Devon Rex personality: an elf on your shoulder and in everything

A Devon Rex is easy to spot thanks to its huge ears, big eyes and wavy coat, but what really wins owners over is its personality. These cats get compared to elves, to monkeys and even to puppies: they are clever, mischievous and very attached to their people. As always, this is a typical portrait of the breed, not a guarantee: every kitten has its own temperament.

The cat on your shoulder

One of the Devon's best-known habits is climbing onto a person's shoulder and riding around the house. Devons want to be as close as possible: they follow you from room to room, help you cook, work at the computer and sort out the wardrobe, and at night they often sleep under the covers. The CFA describes these cats as intensely people-oriented, with an almost dog-like devotion and a loud, near-constant purr.

That devotion is a joy, but it is also a responsibility. A Devon struggles to understand why the bathroom door is closed and may remind you about it loudly.

Clever and mischievous

Devons are smart and inventive. Many quickly learn to open cupboards, find hidden treats and coax food off your plate. There is a reason people joke that a Devon will never let an unattended sandwich go to waste, so it is best not to leave food out on the table.

That cleverness is worth channeling into play. Devons usually enjoy:

• wand toys and toys they can catch mid-leap;
• fetch — some Devons bring back a ball like a dog;
• puzzle feeders;
• learning simple tricks for a treat;
• a tall, sturdy scratching post or wall shelves for watching everything from above.

Some Devons even learn to come when called or at a click of the tongue. Training for treats is not just fun for them, but one more way to spend time with you.

Children and other pets

A sociable, playful Devon often becomes a great friend to children who know how to handle a cat gently. A Devon's coat is thin and fragile and the skin underneath is sensitive, so rough grabbing and tugging are unpleasant for it. Teach children to play with a wand toy, never to lift the cat by its legs and not to wake it up. Many Devons are not shy with visitors and are the first to come and say hello, although some are more cautious and need time.

Devons usually get on with other cats and friendly dogs. In fact, having another animal around helps them cope better when you are out. Introduce pets gradually and under supervision, and give each one its own place to rest.

Time alone and daily routine

A Devon is poorly suited to being a cat who waits alone all day for its people. If it is regularly left on its own for many hours, it may get bored, call out and look for entertainment in cupboards and on shelves. If you work long hours, consider a second cat, and set up warm beds, puzzle feeders and window perches with a secure screen at home. If your cat is only alone for a few hours, that is usually fine — what matters more is that it gets your attention the rest of the time.

Like most cats, Devons are most active in the morning and evening. A typical day looks like this: morning play, a long nap in the warmest spot in the home, evening zoomies and a shared evening under a blanket. Devons love warmth, because a short, thin coat does not keep them as warm as a dense one.

Personality matures with age

A Devon kitten is energy without an off switch. Cats calm down a little over the years, but many Devons remain playful and curious as adults. An adult cat's personality is also shaped by its first months at home: a kitten that gets plenty of play, is picked up gently and is gradually introduced to new people and sounds usually grows up confident and relaxed.

Who is a Devon Rex right for?

A Devon is a good choice for anyone who wants an active, intelligent and very affectionate cat that joins in with everything. It suits a household where someone is often at home, and people with a sense of humor who don't mind a cat on their shoulder while they cook dinner.

Think carefully if you are rarely at home, want an independent cat or are looking for a hypoallergenic breed — we explain why no such breed exists in Devon Rex myths. To learn why the Devon's coat is curly, read Why the Devon Rex is curly.

See whether there are kittens of this breed right now, and learn more on the breed page. If there are no kittens at the moment, join the waiting list.