Hello, my name is Catherine. I have long loved animals and have had several of my own over the years. Sadly, I saw two of my cats suffer with feline cancer, one of my dogs had arthritis, and, of course, we faced the usual calamities and injuries pets often face. However, I have had to navigate this on a relatively restricted budget, and through the years, I have gotten quite proficient at that. I work at a library and love doing research on pets and veterinary care as well as a range of other topics. I also love to write so decided to put my info in a blog. Please, explore and enjoy!
Keeping Your animals Healthy and Happy Without Overspending
Winter Blahs: Two Tips To Perk Up Your Cat's Mood!
Ellen Lampi
Colder days and longer nights make winter one of the least popular seasons of the year, and it is not only humans that feel this way. Have you noticed that your cat has got much less spring in their step than normal? This is because cats can suffer from the winter blahs just like their owners, but there are a couple of steps you can take to help chase their blues away.
Lighten Up The Home
When you head out to work each day, you probably turn all the lights off to save on the electricity bill, but leaving your feline friend in the dark may well be affecting their mood. If you don't want to leave a light or two on for your pet, at least make sure the curtains are open to let some natural light into the home.
Lack of sunlight can bring lower serotonin levels. When the levels drop, lethargy and depression rise, and this will affect your pet. Making sure there is plenty of light in your cat's daylight hours will help to keep their serotonin at a happy cat level.
Warm Up The Home
Another part of winter that your cat is not particularly fond of is the cold. Again, you may turn off the heat in your home while you're at work in order to keep your electricity bill under control. However, if you are going to do this, make sure that your pet has somewhere warm to be while you are away.
Consider placing a warm blanket or sheepskin into their sleeping area during the winter months. This will trap their body heat while they are snuggled up and that trapped heat helps to keep them warm until you get home again. This is particularly important for older cats who are suffering from arthritis and the cold weather will flare the pain levels they feel.
If you notice that your cat seems more lethargic than normal or they are off their food for more than two days, take them to see your vet for a checkup to give you some peace of mind. Cat lethargy can also be the symptom of more serious illness such as heartworm or anaemia so it pays to play it safe when you see a negative change in behaviour. Your vet will also have extra recommendations about how to keep your cat's mood up during winter so they want to play with you rather than sleep the season away.
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