Devon Rex
Devon Rex are one of the better choices for a family with children. Expect a small cat that is high-energy, barely sheds and needs very little grooming. It is a committed lap animal, so expect company whether or not you asked for it.
The numbers
| Typical lifespan | 12–16 years |
|---|---|
| Average adult weight | 3.6 kg (about 7.9 lb) |
Sources: PDSA breed guide.
What Devon Rex are actually like
Day to day. High-energy — this is a cat that needs height to climb, things to hunt and someone to play with. A bored one of these gets into everything, and that is not naughtiness, it is boredom.
The coat, honestly. This breed barely sheds and needs very little grooming. A brush a few times a week and the occasional tidy-up keeps it in good order.
Company and noise. This one is a committed lap animal and fairly chatty. Expect it on your lap, your keyboard and your chest at six in the morning — a cat bred for closeness does not negotiate.
Get one if…
- You want a cat that will put up with being picked up by a child
- Someone will actually play with it every day, and it can climb high
- You would rather brush and pay a groomer than vacuum every day
- You want a cat whose coat looks after itself
- You are short on space and want a cat that fits your home
Think again if…
- Nobody has ten minutes twice a day to play with it properly
- You want a pet that entertains itself while you get on with things
- A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year
- A shelter cat would do everything this one does for a fraction of the price
What it costs to keep one
Rough running cost: $$$ (one of the pricier cats on our list) — because it eats very little, which keeps food costs down.
Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.
Looking for one? Start at a shelter
Rescues do have Devon Rex and Devon Rex crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.
Often compared with
❓ Common questions about Devon Rex
Is a Devon Rex good with kids?
Yes — Devon Rex have a strong reputation with children. As with any animal, an adult should supervise young kids and the cat together, and children need to learn to leave it alone while it eats or sleeps.
Do Devon Rex shed a lot?
Very little. The trade is grooming: this coat needs regular brushing and professional trims, or it mats.
Can a Devon Rex be left alone during the day?
Less happily than most cats. This breed was bred for close human company and tends to be vocal and unsettled when the house is empty all day — two cats together suits it far better than one alone.
Is a Devon Rex a good first cat?
Yes — this is one of the easier-going breeds for a family new to cats.
Should I get a Devon Rex?
Devon Rex suit a home that moves a lot, is happy to be climbed on, and is not fussy about coat care. Meet the cat itself before deciding. Get one if: You want a cat that will put up with being picked up by a child; Someone will actually play with it every day, and it can climb high; You would rather brush and pay a groomer than vacuum every day; You want a cat whose coat looks after itself; You are short on space and want a cat that fits your home. Think again if: Nobody has ten minutes twice a day to play with it properly; You want a pet that entertains itself while you get on with things; A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year; A shelter cat would do everything this one does for a fraction of the price.
📚 Where this comes from
We check our care advice against vets, animal charities, and government health guidance. Here is what this page is built on.
Vets, charities & official guidance
- Cat breed guides — PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals)
- Lovely lilies and curious cats — FDA
- Indoor and house cats — Blue Cross
- Cats — CDC Healthy Pets, Healthy People
- Feeding growing kittens — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Declawing position statement — Feline Veterinary Medical Association
Keeper & species-community guides
Checked August 2026. These are other people’s websites, and none of it replaces your own vet — if a pet seems unwell, call one.