Origin story
There is information about the exact date of origin of the breed - 07/15/1960. In Britain, Devonshire, a kitten with thick, curly hair was born. Many years have passed since that time; it is difficult to name the color. It is assumed that he was black.
A county resident picked up a pregnant cat near a mine. There, a male was often seen, who was nicknamed Curly - curly (due to large curls on his fur). Presumably, he was the father of the kitten that was born and the progenitor of the Devon Rex breed.
Experts did not immediately recognize her. Because at that time there already existed a similar breed of cats with curly hair - the Cornish Rex. They were combined into one type. However, after a while it was discovered that they had a different rex mutation gene. When these two breeds mate, kittens with straight hair are born. The Devon Rex is distributed throughout the world and is prized by breeders.
What to feed a kitten?
Dry food
Today, in our nursery, cats eat dry food for kittens and cats GO!, this is a holistic food made in Canada. You can continue to feed your little one with this food, or you can gradually switch the kitten to any other holistic or super-premium food for kittens, for example - NOW, Carnilove, Applaws, Holistic Blend, Arden Grange, Acana, Origen, Grandorf, Power of Nature. Then, as they grow older, starting from 1 year of age, you can switch to food for adult neutered cats. But until this time, let the kitten always have dry food freely available. Many kittens have an increased appetite and literally do not leave the bowl, which greatly worries their new owners. This behavior of a kitten is quite normal, because a cat up to a year is considered a kitten and it is at this time that the body actively grows and develops. So there is no need to limit the baby’s nutrition, the main thing you need to worry about is that the baby receives the highest quality super-premium food, this applies to both dry food and wet (canned) food.
Canned food
The best canned food is Animonda Carny, Ontario, Berkley, Almo natural, Leonardo. You can give canned food every day.
Natural nutrition
If you want to transfer your kitten to feeding natural food, then it should include raw beef, which must first be kept in the freezer (to destroy the eggs of worms), chopped turkey and chicken without skin and bones - the bird does not need to be frozen and can be fed raw. You can give chicken heads (they are very beneficial for the cat’s health), you can give necks, chopped stomachs and hearts
ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed: salty, sweet, smoked, fried, pork, products containing starch and soy (sausage, potatoes), river food. With caution: rice porridge (fixes), liver (raw can cause diarrhea, boiled - constipation), egg yolk (like liver), white - not.
Distinctive features
Representatives of the breed, due to the special structure of their ears, resemble elves: large, widened at the base, low set - framing the muzzle. Some individuals have hair growing on them in tufts. Sometimes the mustache and eyebrows also curl - this enhances the “alien” appearance.
The prefix “rex” denotes the genetic mutation code responsible for the curly, curly coat. The breed is soft and thin. According to the description, the colors are varied.
The animal grows to medium size. The weight of cats does not exceed two to three kg, and males three to four kg. Externally, representatives of the breed appear fragile and weak. But this is not so: they have a muscular body and strong limbs.
SAFETY
Don't forget about safety measures!
To avoid accidents, the kitten should not have free access to: threads, buttons, needles, beads, chemicals, plastic bags, poisonous flowers and other life-threatening things. There MUST be mosquito nets on the windows! It is desirable that the mosquito net be of the “Anti-Kot” type, which is stronger and stronger than the usual one. Windows with vertical opening are very dangerous. A cat can get stuck in them. Doors. Devons love to be with people and accompany their owner everywhere, therefore, you should be careful with doors so as not to pinch the baby. No matter how funny it may be, don’t forget to close the toilet lid! The toilet lid must be closed. It is easy for an adult cat to free itself from the snow-white captivity of the toilet bowels, but if a small kitten has settled in your house, perhaps, having fallen into the toilet, it will not be able to get out. Be careful! Houseplants. Many of us have indoor plants in our homes. Cats are very interested in some indoor plants; they can often sniff them, gnaw them, touch them with their paws, and some flowers may be damaged. And if there is a cat in the house, it is important to know which plants can be poisonous to it and which do not pose a threat. The dangers of some houseplants are questionable, but it is better to know that some of these plants can cause poisoning in a cat if she tries them, while others simply have a smell that repels cats. You can find out which plants you should be wary of and which are harmless here. If you have any suspicions about the kitten's health, contact your breeder, and he will definitely tell you something. Don’t listen to your mother’s friend, neighbor Baba Masha and other kind aunts, because you have YOUR BREEDER who will always help with advice, share the experience accumulated over the years, tell you what to do and what to do. Do not self-medicate, after all, there are competent doctors, the main thing is to find a competent doctor and do it on time. Remember that every animal adapts to its owner. If you love your baby and take care of him, then he will love you too. Love your little girl, and he will love you back a hundredfold!
