Does Weather Affect a Cat’s Mood? What Weather Do Cats Like?

1 How Weather Affects a Cat’s Mood

Weather does affect a cat’s mood. On cold, overcast days cats grow drowsy; in thunderstorms they turn less cheerful. Cats prefer mild, sunny weather, which makes them feel especially comfortable. Here is how cats behave in different weather.

1. Can Cats Sense Weather Changes?

A cat’s senses are far keener than ours, and it is sensitive to atmospheric changes, sensing shifts in barometric pressure. So cats can sense weather changes to some degree, and their mood is affected. Low temperature and lack of light can cause seasonal affective disorder in animals as well as people. Without enough sun, a cat’s serotonin drops, leading to restlessness, drowsiness, poor coat, less grooming, and low spirits – so on cold, overcast days cats are often unusually sleepy.

2. What Weather Do Cats Like?

Cats like mild, sunny weather and dislike cold and heat. Thunder, lightning, and wind also scare them.

Rain and Thunder

In rain, low pressure makes a cat’s whiskers damp and itchy, and the body relaxes and swells as blood vessels dilate, causing poor circulation, mild oxygen shortage, and low energy – so the cat is quieter than usual. Wind and thunder frighten cats further; sudden thunder sends them hiding, and a badly scared cat may stay hidden and refuse food even after the storm – comfort it to prevent stress.

Heat

Heat makes cats very uncomfortable and risks sunburn or heatstroke, so cool and shade them in summer. Even fur does not prevent sunburn, and white or thin-coated cats are at higher skin-cancer risk from severe, prolonged exposure.

That is how weather affects a cat’s mood – does your cat act the same way?