devon Rex cats love to climb to the highest point in any room, perch on shoulders, and insert themselves into whatever activity their owner is engaged in. Reading, working at a computer, cooking, and sleeping are all considered valid opportunities for cat participation in the Devon Rex's view.
This breed is highly social and does not do well in isolation. It thrives when it has company — whether from people, other cats, or even a friendly dog. The Devon Rex bonds deeply with its family and will follow its preferred person from room to room. It is generally good with children who treat it respectfully and adapts well to multi-pet households. Its playful energy typically remains well into adulthood.
The Devon Rex is also notably vocal in a quiet, chirping sort of way — it communicates its opinions but is not as insistently noisy as some breeds. It tends to be warm-seeking, often found burrowed under duvets or draped across a lap, in part because its sparse coat offers less insulation than that of most cats.
Exercise and Enrichment
The Devon Rex is highly active and needs plenty of environmental enrichment. Cat trees, puzzle feeders, wand toys, and interactive play sessions help to channel its considerable energy. It is easily trained to fetch, respond to its name, and even walk on a harness. A bored Devon Rex will find its own entertainment, which may not always align with its owner's preferences.
Common Health Conditions
Devon Rex Myopathy
Devon Rex myopathy, also known as hereditary myopathy of the Devon Rex and Sphynx, is the most significant breed-specific health concern for this breed. It is an inherited muscle weakness condition that affects the skeletal and oesophageal muscles. Signs typically appear in young cats between three weeks and six months of age. Affected cats show generalised muscle weakness, difficulty raising the head and neck, and a characteristic "skull and crossbones" posture when fatigued. Megaoesophagus — enlargement of the oesophagus — can occur, causing regurgitation and increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. There is no cure. Management includes potassium supplementation, small frequent meals, and feeding in an upright position to reduce regurgitation risk. Affected cats can live comfortable lives with careful management, but the condition cannot be eliminated. Responsible breeders test breeding stock and avoid breeding affected cats.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats overall, and the Devon Rex is among the breeds with a higher-than-average predisposition. HCM causes the muscular walls of the heart to thicken, reducing its efficiency. Many cats remain asymptomatic for years, while others develop breathing difficulties, lethargy, or sudden collapse. Annual echocardiographic screening by a cardiologist is recommended for Devon Rex cats, particularly those used in breeding. A genetic mutation associated with HCM has been identified in some breeds; testing may be available — ask your vet for current guidance.
Patellar Luxation
The kneecap can slip out of position in Devon Rex cats, causing intermittent lameness, a skipping gait, or sudden leg-shaking. Mild cases may require no treatment; more severe luxation may need surgical correction to prevent long-term joint damage.
Hip Dysplasia
While hip dysplasia is most commonly associated with dogs, it has been documented in Devon Rex cats. It causes malformation of the hip joint leading to pain and reduced mobility, particularly in older cats. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the severity of symptoms.
Skin Fold Dermatitis
The Devon Rex has skin folds around the neck, groin, and armpits that can accumulate oil, debris, and moisture. Regular cleaning of these areas with a damp cloth helps to prevent bacterial and fungal skin infections. Signs of dermatitis include redness, odour, and discomfort in the fold area.
Blood Type B
Devon Rex cats have a notably higher frequency of blood type B than most other breeds. This is important for two reasons. First, in emergency situations requiring transfusion, blood typing must be confirmed beforehand — mixing type A blood into a type B cat causes a severe, potentially fatal reaction. Second, when a type B queen mates with a type A tom, the resulting kittens may develop neonatal isoerythrolysis, in which antibodies from the queen's colostrum destroy the kittens' red blood cells. Kittens at risk should be separated from the queen for the first 16 to 24 hours after birth and bottle-fed during this window. Responsible breeders blood-type all breeding cats.
Grooming
The Devon Rex coat is unique and requires a different approach to grooming than most cat coats. The curls are fine and fragile, and brushing with a standard brush will cause them to break, resulting in patchy or bald areas. Instead, the coat should be gently wiped with a warm, damp cloth or microfibre towel to remove oil and debris. The large ears accumulate wax and require regular, gentle cleaning. As the breed produces normal levels of skin oils but has less coat to absorb them, periodic wiping of the body — particularly the ears, neck, and paws — prevents buildup.
Diet and Nutrition
The Devon Rex has a high metabolism and tends to be food-motivated. A high-quality, complete diet appropriate to the cat's age supports good muscle condition and skin health. Given the myopathy risk, ensuring adequate potassium intake may be advisable — discuss dietary needs with your vet. Fresh water should always be available.
Lifespan
The Devon Rex typically lives between 9 and 15 years. Early health screening for myopathy and HCM, combined with good nutrition and regular veterinary care, supports a healthy lifespan.
- Ideal for: Active households, families with older children, multi-pet homes, those wanting a highly interactive cat
- Not ideal for: Those wanting a calm, independent cat, or households where the cat will be left alone for long periods
- Key requirement: Blood type all Devon Rex cats; screen annually for HCM with echocardiogram