Maine Coon Vs Devon Rex

Maine Coons and Devon Rex cats both play hard and love even harder. The Maine Coon is much larger, with a more square appearance, while the Devon Rex is slighter with enormous eyes and ears.

Devon Rex cats are more energetic and tend to be a bit clingy, while the Maine Coon is more laid back. Both breeds require lots of exercise and attention.

The Maine Coon may be the second most popular cat breed in the world, but the Devon Rex has a unique charm due to its monkeylike intelligence and activity levels.

Maine Coons and Devon Rexes are incredibly playful and loving, though they usually have different social needs.

Maine Coon Vs Devon Rex

The Maine Coon and the Devon Rex are two cat breeds that could not look more different.

Maine Coons have a strong, cobby build with long, thick fur and a square, powerful muzzle. The Devon Rex, on the other hand, has short, wiry fur, a slim body, and an elfin face with gigantic ears and eyes.

As different as they appear, both the Maine Coon and the Devon Rex are devoted and playful pets. Still, these breeds have quite a few differences when it comes to personality, as well.

Origins

The Maine Coon’s closest relative is the Norwegian Forest Cat, a breed that was once kept by Vikings.

It is believed that these cats were brought to America by ship, and in the state of Maine, they bred with local cats until the Maine Coon eventually developed.

In the 18th century, farmers and sailors preferred Maine Coons over other local cats, as they were experts at killing mice and other pests.

Here are some other animals they hunted in the wild.

In the 1900s, they rose to further popularity when they were officially named the state cat of Maine. Learn more about the Maine Coon’s origins, in this article.

By comparison, the Devon Rex first originated in the 1950s, when a woman’s cat gave birth to a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee.

The owner assumed the father of the cat was from a nearby tin mine, where she had seen feral cats with curly coats.

She contacted cat fanciers working on preserving the Cornish Rex breed, but it was discovered that the gene responsible for the kitten’s curly coat was different than the gene found in Cornish Rex cats.

Cat fanciers preserved Kirlee’s curly coat through breeding, and the Devon Rex breed was born (source 1).

Physical Traits

The Maine Coon is the biggest cat breed in the entire world. Read the facts, here. These cats weigh, on average, between 12 and 22 pounds, and stand at a height of 8 to 16 inches. They generally measure between 19 and 40 inches in length.

The Devon Rex is smaller, weighing between 6 and 12 pounds. They are usually about 10 to 12 inches tall, and 15 to 18 inches long.

Maine Coons have thick, long to medium fur. Their fur is longer on their:

• Haunches
• Paws
• Chest
• Shoulders

Their top layer of fur is semi-water-repellant, while their two underlayers of fur are much softer and denser.

Maine Coons are not hypoallergenic but are considered to be more hypoallergenic than some other cat breeds. Learn more about it.

Maine Coons come in just about every color and pattern except for rare dilute colors such as:

• Lilac
• Chocolate
• Fawn
• Cinnamon
• As well as the colorpoint pattern

Their eyes typically range from green to gold, but they can also be blue or odd-eyed.

Devon Rex cats have short, wiry fur that is incredibly fragile. These cats are also considered hypoallergenic because they shed much less than the average cat.

Unlike the Maine Coon, Devon Rex cats can come in any possible color or pattern found in cats. Their eyes can also come in any color imaginable.

When comparing the Devon Rex Vs Maine Coon appearance, the Maine Coon looks larger and thicker, while the Devon Rex is slimmer.

When it comes to the cat’s build, Maine Coons are stocky, muscular cats with thick limbs and torsos.

They have an overall rectangular appearance, with a large, wedge-shaped head and a powerful muzzle.

By comparison, Devon Rex cats have a slimmer, more tubular body. Their face is elfin in appearance, with huge, low-set ears and very large eyes (sources 1,2,3,4).

Personality And Temperament

The Maine Coon is a gentle, easygoing cat that is both loving as well as active.

They are very friendly and warm up quickly to strangers, and they love spending time with their owners.

These devoted cats have a habit of following their owners around from room to room, and they can become depressed and lonely if they do not get enough attention.

Discover why Maine Coon cats follow their owners around, in this guide.

Even though they like to follow their owners around, Maine Coons are also pretty independent.

