Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Long Do Devon Rex Cats Live? Average Lifespan Data & Facts

red-devon-rex-cat-in-gray-background

The Devon Rex cat is famous for their unique looks, marked by a triangular face, huge ears, and large eyes. But even more interesting than their appearance is their lovable personality. They are intelligent and playful and love being around people.

This breed emerged in the 1950s and has slowly become one of the most sought-after cats today. They are a rare breed, making owning one quite desirable for some cat lovers. But how long will this cat keep you company? A Devon Rex cat can generally live approximately 10–15 years. 

Read on for more information on the Devon Rex’s lifespan and essential tips on helping to ensure that your cat lives longer.

divider cat faces 2 oct 2024

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Devon Rex Cat?

The average lifespan of a Devon Rex cat is 10 to 15 years. But your cat can live longer with proper care, a healthy diet, and adequate exercise.

Interestingly, Devon Rex cats never lose their kitten-like energy, even in their senior years. Their natural inclination to exercise helps keep health issues at bay, and many live up to their mid-teens.

devon rex tabby cat is laying on a soft blanket
Image by: Veera, Shutterstock

divider cat faces 2 oct 2024The 8 Reasons Why Some Devon Cats Live Longer Than Others

A Devon Rex cat can live longer than their average lifespan. It’s not all down to luck, though. You can ensure your feline friend lives well past their expected age with proper care.

How long your feline lives will depend on various factors, including nutrition, breed history, and sex. We examine these in detail here.

1. Nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential since it impacts the health of your cat. A healthy balanced diet will provide adequate energy and prevent nutritional-related illnesses.

A Devon Rex cat’s diet should consist of animal-based proteins and moderate levels of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It should also include adequate calorie levels since the cat is active and engages in a lot of play and exercise.

Avoid feeding human food to the cat despite their persistent begging. Instead, go for high-quality cat food with a label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials1.

If you keep your cat indoors, watch how much you feed them to avoid excessive weight gain. Obesity can lead to various health complications that could cut your feline friend’s life short. You can always consult a vet about the caloric requirements of your cat to make sure you feed them the right amount of food.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money


2. Environment and Conditions

A Devon Rex cat’s coat is lightweight, sparse, and thin. As a result, continuous sun exposure can lead to sunburns. Chronic sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer.


3. Living Quarters

A Devon Rex cat will be happy to stay indoors. However, your house needs adequate space to accommodate their natural inclination toward physical activity. They love exercise and play and require room to roam around.

Playing with your cat daily can give them the mental and physical stimulation necessary to stay healthy. It can also allow you to bond. But if you don’t have time, ensure your house has a variety of toys to keep the kitty active.

Naturally, a Devon Rex cat will enjoy being outdoors. However, it would be best to keep a close eye on them since they can get into all sorts of trouble that could endanger their lives. An outdoor cat enclosure can help keep them safe.


4. Size

Although no sufficient scientific evidence supports the claim, smaller cats tend to live longer than their larger counterparts. However, the difference is not as noticeable as with dogs.

Devon Rex kitten on a white fluffy blanket
Image by: Angela Kotsell, Shutterstock

5. Sex

Like humans, female cats live longer than their male counterparts. On average, a Devon Rex female cat can outlive a male by 1 or 2 years.

Neutering or spaying could also increase your cat’s lifespan significantly. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a spayed female cat can live 39% longer, and a neutered male cat can live 62% longer2.


6. Genes

Genetics also plays a role in a Devon Rex cat’s lifespan. For instance, a life-threatening condition can be passed down from a parent to their offspring.

Devon Rex myopathy is a hereditary health condition that affects the breed. The cat is also genetically predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and patellar luxation.


7. Breeding History

Don’t buy a kitten from any breeder. Only reputable ones will give you the vital information you need to learn about the cat’s breeding history.

First, the breeder should provide a health certificate indicating that the kitten has undergone all the necessary health checks and is free from serious health complications. Also, ask to see the kitten’s vaccination records.

Getting the parent’s and grandparents’ medical information is also essential since it will give you an insight into how long your cat will live. So, don’t forget to ask for the family tree. Ensure you find out how long the parents lived and the cause of their deaths.

devon rex cat is walking in the garden
Image by: Veera, Shutterstock

8. Healthcare

A Devon Rex cat can still get sick no matter how healthy they are as a kitten. Therefore, monitoring their health is vital in ensuring they live long.

Apart from providing a healthy balanced diet, regular vet visits are recommended. A veterinarian can diagnose and treat health complications early before they become life-threatening.

Generally, Devon Rex is a healthy breed. Still, there are several common ailments that you should watch out for.

These include:
  • Patella Luxation: Devon Rex cats are genetically predisposed to patella luxation, a condition characterized by kneecap dislocation. It can lead to lameness or unusual skipping.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Devon Rex breed is also genetically predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common heart disease in cats. The condition causes the thickening of the walls on the left side of the heart, leading to heart arrhythmia, blood clots, and congestive heart failure.
  • Devon Rex Myopathy: Devon Rex myopathy is a hereditary disease that causes muscle weakness in the head and neck. The signs appear when the kitten is 3 weeks to 6 months old.

divider 1 paws

The 3 Life Stages of a Devon Rex Cat

A Devon Rex cat goes through three life stages: kitten, adult, and senior.