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Temperament
Cats are smart and easy to train. If you take the time to do this, they can easily be taught many commands. It is necessary to raise a pet at an early age, until the animal has formed individual habits.
Pets keenly sense a person’s mood. In response to affection, they return the favor. The Devon Rex usually chooses one owner. It is easy to identify: the animal approaches it more often and requires attention.
The breed is playful and active. Cannot be alone for long. She needs to be given enough attention. The animal loves to rest on the owner’s lap and sleep with him. The process of playing with a pet drags on for a long time. The breed is suitable for families with children and other pets.
Even in adulthood, the Devon Rex remains playful. He loves the company of people very much and tolerates noisy companies calmly. Good for large families.
The animal does not tolerate rough treatment.
The cat is very inquisitive. She is interested in absolutely everything that happens around her. She makes pleasant purrs and unusual sounds when something attracts her attention.
Character is different from character?
But the differences in character between Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats never became obvious. The main features - activity, mobility, playfulness, curiosity, intelligence and affection for their owners - are similar to these cats.
If a Devon or Cornish cat differs from this description, then this is rather an exception rather than a rule. Wayward, vengeful, aggressive or poorly behaved animals are found among any breed, and outbred cats can also be like that.
Also, contrary to the existing stereotype, representatives of both breeds can equally cause allergies in people: a specific allergen protein is present in the body of absolutely any cat.
But in general, both English curly cats have earned good fame and found their ardent admirers. When choosing between two breeds, cat lovers usually focus on the external features of the Cornish and Devon Rex.
Which curls do you prefer?
What canned food tastes best for cats?
RESEARCH ATTENTION! You and your cat can take part in it! If you live in Moscow or the Moscow region and are ready to regularly observe how and how much your cat eats, and also remember to write it all down, you will receive FREE SET OF WET FOOD.
Project for 3–4 months. Organizer - Petkorm LLC.
If you love unusual cat breeds and want to have an exotic pet at home, then you should pay attention to two special breeds - Cornish and Devon Rex. These cats can surprise not only with their appearance, but also with their excellent character qualities. Intrigued? Then let's not waste a minute and learn a lot of interesting things about these breeds right now. Don't miss beautiful photos and useful videos.
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Health status
Animals are in good health. However, they may experience dental problems. Therefore, pets need proper nutrition and daily mouth care.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may occur. There is also a hereditary predisposition to myopathy and hypotrichosis.
The animal is unable to control itself when it comes to food. If you do not monitor his diet, obesity may occur. Because of this, it will begin to hurt a lot.
Popular colors of Cornish Rex cats
- White. The nose and paw pads are pink. Eyes blue or golden.
- Black. The color is dark and dense. The eyes are golden.
- Blue color, no shades. Blue nose.
- Red (no marks or stripes). The eyes are golden. The nose and paw pads are brick.
- Calico. White with pastel spots of red or dark shade. Eyes can be blue, golden, two-tone.
- Cream (no pattern). It is better if the shade is light. The eyes are golden. The nose and paw pads are pink.
Care and maintenance
The coat requires care. Otherwise, it will become sticky and dirty, and the animal will lose its purebred appearance.
It is recommended to wash your pet once or twice a month. Shampoo for sensitive skin is used for the procedure.
Devon Rex does not like water. He needs to be accustomed to it gradually. First, wipe with a damp towel. In this case, you cannot use force or raise your voice. This will scare the animal; it will always be afraid of the event. If you teach him to bathe, your pet will like the process and will experience pleasure from it.
Shedding is not typical for the breed, so the coat is brushed once every half month. Due to their enormous size, the eyes and ears require careful care. If you do not clean them in time, an inflammatory process may begin. The eyes are washed once a week. The ears are cleaned with cotton swabs twice a month.
The Devon Rex can be let out for a walk. He has a strong immune system. However, the wool is not adapted to cold weather: it can freeze and get sick even in the fall. In addition, the animal is purebred and costs money: it can be stolen. It is better to walk your pet on a leash.
With proper care, the pet lives for about 18 years.
Deworming
Deworming should be carried out once every six months, preferably with different drugs, i.e. in the spring they gave Milbemax, in the fall Kanikvantel, next time Drontal and so on, alternating. This is due to the fact that there is no medicine that would have a uniquely wide spectrum of action and would kill all parasites at once. All anthelmintic drugs contain certain active substances and act on different types of parasites.
Proper nutrition
Devon Rex loves to eat. Does not know moderation in food and is prone to obesity. The owner himself decides what to feed the pet: natural food or purchased food. The main thing is that it contains a large number of useful elements.