They are good at entertaining themselves with floor toys, and they often prefer to watch their owner from the same room rather than demanding to be in their space 24/7.

Maine Coons are also highly active cats. They love to climb, run, and jump, so they need lots of toys and places to climb. I love these extra-large cat trees.

They also tend to play pretty hard, so it is important to provide them with lots of durable and interactive toys.

These cats love a challenge, so they often enjoy puzzles, as well.

As playful as Maine Coons are, Devon Rex cats are even more energetic!

Devon Rex cats are famous for their clownlike behavior; they love to make their owners laugh!

If you get a Devon Rex, you might be wondering if you have brought home a cat or a trapeze artist.

These cats can also be quite mischievous, though, so it is important to provide them with lots of enrichment.

Devon Rexes are huge climbers, and if they do not get enough playtime, they might just start swinging from your curtains!

Like Maine Coons, they can also become destructive if they get too bored.

The Devon Rex is also highly devoted to its owners. These cats are not subtle about their affection and tend to demand attention.

If you are looking for a cat that is a bit more independent, you are better off with a Maine Coon.

However, if you want a steadfast companion who is always ready to help out with everything you are doing, the Devon Rex might just be the perfect choice for you!

Vocality

The Maine Coon has a quiet, unique voice. While most cats meow to communicate with their owners, Maine Coons warble, squeak, trill, and chirp instead!

They tend to be soft-spoken, only communicating when they want something such as food or attention.

The Devon Rex meows like a regular cat. Some Devon Rexes are relatively quiet, while others are incredibly chatty.

These cats have a huge personality, and since they are so social, they are more likely to ask their owners for attention.

These cats are also known to purr very loudly (source 1,2).

Colors And Patterns

Maine Coon cats come in most colors and patterns, but they cannot have a colorpoint pattern, nor can they have colors like:

• Lilac
• Fawn
• Cinnamon
• Chocolate

The Devon Rex, on the other hand, can come in every possible coat color and pattern found in cats.

Popularity

When it comes to Devon Rex Vs Maine Coon popularity, the Maine Coon wins by a mile.

These cats have grown steadily in popularity in the last few decades, rising to the second most popular cat in 2022!

The Devon Rex, meanwhile, came in 5th place. Of course, the Devon Rex is a much more recent cat breed, so they may grow even more popular with time! (source 1).

Good With Other Pets?

If you have other cats or dogs, both the Maine Coon and the Devon Rex will probably fit right in!

Maine Coons are incredibly laidback and also social, so they like to try making friends with just about anyone.

The Devon Rex is also highly social, though their strong personality might make other pets a bit wary at first.

Intelligence

Both Maine Coons and Devon Rex cats are highly intelligent.

Maine Coons are often called the dogs of the cat world because they are smart enough to walk on a leash, play fetch, and learn tricks.

Many Maine Coons are so smart that they learn to turn on faucets or even open doors!

Since the Maine Coon is so laid back, they are also very easy to train. Here’s where to begin if you fancy training your Maine Coon cat!

The Devon Rex is also very easy to train.

These cats are so excitable that they are easily prone to boredom, so they delight in learning new things.

They are also eager to please and entertain their owner, so they pick up on new tricks very easily.

Family Friendly

Maine Coons are one of the most family-friendly cat breeds in the world!

Their gentle, patient nature means they do not mind being carried around by children, and they are so social that they usually make close friends with just about any person.

Maine Coons tend to do better in bigger households because they are more likely to get more attention.

The Devon Rex is also a very family-friendly breed. These outgoing cats make fast friends with anyone, and they love to entertain and play games!

This breed is less laidback than Maine Coons, though, so they are less tolerant of shenanigans.

Grooming

When it comes to grooming, both Devon Rex cats and Maine Coons are a bit more high maintenance than the average cat, but for very different reasons.

Maine Coons need to be brushed at least once or twice a week, plus more during shedding season. These cat brushes are ideal for the thick-coated Maine Coon.

Most cats only have two layers of fur, but the Maine Coon has three.

Their long coat is also prone to tangles.

The extra tufts of fur on their paws and haunches may need to be trimmed occasionally to prevent matting. Here’s how to do this.

