Devon Rex vs Siamese (Which Feline Is The Best?)


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When comparing two cat breeds, there are many things to consider. Different cat breeds have other characteristics in terms of their health, maintenance, and personalities. Devon Rex cats and Siamese cats are exceedingly popular breeds.

If you are not sure what breed would be right for you, you’re in the right place.  So, when considering the Devon Rex vs Siamese, which cat breed is better?

When considering Devon Rex vs Siamese, the Siamese cat wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds are phenomenal, the Siamese cat is incredibly intelligent, highly adaptable, super friendly, and quite talkative.

Cat Product Note:  I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life.  These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you.  These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!

For Devon Rex Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for Devon Rex cats since it is safe and will give fantastic views: Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Devon Rex cats since it has a great cat house on it and personally, my cat loves it:  Click Here

For Siamese Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for Siamese Cats because it is robust and versatile: Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because it has excellent platforms for watching everyone and my cat loves it: Click Here

Stick around to find out which cat breed is superior!

Devon Rex Appearance vs Siamese Appearance

What Does a Devon Rex Look Like?

Devon Rexes are medium to small cats featuring large heads and broad chests, with males growing to weigh around 8 – 10lbs and females weighing less at about 5 – 8lbs. They boast a somewhat mystical appearance due to their large and prominent features and have often been referred to as pixie cats due to their physical attributes. 

They have exciting fur coats in a variety of colors, including white and black, warm tones like chocolate, fawn, reds, browns, chestnut, champagne, cinnamon, and cool tones such as lavender, platinum, frost, and blues.

Although they are relatively small, they still have athletic and agile bodies. This breed has a rather interesting nose that appears to switch directions below the eyes and huge ‘butterfly’ ears, giving the appearance of a pixie or elf. They are speckled with varying patterns like tricolor, bicolor, ticking, shaded, pointed, calico, tortoiseshell, and even smoky or solid tones.

These cats have triangular heads featuring large, oval eyes that come in a wide range of color, including aqua and blues, coppers, hazel and golden shades, amber and orange shades, and green some of them feature odd eyes.

What Does a Siamese Look Like?

Siamese cats have an exotic Asian aesthetic appearance, boasting a lean and extended tubular-shaped body with darker shades on the tail, feet, and face. This is topped with a wedge-shaped head, substantial triangular ears, and bright blue, slanted yet almond-shaped eyes.

Siamese cats come in a range of colors, including brown, chocolate, blue gray, lilac, ivory, cream, and glacial white.  This cat can come in a Tabby pattern also. 

Their relatively muscular bodies are generally a lighter color tone. They are medium-sized cats, with males growing to weigh around 11 – 15lbs, and females weighing around 8 – 12lbs.

Siamese cats have slender legs with longer hind legs, which results in a distinctive stance and strut, and they have long thin tails that taper towards the tip. They also appear to have a ‘mask’ on their face, with shades surrounding the whisker pads and eyes.

Devon Rex Hypoallergenic vs Siamese Hypoallergenic

Are Devon Rexes Hypoallergenic? Do Devon Rexes Shed?

Devon Rexes are not hypoallergenic despite some believing that they are. But, they do not shed fur as frequently as many cat breeds, causing less allergic reactions.  These cats will appreciate being brushed since they are so friendly, but you should not need to brush them often. These cats do not shed much.

We talk more about the Devon Rex cat’s shedding behavior in our article:  Click Here.

Are Siamese Hypoallergenic? Do Siamese Shed?

Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic, and their silky fur coat sheds far less than other cat breeds.  This cat is another great option if you are looking for a relatively low shedding feline friend. These cats love humans, so they will love it when you do end up brushing them.  They will probably think you are showing affection!

We look at the Siamese cat’s shedding and other low-shedding cat breeds in our article:  Click Here.

Maintaining a Devon Rex’s Fur Coat

The fur coat of a Devon Rex is short, curly, and has relatively low grooming needs. A Devon Rex’s fur coat is incredibly fragile, so if you do brush her, you will want to do so exceptionally gently.