1. Kitten

  • 0–12 months

Devon Rex kittens are tiny, with big ears. They are super energetic and playful but will spend a lot of time sleeping.


2. Adult

  • 1–8 years

Adult Rexes reach maturity at 12 months. Although they sleep less than kittens, they never lose the kitten’s playful disposition.


3. Senior

  • 8–15+ years
Devon Rex
Image by: George Trumpeter, Shutterstock

A Devon Rex cat becomes a senior from age 8 onward. They might start slowing down at this stage, but their purr is still as boisterous.

divider 3 pawsHow to Tell Your Devon Rex Cat’s Age

It could be challenging to tell your cat’s age if you got them from a shelter or rescue center. But you can get a general idea by observing their size, teeth, and eyes.

It is better to visit a vet for a thorough examination if you want a more accurate age assessment. However, it is essential to note that the vet will still be making an educated guess.

Cat Average Life Expectancy
Click Here to Enlarge

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

The Devon Rex is a healthy, energetic breed. They can live for 10 to 15 years if they don’t suffer from any life-threatening illnesses. You can ensure your Devon Rex cat lives longer by providing adequate care. That means feeding them a balanced diet, providing the space and environment for exercise, and visiting the vet regularly for routine check-ups.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Long Do American Shorthair Cats Live? Average Lifespan Data & Facts

Studies have shown that owning a cat can reduce stress levels and improve mental health, leading to a longer and happier life. But...

American shorthair male cat tabby

How Long Do Savannah Cats Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Savannah cats are beautiful hybrid spotted cats with long legs and distinctive, large ears. The hind legs are usually just a bit longer...

Cat Savannah F1 sitting on the stairs

How Long Do Tortoiseshell Cats Live? Average Lifespan Data & Facts

As a cat owner, you often wonder what the average lifespan of your feline pal might be. A tortoiseshell cat isn’t precisely a...

fluffy cat domestic longhair tortoiseshell cat

10 Incredible Devon Rex Cat Facts You’ll Be Surprised to Find Out!

Finding the perfect cat is often a difficult task, especially if you want a unique cat that wants to spend time with you...

devon rex on a cat tree

More related

Black Cornish Rex Cat

10 Vet-Verified Cornish Rex Facts That Cat Lovers Should Know

Cornish Rexes are known for their charming appearance and personality. These unique-looking cats are sure to catch one’s eye with their curly coats,...

male owner holding his devon rex cat

How Much Does a Devon Rex Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

The Devon Rex cat is famous for their unique appearance, distinct cheekbones, huge eyes, and big ears. They are also referred to as...

Closeup portrait of old calico cat lying down by kitchen on tiled floor in home

What’s the Longest a Cat Has Ever Lived? Facts & Life Expectancy

The longest a cat has been known to live is 38 years and 3 days. The oldest recorded cat is a tabby cat...

Devon Rex cat with a wavy coat looks at the camera with a window in the background

10 Types of Rex Cat Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

While most people think of cats with straight hair, that’s not always the case. Rex cats are known for their curly hair, and...

Keep reading

Is Cat Snoring Normal? Facts & When to Worry

Picture this—your cat is sprawled out beside you, snoozing away, when suddenly you hear the cutest sound from them. What is it? They’re snoring! A snoring cat can be downright adorable (and occasionally a bit annoying if they’re a particularly...

White and orange kitten snoring while sleeping

Can Cats Drink Soy Sauce? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Does your cat get curious about human food? You probably know that your cat prefers savory treats, but finding safe foods to share with your cat isn’t always simple. Soy sauce is a common additive to meat sauces, especially in...

Can Cats Drink Soy Sauce

Why Is My Cat Hiding Suddenly: 12 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Hiding is a behavior that pet owners may not see as often in dogs as in cats. However, it’s a safe bet that something is behind it that may either mean something benign or a more serious issue worth further...

A cat hiding under a couch

How to Stop Your Cat from Over-Grooming: Vet Answer & Advice

Cats are fastidious self-groomers, which is their trademark trait that begins from an early age. Your cat will tend to clean their fur by licking themselves for a large part of their waking hours. This makes it challenging to observe...

Chinchilla Persian Cat licking its paw

How to Make a Cat Poop When Constipated: 10 Vet-Verified Tips

A constipated kitty is no fun. Usually, constipation is not a sign of something serious, though it can be very uncomfortable for the cat and can lead to secondary problems if it isn’t addressed. However, constipation can be a sign...

constipated cat in the litter box

Why Does My Cat Sleep in the Bathroom? 8 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats are strange animals, and that’s part of the reason we love them. Sometimes, though, they can act downright bizarre and become obsessed with the weirdest things. For instance, you might be amused and puzzled if you happen to find...

cat rubbing its head on the bathroom floor

Can Cats Eat Lamb? Vet-Reviewed Pros & Cons

One of the most important things about caring for your feline is ensuring that your furry friend gets proper and adequate nutrition through a well-balanced diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat in their meals in order to...

Can Cats Eat Lamb

Why Does Catnip Make Cats Go Crazy? What Science Tells Us

The effects of catnip have provided content for an endless train of entertaining YouTube videos, and even the word itself grabs the attention of any cat owner who has a cat that loves catnip. Most cats exposed to catnip experience...

Gray Cat Enjoying Fresh Catnip_Anna Hoychuk_shutterstock