The Devon Rex, A Cat That Always Needs Company

Short curly hair, large pixie ears, elongated body and bright eyes are the physical characteristics that stand out most in the Devon rex , a cat who loves human company. He is a docile, extroverted, noble and intelligent cat who, if you choose him as a life partner, will surely follow you around the house, demanding your attention.

A feline who doesn’t want to be alone

These cute eared animals are very cold. Perhaps it is this characteristic that has made them so sociable with people. Although, to tell the truth, many cats are and increasingly demolish the claim that defines them as independent and detached animals.

The truth is that Devon rexes like to feel comfortable, warm and safe in their owners’ arms and on their backs too. They are affectionate, active and playful and do very well, both with children and with the elderly.

And,  although they adapt without problems to closed spaces, they hate being alone. And so, in case there is no human in the house at certain times of the day, the ideal is to give him a cat friend. Keep in mind that they are not jealous, so they will easily accept the new family member.

Appearance of the Devon rex

In addition to those incredible wide-spaced ears, with a wide base and rounded tips, and in addition to that coat that gives it a poorly shorn sheepish appearance, the Devon rex has the following characteristics:

• Medium size.
• Slim but strong structure.
• Elongated and muscular body.

• Small and triangular head.
• Muzzle oval, with full cheeks and well defined chin.
• Eyes also oval, detached and shining.
• Nose with prominent bridge and short muzzle.
• Slender neck.
• Long and thin legs, slightly curved towards the body. The forelegs are shorter than the hindquarters.
• Arched shoulders.
• Curled mustache and eyelashes.
• Long and thin tail.

Other features of these cute felines

The males of this breed weigh between 4 and 6 kilos and the females between 3 and 5. And, even if their gait seems a bit shaky, they are agile animals, capable of performing the most varied pirouettes and acrobatics. Life expectancy is between 9 and 15 years.

Keep in mind that the soft coat of the Devon rex , in addition to being short, tends to be thin and less dense than that of other breeds. And while this appears to be beneficial for allergy sufferers, it is not for cats.

For this reason they always tend to look for that warmth that their coat cannot provide them. The ideal, therefore, is that their kennel is placed in a warm spot in the house, so that they feel as comfortable as in the arms of their owners.

A cat of English origin

The origin of this cute cat dates back to the sixties of the last century. It is the result of a natural genetic mutation, responsible for its curly coat. The first specimens were discovered by accident in an abandoned mine in the county of Devon, England. This is where its name comes from.

But, while they look similar to Cornish rex , the gene that mutates and causes wavy coat in both breeds is different. For this reason, if they cross each other, smooth-haired specimens are obtained.

On the other hand, although their appearance may indicate fragility, they are strong and healthy animals, which do not require great care. It is sufficient to comb them during the moult to eliminate the dead hair and to check that the ears do not accumulate excessive ear wax.

But you also need to get them used to taking a bath from time to time, as their fur tends to accumulate more grease than would be appropriate. And care must be taken that they do not overeat, because the extra kilos can affect their slender legs.