Some areas lack fur as well, mostly where the cat tends to lick itself, and whiskers also break easily. Instead, Devon Rexes should be rubbed gently with a soft chamois cloth and warm, damp washcloths to maintain the fur’s health and soft texture.

 Maintaining a Siamese’s Fur Coat

Since their fur coats do not shed very often, maintaining a healthy and soft coat is quite simple. They will need to be combed at least once a week to keep them tangle and mat-free. However, they should not be over groomed as this could cause negative effects.   Additionally, you will not want to bathe them very often. 

Devon Rex Personality vs Siamese Personality

Devon Rex Personality

Video: Devon Rex Personality

Devon Rexes have a moderate demand for social needs and affection, but they are incredibly playful and energetic. This breed enjoys jumping around and entertaining caregivers with hours of fun and spirited performances.

They love being in the sun or relaxing in warm places, so it’s essential to ensure that they have a warm and snug place to curl up on rainy days or during winter.

They’re friendly and get along well with others in the home, including children, other adults, and other pets like cats and dogs. Devon Rexes are also quite chatty breeds emitting naturally loud purrs, so you’ll be having plenty of conversation with this soft and playful feline.

Devon Rex cats do like to have company around them and may not do well if left alone.  One thing you could do to ensure your Devon Rex does not feel lonely is get another cat.  If you do adopt another cat, I recommend a Domestic Shorthair cat like my cat, Charlotte.  There are usually many Domestic Shorthair cats out there to adopt, and they all need loving homes.

A big concern of people that leave their cats alone with regularity is if their cat will remember them.  We talk more about if cats will remember their owners in our article:  Click Here.

Siamese Cat Personality

Video: Siamese Cat Personality

The Siamese breed is highly active and energetic and loves to play and run jump around. They are very loving and attentive cats and enjoy the company by spending time with other adults, caregivers, children, and other pets like cats or dogs.

They are most comfortable when they have another cat in the home to share their time and space, mainly if it’s another Siamese, and they hate being left alone at home.

Siamese cats are incredibly chatty and emit a broad range of naturally resonating sounds, including a sound that somewhat resembles a human infant’s cry. They will talk to anyone keen on listening to them, as well as to those who are not.

They thrive off having company and friendship, to the extent that humans cannot always offer. Getting a playmate for this breed is a solid option for caregivers to ensure these cats are getting the social activity they demand.

Devon Rex Intelligence

This breed is highly intelligent. But, coupled with a highly energetic personality and playful temperament, this intelligence often amounts to mischief and foolery, which caregivers may find adorable and entertaining. Fortunately, their high intelligence also makes them easy to train, which would be a great way to channel this intelligence constructively.

Are Siamese Cats Smart?

Siamese cats are incredibly intelligent and will consistently seek out activities or distractions to keep themselves busy. Paired with their high energy levels, this can amount to plenty of built-up liveliness and shenanigans.

But, they are relatively easy to train and channel this energy and intelligence constructively, and activities for building their intelligence such as puzzle feeders and games will aid in keeping your Siamese out of trouble.

Devon Rex Lifespan vs Siamese Lifespan

Devon Rex and Siamese Cat Lifespan

Devon Rexes usually live for approximately 9 – 13 years, and up to 15 years if they’re well cared for. Some Devon Rexes even live for around 15 – 20 years if they’re kept in tip-top shape. Siamese cats typically live for approximately 11 – 15 years. 

Enriching Your Devon Rex and Siamese’s Life

Affection: Devon Rexes are incredibly social but enjoy spending time with loved ones and playing instead of being curled up on laps. That being said, they still love getting attention or affection and hate being bored. Siamese cats do require more attention and affection from caregivers. 

Although they are more active and playful, they do enjoy laying on caregivers’ laps and curling up next to them before bedtime.

