Skip to content
Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is a small, fine-boned cat with an outsized engine. Behind the elf ears, the wavy coat and the pixie face is a famously busy, athletic body that runs warm and burns calories fast — and that metabolism is the single most important thing to feed for.

As an obligate carnivore packed into a featherweight frame, the Devon Rex thrives on a calorie-dense, meat-first, high-moisture diet. Freeze-dried raw delivers concentrated animal protein and fat in small portions — exactly what a high-energy little cat needs.

  • Adult weight6–9 lb
  • Lifespan9-15 years
  • TemperamentPlayful, active, affectionate, dog-like
  • CoatShort, soft, wavy/curly and fine

A beloved, distinctive breed prized for its curly coat and dog-like personality

A healthy Devon Rex cat
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What your Devon Rex actually needs

Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

  • High-energy, athletic metabolism

    Needs: Calorie- and protein-dense food in small servings

    Freeze-dried raw is concentrated animal protein and fat, so a busy Devon Rex gets the fuel it needs without a giant bowl.

  • Fine, sparse, wavy coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids and quality fat for skin and coat

    Fish-based raw recipes supply the omega-3s that nourish the Devon Rex's delicate curls and thin skin.

  • Runs warm, burns heat

    Needs: Steady, digestible calories to hold weight

    A meat-first raw diet provides energy-dense fuel that helps a lean Devon Rex maintain healthy condition.

  • Lean, lightweight build (6-9 lb)

    Needs: Muscle-supporting protein, not carb filler

    High-protein, low-carbohydrate raw builds and protects lean muscle on a small frame.

  • Low natural thirst drive

    Needs: Moisture in the meal

    Rehydrated raw adds the water a cat won't drink on its own, supporting urinary and kidney health.

How much to feed your Devon Rex

Quick answer: a healthy adult (6–9 lb) needs about 0.8–1.2 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or more small meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean body and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
6 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
7 lb typical 0.9 oz 0.5 oz
8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
9 lb 1.2 oz 0.6 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

What to feed your Devon Rex

Build a Devon Rex's bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw, rotating poultry and fish recipes to support lean muscle and that fine, wavy coat. Rehydrate each meal to add the moisture this low-thirst breed needs.

Land Animal's cat recipes are high in animal protein and taurine and low in carbohydrate — a strong everyday match for a small, energetic, indoor breed like the Devon Rex.

Feeding by life stage

  • Kitten: Devon Rex kittens are active and fast-growing — feed generous protein and calories across 3-4 small meals a day to fuel that busy little body.
  • Adult: Hold a lean, muscular condition with measured, energy-dense raw meals; their high metabolism means most adults eat well without gaining fat.
  • Senior: Prioritize highly digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle, kidneys and a coat that may thin further with age.

Common concerns — and the diet connection

  • Heart health (HCM awareness)The Devon Rex carries breed risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; a taurine-rich, meat-first raw diet supports cardiac muscle (diet supports — it doesn't replace cardiac screening).
  • Skin and coat fragilityWith a fine, sparse coat and thin skin, omega-3s and quality fat from raw recipes help maintain a soft, healthy coat.
  • Maintaining healthy weightA fast metabolism can leave a Devon Rex on the lean side; calorie-dense raw helps hold steady condition without carb fillers.
  • Urinary and bladder healthThe moisture in rehydrated raw helps dilute urine — useful support for a low-thirst indoor cat.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding your Devon Rex: what to know

Devon Rex cats are small but high-octane, so feed for energy density rather than volume. Two to three measured meals a day suit their fast metabolism and keep a steady supply of fuel coming. Most adults settle at roughly 0.8-1.2 oz of freeze-dried raw per day.

Feed to a lean, muscular body condition — you should feel the ribs easily under a thin coat, but never see a bony spine. Adding a little warm water to rehydrate the food boosts both moisture and aroma, which appeals to this curious, food-motivated breed.

Cat feeding questions

How much should I feed a Devon Rex?
A healthy adult Devon Rex (6-9 lb) needs roughly 0.8-1.2 oz of freeze-dried raw per day — about 0.13 oz per pound of ideal weight — split across two or three meals. Because they're so active, feed to a lean, muscular body condition rather than a number on the scale.
Why does my Devon Rex always seem hungry?
Devon Rex cats have a fast, warm-running metabolism and burn energy quickly, so they're often very food-motivated. Meet that drive with calorie- and protein-dense raw meals in measured portions rather than free-feeding carb-heavy food.
Is raw food good for a Devon Rex's coat?
Yes. Their fine, wavy coat and thin skin benefit from the omega-3 fatty acids and quality animal fat in fish-based raw recipes, which help keep the curls soft and the skin healthy.
Are Devon Rex cats prone to being underweight?
Their high metabolism can keep them on the lean side. Energy-dense freeze-dried raw lets a small Devon Rex take in enough calories from a modest portion to hold a healthy, muscular weight.
How do I get a picky Devon Rex to eat raw?
Rehydrate the food with a little warm water to release the meaty aroma, serve at room temperature, and transition gradually. Devon Rex cats are curious and food-driven, so most take to a strong-smelling, meat-first meal quickly.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your cat won't eat it, it's on us

Try your cat's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • Obligate-carnivore formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch
  • "My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she's drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it."

    — Dana & Miso
  • "Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He's more playful and his coat looks incredible."

    — Theo & Pepper
Build my cat's meal plan →

Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.