How to Buy a Devon Rex Kitten in the United States

Is a Devon Rex the right cat for you?

CFA traces the breed to Kirlee, a curly-coated male born in Devon, England, in 1959. Breeders first assumed he carried the Cornish Rex gene, but test matings disproved it. PetMD notes that all Devon Rex descend from Kirlee, a small gene pool, which is one reason health testing matters.

CFA describes a small to medium cat of surprising heft, typically 6 to 9 pounds, with strikingly large, low-set ears, wide cheekbones and large eyes. PetMD gives a lifespan of 9 to 15 years and Hill's 9 to 13.

• Suits: people who are home a lot, homes with another friendly pet, gentle children, and apartments with climbing space; Hill's says Devons are jumpers.
• Does not suit: anyone away all day, or anyone wanting an aloof cat. CFA says Devons attach strongly to their people and dislike long periods alone.
• Personality: CFA describes an intelligent, loyal cat that follows you around, sleeps beside you and is talkative but not loud, with a hearty appetite, so portions need watching.

How is a Devon Rex different from a Cornish Rex or a Sphynx?

The genes explain the mix-ups. A 2010 study found that the Devon curl and the Sphynx's hairlessness are two variants of the same gene, KRT71, while a 2013 study traced the Cornish Rex curl to a deletion in a different gene, LPAR6. The Devon and the Sphynx also share CMS, the inherited muscle disease below.

Are Devon Rex cats hypoallergenic?

No. CFA states that Devons are not hypoallergenic, though they may be well tolerated by some people sensitive to cats, and PetMD says there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat. A 2024 review in Allergologie Select found no scientific evidence for a hypoallergenic breed and noted that Fel d 1, the main cat allergen, varies between individual cats.

• Spend time with adult Devons, and the kitten's parents, before you put down a deposit, and ask your allergist what to try.
• Ask the breeder what happens if the kitten has to come back because of allergies, and get the answer in the contract.
• Be wary of any seller who guarantees a reaction-free cat.

Which health tests should a Devon Rex breeder show you?

• CMS DNA test: congenital myasthenic syndrome, also called Devon Rex hereditary myopathy, is caused by a recessive COLQ variant. The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory says it causes muscle weakness and tiring, can show from about 3 weeks of age and can be fatal. A 2015 study put the variant's frequency in Devon Rex at about 2 percent. Two carriers should never be paired.
• Blood types: CFA calls genetic testing essential because of the high rate of type B in the breed, and a 2010 veterinary review lists 41 percent of Devon Rex as type B. A type B mother can lose type A kittens to antibodies in her first milk, so ask how the litter was managed.
• Heart: HCM is the most common heart disease of cats, and PetMD lists it for the Devon Rex. Ask for both parents' echocardiogram reports with dates; Cornell calls echocardiography the gold standard for diagnosis.
• Knees and hips: PetMD lists luxating patella and hip dysplasia. Ask whether the parents' knees were checked, and have your vet check the kitten's.
• Skin and ears: a 2008 study isolated Malassezia yeast from 90 percent of Devon Rex, against 39 percent of Cornish Rex and 50 percent of domestic shorthairs, and described the breed as prone to yeast-related seborrheic dermatitis. Ask how the breeder handles greasy skin and waxy ears.

PetMD also lists polycystic kidney disease, so ask whether the parents have a result, and ask for the kitten's vet record, vaccines and, ideally, an FeLV/FIV test.

How much does a Devon Rex kitten cost in the US?

PetMD says the Devon Rex price typically starts around $1,800 for a kitten from a reputable breeder. Petful's June 2026 guide gives the fuller picture below.

Budget for the breed's own extras: Petful puts yeast-related skin and ear care at $100 to $400 a year and patellar luxation surgery, if it is ever needed, at $1,500 to $3,000 per knee.

Where can you find Devon Rex kittens for sale, and what should you ask?

Most Devon Rex kittens for sale in the US come from breeders who register litters with CFA or TICA. CFA warns that finding a kitten from a reputable breeder may take time. You can browse Devon Rex kittens for sale, filter by location and save the search so new litters reach you as alerts. If nothing suits, post a Devon Rex wanted ad and let breeders come to you.

• Can I see both parents' CMS results, blood types and latest echocardiogram reports?
• How do you manage matings between type A and type B cats?
• Can I see the kitten with its mother, at your home or on a live video call?
• When will the kitten be ready? Petful says reputable breeders send kittens home at 12 weeks or older.
• Which registry, and is the kitten sold as a pet with a spay or neuter contract and a written health guarantee?
• How do you care for the coat, skin and ears?

How do you spot a Devon Rex scam, and what should the contract say?

Petful lists the warning signs: full payment demanded up front by wire, Zelle or gift card, no video call or visit, unlimited kittens ready now at a price that seems too good, stolen photos, and no registration or vet records. The US Postal Service does not accept cats as mail. Before you pay, get a contract that covers:

• The kitten's registry, the parents' registered names and their CMS and blood-type results.
• A health guarantee that says what happens if an inherited disease is diagnosed.
• Spay or neuter terms, a no-declaw clause and a return clause. New York, Maryland and Massachusetts ban declawing except for medical reasons.

Use the Report Scam button on any listing that looks wrong, and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. New York's pet lemon law, for example, gives buyers rights against commercial sellers. Sellers can see what is expected of them in how to sell Devon Rex kittens, and owners offering an adult follow how to respond to a Devon Rex wanted ad.