Going Outside: Cat backpacks, Cat Strollers, and Cat Harnesses provide great exercise and offer the potential for new exciting experiences.  This may be an excellent option for both of these cats for occasional outdoor adventures and the opportunity to exert their high energy levels in vast and open spaces. 

If you want to learn more about cat harnesses and leashes, and if they are cruel to use, check out our article:  Click Here.

In particular, Siamese cats may benefit from being trained to walk on a leash, and both breeds are easy to train.

  • The cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for Devon Rex cats since it is safe and will give fantastic views: Click Here
  • The cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for Siamese Cats because it is robust and versatile: Click Here

Cat Condos / Cat Trees: Cat condos and cat trees provide great entertainment for your feline friends, allowing them to express themselves without damage to your precious upholstery.

Siamese cats can maintain healthy claws employing scratching post functionality. Devon Rexes enjoy jumping around and being situated at higher places, so these would provide excellent entertainment and moderate exercise for such a breed.

I have found the scratch posts on my cat’s cat condo to be a place for her to scratch instead of scratching on the sofa.  To ensure she used the scratching posts on the cat condo (recommended below), I sprayed some catnip spray on them to smell it and know that it is her area.

  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Devon Rex cats since it has a great cat house on it and personally, my cat loves it:  Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Siamese Cats because it has excellent platforms for watching everyone and my cat loves it: Click Here

Using Cat Grass: This dietary substitute is created with grass derived from barley, oats, rye, or wheat, and it’s specifically designed for household pets. It can be beneficial for overall health, helps the digestive system, and acts as a delectable snack for cats.

The Devon Rex has specific nutrition requirements, and it’s always best to ensure suitability with your veterinarian beforehand. But, they have appetites larger than their petite bodies, so this may be a good option for them.

We talk more about cat grass and the benefits in our article on the subject:  Click Here.

Devon Rex Health Issues vs Siamese Health Issues

Devon Rex Health Issues

Devon Rexes are quite a healthy breed, but are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, and inherited myopathy which affects muscle functionality. Regular visits to the vet are essential for maintaining health. Their large ears are also prone to wax build-up, so these should be cleaned every so often.

Siamese Health Issues

The Siamese breed is more prone to certain conditions as a result of their unique head shape. These include respiratory illnesses, periodontal disease, retinal atrophy, and glaucoma. They may also suffer from bladder stones or heart problems at a later stage in their life, and regular visits to the veterinarian are crucial for maintaining this breed’s health over time. 

They may also hold some physical abnormalities such as a kinked tail or crosses eyes, but there is no need for concern as they add more character than discomfort for the cat. This breed may also suffer from anxiety-related conditions if left alone at home too much.

Devon Rex Price vs Siamese Price

Devon Rex Cost

According to three Devon Rex breeder websites that I found, Devon Rex kittens’ costs ranged from $1100 to $1500.

Autumn Rain Cattery

At Autumn Rain Cattery, you should expect to pay $1200 per Devon Rex kitten.  Additionally, they have different delivery options available.  If you are within an hour of them (East Central Illinois), they will deliver your Devon Rex kitten for free, and they say they will charge a “varying fee” up to a distance of 12 hours away from them.

At Autumn Rain Cattery, you should expect the following with your purchase of a Devon Rex kitten:

  • Their first 2-3 vaccinations
  • Health papers
  • Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) registration paper
  • Care sheet
  • Written one-year health warranty

Neon-Cat Cattery

Neon-Cat Cattery charges $1100 per Devon Rex kitten.  If you buy a pair of Devon Rex kittens, it sounds like they may cut you a deal at $2100.  You should expect to put down a non-refundable deposit to reserve your Devon Rex cat.  The deposit will be $400 for one Devon Rex kitten, or $700 if you get two kittens. 

Neon-Cat Cattery is a small cattery that does not maintain a waiting list which probably means you need to check with them often (likely first come, first served).  Neon-Cat Cattery does not ship Devon Rex cats, however, they will meet you at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport or Dallas Love Field (DAL) at an agreed-upon time and for a fee of $60.

