How seasonal changes can affect your cat's routine

Seasonal changes might affect your mood, but does a cat’s behaviour change with the seasons as well?

The short answer is yes!

As the temperature and daylight duration changes, you might notice your cat’s routine, mood and energy changing as well. From adjusting feeding times to managing excess energy, here’s how to support your cat throughout the year

Cats thrive on routine, so you’ve probably noticed your cat expects their food at the same times each day, or likes to take a nap in a particular spot at a certain time of afternoon. But these routines can be impacted by seasonal changes.

As the seasons change, you might notice your cat’s routine shifting slightly. Here’s what to expect:

• Spring: As the days get longer and the weather warms up, your cat might become more active. They’ll probably spend more time awake and expect their breakfast earlier than usual.
• Summer: In hot weather, your cat might spend more time sleeping during the day and become more active at night. Most cats also eat less over summer.
• Autumn: Cooler weather means your cat might spend more time inside, although they may become more active. Most cats will start to eat more, too.
•  Winter: Your cat may spend more time sleeping in warm spots such as by or on radiators, cat beds and blankets. When it’s cold and wet, they might spend more time indoors. Reduced daylight hours might mean your cat is less active than usual.
  

It can take us a few days to adjust when the clocks go forward or back, so it’s no surprise that these changes affect our cats as well. Here’s how to support your pet.

You might notice your cat’s behaviour changing as they adapt to clock shifts – they might sleep in later or wake up earlier. Their litter tray habits might also be affected, so it’s a good idea to check and clean this more regularly than usual.

Keeping a close eye on your cat’s behaviour and body language can help you work out if they’re coping with seasonal changes or if they need a few adjustments to their routine. If you’re concerned about any significant changes, consult your vet. Petplan cat insurance customers can also use our Pet Expert Chat feature to talk to vet professionals at any time of day. Simply log in to your My Petplan account and navigate to the MySupport area.

Cats often know exactly when to expect their meals, but seasonal changes can throw off their routine. When the clocks go back, your cat might start meowing for their food early – as far as they’re concerned, it’s time to eat!

To make this transition a little easier, adjust your cat’s feeding times by 10-15 minutes per day in the week leading up to a clock change.

Don’t be surprised if your cat’s appetite changes with the seasons – cats typically eat less in summer because they don’t need to burn as many calories to stay warm. If you notice your cat not finishing their food, try feeding them 10-15% less during the warmer seasons, increasing this back to the normal amount as the weather starts to cool down.

Changing seasons can also be a fun time to experiment with seasonal treats, such as autumnal pumpkin treats, which add healthy fibre to your cat’s diet.

If your cat has any health issues, a low body condition score, food allergies, or is on a weight-management plan, always speak to your vet before adjusting their diet or giving them treats.

While your cat might not be keen to spend as much time outside during cold, wet weather, they'll still have energy to use up – which might result in a case of the ‘ zoomies’.

To manage excess energy indoors, try offering your cat a range of mentally and physically stimulating activities, including:

• Cat toys
• Puzzle feeders
• DIY games and toys
• Short, frequent play sessions
  

Just like us, seasonal changes can affect your cat’s mood. In autumn and winter, less sunlight and cooler weather might mean they spend more time sleeping in warm, cosy spots. While cats likely don’t suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the same way as people, reduced mental and physical stimulation during this time of year can sometimes cause boredom and anxiety.

During spring, many cats start to become more active, likely spending more time exploring and playing. Some cats may become more adventurous and wander further from home, especially if they’re not neutered. This can also increase the risks of your cat getting into a fight, going missing or having an unexpected litter of kittens. To reduce these risks, speak to your vet about getting your cat neutered or spayed.

In the hotter weather of summer, many cats will become less active. They’ll eat less and look for cool places to nap, such as in a shaded corner of the garden or on a tiled floor inside.

Your cat’s routine isn’t the only thing impacted by the seasons. Temperature changes also affect your cat’s coat.

In autumn and spring, shedding usually increases. This can be particularly noticeable in longhaired cats such as Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats. Regular grooming sessions can help remove any loose hairs and keep your cat’s coat in good condition.