Devon Rex – Everything you need to know about the breed
Quick facts about the Devon Rex
Weight: 2.5–5.5 kg
Withers height: 25–30 cm
Energy level: Medium
Life span: 10–15 years
Social need: High
Colours: Found in all imaginable patterns and colours, for example white, blue, black, cream, red, brown, frosty white, chocolate brown, lilac, champagne and seal grey.
Health problems: Generally healthy but can suffer from stud tail and hypotrichosis.
Personality of a Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a social, lively and loving cat breed. They are often very attached to their cat parents and feel best in the company of them or another pet. Plenty of play and activity is both appreciated and important when you have a Devon Rex, as they have a great need for stimulation. A Devon Rex also loves warmth unusually much and therefore thrives best as an indoor cat, where they are also protected from harmful sunlight.
Appearance and coat care of a Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a slender, medium-sized and muscular cat with a distinctive curly or wavy coat and frizzy whiskers. The coat of a Devon Rex consists almost entirely of undercoat, which means that they shed very little and can also suit you if you are allergic to fur-bearing animals. Brush the coat about once a week to help remove loose hairs and keep the coat healthy. Be gentle when you brush, as the coat is very delicate. A soft grooming glove is ideal.
Health problems in a Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is generally a healthy breed but, of course, can be prone to certain hereditary diseases. One condition that can occur in the breed is so-called stud tail, which can in turn cause ear problems, oily deposits on the skin and itching. Another health issue is hypotrichosis, which means the cat becomes bald or loses fur on parts of its body.
Oral health
Did you know that you need to brush your cat’s teeth? Brushing your cat’s teeth daily is the best thing you can do to prevent your cat from developing periodontitis, learn more about it here. The dental disease FORL is common among cats and often occurs together with periodontitis. Brushing your cat’s teeth can be a challenge, but with treats and a lot of patience your cat will eventually get used to it. Learn more about how to brush your cat’s teeth here. Learn more about cat dental care here.
Poisoning
There are many things that are poisonous to cats that you may not have thought about before. One example is plants – learn more about which plants are poisonous to your cat here. Further examples of what is poisonous to cats are chocolate and mouse and rat poison. It is important to store anything that is dangerous for cats in a place they cannot reach.