Pettipas Cattery

Pettipas Cattery charges $1500 for a Devon Rex kitten.  You should expect to pay them a $500 non-refundable deposit.  They will collect the final $1000 when you either pick up or receive your Devon Rex kitten.  Pettipas Cattery offers a $100 discount if you purchase two Devon Rex cats at one time.

Pettipas Cattery appears to be located in Boston, MA, and will deliver Devon Rex cats to their new homes in and around the New England geographic area.  You should ask for a quote on the fee for this service if you are interested in it.

Siamese Cost

I was able to find some websites for Siamese breeders and looked up the Siamese price information.  The Siamese cat cost ranged from $600 to $1500.  It is important that when purchasing a Siamese cat that you do so from an ethical breeder.  If your gut tells you that what you are paying is too low, it is probably a scam.

Responsible breeding of Siamese cats has a monetary cost.  This is because there are costs associated with the following:

  • Breeding cats that have paperwork registering them
  • Premium cat food
  • Supplements
  • Litter
  • Scratching posts
  • Registration costs
  • Website management
  • Time spent with the cats
  • Veterinary visits

Black & Tan Siamese Cattery

Black & Tan Cattery charges a range of $600-$1500 for Siamese cats.  They consider their operating expenses when pricing their Siamese cats, which is probably a good business decision.  You should expect your Siamese kitten to be seen by a veterinarian before purchase and the health to be guaranteed.  The Siamese cats will receive age-appropriate vaccines, but as the owner, you should expect to continue this process after you take ownership. 

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery charges $800 per Siamese kitten.  You should expect to pay a non-refundable $300 fee to have them hold a Siamese kitten for you.  If you use PayPal, you should expect the fees to total $310 for deposit and $515 for the rest of the balance. 

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery used to ship cats, but does not ship any longer.  They do offer a reduced $100 price if you buy more than one Siamese kitten (or if you are a repeat customer). 

Devon Rex Cat Breeders vs Siamese Cat Breeders

Devon Rex Breeders

Devon Rex breeders take pride in maintaining important standards when they breed their Devon Rex cats.  This is important because you will want a healthy and ethically raised feline.

Autumn Rain Cattery

Autumn Rain Cattery raises fine quality Devon Rex cats.  They are a Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) registered in-home cattery in Central Illinois.  Their goal is to raise kittens the following way:

  • With lots of love
  • Daily interaction
  • Happy Devon Rex kittens
  • Healthy Devon Rex kittens
  • Allergy-friendly, low shed kittens
  • Devon Rex kittens that adhere to CFA standards

At Autumn Rain they start socializing their Devon Rex cats from birth.  Their Devon Rex kittens are generally ready to go to their forever homes at about 12 – 14 weeks of age.  This cattery has a beautiful cat room at their ranch.  In this cat room, the Devon Rex mothers and babies have a special maternity area.  The cats also have access to the central part of their home.

Neon-Cat Cattery

Neon-Cat is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area.  This cattery is small but is still CFA registered.  It has been focused on Devon Rex cats since 1994.  Their Devon Rex kittens are raised in a clean and safe environment with tons of love. 

Neon-Cat Cattery generally parts with their Devon Rex kittens at 12-14 weeks of age.  They call for their Devon Rex cats to be treated like royalty and kept indoors in the sales contract with customers.  Additionally, their cattery is a closed cattery in that no queens are sent away for breeding and no other cats are brought into their cattery for the same purpose. 

Pettipas Cattery

Pettipas Cattery is located in the Eagle Hill Historic District of Boston, along the Massachusetts, USA coastline.  This cattery has registry with The International Cat Association (TICA) and CFA.  Breeding Devon Rex cats became a family operation here in 2000. 

