Devon Rex vs Burmese (Remarkably Unique Cats!)

Devon Rex cats are known for their unique appearance as much as their intelligence. Burmese cats are known for their affection and friendliness. So, when it comes to the Devon Rex vs Burmese, which cat is superior?

When considering Devon Rex vs Burmese, the Burmese cat wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds are spectacular, the Burmese cat is highly intelligent, incredibly friendly, energetic, 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 (affiliate link): 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 (affiliate link):  Click Here

For Burmese Cats:

• The cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for Burmese Cats because it is robust and versatile (affiliate link): Click Here

• The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Burmese Cats because it has excellent platforms for watching everyone and my cat loves it (affiliate link): Click Here

Stick around to find out which cat breed is the best!

Devon Rex Cat Appearance vs Burmese Cat Appearance

There are some serious differences in the appearances between the Devon Rex cat and the Burmese cat.  Take a look for yourself!

What Does a Devon Rex Cat Look Like?

Devon Rex cats are standard-sized cats, being an average size range from 5 to 10 pounds. The female Devon Rex cats are usually from 5 pounds to 8 pounds in weight.  Male Devon Rex cats are heavier than females, and they range from 8 pounds to 10 pounds.

Devon Rex cats come in almost all possible genetic colors with combinations of colors, patterns. Devon Rex could contain any of the following colors: 

• White 
• Red 
• Black 
• Cinnamon 
• Lavender 
• Brown 
• Blue (and more) 

Devon Rex cats are going to be in the following patterns: 

• Tabby 
• Ticked 
• Smoke 
• Shaded
• Points
• Tortoiseshell 
• Bicolor 
• Tricolor
• Calico (and more)

The Devon Rex’s appearance is not comparable to the other usual cats. The only cat that kind of comes close to the Devon Rex’s appearance is its cousin, the Cornish Rex.  Devon Rex cats have strong-looking heads with a pair of incredibly gigantic ears over their super skinny necks. The

What Does a Burmese Cat Look Like?

Burmese Cats are domestic cats, and they are small to midsized cats averaging between 6 to 12 pounds. Male Burmese Cats can weigh up to 12 pounds. Female Burmese Cats usually weigh from 6 pounds to 10 pounds in weight. 

Burmese cats can have a wide range of colors that show up on their fur coats. Burmese Cats are available with combinations of colors and a few patterns. They could contain any of the following colors: 

• Blue
• Platinum
• Lilac
• Fawn
• Red
• Sable
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Tortoiseshell
• Champagne
• Cream

Burmese Cats are going to be in the following patterns: 

• Solid color
• Tortoiseshell

Burmese Cats have solid colors that can be evenly separated all over the body with a Tortoiseshell pattern (somewhere) and lightly shaded undercoat. Burmese Cats have wide ears on a broad head over an average body.  They are really nice-looking felines.

Devon Rex Cat Hypoallergenic vs Burmese Cat Hypoallergenic

Are Devon Rex Cats Hypoallergenic?

Devon Rex cats are not hypoallergenic felines despite some believing that they are. The Devon Rex has a unique coat of hair; however, that does not mean they are hypoallergenic (which they are not).

Do Devon Rex Cats Shed?

Devon Rex cats do not shed fur as frequently as many other cat breeds you might come across, which means causing fewer allergic reactions.  These cats will appreciate being lightly brushed since they are so friendly, but you should not need to brush them often. These cats do not shed much and have a coat that you need to treat gently.

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

Are Burmese Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, Burmese cats are not hypoallergenic.  Since the Burmese cat is a short-haired cat breed, they are thought to be hypoallergenic; however, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. Even “hairless” cat breeds like the Sphynx aren’t hypoallergenic.

With or without a big fur coat, every cat breed sheds dead skin cells (that often have cat saliva on them), causing a cat allergy in humans.

Do Burmese Cats Shed?

Yes, Burmese cats shed, but they do not shed much.  The coat of the Burmese cat is not the source of the allergy. Cat fur can contribute to the allergy because the dead skin cells on the cat hair spread throughout your house and onto your clothes, but the hair is not an allergen.

The actual allergen is thought to be in the cat saliva that is often on the shed cat fur.  The Burmese cat doesn’t shed much, so they need very little grooming. 

For excellent information on Burmese cat shedding, check out our article:  Click Here.

Maintaining a Devon Rex Cat’s Fur Coat

The fur coat of a Devon Rex is short, curly, and does not need to be groomed too much. A Devon Rex’s fur coat is super fragile, so if you do brush her, you will want to do so exceptionally gently and not too often.

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

Maintaining a Burmese Cat’s Fur Coat

Burmese cats have a short, soft coat that doesn’t need too much grooming—brushing a Burmese once a week to remove dead; loose hair is sufficient…just make sure you are gentle. Burmese cats seldom need baths, so be careful that you are not over bathing this cat. Other grooming that might be needed is regular cleaning of the ears or trimming of the nails.

Devon Rex Cat Personality vs Burmese Cat Personality

Devon Rex Cat Personality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1YSoVkQFgs

Devon Rex cats have a somewhat moderate demand for social needs and affection, but they are incredibly playful and energetic. This breed enjoys jumping around and entertaining people with hours of fun and spirited playfulness.

