Arrival at a new home
It is best to plan the arrival of your little Devon Rex closer to the weekend so that the kitten can be supervised for as long as possible. Upon arrival, do not take the kitten out of the carrier yourself, he must do it himself, move a little away from the road, get used to the new smells and sounds, and calm down. After all, the road is a lot of stress for the baby. Some kittens get used to it quite quickly and immediately begin to explore the new territory, while others may not leave the carrier for a long time. It is better to immediately limit the kitten’s territory to one room, placing bowls of food, water and a tray in the most visible place. The kitten will find everything on its own and do its business.
After a few days, when the baby has already become comfortable in one room, you can begin to give him access to other rooms, under constant supervision, of course. You need to make sure that the kitten remembers where the tray is and that it is there that he needs to relieve himself. Then you can move the tray to another place that is more convenient for you, showing this new place to the kitten (he will remember). Our kittens begin to go to the litter box from the first month of life; they already understand perfectly well why there is a tray in the playpen and know what to do with it. So there shouldn't be any mistakes. And if this happens, it means you did not follow the recommendations - at first the filler should be the same as in the breeder’s house, and only after a month or two, if there is such a desire, you can gradually change it to another.
The first time in a new home, the kitten may meow in confusion. Here it is important to remember and understand that the baby grew up in another house where everything was familiar and there was a mother cat and many brothers and sisters nearby, but now he is in a strange, unfamiliar place, he is all alone. But don’t worry, as a rule, babies quickly adapt to new living conditions. Play with the kitten more, try to entertain him. In games you will get to know each other faster and it will be easier for the kitten to get used to the new home. Do not cuddle the kitten, do not immediately pick it up, do not raise your voice, you are still strangers to him, he does not know you yet, so his reaction may be negative. Give your baby time.
Basic care items needed for a kitten:
- cat litter tray and litter
- bowls
- claw sharpening post
- food (preferably the one the kitten ate at the breeder’s house)
- transport carrier
- toys
- bench seat
- special scissors for cutting nails
Devon Rex character
The semi-mystical appearance of the Devon Rex casts upon them a fog of mystery and detachment from the world around them. It seems that such a cat will be the missing addition to the count's Victorian-style mansion. In fact, they are very domestic and sociable pets that have a strong bond with people.
IMPORTANT: many breeders note that Devon Rex dogs are annoying. You need to prepare for this before purchasing the breed.
The devotion and sociability of Devons knows no bounds: they will follow their owner literally everywhere, softly purring to remind them of their presence. The Devon Rex cat loves to spend time on the laps and shoulders of the owner, meet them at the door and accompany them on any trip (even to the restroom or bathroom). Devon Rexes do not like and do not know how to properly use themselves in conditions of loneliness - this causes them stress and subsequent negative changes in character.
Devon Rexes are very playful, active and inquisitive.
It is worth noting the natural hypertrophied curiosity of the Devon Rex, which deftly wields its small paws and opens all available doors. They explore everything their little body can penetrate and don’t be surprised if you find this alien somewhere you don’t expect.
Every centimeter of an apartment or house will be thoroughly sniffed by the Devon
IMPORTANT: the nature of the Devon Rex allows them to treat children kindly and patiently, but still you should not insist on the cat communicating with the child. By nature, they prefer to spend time with adults than with children.
Cats of this breed are very friendly towards other pets and are not at all jealous. Their sociability and childish carelessness will appeal to many; besides, Devons do not know how to show aggression towards others.
What to feed a kitten?
Dry food
Today, in our nursery, cats eat dry food for kittens and cats GO!, this is a holistic food made in Canada. You can continue to feed your little one with this food, or you can gradually switch the kitten to any other holistic or super-premium food for kittens, for example - NOW, Carnilove, Applaws, Holistic Blend, Arden Grange, Acana, Origen, Grandorf, Power of Nature. Then, as they grow older, starting from 1 year of age, you can switch to food for adult neutered cats. But until this time, let the kitten always have dry food freely available. Many kittens have an increased appetite and literally do not leave the bowl, which greatly worries their new owners. This behavior of a kitten is quite normal, because a cat up to a year is considered a kitten and it is at this time that the body actively grows and develops. So there is no need to limit the baby’s nutrition, the main thing you need to worry about is that the baby receives the highest quality super-premium food, this applies to both dry food and wet (canned) food.
Canned food
The best canned food is Animonda Carny, Ontario, Berkley, Almo natural, Leonardo. You can give canned food every day.
Natural nutrition
If you want to transfer your kitten to feeding natural food, then it should include raw beef, which must first be kept in the freezer (to destroy the eggs of worms), chopped turkey and chicken without skin and bones - the bird does not need to be frozen and can be fed raw. You can give chicken heads (they are very beneficial for the cat’s health), you can give necks, chopped stomachs and hearts
ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed: salty, sweet, smoked, fried, pork, products containing starch and soy (sausage, potatoes), river food. With caution: rice porridge (fixes), liver (raw can cause diarrhea, boiled - constipation), egg yolk (like liver), white - not.
