All living creatures need sunlight to thrive. Cats are no exception. Thankfully providing it is really easy. If you have a screened area, let your kitty roam around for a few hours each day, or build them their own space, like a catio or playpen.
Without enough sunlight, both you and your cat also fail to develop enough melatonin, the chemical regulating sleep cycles. This can result in depression, drowsiness and sometimes anxiety. Bouts of cat depression can also happen because they're not exercising enough.
It's the sunshine vitamin for humans, but not for pets
Hence vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin.” However, the skin of dogs and cats lacks the ability to use sunlight to synthesize the vitamin D precursor in their skin. Their only source of vitamin D is their diet.
Just like us humans, your pets need natural light for Vitamin D, which helps them to absorb calcium. While they should be getting Vitamin D from their food, sunlight gives them an extra boost, which is very important for helping your pet to have healthy strong bones.
Cats are crepuscular, so they're most active during times when there's low light. Cats neither prefer light nor dark, so they might sleep during the day and at night and become active when there's their ideal amount of light.
Although most cats should be alright without a light on at night, it will not necessarily hurt your cat to have a light on for them at night. This is especially true if your cat seems to be afraid of the dark or has problems with their eyesight.
Like other mammals, light is a necessity for their eyes to work properly. However, cats do need less ambient light than humans do to capture the same clear view by their eyes, and besides their eyes, cats can also explore the surroundings in the dark with the help of other parts of their body.
In general, veterinarians recommend that your pets get a minimum of 20 to 40 minutes of direct outdoor sunlight daily. Light filtered through glass windows may feel good to your dog or cat, but it lacks ultraviolet rays and as such won't impart the same health benefits.
Even outdoors cats will still spend time sitting on a window ledge, watching the world outside. For indoor cats, windows become even more important. Since cats that live exclusively indoors can easily become bored or frustrated, it is important to provide environmental enrichment for them.
Cats are natural born sun-seekers
So when you see your furry companion basking in the sun, it's actually using the warmth to help make up for the slight drop in body temperature that happens when cats fall asleep. Another interesting fact is that cats have fewer heat receptors than we do.
While it is true that cats enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, they do not need to go outside to be satisfied. Some creative planning on the part of their human guardians can help indoor cats live fully.
The most common food sources of vitamin D for cats are liver, fish and egg yolks, but it can be found in beef and dairy as well.
Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier. You can start with creating a safe outdoor enclosure for them. This will provide plenty of entertainment value during the day, as well as giving them plenty to do when you are busy looking after your home or family.
Many cats love soaking up the sunshine, but it's important to be aware of the risks of over-exposure — particularly if your cat has light colouring or a white nose or ears. For cats as well as humans, spending too long in direct sunlight can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer.
It's unclear as to whether or not cats do suffer with SAD. Many owners have reported that their cats sleep more and can sometimes lose their appetite during winter, but this is more likely to be linked to our change in routine when it gets dark and cold, rather than SAD.
Turning out the lights when you leave the house can be a good habit to have from an economic standpoint, but leaving your cat in complete darkness can actually be very stressful for them.
What temperature do cats prefer? Cats thrive in consistent, comfortably warm environments with the option to cool off when necessary.
It can be particularly hard for cats to cope with living indoors if they have lots of energy, love to explore and have previously been allowed time outdoors. However, for some cats - such as those with a disability or medical problem - living indoors could be a better option, and they may feel more comfortable.
Should the light be left on or turned off? Remember, cats can see in the dark a lot better than you or I can, so your kitten will have no problem finding what they need, even in minimal light. However, you can leave the light on or provide a night light on the first night while they adjust to their surroundings.
According to a new study, cats experience the greatest fondness for female owners. Cats attach to your veterinary clients—your female clients in particular—as social partners and it's not just because they want to be fed, according to research in the journal Behavioral Processes.
Position your cat's sleeping spots away from any noisy appliances (such as washing machines) and busy areas of the home (such as the hallway). A quiet corner of a bedroom or living room is ideal, and once your cat is snoozing, make sure you leave them alone to avoid startling them awake.
The truth is that cats cannot see in absolute darkness any more than we can. However, they are much better adapted than humans for seeing in low levels of light. They use three clever evolutionary adaptations to allow them to do this. First, as compared to a human eye, the cat eye can let in several times more light.
If your feline is healthy and you can ensure a safe environment, leaving a cat alone overnight should not cause big problems. Food, fresh water, and at least a couple of litter boxes are a must. But, if your cat has health issues or separation anxiety, try to find other options.
Definitely. While some cats go nuts for on-screen antics, others are content to watch the activity with an air of calm, and still others may not be interested in TV at all. Depending on their temperament and the depth of their hunting instinct, your cat may or may not engage with television or other electronic screens.