Devon Rex care: a delicate coat, big ears and sensitive skin

A Devon's wavy coat looks as if it takes five minutes to look after. In a way, that's true: a Devon doesn't need daily brushing. But its coat and skin have their own quirks, and once you know them, care becomes a simple and pleasant ritual. Here is what a Devon needs every week and what it needs now and then.

A coat that breaks easily

A Devon's coat is short, soft and very delicate: the hairs are fine and break even with careful combing. That's why ordinary stiff-bristled brushes or metal slicker brushes are not right for it — they break more hair than they remove.

What works better:

• stroking with your palm, the simplest method and the one cats enjoy most for picking up loose hairs;
• a soft rubber grooming mitt or a very soft-bristled brush if more hair is coming out;
• a piece of chamois or soft cloth to give the coat a shine.

A few minutes once a week is enough; the cat, a thorough self-groomer, will do the rest. If the coat suddenly starts falling out heavily or thinning, don't try to fix it with brushes — talk to your vet instead.

Devon kittens go through a special transition period: from about eight weeks, many lose part of their coat, and the full adult coat only grows back after six months. During this time the coat needs especially gentle handling.

Oily skin and bathing

In cats with a normal coat, skin oil spreads along the hairs. A Devon has fewer hairs, so some of the oil stays on the skin: it can feel slightly greasy, darken around the claws and leave marks on favorite resting spots. Studies have shown that Malassezia yeasts commonly live on Devon skin, and that cats with greasy seborrhea carry especially large numbers of them.

That's why a Devon needs a bath from time to time. There is no universal schedule: some cats need one every few weeks, others less often, so let the state of the skin and coat guide you. Bathe your cat in a warm room with warm, not hot, water, use a gentle cat shampoo your vet recommends, rinse thoroughly and wrap your cat in a warm towel straight away. A short coat dries quickly, but a Devon gets cold easily, so it needs a warm spot after its bath. Introduce your kitten to water gradually, with praise and treats. Between baths, you can gently wipe greasy areas with a soft damp cloth or unscented pet wipes, and wash the blankets on favorite spots more often.

Big ears, more wax

Those enormous ears are a Devon's pride, but they also collect wax quickly. Check them once a week. If you can see a lot of wax, gently wipe the visible part of the ear with a cotton pad moistened with a cleaner your vet recommends. Don't push cotton buds deep inside: it is easy to damage the ear or push the wax further in. An unpleasant smell, redness, frequent head shaking or wax that quickly comes back are reasons to take your cat to the vet.

Claws, paws and teeth

Oil and dirt tend to collect in the folds around the claws, so wipe them with a damp cloth during your checks. Trim the claws roughly every two to three weeks, taking off only the clear tip, and provide several scratching posts. If your cat resists, split the job into several sessions: two paws today, two tomorrow. Don't forget the teeth either: choose a dental care routine with your vet and get your kitten used to it early.

Warmth and sun

A thin, short coat keeps a cat less warm than a dense one, which is why Devons love blankets, radiators and their people's laps. Provide warm beds and draft-free spots, especially in cold weather and during heating or power outages. A sweater is fine only if your cat is happy to wear one. Be careful with heating pads and heaters, since a sparse coat offers little protection against burns. A sparse coat also offers less protection from the sun, so it is best to limit long sunbathing sessions, especially on a hot balcony.

A check-up worth making a habit

Every stroke is a chance to notice changes. Look out for:

• bald patches in an adult cat, flaking, redness or a rash;
• itching, scratch marks or greasy areas with an unpleasant smell;
• the condition of the ears, eyes, mouth and paw pads.

If anything worries you, take your cat to the vet — only a vet can find the cause and prescribe treatment. For the breed's inherited conditions, read Devon Rex health.

See whether there are kittens of this breed right now, learn more on the breed page or join the waiting list.