Tray and filler
Of course, it’s better to use the same litter as in the breeder’s house, so that your baby will immediately get used to it, smelling a familiar smell, and then, after some time (NOT IMMEDIATELY!) you can replace it with any other litter you like, for example, regular silica gel filler. Now in our nursery we use:
1. CAT STEP Tofu is a clumping soy fiber cat litter. This filler is made in Japan and CAN be washed down the drain, which is very convenient! It does not spread on the paws, does not smell itself and holds the smell perfectly.
2. “ECO-Premium” - Wood clumping filler is made from coniferous trees. Perfectly absorbs moisture, neutralizes (not masks). It clumps into a dense lump, which you just need to throw away and you don’t have to change the entire contents of the tray. DISPOSAL IN THE TOILET (if it gets into a large amount of water, it breaks down into flakes (biodegradable).
3. N1 NATUReL filler Green tea - an analogue of “ECO-Premium”. Wood clumping filler. The composition contains wood fibers of high-mountain Himalayan cedar with the addition of green Ceylon tea leaves. 100% biodegradable product. Extremely economical and easy to use, DISPOSABLE IN THE TOILET (if it gets into a large amount of water, it breaks down into flakes (biodegradable).
4. Dr Elsey's - Bentonite clumping litter. No dust. Hypoallergenic, 100% natural ingredients. Absorbs unpleasant odors. Forms hard lumps that are easy to clean. Leaves no traces.
5. Ordinary wood (coniferous) filler of local production. But still, it’s better to clarify which filler your kitten preferred at the breeder’s house, this is important! For the first time in a new home, the kitten should have the litter in its tray that it is accustomed to. Our cats use different types of litter boxes, both open and closed. And of course, the most convenient of them are house-shaped trays (closed). Nowadays there is a large selection of designs for trays and tray-houses, you can choose them to suit any interior. In the “ARTICLES” section you can read about what types of trays there are.
Nail trimming scissors
You will need small scissors to trim your nails weekly. If you do not want your pet to accidentally scratch something, it is better to trim its nails at least once a week. You need to accustom your kitten to this procedure from childhood, and you need to do this confidently, gently and calmly so that your anxiety is not transmitted to the kitten. Speaking in a gentle voice, take the kitten’s paw and press the pad of the finger closer to the claw so that it appears at its full length. You will see blood vessels visible through the claw - you must not touch them, otherwise, in addition to bleeding, you will also get dissatisfaction with your pet and subsequently fear of this procedure. The claw should be trimmed a few millimeters from the blood vessels. If you do touch a blood vessel, treat the area with a disinfectant liquid. It is important to praise the cat after trimming its claws.
How to trim claws:
Toys
The Devon Rex is an example of a life of pleasure. Devons love to eat, sleep and of course play passionately, especially in good company and with cool toys. Toys allow the kitten to develop mentally, keep fit and satisfy the hunting instinct that lives in even the most peaceful and affectionate cat. While the kitten is small, you need to play with it as often as possible, these can be wigglers, rustling tunnels made of fabric, mice and balls. To prevent the cat from getting bored with the toy, it is recommended to remove it for a while and replace it with a new one. After a couple of weeks, the cat will forget about the boring fun and will play with interest with the “new product” hiding in the closet. Under no circumstances should you play with a kitten with your hands. Hands are for affection only, your pet should love your hands and turn on his purring motor as soon as you touch him.
Temperament
Cats are smart and easy to train. If you take the time to do this, they can easily be taught many commands. It is necessary to raise a pet at an early age, until the animal has formed individual habits.
Pets keenly sense a person’s mood. In response to affection, they return the favor. The Devon Rex usually chooses one owner. It is easy to identify: the animal approaches it more often and requires attention.
The breed is playful and active. Cannot be alone for long. She needs to be given enough attention. The animal loves to rest on the owner’s lap and sleep with him. The process of playing with a pet drags on for a long time. The breed is suitable for families with children and other pets.
Even in adulthood, the Devon Rex remains playful. He loves the company of people very much and tolerates noisy companies calmly. Good for large families.
The animal does not tolerate rough treatment.
The cat is very inquisitive. She is interested in absolutely everything that happens around her. She makes pleasant purrs and unusual sounds when something attracts her attention.
Complex for games
For Devon Rexes, it is necessary to have a play complex in the house, because it is better for your pet to perform active games and acrobatic tricks in a specially equipped place than on your furniture and sofas. We use complexes in the nursery (St. Petersburg) - the guys make strong and high-quality things. Trixie has some good complexes, and although the quality does not always correspond to the price, these complexes are within walking distance and are sold in every pet store.
Origin story
There is information about the exact date of origin of the breed - 07/15/1960. In Britain, Devonshire, a kitten with thick, curly hair was born. Many years have passed since that time; it is difficult to name the color. It is assumed that he was black.
A county resident picked up a pregnant cat near a mine. There, a male was often seen, who was nicknamed Curly - curly (due to large curls on his fur). Presumably, he was the father of the kitten that was born and the progenitor of the Devon Rex breed.
Experts did not immediately recognize her. Because at that time there already existed a similar breed of cats with curly hair - the Cornish Rex. They were combined into one type. However, after a while it was discovered that they had a different rex mutation gene. When these two breeds mate, kittens with straight hair are born. The Devon Rex is distributed throughout the world and is prized by breeders.
