Your guide to finding and caring for a Devon Rex in Omaha
A Devon Rex fits Omaha apartment life well, as long as someone's around to play. In a Midtown Crossing condo or a Blackstone apartment along Farnam Street, this small climber will claim the best window perch and probably your shoulder too. Devons are social and dislike long empty days, so they suit people who work from home or keep a flexible schedule. When winter hits, expect the cat to find the warmest spot in the place, usually your lap.
Find your forever Devon Rex
While we don't have enough cats near Omaha, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 753 miles
Selkirk Rex, British Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 799 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 3-7 y., 799 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 1 y., 813 miles
Devon Rex, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 1304 miles
Domestic Short Hair, LaPerm
F, 3-7 y., 1372 miles
Devon Rex
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1372 miles
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex began around 1960 in Devon, England, with a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee, whose wavy fur came from a different gene than the Cornish Rex's. Adults weigh roughly 5 to 10 pounds and have oversized ears, big eyes and a soft, sparse, rippled coat, which is why some people call them poodle cats.
Devons are playful, curious and attached to their people, and many are food-motivated and easy to teach tricks. They shed less than most cats but aren't hypoallergenic, and their delicate coat means oily skin, waxy ears and a constant search for warmth. In Omaha, that mostly means a cozy indoor home with plenty of climbing space and company, though each cat's personality varies.
Having a Devon Rex in Omaha
Devon Rexes pair a lively, people-hungry nature with a thin coat and a few inherited health concerns. In Omaha, that adds up to an indoor cat that needs warmth, company and daily play more than it needs a lot of space.
Devons are playful, curious and openly affectionate, often following their people from room to room. That suits Omaha's apartments and condos, where someone is usually close by, but a cat left alone through long workdays may get bored or noisy. Many enjoy respectful kids and other pets, though each cat's personality varies.
Plan on daily interactive play, such as wand toys, puzzle feeders and short treat-based training sessions. Tall cat trees and window perches burn energy indoors, which matters through Omaha's long cold stretches when outdoor time isn't practical. Regular play also keeps these food-loving cats at a healthy weight.
Devons can carry a hereditary muscle disorder that has a DNA test, and heart disease, kneecap problems and skin yeast infections are also reported. Watch for greasy, itchy or flaky skin and waxy ears year-round. Regular vet exams, including a heart check, help catch problems early.
A Devon Rex does well in Omaha's apartments, condos and houses alike, provided it lives indoors with vertical space and company. Its thin coat offers little protection from freezing winters or strong summer sun, so heated beds and sunny perches matter more than square footage.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $20 to $40 per month | $240 to $480 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $522 to $1,372 per year | $522 to $1,372 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,212 to $2,802 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea and parasite prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, light coat and ear care, warm bedding, and the yearly Omaha cat license for a spayed or neutered cat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Omaha.
Omaha has an active shelter and rescue community, and these groups list cats of many breeds and mixes for adoption. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Omaha area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Devon Rex is coming in.
Yes. Omaha has no breed-specific rules for cats, since its breed restrictions apply only to certain dog breeds. A Devon Rex needs a city license by 4 months old, which costs less for a spayed or neutered cat, plus a current rabies vaccination. Households can have up to five cats without a permit, and a cat without a microchip must wear a collar and tags.
Yes, as indoor cats. Omaha has about 135 freezing nights a year and occasional sub-zero stretches, and a Devon's thin coat offers little insulation. Keep the home comfortably warm, add heated pads or a bed near a sunny window, and keep the cat inside. Extra blankets give a backup warm spot if the power goes out.
Yes, in a carrier. Omaha's Metro buses, including ORBT, require pets to ride in a carrier unless they're service animals, and the city has no subway. A Devon Rex's small size makes this easy. Keep the carrier on your lap or the floor, clear of the aisle and exits, and check current Metro fares before you ride.
Yes. A Devon Rex is small and happy in an apartment if it has tall cat trees, window perches and daily play. Choose a unit that stays warm in winter and has secure window screens, since these climbers will test them. The bigger concern is loneliness, so plan play sessions before and after work.
It can be, for people who want a social indoor cat. Omaha's cold winters and storm season are easy to manage indoors, and a Devon will happily stay close to the warmest spot in the house. The fit is weaker if you're away for long stretches, since Devons crave company. You can browse the cats listed on this page.
Not much brushing, but steady upkeep. The delicate coat needs only a soft cloth or gentle hand-stroking, with an occasional bath when skin turns oily and ear cleaning as your vet recommends. Most of this is done at home, so grooming stays a small part of the yearly Other costs shown above.
No, Devon Rex cats are not hypoallergenic, and the CFA cat registry says so directly. They shed less than most cats, but the main cat allergen comes from saliva and skin glands, not hair alone. Some people with mild allergies find Devons easier to live with, but spending extended time with a specific cat before adopting is the safest approach.
A Devon Rex is a small, slender cat breed from England with a short, wavy, soft coat, very large ears and big eyes. It developed from a curly-coated kitten found in Devon around 1960. Devons are known for playful, people-loving personalities and are often described as acting more like dogs or monkeys than typical aloof cats.
Yes, Devon Rex cats shed, but much less than most cats. Their coat is short and sparse, with fewer guard hairs, so loose hair is less noticeable around the home. Some Devons go through thinner phases, particularly as kittens. Bald patches with redness, scabs or itching are not normal shedding and should be checked by a veterinarian.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,800 a year for a Devon Rex in Omaha. That covers food at $20 to $40 a month, insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care at $150 to $350 a year, and about $522 to $1,372 in other costs such as litter, parasite prevention, dental care and the city license.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Omaha.
