Devon Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison

Devon Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed ComparisonDevon Rex is originated from United Kingdom but American Wirehair is originated from United States. Both Devon Rex and American Wirehair are having almost same weight. Devon Rex may live 3 years less than American Wirehair. Both Devon Rex and American Wirehair has same litter size. Both Devon Rex and American Wirehair requires Low maintenance.

History

devon rex - historyThe Devon Rex is a cat known for its large ears and its curly, soft coat. It hails from England, emerging in the 1950s.

The cat is recognized by quite a few cat associations. The first of these cats was discovered by Beryl Cox in 1959 in Buckfastleigh, Devon. When the cat started appearing in cat shows in the UK, people starting becoming interested in owning these unusual cats.

american wirehair - historyThe American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

Description

devon rex kitten - descriptionKnown for its slender, light build, and weighing roughly between 2 and 4kg, the medium-sized Devon Rex has large, rounded ears. It is the large, rounded ears, set low on the sides of the broad head that make it slightly gremlin-like in appearance.

Their eyes are also large, and their noses are slightly upturned. It’s short, curly coat is another unusual feature and comes in many colors and patterns. The eyes can be blue, yellow, copper or he can be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

Your Devon Rex is quite a naughty cat, enjoying getting up to all kinds of mischief. Energetic, they love leaping up high onto perches so you’ll often find your Devon Rex in odd spots, more so if it's a spot in the sun as he loves warmth. It is why it is important to buy a cat tree for this cat.

It’s a loving, loyal cat and it will attach itself to one member of the family and then they are capable of pouring out the love and affection on this particular person. They’re also playful cats, as well as being intelligent.

He can learn a few tricks and can also be trained to walk on a leash. This is an active, energetic breed and will provide his human family with hours of amusing entertainment.

american wirehair kitten - descriptionThe American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

Characteristics

devon rex cat - characteristicsYour Devon Rex is a social cat and is happy to be found on your lap. He doesn’t take kindly to being left on his own though. He isn’t a suitable fit for someone who works all day.

If you love animals, then maybe another companion animal would be a good idea as he is an amicable cat and gets on well with other animals.

When you spend time with your cat, make sure it is a special time, full of treats and stimulating play as he will learn to even fetch a small ball.

Just give him lots of attention and he’ll be your provider of companionship and entertainment.

american wirehair cat - characteristicsThe American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

Health Problems

devon rex kittens - health problemsThis particular cat isn’t known for any extreme health issues but even so, there are some health problems that are important to know about -

Patella Luxation:

This is where the patella or knee cap moves out of its usual spot. It can occur because of a number of reasons such as an injury or congenital malformation. The vet will want x-rays because sometimes hip dysplasia is also present.

Devon RexMypathy:

This is an inherited condition seen in both male and female cats and usually in young kittens. The cat has an odd gait with a head that bobs along as is tries to walk. The cat has tremors and also has difficulty with swallowing. With a visit to the vet and special care, your cat can do well.

american wirehair kittens - health problemsThe American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

Caring The Pet

devon rex cats - caringThe Devon rex cat breed is known for its unusual looks with its wavy fur, large ears and large eyes. It is considered a rare breed and you want to make sure that you take proper care of him.

Owners of the Devon Rex know that these cats love their food and it has to be top quality food to enhance good feline health.

Cats are carnivores, ad this actually means that they should stick to a meat diet. Any food you buy your cat should be mainly meat. Look at the packaging of the commercially manufactured cat foods you want to buy, and make sure that the first few ingredients are some sort of meat.

Remember that any uncertainty with feeding your cat, you can chat with your vet.

Keep the inside of your cat’s ear free of an accumulation of wax and dirt as well as infection. If you don’t like the idea of probing in your cat’s ears, be in contact with your vet or a reputable, professional cat groomer.

Trim the cat’s nails.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth as this could be causing him pain.

Clean your cat’s litter box every single day and also replace the grit regularly.

Get your cat veterinary care as soon as he shows signs of illness. Certainly, make sure all his vaccines and deworming are up to date.

General:

american wirehair cats - caringBrush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

Basic Information

Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Weight Male:
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 13 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Alien cats
None
Colors Available:
Many colors and patterns
Any color or pattern
Coat:
Short, curly coat
springy, coarse and wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Devon Rex vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Devon Rex vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Devon Rex vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Devon Rex vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Devon Rex vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Devon Rex vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Devon Rex vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Devon Rex vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Devon Rex vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Devon Rex vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Devon Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Devon Rex vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Devon Rex vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Devon Rex vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Devon Rex vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Devon Rex vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Devon Rex vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Devon Rex vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Devon Rex vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Devon Rex vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Devon Rex vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Devon Rex vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Devon Rex vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Devon Rex vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Devon Rex vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Wirehair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Wirehair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Wirehair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Wirehair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison

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