You may have seen your cat seek out the rays of sunshine slipping through the window to stretch out in them. It's perfectly normal behavior, but there are many myths about whether the sun is good for them or not. What's clear is that cats love warmth and their bodies crave it, which is why you'll see them curl up in bed or on the chair you just got up from. In this article, you'll find out why cats love the sun so much.
The Sun Balances Their Body Heat
Cats look for the sunniest spot to sleep simply because they love the feeling of warmth, and the sun helps them make up for the drop in body temperature they experience while sleeping, which is what they do most.
Some experts insist that the sun is good for cats because it helps them absorb vitamin D, but this intake is said to be fairly insignificant since a cat's fur blocks ultraviolet rays. For this reason, you need to give your cat a suitable diet, since that's where most of the vitamins they need come from.
Warmth Makes Them Feel Good
If we humans already love napping in the sun, we couldn't expect any less from cats. Another reason cats love the sun is that it gives them pleasure. Note that it's not necessarily the sun itself that attracts them, but the source of warmth it represents.
There are many other reasons cats might spend time in the sun, such as wound healing, but it has been shown that an indoor cat can live without it, although the healthiest option is to have a sunny spot available for your cat.
Beware of Too Much Sun
Keep in mind that sun exposure in winter or spring isn't the same as in summer. In summer, you clearly need to be more careful, since very intense sun and excessive heat can give your cat heatstroke. That's why we'll share some information below so you can tell if your cat is suffering from it and how to respond.
Signs of Heatstroke in Cats
Although sunbathing is good for humans and animals, you need to be careful during the hottest seasons. To make sure your cat doesn't suffer from heatstroke, you should know some of the signs they may show:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
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Bluish gums.
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Sudden vomiting
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Staggering when walking.
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First aid for heatstroke
The most important thing is to take your cat to the vet. However, it won't always be possible to get there as quickly as needed, so you should know some first aid for heatstroke in cats:
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Dampen their head and neck with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Don't wrap it around them.
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Give them water to drink, but not too much; if they don't want any, simply moisten their mouth.
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Rub an ice cube over their nose, armpits and groin.
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Keep their temperature under control by placing compresses on their head.
Also worth reading: The Benefits of Having a Cat by Your Side