If you feed an animal with natural food, it is necessary to monitor the balance of fats, carbohydrates, and fats. It's not entirely simple. Therefore, most owners give preference to feed. It is better to choose them of first-class quality, dry or wet. There should always be clean water in the bowl.
To prevent the Devon Rex from overeating, feeding is carried out frequently and in small portions. This will help him stay in shape and avoid health problems.
Breed description: CFA standard
Blue eye color occurs in animals that have a coat color like the Siamese.
Devon Rexes have a unique, alien appearance. The cat has huge elf ears, pronounced cheekbones, an upturned nose, and large, wide-set eyes. The color of the iris always matches the color of the fur - green, golden-green, yellow. An animal with a Siamese color has eyes that are clear blue, like a clear sky. The body is stocky, reaches a length of up to 35 cm. The average weight of an adult cat is 4-4.5 kg, a female cat is 2.5-3.5. The legs are long, graceful, the tail is thin, densely covered with short hair.
The fur is short, soft, curly. If there are bald areas on the body (except the lower part of the body, temples and forehead), this is considered a serious fault. The color can be anything. Even acromelanic or Siamese colors are acceptable - white all over the body and black on the toe, ears, and tail. The following coat colors are considered common:
- ginger;
- chocolate;
- cinnamon;
- grey;
- lilac;
- tabby;
- tortoiseshell;
- beige;
- mink;
- black and white.
Mr. Cat advises: choosing a name for your pet
You need to choose an unusual nickname that reflects the character, behavior, and appearance of the animal.
Suitable names for females:
- Giselle;
- Fly;
- Athena;
- Grace;
- Mystery;
- Dixie.
Interesting nicknames for cats:
- Batman;
- Elf;
- Yakhont;
- Drake;
- Alf.
You can use your imagination and choose a more suitable name for your pet. Only the owner knows the distinctive features of the pet and can, based on them, give a unique nickname. The cat will get used to it quickly.
Where can I buy and cost?
In Russia, the Devon Rex is rare. There are few nurseries and breeders of this breed, so the cost is rather high. A kitten with documents and pedigree will cost approximately 40,000 rubles.
The price is affected by the color and type of wool: if it is curly and there is a rare shade, then the cost increases to 50,000 rubles.
If a kitten was born from a random mating and does not have documents confirming its purebredness, it can be purchased for 20,000 rubles.
However, no one can guarantee that the animal does not have defects or congenital pathologies.
You can purchase Devon Rex from specialized nurseries or breeders. Addresses are verified via the Internet. You can also order a kitten on various sites on the World Wide Web. However, this is not safe; there is a possibility of running into scammers.
The Devon Rex is a playful and energetic cat breed. He needs constant attention. Suitable for families with many people. There should always be someone next to him. You won’t be bored with an animal; it will brighten up the life of its owners.
Arrival at a new home
It is best to plan the arrival of your little Devon Rex closer to the weekend so that the kitten can be supervised for as long as possible. Upon arrival, do not take the kitten out of the carrier yourself, he must do it himself, move a little away from the road, get used to the new smells and sounds, and calm down. After all, the road is a lot of stress for the baby. Some kittens get used to it quite quickly and immediately begin to explore the new territory, while others may not leave the carrier for a long time. It is better to immediately limit the kitten’s territory to one room, placing bowls of food, water and a tray in the most visible place. The kitten will find everything on its own and do its business.
After a few days, when the baby has already become comfortable in one room, you can begin to give him access to other rooms, under constant supervision, of course. You need to make sure that the kitten remembers where the tray is and that it is there that he needs to relieve himself. Then you can move the tray to another place that is more convenient for you, showing this new place to the kitten (he will remember). Our kittens begin to go to the litter box from the first month of life; they already understand perfectly well why there is a tray in the playpen and know what to do with it. So there shouldn't be any mistakes. And if this happens, it means you did not follow the recommendations - at first the filler should be the same as in the breeder’s house, and only after a month or two, if there is such a desire, you can gradually change it to another.
The first time in a new home, the kitten may meow in confusion. Here it is important to remember and understand that the baby grew up in another house where everything was familiar and there was a mother cat and many brothers and sisters nearby, but now he is in a strange, unfamiliar place, he is all alone. But don’t worry, as a rule, babies quickly adapt to new living conditions. Play with the kitten more, try to entertain him. In games you will get to know each other faster and it will be easier for the kitten to get used to the new home. Do not cuddle the kitten, do not immediately pick it up, do not raise your voice, you are still strangers to him, he does not know you yet, so his reaction may be negative. Give your baby time.
Basic care items needed for a kitten:
- cat litter tray and litter
- bowls
- claw sharpening post
- food (preferably the one the kitten ate at the breeder’s house)
- transport carrier
- toys
- bench seat
- special scissors for cutting nails