Vaccination
Do not forget to vaccinate annually with the same vaccine that is indicated in the veterinary passport of your Devon Rex. That is, the vaccination must be done 1 year after the date of the last vaccination with the same vaccine that is indicated in your cat’s veterinary passport. Vaccinations are done by a veterinarian after a preventive examination to ensure that the cat is clinically healthy. All vaccination records are entered in a special vaccination log, as well as the animal’s veterinary passport, which is issued starting from the first vaccination.
Appearance Features
The description of the appearance of the Devon Rex cat breed is particularly shocking: large round eyes contrast with the graceful structure of the body, and locator ears of no less outstanding dimensions are located on the head. It appears to be a real alien, or at least a mythical creature from medieval English folklore.
People call Devon Rex "tailed elves"
Color and coat type
The Devon Rex breed has no coat and has a very short, wavy coat that becomes noticeably thicker on the back, sides, tail and muzzle. On other parts of the body, a significant decrease in hair formation is noticeable, but this is in no way related to baldness.
The photo shows a gray Devon Rex: one of the most common colors of the breed
The breed is characterized by all possible colors: from uniform black and red, to various points.
Anatomical characteristics
The head of the Devon Rex is noticeably expanded and small in size. The muzzle is short, with round cheeks and a prominent chin. The features of the Devon Rex cannot be called round; many representatives of the breed are characterized by sharpness in the outlines of the upper part.
The ears deserve special attention: large and far set, with a wide ear plate. The presence of tassels and a small cover on the outside is also acceptable.
The ears of the Devon Rex are one of the most striking external features of the breed.
The pet's body is graceful, very flexible with fragile bones. Males have the widest chest and shoulders. The limbs are long and slender, with small rounded paws. The tail is long, with a rounded tip.
External defects of the Devon Rex include:
- Strabismus
- Increased shaggy coat
- Frequent and noticeable bald spots
- Tail creases and bends
Dimensions and weight
The breed reaches a maximum weight of 4-5 kg, but despite this their body does not seem too fragile. In some cases, males are slightly larger than females, which is especially noticeable when looking at the structure of the animal’s chest.
Deworming
Deworming should be carried out once every six months, preferably with different drugs, i.e. in the spring they gave Milbemax, in the fall Kanikvantel, next time Drontal and so on, alternating. This is due to the fact that there is no medicine that would have a uniquely wide spectrum of action and would kill all parasites at once. All anthelmintic drugs contain certain active substances and act on different types of parasites.
SAFETY
Don't forget about safety measures!
To avoid accidents, the kitten should not have free access to: threads, buttons, needles, beads, chemicals, plastic bags, poisonous flowers and other life-threatening things. There MUST be mosquito nets on the windows! It is desirable that the mosquito net be of the “Anti-Kot” type, which is stronger and stronger than the usual one. Windows with vertical opening are very dangerous. A cat can get stuck in them. Doors. Devons love to be with people and accompany their owner everywhere, therefore, you should be careful with doors so as not to pinch the baby. No matter how funny it may be, don’t forget to close the toilet lid! The toilet lid must be closed. It is easy for an adult cat to free itself from the snow-white captivity of the toilet bowels, but if a small kitten has settled in your house, perhaps, having fallen into the toilet, it will not be able to get out. Be careful! Houseplants. Many of us have indoor plants in our homes. Cats are very interested in some indoor plants; they can often sniff them, gnaw them, touch them with their paws, and some flowers may be damaged. And if there is a cat in the house, it is important to know which plants can be poisonous to it and which do not pose a threat. The dangers of some houseplants are questionable, but it is better to know that some of these plants can cause poisoning in a cat if she tries them, while others simply have a smell that repels cats. You can find out which plants you should be wary of and which are harmless here. If you have any suspicions about the kitten's health, contact your breeder, and he will definitely tell you something. Don’t listen to your mother’s friend, neighbor Baba Masha and other kind aunts, because you have YOUR BREEDER who will always help with advice, share the experience accumulated over the years, tell you what to do and what to do. Do not self-medicate, after all, there are competent doctors, the main thing is to find a competent doctor and do it on time. Remember that every animal adapts to its owner. If you love your baby and take care of him, then he will love you too. Love your little girl, and he will love you back a hundredfold!
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Breeding Devon Rex
Reproduction of representatives of the breed goes through a number of difficulties that are associated with the blood type of the animals. Most often, one blood type predominates among the breed, which allows for smooth mating between animals. In the case of the Devon Rex, males and females may have incompatible blood types. If a cat has group A, and a cat has B, there is a high probability of getting sick and even stillborn offspring.
Currently, mainly American Shorthair and British cats are used for mating.
In general, Devon Rex pregnancy proceeds without complications within the prescribed period of 63 days. At this time, the cat should receive maximum care and attention; the animal’s diet increases by 20% and, after the expiration of the period, remains for the entire lactation period. If the mating partner is chosen correctly, pregnancy will occur immediately.
At the moment, breeding is limited, so finding a suitable mating partner is not an easy task.