Devin Rex cats love being in the sun or lounging in warm places, so it’s essential to ensure that they have a warm and secure place to curl up on rainy days or during winter.  Even if this cat is indoors, they will like a nice spot to curl up in.  

Devon Rex cats are friendly and get along well with others in the home, including children, other adults, and other pets like felines and dogs. Devon Rex cats are also quite talkative breeds emitting naturally loud purrs, so you will have a lot to talk about with this cool cat.

Devon Rex cats do like to have company around them and may not do well if left alone for too long.  One thing you could do to ensure your Devon Rex does not feel too lonely is get another cat to keep her company. 

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 a good place to call home.

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.

Burmese Cat Personality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NI7VwCsUW0

Burmese cats love people. They love to play with their caregivers, especially when they are kittens or young adults. When a Burmese cat gets older, they can become introverted. Burmese cats can be trained to do tricks because they are smart. Some say they resemble dogs because of their desire to be with their humans all the time. I would not leave a Burmese cat alone for long periods.

Burmese cats are quite vocal and will let their caregivers know what they want. They are good around children, dogs and are comfortable around other Burmese cats but might not get along with other feline breeds.

When Burmese cats are not playing or “talking,” they love receiving attention and affection, so owning a Burmese cat means lots of cuddles, stroking, and snuggling. I would never take a Burmese cat outside unless I was doing it in a controlled way, like through a cat backpack, cat stroller, cat harness, and leash, or Catio. Burmese cats are very trusting and fearless, which could be dangerous when they go out of their safe home.

Are Devon Rex Cats smart?

Devon Rex cats are quite intelligent. But, combined with a high energy personality and playful temperament, this intelligence can turn into mischief, which caregivers may find adorable and entertaining. Fortunately, their high intelligence also makes them easy to train, which would be an exceptional way to channel this intelligence constructively.

Burmese Cat Intelligence

Burmese cats are a smart and trainable breed. Being very people orientated, they tend to have exceptionally playful, puppy-like characteristics and can be taught several tricks such as “tag” or “fetch.” Burmese cats are a social cat breed and likely need a companion to prevent boredom and loneliness.

Devon Rex Cat Lifespan vs Burmese Cat Lifespan

Devon Rex Cat Lifespan

The general lifespan of the Devon Rex Cat is from 9 years to 13 years. But Devon Rex Cats may live longer if they have been taken care of properly.

Burmese Cat Lifespan

The general life lifespan of The Burmese Cat is from 10 to 17 years. But Burmese cats need proper care and good nutrition if the owner wants to enhance the cat’s life span.

Enriching Your Devon Rex and Burmese Cat’s Life

Devon Rex and Burmese cats both need apt mental and physical engagement and support to have a rewarding and joyful life. This can be done through playing with your cat, showing your cat affection, taking your feline outside, and even introducing your cat to cat grass.

Affection

Devon Rex cats are incredibly social but enjoy spending time with loved ones and playing instead of being curled up on laps. They still love getting attention or affection and hate being bored. Burmese cats are affectionate and love seeing affection from their bonded humans as well. 

Taking Your Feline Outside

Cat backpacks, Cat Strollers, and Cat Harnesses provide great exercise and offer the potential for exciting new experiences for your cat.  These may be fantastic options for Devon Rex cats and Burmese cats for occasional outdoor adventures and the opportunity to exert their energy outside.

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

• 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 Burmese Cats because it is robust and versatile: Click Here

Cat Condos / Cat Trees

Cat condos and cat trees provide great places for your feline friends to have fun and lounge, allowing them to express themselves without damage to your precious furniture.

Burmese cats can maintain healthy claws employing scratching post functionality. Devon Rex cats enjoy climbing and being situated at higher places, so these would provide excellent entertainment and enjoyment for such a breed.

I have found the scratch posts on my feline’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 Burmese Cats because it has excellent platforms for watching everyone, and my cat loves it: Click Here

Cat Grass Benefits

This dietary supplement is created with grass derived from barley, oats, rye, or wheat, and it’s specifically designed for household pets. Cat grass can be beneficial for overall health, helps the digestive system, and acts as a nutritious 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 to include in their nutrition plan.

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

Devon Rex Cat Health Issues vs Burmese Cat Health Issues

Devon Rex Cat Health Issues

Devon Rex cats are a healthy breed but are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, and inherited myopathy, affecting muscle functionality. Regular visits to the veterinarian are needed for maintaining health. Their large ears are also prone to wax build-up, so these should be cleaned every so often. 

Burmese Cat Health Problems

Burmese cats are susceptible to the following health issues:

• Diabetes Mellitus: Burmese cats in Europe and Australia are at higher risk of diabetes mellitus. The American Burmese do not share this higher risk due to the genetic differences between American Burmese and other Burmese cats.
• Hypokalemia: This is a genetic disease which have indications which include skeletal muscle weakness. Consequently, the feline can have challenges walking and holding up their head correctly. In the worst cases, this health problem can result in death if not treated appropriately by veterinary staff.
• Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS): Certain Burmese bloodlines suffer from a teething disorder in kittens. The second teeth’ eruption causes pain, and the young cat will sometimes scratch at its face to try to alleviate the pain. The outbreak of the new teeth in the jaw that causes this health problem to begin probably will not get better until they have erupted, by which time the problem ceases.

