If you have a cat, then you may have noticed from time to time that they do like to sunbathe. You may find them lounging outside on the patio or even curled up in front of a sunny window. If you are a new cat owner or if you just want to understand your cat’s behaviour more, then here’s what you need to know.
Why do Cats like Warmth?
Long-haired cats tend to conserve way more body heat when compared to their short-haired counterparts. This is why you’ll see a short-haired cat sunbathing more often. Cats do tend to seek out warm spots as this helps them to get a higher level of body heat and it also helps them to be more comfortable as well. There are a few reasons for this as well, some of which can be found below.
Genetics
Genetics have shown that the DNA for cats goes back over 10,000 years ago. Cats originally came from dessert countries, including Egypt, Syria and even Cyprus. It’s very hot over there, and this is one of the many reasons why cats crave warmth so much. They are, from a genetic standpoint, desert creatures and this means that they do tend to lose heat easily. Cats That Dont Shed can overheat though, so make sure that you don’t leave them in a vehicle on a hot day. Other than that, there’s no concern if your cat is always trying to seek out the warmest part of the house.
Protein
Cats have a very rich protein diet, but protein doesn’t operate in the same way that carbohydrates do. Carbohydrates can easily be stored in terms of energy, but protein isn’t as suited to this. For this reason, cats can’t afford to waste energy trying to stay warm if their environment is a little colder than they’d like. If you want to make sure that your cat is being fed the best diet then choose a food that is nice and rich in protein, as this will help to give them the natural energy source they need. If you are spoilt for choice, then Barking Heads cat food contains all of the right nutrients to support your cat’s growth.
Conclusion
So even though cats do have a fur coat, they still have to put more work in to try and keep their bodies warm because that’s how they are genetically designed. As a cat owner, it is important to be somewhat mindful of this. You have to make sure that your cat has a nice, warm and cosy place to sleep and that you also give them slightly thicker blankets as well. This will really help them and you would be surprised at how much happier it will make them. If you have a particularly sunny window then it may be worth putting your cat’s bed right next to it, or even creating a window shelf so that they can make themselves more comfortable when the colder weather hits. At the end of the day, you know your cat more than anyone, so watch their behaviour and act accordingly.
