Your guide to finding and caring for a Devon Rex in OKC
A Devon Rex fits an OKC apartment well, because it wants company and climbing space more than square footage. In a Deep Deuce townhome or a loft above Automobile Alley, a tall cat tree beside a sunny window covers most of what it asks for. Devons follow their people from room to room and tend to dislike long, empty days, so they suit someone who's home often. They shed little, too, which helps in a rental.
Find your forever Devon Rex
While we don't have enough cats near Oklahoma City, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 695 miles
Selkirk Rex
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 733 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 3-7 y., 733 miles
Munchkin, Selkirk Rex
M, 3-7 y., 759 miles
Selkirk Rex, British Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1350 miles
Devon Rex
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1350 miles
Devon Rex
M, 3-7 y., 1529 miles
Domestic Short Hair, LaPerm
The Devon Rex began around 1960 in Devon, England, when a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee turned up. His wavy fur came from a different gene than the Cornish Rex's. Devons have oversized ears, big eyes, a slender build and a soft, sparse coat that ripples, and the whiskers are often short and crinkled. Most weigh 5 to 10 pounds.
Personality is the draw. Many Devons are playful, food-motivated and eager to learn tricks, and some like to perch on a shoulder. In Oklahoma City, where seasons swing from ice storms to triple-digit afternoons, the coat matters: it sheds less than most cats' but offers little insulation, and oily skin, waxy ears and sunburn are common concerns. Cats of this breed vary, so spend time with a particular cat before deciding.
Having a Devon Rex in OKC
Devon Rexes pair high energy with a delicate coat, so daily care leans on play, warmth and routine ear and skin attention. In OKC that also means planning for both summer heat and winter cold indoors.
Devons are usually outgoing, clownish and devoted, which suits a city apartment where someone is home often. Expect a cat that greets visitors, shadows you through the kitchen and wants a say in everything. Long workdays can leave one lonely, so a companion pet or interactive toys help. Each cat's personality differs.
Plan on daily play sessions with wand toys, puzzle feeders and a tall cat tree, since most Devons climb and leap well. In an OKC apartment, a window perch over the street counts as entertainment. Short treat-based training or fetch games burn energy too and help keep a food-loving cat at a healthy weight.
Breed-linked concerns include a hereditary muscle disorder with a DNA test, heart disease, kneecap dislocation and skin yeast infections. Many Devons also have blood type B, which matters for transfusions. Schedule a vet exam soon after adoption and keep up yearly checkups; a veterinarian can screen the heart and knees.
Devons do well in OKC's apartments, lofts and houses as long as there's vertical space and company. Keep one indoors or in a secure catio, because its thin coat gives little protection from cold or sun. A warm bed, a heated pad and a sunny window perch make a big difference to a heat-seeking cat.
| 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* | $500 to $1,350 per year | $500 to $1,350 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,190 to $2,780 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, light coat care, and ear cleaning, baths and warm bedding for a thin-coated 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 Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City has a city animal shelter and several rescue groups, and the cats they list here change as new pets arrive. Here are the rescues & shelters in the OKC area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Devon Rex is coming in.
2811 SE 29th Street, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
9733 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Yes, as indoor cats. Oklahoma City winters average about 29 to 51°F, with occasional ice storms, which is far too cold for a thin-coated Devon Rex outdoors. Indoors, a heated pad, blankets and one warm room keep a Devon comfortable. Prepare for a power outage by keeping extra blankets and a carrier handy.
Yes. Nothing in Oklahoma City restricts cats by breed, and state law keeps cities from adopting breed-specific dangerous-dog rules. The practical requirements are the same as for any cat: keep the rabies vaccination current, put the tag on, and stay within the household cap. If you rent, read your lease for pet fees too.
Yes, and many Devons do well in apartments. A cat tree, a window perch and daily play matter more than square footage, and the breed sheds little. Keep it indoors, and be realistic about your schedule: Devons dislike long days alone, so a very empty apartment can leave one bored and lonely.
It can be, if you're home often and keep the cat indoors. Air conditioning handles the summers, and heated bedding handles the winters. Because Devons want attention and play, a packed schedule is the biggest hurdle. Spring storm season also calls for a quiet hiding spot for cats that get nervous.
Very little brushing. The coat is sparse and delicate, so stroke it by hand or with a soft cloth. Plan on regular ear cleaning with a vet-approved solution and a bath every few weeks if the skin turns oily. Most of this can be done at home, so it fits within the Other costs listed 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.
Yes, Devon Rex cats are a real, recognized breed. The CFA, The International Cat Association and other major registries recognize them, and the breed has existed since a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee was found in Devon, England, around 1960. Their unusual look comes from a natural genetic mutation, not photo editing or crossbreeding with other species.
Budget about $20 to $40 a month for food and $25 to $50 for insurance, plus $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care. Other yearly costs, including litter, flea prevention, dental care and warm bedding, run roughly $500 to $1,350. Actual spending varies by cat and by provider.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Oklahoma City.
