Healthy Devon Rex Kittens | 5-Year Health Guarantee

Our healthy Devon Rex kittens come with FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exams, vaccinations, and a 5-year guarantee against congenital defects. See our full protocol.

Healthy Devon Rex Kittens

Every breeder says their kittens are healthy. We put it in writing. When you bring home one of our healthy Devon Rex kittens, you get a five-year guarantee against congenital defects, a complete veterinary record, and a breeder who answers the phone three years from now if something goes wrong.

This page explains exactly what we test for, what the guarantee covers, and what it does not. Read it carefully. Then ask us anything. Transparency is the whole point.

What “Healthy Devon Rex Kittens” Means to Us

The Devon Rex is a generally healthy breed, but it carries specific hereditary risks that every serious breeder must address. We do not guess. We test.

Genetic Screening for Devon Rex-Specific Conditions

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is the most common heart disease in cats, affecting up to 15% of the feline population . It causes thickening of the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure, blood clots, or sudden death. While HCM has been extensively studied in Maine Coons and Ragdolls, the Devon Rex is also at risk. We screen our breeding cats with echocardiograms performed by a board-certified cardiologist. We do not breed cats with evidence of HCM.

Devon Rex Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS). This is a hereditary muscle weakness condition specific to Devon Rex and Sphynx cats. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning two carrier parents can produce affected kittens . Affected cats often show weakness, a characteristic “dog-begging” posture, and difficulty swallowing. The condition can be fatal by two years of age due to choking or aspiration pneumonia . A DNA test is available through UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. We test all breeding cats and never pair two carriers.

Hereditary Myopathy. Also known as Devon Rex myopathy, this is a separate muscle condition that causes weakness and exercise intolerance. Like CMS, it is inherited recessively and can be identified through DNA testing . We screen for it.

What Every Kitten Leaves With

Every kitten from Gaia Devon Rex goes home with a folder containing:

  • Veterinary health certificate from a licensed veterinarian confirming the kitten was examined and found healthy at the time of sale

  • FeLV/FIV testing with negative results

  • Fecal examination with negative results

  • Age-appropriate vaccinations (at minimum two rounds of panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus, per TICA code of ethics)

  • Microchip registered in your name

  • Spay/neuter status documented in your contract

TICA’s Voluntary Code of Ethics requires breeders to guarantee the kitten is in good health at the time of sale and to urge buyers to have their own veterinarian examine the kitten within a few days of purchase . We follow this standard and encourage you to do exactly that.

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Our 5-Year Health Guarantee Against Congenital Defects

This is the part most breeders will not offer. Here is how ours works.

What Is Covered

If your Devon Rex kitten is diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian with a congenital defect within five years of birth, we will make it right. Covered conditions include:

  • Confirmed hereditary heart disease (HCM) diagnosed by echocardiogram

  • Devon Rex Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS)

  • Hereditary myopathy

  • Other congenital defects that significantly affect quality of life, verified by a veterinarian

What Is Required

To make a claim under this guarantee:

  1. Veterinary diagnosis. A licensed veterinarian must confirm the condition in writing. For genetic conditions, DNA test results or specialist evaluation may be required.

  2. Documentation. You must provide the original health records we gave you at pickup, plus all veterinary records related to the diagnosis.

  3. Notification. Contact us within 30 days of diagnosis. We are reasonable people, but we cannot help if we do not know.

What the Remedy Is

Our standard remedy is a replacement kitten from a future litter, when one is available, at no additional cost to you. We do not offer cash refunds for veterinary expenses. This is standard practice among reputable breeders and is stated clearly in our contract.

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What Is Not Covered

We want to be honest with you:

  • Conditions acquired after birth. Trauma, infection, poisoning, obesity-related disease, and injuries are not congenital.

  • Conditions caused by environmental factors. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an immune-mediated condition with multifactorial causes. It is not a congenital defect.

  • Cosmetic issues. The Devon Rex coat is naturally sparse and variable. Bald patches, curl variation, and whisker brittleness are breed characteristics, not defects.

  • Pre-existing conditions at the time of sale that were disclosed to you in writing.

  • Veterinary costs. We do not reimburse medical bills. This is why we provide Trupanion insurance.

Why We Can Offer Five Years

Because we screen our breeding cats. Because we know their pedigrees. Because we do not breed carriers of CMS or myopathy to each other. Because we have done the work that makes a five-year guarantee a reasonable promise, not a marketing gimmick.

One Month of Trupanion Pet Health Insurance

Every kitten leaves with one month of complimentary Trupanion insurance. This is not a gimmick. It is a safety net for the transition period.

What Trupanion Covers

Trupanion covers 90% of eligible veterinary costs for diagnostics, medications, surgeries, hospital stays, and more . There are no payout limits per condition.

Important Waiting Periods

You need to know this: Trupanion policies have a 5-day waiting period for injuries and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses . This means if your kitten shows signs of illness on day 3, the policy will not cover it. This is standard industry practice and not unique to Trupanion.

Pre-Existing Conditions Are Not Covered

No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions . This is why we test and document everything before your kitten leaves. If a condition is diagnosed before your coverage begins, it will not be covered.

Should You Continue Coverage?

Yes, if you can. Devon Rex cats are at risk for HCM and patellar luxation, and treatment for these conditions can cost thousands of dollars . Trupanion costs roughly $15 to $50 per month depending on your location and deductible. We strongly recommend keeping coverage active after the complimentary month ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 5-year guarantee actually cover?
Congenital defects diagnosed within five years of birth. This includes HCM, CMS, hereditary myopathy, and other verified congenital conditions that significantly affect quality of life. It does not cover injuries, infections, or conditions acquired after birth.

Can you provide the health certificates of the parent cats?
Yes. When you inquire about a kitten, we can share the cardiac screening results and DNA test results for the parents. We do not share original documents, but we will show you copies during the reservation process.

What if my veterinarian finds a problem at the first checkup?
Contact us immediately. TICA code of ethics encourages buyers to have their own vet examine the kitten within a few days of purchase . If your veterinarian finds a congenital issue that was not disclosed, we will discuss options. This is rare because our kittens are examined before pickup, but we stand behind our kittens.

Do you guarantee against FIP?
No. FIP is not a congenital defect. It is an immune-mediated condition triggered by a coronavirus mutation, and no breeder can guarantee against it. We follow strict hygiene protocols to minimize risk, but we cannot promise what science cannot promise.

What happens if my kitten dies from a congenital defect?
Contact us immediately. A necropsy performed by a licensed veterinary pathologist will be required to confirm the cause of death. If a covered congenital defect is confirmed, our remedy is a replacement kitten from a future litter.

Is the guarantee transferable if I rehome the cat?
No. The guarantee applies to the original purchaser only. If you can no longer care for your cat, contact us first. We would rather help you rehome responsibly than see the guarantee voided.

Why This Matters for Healthy Devon Rex Kittens

You can find a cheaper Devon Rex kitten. You can find one closer to you. You can find one available today. But you cannot find one with a five-year health guarantee from a breeder who screens for the conditions that actually affect this breed, unless you look carefully.

HCM can cost $400 to $800 just to diagnose, before any treatment . CMS and myopathy have no cure and require lifelong management. The difference between a screened kitten and an unscreened one is not a few hundred dollars at purchase. It is thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, or worse, a heartbreak you cannot put a price on.

When you choose healthy Devon Rex kittens from Gaia, you are not just buying a cat. You are buying the certainty that someone did the work before you signed the contract.

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Thank you for caring enough to read this page. That tells us you are the kind of family our kittens deserve.