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Is it healthy for a cat to lie in the baking sunshine?

Sunshine is good for cats

Too hot to handle: cats evolved to cope with the burning sun

Cats love the sunshine. It’s not surprising. As desert creatures, cats developed high heat tolerance. The earliest cats were short-coated, long-bodied, which was conducive to cope with a lot of heat.

Our cats today still like to feel secure and warm when they fall to sleep. They like to use sunlight to compensate for the drops in body temperature we all have when we sleep.

Indeed some cats change their sleep positions so they can follow the sun’s movement.

Cats run hotter than we humans do – at 102°. They evolved in the deserts of the Middle East, with a high metabolism, and a particular style of hunting.

There are of course cats who cope better in cold climates. They are noticeably different with stockier bodies and longer fur keeping the heat in.

So while a Siamese may be soaking up sun on a window sill, their Persian counterpart would be belly down on a tile floor on the same summery day.

Because cats are mammals a proportion of their fuel intake is used to keep them at a warm temperature. Indeed, almost a third of their fuel goes to maintaining their skin and coat in good shape.

Cats are very dependent on protein. They even synthesize their body’s glucose needs from it. Their livers keep producing metabolic protein enzymes all day and night every day and night. This is different to other mammals whose metabolism has an on/off switch.

The cat’s predatory style is very fast for short periods. They can’t outpace their prey so they have to outwit them. All of which requires energy too.

The heat doesn’t have to be from the sun. We can be puzzled by cats seeking out stifling spaces in the un-air-conditioned garage or curling up under a lamp even in summer, but that metabolic heat advantage is why they will seek out what seems like an uncomfortable temperature.

For our cats, it means their body doesn’t have to work as hard, and they stay warm and comfortable while they sleep.

 

25th April 2016 8:47 am roger@abstractassociates.co.uk Comments Off on Is it healthy for a cat to lie in the baking sunshine?

  • Reviews

    Cats, Dogs & Peace of Mind
    Cats, Dogs & Peace of Mind
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    Andrew Young
    Andrew Young
    21:23 19 Feb 18
    CDPOM/ Celebrate Pets are a great bunch of people. They have been looking after our cat for just about every period away from home for the last five years, from single days to a couple of weeks. They are really great with him and no extra seems too large for them from watering the plants to putting the bins out. We always get a text from them so that we know visits have started and comprehensive reports on what he's been like when we're away. Cannot recommend highly enough, completely reliable and they love our cat. What more could you want?
    Helia Lotzfeldt
    Helia Lotzfeldt
    20:14 15 Feb 18
    As a customer for over 7 years and a regular traveller, I have been delighted with the service provided in looking after my home and pets. Easy and simple booking and payment process, prompt responses, and never a problem to arrange care for my cats even at very short notice. I have complete confidence in leaving my home and pets in their hands. They keep me updated while I'm away and even put a pint of milk in the fridge if I'm away for more than a few days.
    Barbara Bobrowicz
    Barbara Bobrowicz
    15:07 24 Feb 18
    We are so pleased we found CDPOM as our cat, Lucy, was so distressed in the cattery. We have been using their services for several years now and have always found them extremely reliable and we are always confident that Lucy is in safe hands. From their reports, she seems to enjoy their visits and always looks well and happy when we return home. In addition, they always ensure that the house is left secure and how we left it. We would highly recommend them.
    Chris Williams
    Chris Williams
    09:28 18 Mar 18
    Louise and all the team at CDPOM have been amazing. I have used them for many years to look after my dog and the team obviously love the animals. They have helped me out at short notice and also kept Molly for longer when I've been delayed. Louise also house sits which give me peace of mind that someone is around when I'm away and less stressful on Molly. Thanks again and cant recommend highly enough.
    Nicolas Grand
    Nicolas Grand
    16:43 03 Apr 18
    So reliable, I would highly recommend Louise and her Cat visiting service. Going away can be quite stressful with cats, as they don't like the disruption of being moved elsewhere, or having strangers in the house. After trying a few things, I realised home visits is really the best way. It was hard to find a reliable service at first, after a few issues in the past, so CDPOM was a godsend. Louise has been looking after my cats for over 10 years, and she has removed the stress out of travelling, as I know my cat will be in good hands with her. Thanks Louise!
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