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Devon Rex vs Exotic: Cat Breeds Comparison

Are you thinking about getting a new cat for your family but are torn between the Devon Rex and the Exotic? Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences.

While Devon Rex comes from United Kingdom, Exotic has United States origin.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds make excellent family cats, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Devon Rex vs Exotic

Devon Rex
Length15 to 18 inches
Weight5 to 10 pounds
Overall Health
OriginUnited Kingdom
Life Span9 to 15 years
Exotic
Length13 to 15 inches
Weight7 to 12 pounds
Overall Health
OriginUnited States
Life Span8 to 15 years

Devon Rex vs Exotic Appearance

Devon Rexs are longer.

Devon Rexs have an average length of 15 to 18 inches and a weight of 5 to 10 pounds.

On the other side Exotics, have a typical length of 13 to 15 inches and an average weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Good news!

You won't go wrong with Devon Rexs and Exotics, who are known for being clingy. They need a lot of affection and love being around people.

These cats love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

They will choose one person and claim as their person. In multi-human households, cats will choose a favorite, usually the person that does the most work around them.

Kid-Friendly

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 5, as they are usually more patiente with children than 3s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Devon Rexs are more friendly than Exotics. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Exotics in some cases:

  • Your home is always full of people
  • You like to make parties at your home
  • You consider getting a cat for office or working place
  • You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
  • You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Exotics might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

Cats being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

Devon Rexs are generally more pet friendly than Exotics.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

Some cats are naturally more playful than others.

In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Devon Rex or Exotic.

If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.

Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.

General Health

Unless you are ready to cover high veterinarian costs you should stay away from both Devon Rex and Exotic, as they are considered to be cats of poor health.

If you want Devon Rex or Exotic be ready to do throughout research on finding the best breeders possible, and finding the best veterinarian so your feline can have the best care possible.

Know that cats are prone to eye problems, and lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD), including infections and bladder stones, in most cases, but not limited.

Once you find a responsible breeder, check for medical records of the breed and take your new pet to your veterinarian.

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Exotic will be more demanding than owning a Devon Rex as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Devon Rexs, as they shed less than Exotics.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With Devon Rex, you will probably deal with a breed with a medium tendency to be vocal, while Exotics are often described as a breed with a high tendency to vocalize.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Devon Rex. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Exotics are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Devon Rexs.

The Final Word

We hope our Devon Rexs vs Exotics comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.

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