Devon Rex Price vs Burmese Price

Devon Rex Price

According to three Devon Rex breeder sites 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 cat.  Additionally, they have different options available to deliver your Devon Rex kitten.  If you are within an hour of Autumn Rain Cattery (East Central Illinois), they will deliver your Devon Rex kitten for free, and they say they will charge a “varying fee” up to a driving 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 give you a discount at $2100 for two.  You should expect to put down a non-refundable deposit to reserve your Devon Rex kitten.  The deposit will be $400 for one Devon Rex cat, or $700 if you get two kittens. 

Neon-Cat Cattery is a smaller cattery that does not maintain a wait 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 in Boston, MA, and will deliver Devon Rex cats to their new homes in and around the New England area.  You should ask for a quote on the fee for this service if you are interested in it.

Burmese Cat Cost

I researched and found that the general price range for a Burmese cat was between $1500-$1800.

Evita Burmese

I researched Burmese cat breeders to find Burmese cat costs, and I discovered Evita Burmese and Bombay, a Burmese cat breeder in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and Minnesota, USA.  Their Burmese kittens cost between $1600-$1800.  They have a waiting list that you will want to be on if you are interested in purchasing a Burmese cat.

Mocha Blast Burmese

I also found Mocha Blast Burmese, a Burmese cat breeder in Northern, CA, USA.  They are also a Bombay cat breeder.    Mocha Blast Burmese charges $1500 for Burmese kittens.  You will want to get a refundable deposit if you are interested in one of their Burmese cats.  It also appears they take PayPal and personal checks for payment. 

Devon Rex Cat Breeders vs Burmese 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, USA.  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 Cattery, they start socializing their Devon Rex cats from birth.  Their Devon Rex cats are generally ready to go to their future homes at about 12 – 14 weeks of age.  This cattery has an awesome 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 area with lots of love. 

Neon-Cat Cattery usually 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 agreement with customers.  Additionally, their cattery is a closed cattery in that no queens are sent away for breeding and no other felines 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 kittens became a family operation here in 2000. 

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

At Pettipas Cattery, the whole family pitches in as the support team.  This would 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.

Burmese Breeders

Burmese cat breeders take a ton of pride in providing high-quality Burmese kittens to the people that love them.

Evita Burmese

At Evita Burmese and Bombay, they are focused on producing Burmese cats that meet important Burmese standards.  It is important that the Burmese kittens they produce meet the expectations of a sweet disposition for Burmese cat personality and are genetically and physically healthy. 

Evita Burmese and Bombay cattery won the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Midwest Region Spotlight Award in 2012.  They are also a 2020 CFA breed council member. 

Evita Burmese’s website also offers some great tips for being a better cat owner, such as daily exercise to keep your cat fit.  These tips are worth a quick read. 

Mocha Blast Burmese

Mocha Blast Burmese and Bombay is in Northern California, USA and the Burmese cattery was created as an outlet out of love for the Burmese cat and as an operation that could grow as the owner’s knowledge improved over time.  They really love the Traditional American Burmese breed. 

Mocha Blast Burmese and Bombay also makes it clear that they offer a health guarantee with their Burmese kittens.  They say that a health guarantee is important when buying any pedigreed kitten but that they take pride in keeping their Burmese cats up to health standards.  They also recommend new owners get their new Burmese kittens seen by a veterinarian within 7 days of taking ownership.  

Devon Rex Sounds vs Burmese Cat Sounds

Devon Rex Sounds

Devon Rex cats do make noises.  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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPSnuMe80W4

Burmese Cat Sounds

Burmese cats are well-known to be quite talkative cats with soft voices.  This means you will hear this cat, which adores humans, talking to you but it will be nice sweet sounds.  Below is a video of Burmese cats using their voices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaRFKkQppc

Devon Rex Origin vs Burmese Origin

Devon Rex Origin

Devon Rex history is notable – 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.

Burmese Origin

Historically, Burmese cats come from a hotbed of cat creation, Southeast Asia, specifically Burma in this case.  It is generally believed that most Burmese cats are descended from a cat named Wong Mau, which was brought to the USA in 1930 and bred with an American Siamese cat. 

There are two different offshoot breeds of Burmese cats, the American Burmese and the European Burmese.  The European Burmese is believed to have been brought about by British breeders. Historically, in Burmese cat history, the Sable (dark brown) color is the Burmese cat origin color, but now the Burmese cat is available in many colorations.

Conclusion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_7TXH3_v8

When considering Devon Rex vs Burmese cats, you should consider a wide range of criteria, such as appearance, personality, cost, health issues, and more.  Personally, I think the Burmese cat edges out the Devon Rex in this thorough 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 cat breeds have a ton to offer people.

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

• Devon Rex vs Siamese: Click Here.
• Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair: Click Here.