DEVON REX

Brief description of the breed

The head has a wedge-shaped shape with peculiar convex curved lines at the ears, which form the edge of the lobe. Appearance is emphasized by wide-set large oval eyes.

The wool of these cats soft, without coarse guard hairs, which are characteristic of most long-haired cats. The body is covered with hair, especially densely on the back, sides, tail, paws, muzzle and ears of the animal. In the upper part of the head, as well as on the neck, chest and abdomen, there is noticeably less hair, sometimes the hair is a small fluff.

As for the color, it can be very diverse. There may be various multi-colored patterns: white, black, blue, red, coffee, etc. Color can also be monochromatic.

Devon Rex are not very large catsbut, as they say, looks can be deceiving. Despite their relatively small body size, these pets are very athletic and muscular. The body is supported by long thin legs with oval paws.

Devon Rex is a cat that loves to be not just next to its owner, but at the level of his eyes, for example, on his shoulders. These pets show extreme interest in almost everything that happens around them. You can be sure that this pet will always be with you.

The pet of this breed is distinguished by a moderate level of activity. He is not particularly mobile, but will not refuse to play. The Devon Rex is especially delighted with various interactive games, as the pet has a sharp mind and excellent ingenuity. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to buy various toys.

The Devon Rex is characterized by the fact that while eating, he likes to be with his family, including at the same table. If you are not an adherent of this behavior, then it is worth weaning the kitten from this addiction from early childhood. Keep in mind that in terms of food, these cats are greedy. It is necessary to control the pet's diet in order to avoid obesity.

The preferred place for the Devon Rex is under the covers of the owner. He is always looking for warm, cozy places. Another characteristic feature of cats of this breed is a special craving for observing what is happening from a height. Often cats climb on mezzanines or doors, where they can happily spend more than one hour during the day.

The curly coat of the Devon Rex is fairly easy to care for. It is necessary to comb out the coat very carefully so as not to damage the delicate hair of the animal. In most cases, it is enough to iron the wool with your hand. The best thing about this cat breed's fur is that it hardly sheds, so it's almost impossible to notice the hairs on clothes or furniture in the house.

Bathe representatives of this breed as needed, which occurs extremely rarely. After bathing, the coat dries quickly.

To prevent a variety of dental problems, your pet needs to brush their teeth regularly. It is best to do this once a week. Weekly hygiene procedures also include the process of eye care, the corners of which should be regularly wiped with the tip of a clean cloth (a separate cloth for each eye).

Check your Devon Rex's ears once a week. If they are dirty, wipe them with a cotton swab or a damp cloth soaked in a solution of water and vinegar in a one to one ratio. You can’t clean the ear canals with a cotton swab, don’t forget about it!

To maintain hygiene in the house and prevent the occurrence of health problems for the pet, it is necessary to keep the cat's tray in perfect cleanliness.

The body of the Devon Rex is always warm to the touch. But you need to know that these cats are susceptible to cold in the same way as humans. If it's cold for you, then it's cold for your pet. In advance, even before the onset of cold weather, think about special clothes for your pet or darling.

Please note that the communication of the Devon Rex with random animals should be limited as much as possible. You should never let a kitten walk without your supervision. First of all, it will protect against diseases (fleas, worms, lichen, etc.) that are transmitted from animal to animal. In addition, the Devon Rex should not be left unattended because the pet may be stolen or it may inadvertently get hit by a car.

Please note that the Devon Rex has exposed areas of the body. On hot, sunny days, the skin must be treated with sunscreen.

The Devon Rex is the perfect choice for families with young children. Pets of this breed are extremely friendly, sometimes their behavior is akin to the behavior of dogs. In addition, they perfectly master various tricks, which are sometimes beyond the power of a dog.

The Devon Rex may have breed-specific health conditions, mostly genetic, although overall the pet is relatively healthy.

The main diseases that representatives of the breed are prone to include congenital hypertrophy. This disease is also known as hereditary baldness. The mentioned ailment is hereditary and is provoked by the presence of a recessive gene.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that is inherited by many cat breeds, such as the Maine Coon. At the same time, the hereditary nature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Devon Rex has not been proven.

Dermatitis. This skin disease in the Devon Rex is caused by a yeast of the genus Malassezia. They cause itching on the skin, and are also the cause of infection in the ears. Fight the disease with the help of antifungal drugs.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the acetabulum that causes severe damage to the joints.

Urticaria, or pigmentary degeneration, refers to one of the varieties of dermatological diseases. With the course of the disease, small sores may appear on the body. In the course of treatment, as a rule, prednisolone is used and essential fatty acids are taken.

Myopathy is a hereditary disease that manifests itself between the ages of three weeks and six months. The disease leads to severe, pronounced muscle weakness. Late treatment can lead to serious, sometimes irreversible, consequences. But with timely help from a specialist and with proper treatment, the disease can slow down and stabilize.