Pettipas Cattery allows their Devon Rex kittens to live in their home as members of their family.  They breed their Devon Rex cats for health and temperament and ensure they are well socialized.  Their Devon Rex kittens typically go to their forever homes at 16 weeks of age. 

At Pettipas, the whole family pitches in as the support team.  This would definitely help with the socialization of these kittens.  They feed their Devon Rex cats Royal Canin food, and they also give some specific food recommendations from Royal Canin from their cats when they go home with their new owners.

Siamese Breeders

Siamese cats are one of the cat breeds that usually comes to anyone’s mind when they think about felines.  So, it is essential that if you are breeding them that you keep to the necessary standards set forth by organizations like TICA and CFA.

Black & Tan Cattery

Black & Tan Siamese Cattery is registered with CFA.  This means they keep to their standards when breeding pedigreed Siamese kittens.  Additionally, Black & Tan cattery is the owner’s hobby and they run this operation because they enjoy it, not because they wanted a business.

Black & Tan Cattery ensure their Siamese kittens are healthy, have a good temperament, and are socialized.  They have a mission to improve the breed for posterity, which is very noble. They feed their Siamese cats premium cat foods from Royal Canin.  This is what their breeding cats eat and then when the kittens get old enough; they also feed them Royal Canin options as well.

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery is a small in-home cattery that is dedicated to breeding traditional Apple Head and Classic Siamese cats.  These Siamese kittens are well socialized as they state that they are all raised by hand.

Rosebud’s Siamese Cattery ensures their cats have plenty of enrichment through premium cat food, cat condos, cat toys, etc.  They feed their Siamese cats Kitten and Adult Purina Pro Plan. 

Rosebud’s Siamese cats are purebred from registered lines that are CFA, Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF), and American Cat Association (ACA) registered.

Devon Rex Sounds vs Siamese Cat Sounds

Devon Rex Sounds

People wonder about Devon Rex noises – how loud are they? What kind of noises do they make?  You might hear all sorts of Devon Rex talking like meows, chirping, yowling, etc.  Here is a video of some Devon Rex noises for reference.

Video: Devon Rex Sounds

Siamese Cat Sounds

You are going to hear the well-known sounds from a Siamese cat.  Siamese cats are known to be quite vocal!  To prove this, see the below video of a Siamese meow.  

Video: Siamese Cat Sounds

Devon Rex Origin vs Siamese Origin

Devon Rex Origin

Devon Rex history is fascinating – which is precisely what you would expect from this cat.  In the 1950s, Devon Rex cats first appeared in Devonshire, England.  Miss Beryl Cox had a stray cat that had given birth to a kitten with curly hair that looked different.  This cat was named Kirlee and is basically the father of the Devon Rex breed of cats.

It is believed that this feline mutation that created the Devon Rex was not man-made.  Breeders did create a breeding program to conserve the genes discovered in Devon.  Kirlee, the Devon Rex father mentioned above, was killed in a car accident in 1970.

Siamese Origin

Siamese cats are known to have been initially exported from Siam (Thailand) in the 1800s.  These cats are known to be an ancient breed of cat that is obviously recognized anywhere now.  Siamese cats have been temple cats in Siam that were gifted to an American President in 1878.  

A breeding pair of Siamese cats are thought to have traveled to the United Kingdom in 1884.  After this, the Siamese cat breed started appearing in more places worldwide, especially Europe and Asia.  The Cat Fanciers Association officially recognized the Siamese cat breed in 1906.

Conclusion

Video: Siamese Cat Facts

When considering Devon Rex vs Siamese cats, you should consider a wide range of criteria, such as appearance, personality, cost, health issues, and more.  Personally, I think the Siamese cat edges out the Devon Rex in this meaningful cat comparison.

You will need to decide which cat breed is better for yourself, but whichever one you choose, just make sure that you love them well and focus on enriching their lives as best you can.  Both of these cat breeds have a ton to offer people.

If you liked this article, check out a couple of other interesting articles:

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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