A Complete Price Guide for the Devon Rex Cat

Devon Rex

Devon Rex cats are not your average, run of the mill feline. These fantastic creatures look like they come straight out of fairy tale book. Devon Rex cats have exaggerated features that set them apart from other cats—large eyes, pointy elfish ears, elongated necks, and so forth. Highly intelligent and loving, this cat breed is one of the most sought-after breeds in the cat community. Because of how much they are wanted, Devon Rex cats could be challenging to find and take home. However, it isn’t impossible. If you’ve ever considered bringing home a Devon Rex cat to be your cat companion, we’ve outlined a price guide to help you plan your steps.

History

Although they may look similar to hieroglyphic cats from ancient Egyptian times, the Devon Rex is actually a fairly recent breed. Also known as the “pixie cat,” the Devon Rex is credited to have sprung from a natural mutation in England during the 1960s. As the name implies, this breed has been accepted to have emerged from a region called Devonshire.

There was a domestic short-haired female that mated with a tom cat that had a unique curl to its coat. Only one kitten from the litter had that same unique curl, and he was named Kirlee. Because of his similarities in features with the Cornish Rex breed, Kirlee was then bred to female Cornish Rex cats.

The results were straight-coated cats unlike Kirlee’s. Later on, the gene mutation responsible for the curl on Kirlee’s coat was discovered, making it unique to the breed. Thus, the Devon Rex was breed was established. To preserve the natural mutation, a Devon Rex was brought to the United States in 1968. By 1979, the breed finally received an official recognition.

Where to buy a Devon Rex

Kittens aren’t hard to come by. There are so many breeds to choose from and so many cats waiting for a home. But if you’ve got your eyes set on finding a Devon Rex, be prepared to do a little bit of research. It’s highly recommended that you buy a Devon Rex from a reputable breeder. The price of a Devon Rex will depend on the breeder’s reputation, the pedigree, the age of the cat, and some other factors.

There are sellers that will offer a 5- to 6-week-old Devon Rex for as low as $350. Although it may sound tempting to purchase a Devon Rex at this price, know that most kittens around this age have not yet been vaccinated and are in danger of health problems from being away from their mother too early.

If you’re buying a Devon Rex simply as a pet, wait a few more weeks and expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $600 per cat. A slightly older Devon Rex should be vaccinated by the time of your purchase. This will ensure that your kitten will survive better once taken home.There are Devon Rex cats that are bred to be performance cats.

If you’re looking for a performance cat, prepare to pay at least $1,000. Of course, all these prices don’t include the other extras you’ll need to make sure your cat is healthy and safe. While a reputable breeder is your best option for purchasing a Devon Rex, it isn’t the only one. There are animal shelters, rescues, and pet stores that could potentially have a Devon Rex waiting to find a home.

In addition, there’s a new business venture that’s finding popularity across the US. The trend of cat cafes started in Asia and has been a great way for cat families to find each other. In cat cafes, cats freely roam around to interact with guests and patrons while they’re dining. These cats are usually available for adoption.

Cost of care

The next thing to consider about owning a Devon Rex cat is the actual cost of care. Purchasing a cat may be the first expense in pet ownership, but it’s far from being the last. Caring for a Devon Rex is well-worth the expense because you’ll have a loving and loyal pet as a companion. One of the first things you’ll have to pay for is pet registration and possibly microchipping.

Every state has its own pet licensing laws, so make sure you adhere to these to avoid issues later on. Pets generally need to be registered with a government agency, which normally will run you about $40. Microchipping can run you anywhere from $30 to $50 depending on the veterinarian.

Healthcare 900

Speaking of veterinarians, you’re going to want to find a good one to care for your Devon Rex on a regular basis. Many pet owners opt to get insurance for their cats in order to offset the cost of healthcare. A regular checkup may run you around $100, but an emergency visit could easily become expensive.

Diagnostic tests could run up to a few hundred, while hospitalization stays could cost $600 to $1500 for just a couple of days. Emergency surgery will cost you a few thousand and other types of repairs are just as expensive. Although it may seem daunting to think about healthcare expenses, caring for your Devon Rex shouldn’t be scary.

Devon Rex cats are generally healthy creatures with only a few health risks. The best breeders normally screen for health issues while the cats are still young—yet another reason why it’s important to get your Devon Rex from a reputable breeder. Some of the most common health problems known to affect the Devon Rex breed includes hip dysplasia and patella luxation, both of which could make walking difficult.

Other than the regular visits and possible emergency vet visits, the only order health-related care you’d need for your cat are medications, vitamins, supplements, and so forth. These are easily obtainable and can be administered on an as needed basis.