The Devon Rex’s curly coat is incredibly fragile, so fragile that you should never brush it at all!

Instead, these cats should be bathed semi-regularly with cat-safe shampoo to prevent them from getting greasy.

Both Devon Rexes and Maine Coons should have their claws trimmed every few weeks, and it is important to gently wipe their ears with a damp cloth to remove greasy buildup.

It is also a good idea to brush your cat’s teeth, although there are other options such as dental gels or treats for fussy cats.

Diet

The Maine Coon and Devon Rex both require diets with:

• A high amount of protein
• A moderate amount of fat
• A small amount of carbohydrates

Both breeds are highly active, so it is even more essential that they get enough protein, or they might become malnourished.

It is best to feed both of these breeds a combination of dry food and wet food.

Dry food is important for keeping a cat’s teeth clean, while wet food provides hydration.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a Devon Rex is generally between 9 and 13 years, while the Maine Coon’s lifespan averages between 12 and 15 years.

Health

Maine Coons are, overall, considered a healthier breed than the Devon Rex.

Since these cats originated naturally, their wider gene pool means they are less prone to inherited genetic conditions.

Here are the health conditions found in Maine Coon cats:

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a chronic condition that causes the muscles of a cat’s lower back to slowly deteriorate over time.

At first, the cat may have a swaying gait, which eventually leads to a limp.

Eventually, the affected cat will have difficulty climbing or jumping.

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency occurs when the cat’s body cannot make a certain enzyme that provides energy to red blood cells.

Without this enzyme, the affected cat’s red blood cells will have a significantly reduced lifespan, leading to anemia, weakness, and, in some cases, death.

Devon Rex cats have a much more limited gene pool, and as a result, they are more likely to suffer from health problems.

Here are the health problems Devon Rex cats are known to suffer from:

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a condition that causes a cat’s kneecap to pop out of place occasionally.

This can lead to pain and limping, although in most cases, the kneecap will pop back into place on its own.

In more serious cases, however, this condition may require surgery.

Hereditary Myopathy

Devon Rex cats are prone to a condition known as myopathy, which causes muscle weakness.

Cats with hereditary myopathy tend to have less exercise tolerance and may limp on occasion.

Their weakened muscles make it harder for the cat to keep its head elevated properly, which can cause food to get obstructed in the throat, leading to death.

There are also a few conditions that both Maine Coons and Devon Rexes are known to be prone to.

These are as follows:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a deadly condition that causes the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken until blood can no longer flow properly.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: Polycystic Kidney Disease causes cysts to form in a cat’s kidneys. In mild cases, you may never know a cat even has the disease, while more serious cases can lead to death.

• Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is caused by a malformed hip joint, which results in painful grinding as the cat walks or uses the affected joint. Over time, the grinding causes the joint to loosen, leading to limping and decreased mobility.

Thankfully, responsible breeders can perform genetic testing on their cats before deciding to breed them.

If you get a cat from a breeder who genetically tests all of their breeding cats, then you will not have to worry about certain genetic conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (source 1,2,3)

Price

The Maine Coon is incredibly beautiful, and their loving, even-tempered personality makes them a highly sought-after breed.

Most Maine Coons cost at least $1,000, though they can easily cost more than $3,000 or more if you are looking for a special coat color.

So, are Devon Rex cats expensive?

A Devon Rex cat typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000.

Since these cats only originated in the 1960s, you might be wondering, are Devon Rex cats rare?

These cats are less common than Maine Coons, so they are often more expensive.

Bite Force

If you are wondering are Devon Rex cats aggressive, the answer is usually no.

Devon Rex cats are highly social and devoted pets, although they may become aggressive if they feel threatened.

Maine Coons are even more laidback than Devon Rex cats, and they are considered one of the gentlest cat breeds in the world.

If either of these cats chooses to bite, however, they can do some serious damage.

Like most cats, the Devon Rex has a bite force of about 70 PSI, while the Maine Coon has a bite force of up to 75 PSI (source 1).

Other Names

The Maine Coon is also known as the Maine cat, although they are often called gentle giants, little lions, or the dogs of the cat world, as well.

The Devon Rex has also earned its fair share of nicknames, such as the Pixie Cat, and they are also sometimes called bats or elves because of their huge ears.