Can Devon Rex Cats Go Outside?

The manner in which a pet is reared depends on the pet owner. They have different preferences in either keeping their pets indoor or outdoor.

Most cat breeds can be both indoor and outdoor pets depending on what you choose. Devon Rex breeds are mainly reared inside but can they fit in the outside world? Well, let’s talk about how the outside environment works for them.

Do Devon Rex Cats Go Outside?

Yes, they can go outside. An outdoor environment holds a lot of benefits like exercising but caution must be taken.

Benefits of Devon Rex Cats when Out

Cats are naturally curious and active animals. Devon Rex cats are energetic, playful and require regular mental, physical stimulation too. Allowing them outdoors is an opportunity to explore their natural side.

Cats get an opportunity to scratch around. When outside, your cat can scratch unlike in the house, where you have to provide things for scratching or there is a risk of scratching your items.

They get to sun bask which holds a lot of benefits for them.

Your cat is able to explore and hunt on its own.

The outside environment provides more space for it to play around, exercise and hang around other pets.

Allowing your cat outside reduces the times you have to empty its litter box.

Your cat maintains a healthy and fit life since it gets to jump around and play more.

Sun basking in Cats

 Cats love basking in the sun for a number of reasons which are;

• Sunlight provides a source of warmth and security prior to sleeping. This is because they experience a drop in temperature once they sleep.
• It saves energy. Cats feed on more proteins than carbohydrates which are a source of energy.
• Energy is necessary in heat production in their bodies and they don’t have much. Therefore, basking in the sun allows them to retain some of the energy they have.
• Sun bathing gives your cat comfort.
• For some feline, it is fun since they adjust their sleeping positions as the sun movements vary.

 Disclaimer

When outside, cats have a tendency to sun bathe a lot, keep a close watch on your pet. Too much sunlight can lead to sun burns, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or even skin cancer in your cat.

Maintaining the Right Temperatures for Your Cat

Your Devon Rex cat should have a body temperature between 37.5 to 39.1 Degrees Celsius. Temperature above 39.1 Degrees Celsius results in overheating which is fatal for your pet and those below can cause hypothermia.

 Heatstroke in Devon Rex Cats

Heatstroke is a condition in which humans or animals overheat due to their bodies being exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time.

The signs of heatstroke in your cat could include the following;

• Your cat experiences a rise in temperature above normal.
•  It also portrays restlessness e.g. pacing around.
• The feline heart rate increases. This is because more blood is flowing to the surface to try and loose excess heat thus the heart pumps blood faster.
• Your cat’s gums become either pale or red.
• Your feline experiences breathing distress.
• There is panting and drooling in your cat to try and cool down.
• The pet experiences lethargy. This is a state of weakness or inactivity.

Cats Prone to Heatstroke

Some cats are more susceptible to overheating than others and this depends on a number of factors such as;

Age, young and very old cats have a weak immune system therefore are more susceptible,

If your cat is overweight, it has more heat insulation.

Cats with existing medical conditions like kidney problems or heart disease.

Ways to Assist an Overheated Cat

Move your pet to a cool place away from the heat.

Spray it with cool water and wipe it off with a dry towel or cloth.

Massage it with a dump cloth. Don’t use cold things like ice because the abrupt change in temperature results in shock.

Provide your feline with cool drinking water. The drinking should be slow and in small amounts.

Make sure to visit the veterinarian for a medical checkup, transport your pet in a cool place.

Safety Tips for Outside Devon Rex Cats

Ensure your cat has an adequate supply of water when outside.

Outside cat interacts with other animals or fellow pets exposing them to disease contraction or parasite infestation. Therefore, keep it vaccinated, spray it regularly and go for regular medical checkups.

Keep a safe environment for it to roam around. This could be setting up boundaries to keep it away from cars or gardens which have plants that pose danger for them e.g. lilies.

Have an environment that has tress or other sources of shade in case it needs to cool down.

Provide it with ice cubes to lick when outside for hydration.

Grooming the cat is also important. This ensures it has no tangles which facilitate retaining a lot of heat.

Provide an outside shelter with warm beddings. This protects it from extreme cold temperatures, rain and predators.

Frostbite and Hypothermia in Cats

Hypothermia occurs if your pet is rained on or the temperatures are too cold to handle. On the other hand, frost bite is a condition in which the skin or tissues are damaged due to extremely cold temperatures. The signs include;

• Swelling of the area affected.
• Coldness on the area affected.
• Discoloration of the affected skin; turns pale, bluish or grey.
• Blisters on the area affected.
• Blackened or dead skin patches.

When your cat has frostbite, provide warmth by wrapping it with a warm blanket or dipping the affected areas in warm water. Seek veterinary advice for further treatment.

The Last Words

Allowing your feline outside holds a lot of advantages for it. However, if not well take care of leaving it outdoor might cause more harm than good. Take extra caution when your pet is out to keep it safe.