Grooming/hygiene

One of the best parts about owning a Devon Rex cat is grooming and maintaining hygiene. Devon Rex cats are known for the unique quality of their coats, which may require a little more grooming compared to other cat breeds. Devon Rex cats have short coats that tend to grease up quickly. As the grease and dirt builds up on your cat’s coat, it will start to irritate your cat’s skin.

Devon Rex cats are known to have sensitive skin, so any irritation could easily lead to an infection. This simply means that your cat will need regular bathing. Make sure to only use mild pet shampoo in order not to damage your cat’s coat. Nail trimming and ear cleaning should be done periodically as well in order to prevent infections.

Invest in a good quality nail clipper so as not to hurt your cat when trimming its nails. Cats are known for their self-reliance, and the Devon Rex breed shares the same qualities. They will spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but it won’t be a replacement for regular bathing. Just make sure not to overdo the bathing.

You wouldn’t want to dry out your cat’s coat in the process, which will be equally as bad. Avoid brushing your Devon Rex’s hair. Brushing could cost breakage and damage. Find what works and the balance of bathing, and you should have no problem keeping your cat’s curly coat healthy and shiny.

Shelter

Providing the proper shelter for your Devon Rex is important. This is a good time to remind cat owners that cats, including the Devon Rex, are best when kept indoors. While cats will need some outdoor time, they should always be sheltered in a place where they can’t run off onto the streets. Sheltering a cat pretty much means providing it with a space it can call its own.

A bed, a dining area, a bathroom area, and a proper play area should be readily available for your cat to access. A Devon Rex will benefit greatly from a soft and plush pet bed to help keep it warm. Like many other cats, the Devon Rex breed likes looking out windows and sitting on high spaces. A separate window bed would be a nice little gift for your Devon Rex.

It’s also important that you give your Devon Rex a separate bathroom area and dining area. The key word here is separate. You’ll need to separate these two spaces because cats don’t want to eat where they eliminate their wastes. Your Devon Rex will appreciate a quiet and calm area where it can enjoy its meals, far away from the litter box.

Food

Now we get to the food. Devon Rex cats could be somewhat of picky eaters—but not from their end. Much of what they eat will rely heavily on what you give them. Much like any other feline, the Devon Rex will eat a lot of proteins and fats. In fact, 26% of their diet should be healthy proteins. However, they shouldn’t consume carbohydrates at all—if possible. Devon Rex cats have difficulty processing carbs.

On the other hand, giving your Devon Rex too much fruits or vegetables will make it difficult for you to feed your cat. As they are descended from the great big cats of the wild, Devon Rex cats are inherently carnivores. Their bodies are made to consume meat. If a Devon Rex eats too much carbs or sugars, they become at risk for developing diabetes.

Because they tend to be pickier when it comes to food, many Devon Rex owners will employ the trial and error method to see what kinds of food their pets like. Remember that Devon Rex cats are intelligent animals. They will surely go on a hunger strike if they don’t like the food you are giving them. This can cause liver failure and even death in extreme circumstances.

Once you’ve found the food that your Devon Rex likes, always leave some on its food bowl for eating and grazing all day. On average, a Devon Rex will consume about 80kcals of energy daily. The amount of food you should feed your Devon Rex will depend highly on its size and weight.

Activities

Devon Rex cats will eat all day because they expend their energy all day as well. This cat breed is characteristically playful and energetic. They are highly sociable creatures that love to cuddle and play with their pet parents. They like to jump and even play games like fetch. There are a variety of toys that Devon Rex cats enjoy.

Because of their intelligence, puzzle and challenging toys are great for their curiosity. Interactive toys and engaging toys such as laser beam toys will give your Devon Rex hours of entertainment. Toys that reward with treats are always good as well. It gives your Devon Rex something to learn.

If you know that you will be gone for hours at a time, it’s important that you give your Devon Rex enough toys to entertain itself with. As social creatures, Devon Rex cats will get lonely if they don’t get stimulation from a human or another pet for long periods of time. Toys will offer entertainment and a distraction from loneliness.

Other expenses

You can probably spend as less or as much as you want on various cat toys, but remember to set aside some funds for other expenses. Pet sitting is an expense that some cat parents tend to forget. You never know when you’re going to need a cat sitter. Most sitters will charge $20 to $30 in services during the day.

Overnight sitters could charge anywhere from $70 to $80. Of course, these only count if you can’t find someone to watch your pet for you. Travel expenses are possible as well. If you plan on traveling with your cat, you’re going to need a travel carrier and other accessories your Devon Rex might need. Strollers are unnecessary, but they do help in keeping your cat safe and shaded while you take it with your walk. There are many other things you can get for your Devon Rex to keep it happy and healthy, but the most your cat would need from you is your love, attention, and affection.

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