THE REX CAT
The Rex is one of the few breeds which enjoy the crowds and excitement found at a cat show. Where other cats are frightened or annoyed by the many onlookers and the noise, the Rex watches with interest. They like people and they also like to participate in their activities.
Using its paws like hands, a Rex can pick up small objects, and some have even learned to turn door knobs and open doors. Give a Rex a piece of string and watch it go into action. Its movements are, like its very body, a study in curves as it jumps, dances and rises up on its hind legs.
Its keen intelligence is observable through the alert interest with which it regards people and their antics. Yet the same Rex who has just been gracefully flying through the air will be very happy to cuddle up on its owner's lap or, even better, right under his chin.
Truly a study in contrasts, a Rex is one of the most versatile pets with a mood to match every occasion - it is truly a cat for all seasons. When not paid the proper amount of attention, the Rex will make their feelings known.
The Devon Rex is a feline version of "E.T". Its short wide-cheeked face, huge low set bat wing ears and delicately sculpted body - combined with a devilish sense of mischief - give it a pixie-like persona. The Devon Rex is often referred to as the feline comedian, or a monkey in a cats clothing.
The character of the Devon Rex is remarkable. This breed has a personality all of its own, and is one of the reasons why this breed has risen in popularity. They are excellent jumpers, and because of their extremely curious nature, sometimes no shelf is off limits to them!
They are a cat with attitude and are not for the faint hearted.
The Devon Rex are affectionate, adventurous, intelligent (they can be trained to fetch), and very much people orientated. Many Devons learn tricks! Lots of them will fetch toys and are so obsessive about the game that you will tire before they do. Many like to jump from the floor to your shoulder and ride there. When you relax they often join you choosing a lap for comfort or your shoulder for the view! They love to be with you, and to help you do all sorts of activities, from reading to cleaning the house. If you are seated, you will generally have a Devon Rex in your lap, or if you are lying down, you will generally have one keeping you company and if you are standing be prepared to carry a Devon on your shoulder!
They wag their tail when happy, purr readily (even when being told off) and are great talkers. They chirp and twitter rather than a meow. Some are even adapt a silent meow, where their mouths open but nothing comes out.
Devon's have been compared to pixies, elves and of course, space aliens for their jumbo sized satellite dish ears, and large, mischievous window to the soul eyes.
The ideal Devon is medium in size and, despite the slender body style, is sold, muscular, and feels surprisingly heavy when lifted.
The Devon Rex cat is a good potential choice for people who are allergic to cats. This is because the breed carries a recessive mutated gene that changes their coat type and length. They don't shed hair like normal breeds of cat, although the amount of hair loss varies between different individual cats.
In a typical cats body coat there are three main types of hair, which are the guard hairs, awn hairs and down hairs. The guard hairs and the awn hairs are together called the topcoat. The guard hairs form the protective topcoat. They are the longest and the thickest of the body hairs and serve to protect the under fur from outside elements, keeping it dry and warm. The awn hairs form the middle coat they also help insulate and protect the body from the elements. The down hairs are the closest to the skin. Their job is to keep the cat warm and to conserve their body temperature.
The Devon Rex Coat
The Devon Rex coat has all three types of body hairs, guard hairs, awn hairs and down hairs. All these hairs are reduced to the quality of the down hairs by the Devon Rex gene.
The coat of the Devon Rex doesn't feel as soft to touch of that of the Cornish Rex because of their guard hairs.
Kittens go through a few moulting stages up to adult hood and may look a little bare from time to time. The Devon Rex is prone to have bare areas especially around the neck, chest and stomach, in adult cats it is as a fault.
ALLERGIES
Allergic people are encouraged to visit an only Rex household/breeder to determine their own tolerance for the breed.
While no cat can be truly hypoallergenic the Devon Rex cats can lower the risk of allergic reactions. The Devon Rex cat sheds the least, so they deposit less allergen laced hair around the house.
Many people who are allergic to cats can tolerate a Rex.
Some people can also have a reaction to the Rex coat. The very short hair does not hold dust, dander and saliva as well as normal coats do. Whether or not a reaction occurs depends a great deal on the type and severity of the allergy. Some allergies are from the coat (hair) some others are from the saliva of the cat.
To Lessen These Reactions:
Keep your bedroom a cat free area.
Bathe your cat regularly: having another person bathe the cat can prevent a mild reaction.
Wipe your cat with a wet cloth every few days to remove saliva and dead hair out of the coat.
Try to reduce other allergens in the environment as they may have an additive effect.
Keep your Rex's skin healthy by feeding high quality natural foods.
Wash your hands immediately after petting your cat or touching toys and bedding and do not rub your eyes.
Vacuum up allergens with a high-grade vacuum cleaner twice weekly.
See your physician and discuss possible immunotherapy or medications.
By adopting some good management strategies you can lower the risk of an allergy reaction.
Grooming can be a pleasant experience for both of you if rex is trained to tolerate grooming when still young. Rex's will come to expect and even enjoy grooming sessions with you. A regular grooming program is also good for a cat's health. Grooming removes dead hair that can form hair balls in a cat's stomach, gets rid of dead skin and dander, stimulates the skin, tones muscles, and encourages blood circulation. A simple session of hand grooming when your Rex comes and sits on your lap will do the trick.
Bathing is hardly ever required unless your Rex got into something she/he wasn't supposed to. The coat can be damaged by too-frequent bathing or too harsh a shampoo, so be very careful in what you choose.
Some Rexes have excessive earwax because they do not have the longer hair protecting their inner ears. It is a good idea to clean the outer ear of the Rex at least once a week, with a damp tissue or ear bud, but be very careful not to poke too far in.
Vaccinations prevent some of the most common feline diseases. While no vaccination is one hundred percent effective, vaccinations have saved countless feline lives. Make vaccination part of your Rex's basic health care. Vaccination boosters are recommended once a year.
If you decided to own a lighter coloured Rex, be careful of the Sun. You have several options, let your Rex out under supervision when the sun isn't in full shine or put sun tan cream on the nose and ears of your rex to prevent skin cancers. Rexes are drawn to the sun; just remember you might have to be cruel to be kind.
