Hello, two-legged readers! It’s Lucinda the literate cat, back with new insights for you into cat behavior. My CCL (Cantankerous Cat Lady) says it’s ‘way past time for me to write a new post, and since the fall season spices the air, I’ve decided to let you in on some ways cats respond to seasonal changes.
We cats do respond to seasonal changes in different ways, just as you two-leggeds do. I’ll discuss the seasons one at a time, so you can note the changes and watch for them in your feline friend. In general, as the seasons progress, changes in temperature and humidity will affect the ways a cat might react.
It is important during hot weather to provide cool places for us to relax and plenty of water for us to drink. We find it harder to cool down if it’s hot, especially if we have long fur. It is more difficult for us to regulate our body temperature during these times. Make sure you provide plenty of fresh water. Mocha and I really enjoy our cat water fountain, because it provides not just fresh water, but fresh flowing water. If CCL could redirect a small stream through her house, we would find it gratifying.
Of course, during cold weather, we need warm beds and great sheltered places to nap. More wet food can help in winter, as it aids with hydration. Usually, we are more willing to stay in the warm house than to venture outdoors during winter months.
SPRING
In spring, or even in summer, a young cat might yearn for love. At my age, I can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Those darn instincts that we are born with urge us to mate, so we go to great lengths to do so. We might have our pick of suitors, but they all want the same thing. Do they ever consider our feelings? No, once they’ve gotten what they want, they disappear, and we are left to raise a family on our own. It’s a good thing we’re good at it — the father would have no idea how to bring up an offspring!
In springtime, we start to shed our winter coats. This shedding stuff is both a blessing and a curse. Unlike you, we don’t have to change our clothes every day or pull out a different wardrobe as the season changes. It’s done for us automatically, but that doesn’t mean no cat labor is involved. We have to keep washing out that shedding fur until we finally get our spring-summer garb.
It’s very nice of you to be especially helpful during this time. When you comb and brush us, you do us great service by taking out part of the old fur for us. We might not like it much, but the end result is nice. Mocha has longer fur than I and he gets furballs sometimes. CCL combs him at regular times, usually when he’s eating his dry cat food, so he won’t complain. (He loves that dry food and will put up with darn near anything while he’s chowing down.) She eventually gets those furballs out, but it’s not Mocha’s favorite activity.
We have so much more energy when spring finally arrives, and we can sometimes go a bit crazy. We race around the house, over and under things, and generally act like a fool cat. It’s something you call “zoomies,” and their purpose becomes a means to get rid of extra energy.
SUMMER
During summer, our interest in the great outdoors can increase, as we feel the urge to explore and try our hunting skills. Those cats who live in the wild have to spend time in spring and summer catching extra game so they can fatten up. Out there, it’s harder to find food as the seasons change, and it’s especially difficult in winter. So, we provide a solution to that problem by eating lots while the time is right.
Since we get plenty of exercise in summer, there’s no problem with putting on a few extra pounds. Once fall rolls around, we become less active and store that extra food to provide a winter fat layer.
The summer season can provide pesky problems. You can help watch for them. If we come down with a case of ticks or fleas, we can hope that you will help find the means to destroy them and to keep our skin healthy. Such nasty critters! They aren’t fun. The itching can just about drive a cat crazy!
Sometimes it’s hard for us to adjust to the schedule you want for us. If it’s daylight, we feel we must take advantage of all that light. We may keep you up at night because we just aren’t ready for bed. If you keep us on a regular routine, with meals always on time and rules set for times to sleep, we can get used to your schedule…sort of…
FALL
Now we go into the wardrobe change big-time, as our winter coat starts to grow. We still need lots of regular brushing, as the old garment we wore gradually leaves and the new fur grows in.
We might become a bit lazy during this season, as the spring/summer cycle of high activity grows to a close. We might also experience a bit of anxiety or stress. These feelings usually echo what the cat living in the wild goes through. There’s always a bit of anxiety about facing the winter and finding enough food or warm places to sleep. Even though we might live in a cozy two-legged house, these outdated instincts may still haunt us.
Give us extra love and attention if we should show signs of depression. Make sure you keep your curtains open so we get as much daylight as possible. I’ve heard there is such a thing as a SAD lamp just for pets to help increase the light and make us more comfortable.
WINTER
Now we need to stay indoors more, out of the vicious cold. We need warm, cuddly places to sleep. We will sleep more, a kind of hibernating, designed for cats in the wild so they could conserve their stored fat to get through the cold season.
I have heard that we have something called melatonin that affects our sleep cycle. It’s a hormone that regulates how much we sleep and can go up and down with the seasons.
Our skin can become quite dry, so keep on brushing. That helps keep our skin healthy. We will have less desire to play and may want to overeat. Regulate our food intake. Remind us that we are no longer living out with our ancestor cats where we need to take in any and all food while it is available. We can blame those dratted instincts for all sorts of unnecessary behavior.
We are the lucky ones. Thanks to you two-leggeds, we don’t have to worry about our survival. However, we always err on the side of caution, as we have a strong urge to take care of ourselves.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
My CCL has found some information that she wants to include in this post. You may find it helpful when determining how to care for your cat, no matter the season. Take it away, CCL!
Seasonal changes can sometimes bring about health challenges for your cat, anything from allergies to respiratory issues. Certain plants in bloom during spring or high pollen counts can trigger allergies in some felines, similar to humans sneezing away. You might notice symptoms like sneezing or itchy skin, and in colder months, respiratory issues could flare up, particularly in older cats.
Prevention is key to keeping these problems at bay. Make sure your home environment is clean and consider air purifiers to tackle allergens. It’s also wise to keep an eye on your cat’s behavior. Changes, like hiding more or decreased appetite, might indicate discomfort that needs a vet visit.
Safety during extreme weather is another biggie. Too hot or too cold can both be risky — think dehydration in summer or frostbite in icy conditions. Make sure your cat has a cozy, sheltered space indoors with plenty of water. If they usually roam outdoors, it might be worth limiting this when temperatures drop or rise too much.
Staying proactive about your pet’s health and safety as the seasons change makes a big difference. Regular vet check-ups, attentive care, and adapting their environment can all help your furry companion sail through the year with ease.
FOOTNOTE FROM LUCINDA
As you can see, seasonal changes can affect your cat’s habits and health. Being aware of the changes your cat experiences will help both of you. Whatever the season, enjoy your relationship with each other. I do hope you have benefited from my discussion of catitude.
References I used for this post:
https://drpashu.com/seasonal-changes-affect-your-cat-s-behavior
https://animalreport.net/how-seasonal-changes-affect-your-cat-s-behavior/