Devon Rex vs Ragdoll: Cat Breeds Comparison
While Devon Rex comes from United Kingdom, Ragdoll 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 Ragdoll
Devon Rex |
---|
Length15 to 18 inches |
Weight5 to 10 pounds |
Overall Health |
OriginUnited Kingdom |
Life Span9 to 15 years |
Ragdoll |
---|
Length17 to 21 inches |
Weight10 to 20 pounds |
Overall Health |
OriginUnited States |
Life Span12 to 17 years |
Devon Rex vs Ragdoll Appearance
Ragdolls are longer.
Ragdolls have an average length of 17 to 21 inches and a weight of 10 to 20 pounds.
On the other side Devon Rexs, have a typical length of 15 to 18 inches and an average weight of 5 to 10 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 Ragdolls, 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
Owning a feline and having a kid can be challenging but also so much rewarding. This is especially true if you get a Devon Rex or a Ragdoll because you will enjoy watching your kid growing with them together.
These breeds are major kids lovers, and describing them only as kid-friendly isn't enough.
Both breeds will monitor kids closely whenever you leave the room.
With so kid-friendly breeds around, your kid can easily learn how to behave around cats, and even how to train them. Treats can do wonders, even with cats.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Surprisingly, some cats are more than fond of strangers. They may not show their affection toward strangers like dogs do, but they have their share of showing friendliness toward strangers.
Cats will respond well to strangers when they feel safe. Both breeds will be polite, calm, and friendly toward strangers who treat them right.
In practice, this means that strangers who approach either Devon Rexs or Ragdolls may expect a friendly greeting.
If you don't mind having a cat who isn't scared of people, you may welcome these breeds into your home.
Just a word of caution: cats that are friendly with strangers and live in indoors on a terrace should have a safe area covered with a cat net. If you are a social butterfly with frequent visitors, both breeds will value the crowd.
Pet Friendly
Cats are known for being independent creatures. They love being around people, but on their terms.
If there could be a towering safe place for them to overlook everyone and everything, they would claim it as theirs. Although they are independent, they still need affection and love, which is why some are extremely friendly.
Not only that they are friendly and affectionate toward people, but they are highly affectionate toward other pets as well, including dogs. These breeds are ultra-friendly, and they will enjoy multi-pet households.
If your home is blessed with multi-pets and you want a feline or another pet, you should focus on getting a friendly cat.
Bear in mind that some cats are more friendly than others are, but if you choose Devon Rexs or Ragdolls you won't make a mistake, and you will definitely get a polite and friendly furry pet toward other pets.
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 Ragdoll.
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
A healthy diet, proper grooming, and exercise should keep your feline in top shape.
Ragdolls are usually considered as a healthy and resilient breed and should reach their senior years without major issues, as long as you deal with responsible breeders and provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
Unfortunately, the same doesn't stand for Devon Rexs.
Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Devon Rex, be sure to choose a reputable breeder, known for breeding cats with good genetics.
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 Ragdoll 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 Ragdolls.
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 Ragdolls 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.
Intelligence is a factor to consider when getting a cat. If you want a super smart cat that can be trained but is also independent enough to learn on its own, both breeds are great to have around.
Did you know that cat intelligence is ranked on their sociability and willingness to interact with their owners?
These breeds are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.
The Final Word
We hope our Devon Rexs vs Ragdolls comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.
You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.