The Devon Rex is a small, light cat (2-5 kg) with an unmistakable look — huge low-set ears, large eyes, a pixie-like face, and a soft, loosely-waved, sparse coat that owners describe as suede or crushed velvet. That coat is the breed's signature and the source of several of its quirks: it provides little insulation, sheds very little, and in some cats is so thin it leaves bald patches. Buyers drawn purely to the elfin appearance need to understand that the same mutation shaping the look also makes this a cat with specific, non-trivial maintenance and health considerations. Temperament is the breed's real selling point. The Devon Rex is intensely people-oriented, mischievous, and dog-like: it rides on shoulders, follows you everywhere, learns tricks, wedges itself against you for warmth, and is genuinely poor at being ignored or left alone. It stays playful and clownish for life and is often called a 'monkey in a cat suit.' This is a companion cat in the fullest sense — affectionate and entertaining, but demanding of attention. The practical realities owners underestimate: the sparse coat means a Devon gets cold easily and seeks heat (laps, radiators, sunny spots), and the same skin produces excess oil that the thin coat cannot wick away, so Devons need routine bathing and ear cleaning that most cats never require. The breed also carries serious inherited conditions — notably a hereditary muscle disease and the same heart disease seen in many pedigreed cats — which makes breeder screening essential, not optional. Who the Devon Rex is right for: someone home often who wants a highly interactive, warmth-seeking, low-shedding companion and will commit to routine bathing/ear care and source from a breeder who screens for HCM and Devon Rex myopathy. Who it is wrong for: a household gone all day, anyone expecting a hands-off cat, or a buyer who treats the unusual coat as zero-maintenance.
Origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Life Span
10–15 years
Weight
2.3–4.5 kg
Height
25–30 cm
very high
Exercise
low
Grooming
low
Shedding
Yes
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Friendly
Apartment
The Devon Rex began with a single curly-coated kitten named Kirlee, born in 1960 near a tin mine in Devon, England, to a stray cat. Kirlee's wavy coat resembled that of the Cornish Rex discovered a decade earlier in neighboring Cornwall, and breeders initially attempted to combine the two — but test matings produced only straight-coated kittens, proving the Devon's curl arose from a separate, distinct gene. The breed was therefore developed indep…
Devon Rex cat breed portrait
The Devon Rex originated in United Kingdom.
Devon Rex cats are considered one of the most intelligent cat breeds.
The Devon Rex is one of the most energetic and playful cat breeds.
The Devon Rex is considered a hypoallergenic breed, producing fewer allergens than most cats.
The Devon Rex is a true lap cat that loves to curl up with their owners.
Devon Rex cats are exceptionally dog-friendly and can live harmoniously with canine companions.
Purchase Price
600–2500 USD
Monthly Cost
~$70 USD
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
A Devon Rex costs $600–$2,500 to purchase from a reputable breeder, plus roughly $70/month in ongoing expenses — food, veterinary care, grooming, and insurance. Over a 10–15-year lifespan, total lifetime ownership cost runs $8,400–$12,600. Adopting from a rescue ($50–$500) reduces the upfront cost significantly. The first year is always the most expensive due to initial setup costs ($300–$800) on top of the purchase price.
Prices vary based on lineage, breeder reputation, location, and whether the Devon Rex is pet-quality or show-quality. Adopting from a rescue or shelter typically costs $50–$500 and gives a Devon Rex a second chance at a loving home.
| Expense | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Food & treats | $25–$32/mo |
| Veterinary care (wellness) | $14–$21/mo |
| Grooming | $7–$11/mo |
| Pet insurance | $30–$70/mo |
| Toys, supplies & misc | $6–$8/mo |
| Total monthly estimate | ~$70/mo |
Purchase
$600–$2,500
Initial setup
$300–$800
crate, bed, bowls, collar, leash
12 months care
~$840
This estimate includes routine food, veterinary wellness visits, grooming, insurance, and supplies — but does not include emergency veterinary care, boarding, or specialized training. Actual costs vary by location, lifestyle choices, and your Devon Rex's individual health needs.
All costs are approximate U.S. averages and vary by location, breeder, veterinary clinic, and individual needs. Updated March 2026.
Devon Rex care is unusual for a cat: the priorities are skin and ear hygiene, warmth, and attention — not brushing. Coat and skin: do NOT brush a Devon with a normal brush — the fragile, sparse coat damages easily. The real task is the opposite of most cats: the thin coat cannot absorb the skin's natural oils, so they build up. Most Devons need a gentle bath every 1-4 weeks (cat-safe shampoo) plus a soft cloth wipe-down between baths to control greasiness and prevent skin irritation. Start bathing in kittenhood so it is accepted. Ears: the large, sparsely-haired ears accumulate brown waxy buildup quickly. Check weekly and clean every 1-2 weeks with a vet-approved ear cleaner. Neglected Devon ears reliably progress to infection — this is a recurring, predictable cost owners do not expect. Warmth: the coat gives little insulation. Provide warm bedding, heated pads, and accept that the cat will seek your body heat. Keep the home reasonably warm; a cold Devon is a stressed Devon. Weight and feeding: the Devon has a fast metabolism and a big appetite for its size — feed measured meals appropriate to a small cat and keep a visible waist. Obesity worsens the breed's cardiac and joint risks. Enrichment: budget 20-30 minutes of interactive play daily plus climbing space. This is a highly social, easily bored cat; isolation produces destructive, over-vocal behavior. Monitoring: report any difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, a 'head-bobbing' or weak posture, exercise intolerance, or fast/labored breathing promptly — these point to the breed's inherited muscle or heart disease. Decision rule: any swallowing difficulty, episodic muscle weakness, or rapid/open-mouth breathing in a Devon Rex is a same-week (breathing changes: same-day) vet visit — these are breed-specific red flags, not minor quirks.
Dive deeper into everything Devon Rex — costs, care, and expert insights.
How Much Does a Devon Rex Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
Devon Rex Care Guide
## Devon Rex Care Overview This Devon Rex care guide gives owners a practical plan for daily life...
Considering a dog instead?
Browse Dogs Breeds
