Grooming a Devon Rex with sensitive skin

A Devon Rex with skin irritation from brushing — that's a situation where the wrong tool can genuinely hurt rather than help. Devon Rex cats have that fine, wavy coat that barely resembles typical cat fur, and their skin sits much closer to the surface than most breeds. Standard brushes are almost always too aggressive. Cats are particular about grooming at the best of times — the right tool makes the difference between a cat that tolerates it and one that bolts — and coat type plays a huge role in what's actually useful here. Can you tell me a bit more: how does your cat react to grooming right now, and is your main concern managing the shedding, keeping the coat tidy, or specifically avoiding those skin flare-ups?

That squirm-and-nip response is her telling you exactly when it tips from okay to too much — which is actually useful information. The problem with most brushes on a Devon Rex is that even soft-looking ones have enough pin pressure to drag across that thin skin and cause irritation before you've even realised you've done it. What you need is something with very flexible, widely-spaced bristles that glide rather than catch. Can I ask — have you tried anything specific so far, or have you been avoiding brushing altogether because of the reactions?

That makes a lot of sense. The rubber glove is gentle but it doesn't have enough structure to do much on a Devon Rex's wavy coat — the texture means fur tends to sit loose rather than shed in clumps, so you need something that can actually gather it. And a standard slicker brush is exactly what you don't want — the metal pins are too stiff and spaced too closely for her skin. What I'd point you toward is the Mikki Soft Slicker Brush. It looks like a slicker but the pins are unusually fine and flexible, set in a soft cushioned pad that gives way rather than pushing into the skin. It's specifically designed for delicate or fine coats, and the light contact means you can cover the coat without dragging. For a Devon Rex, one slow pass is usually enough — you don't need to go back over areas, which fits with how your cat's already telling you she wants to be groomed. It's inexpensive, widely available on Amazon UK, and it's genuinely one of the few brushes I'd feel comfortable recommending for a cat with her skin sensitivity.

With a Devon Rex, less is more in every sense. Use very light pressure — lighter than feels necessary — and go with the direction of the coat in single, slow strokes. Don't go back over the same patch in one session. If you're getting loose fur, you're doing enough. The goal isn't a deep groom; it's a surface sweep that keeps the coat tidy and removes dead fur before it gets worked into the waves. Two or three times a week, kept short, will do far more good than a longer session that ends with her nipping. If she starts squirming, stop — you'll keep her trust for next time, which matters much more than finishing the job.

I think you'll notice the difference straight away — that flexibility in the pins is the key thing for her. Keep sessions short, watch her body language, and she'll likely settle into it much better than she has done. Good luck with her.