Content
- Benefits of sunbathing for cats
- Balances your body temperature
- Vitamin D source
- for pure pleasure
- Is the sun good for cats?
Who has never seen a cat lying on a sofa where rays of sunlight shine through the nearest window? This situation is so common among everyone that we have a feline as a pet. And you've certainly asked yourself, why do cats like the sun so much?
There are many theories and/or myths that say that cats like the sun and this is clear, because there is no cat that does not like to take a nice sunbath, whether indoors or out, but if you really want to discover the why this happens, keep reading this Animal Expert article and find out because cats like the sun.
Benefits of sunbathing for cats
If cats look for heat sources in all corners of the house, that has a reason to be, and then we will explain to you what are the benefits of sunbathing for cats:
Balances your body temperature
Cats are domesticated felines that were once wild, sleeping and resting by day and hunting their prey at night. When having a cat as a pet, this rhythm of life is no longer the same. They usually spend most of their daytime hours regaining strength and sleeping in a warm place where, if possible, they can sunbathe directly. And why this happens? The body temperature of cats, like all mammals, decreases when they are sleeping due to the fact that they are quiet and relaxed, their body does not burn any type of energy and their caloric expenditure decreases, so they try to compensate for this temperature difference and prefer sleep in hot areas or where the sun's rays are directly shining, this is because cats also feel cold.
Vitamin D source
We all know that thanks to the sun our skin absorbs the sun's rays and our body is able to synthesize the vitamin D we need for the whole organism to function properly, and with cats the same happens. The sun's rays help felines get the vitamin D their body needs but not as much as we'd like, as cats' fur has been shown to block the ultraviolet rays in charge of this process and the amount of vitamin is minimal compared to other living beings. What gives cats the necessary amount of vitamin D is a good diet, so it must be balanced and appropriate for their age.
for pure pleasure
Last but not least is the pleasure this activity gives them. There's nothing our kittens like better than lying in the sun and taking a good nap. But what cats really love is not the sun's rays, it's the warm feeling it gives them. Did you know that these animals are able to withstand temperatures of up to 50°C and adapt to all kinds of climates, whether hot or cold?
Is the sun good for cats?
Yes, but moderately. Although it has already been shown that cats can live without the sun, especially when they are domestic cats that live indoors where the sun does not shine directly and never go outside, our pets they will be much happier if they can enjoy a space where they can sunbathe and take their naps.
Although cats like the sun, it is necessary to watch and ensure that our cat does not get too much sun, especially in summer and if it is a cat with no fur or little fur, otherwise it may suffer some of these problems or diseases:
- heat stroke in cats
- Insolation
See also our article where we explain how to take care of a cat in summer.