Do Cats Need Sunlight?

After a long, rainy winter, the thawing warmth of spring sunshine feels healing. In fact, those sunless winter months can mean our human bodies are probably lacking a little vitamin D, an essential vitamin produced when sunlight is absorbed through our skin. Lack of vitamin D can leave us feeling moody, prone to getting sick, and generally fatigued and achy, so it’s probably no wonder we have that instinct to peel off that winter coat and soak up some rays. For humans, a safe amount of sun exposure not only improves our physical health, but our mental health too. 

So do cats need sunlight for vitamin D like us? It is clear from the behaviour of all planetary cats, that lazing around in sunlight is extremely important to them. Even on warmer days, cat’s will still want to soak up a bit of sunshine. You may be surprised, however, that cat’s do not need sunlight for vitamin D! Cat’s actually get vitamin D from the food they eat. 

So why do cat’s need sunlight, and how much sunlight do cats need? Let’s delve deeper into the topic to find some answers.

Is Sunbathing Safe for Cats?

So if they don’t need sunshine for their biological health, why are almost all cats driven to seek out sunlight? Do house cats need sunlight and are they getting enough if we keep our cats indoors? It is important to know about indoor cats and their needs and preference in order to keep them happy and healthy.

Dr Lizzie Youns tells us that our domestic cat’s ancestors came from the hot Middle Eastern deserts and African plains. These ancient and warm origins mean that cats are well adapted to heat, and in fact, in cooler climates they may need a bit of external help to keep their body temperatures high enough. 

However, if cats get exposure to direct sunlight they can develop skin problems such as sunburn or cancers. As loving pet owners, it is therefore important that we try to protect our cat’s exposed skin areas, especially their hairless ears, nose and eyes. Risk can be minimised by applying UV filtering films on windows, providing covered outdoor areas or keeping cats indoors during the hottest part of the day, and applying non-toxic sunscreen to noses and ears. 

How Much Sunlight Do Cats Need?

While cat’s don’t need sunshine to produce vitamin D, there are other health benefits associated with basking in the sunshine. In addition to providing warmth, sunlight can stimulate the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of happiness, and melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. For older cats, the warmth of sunshine can help relieve arthritic or muscular aches and pains and sunlight can help kill off bacteria in scratches or wounds before they turn into a nasty infection.  But to get these benefits, your cat won’t need hours in the sun. As Pangovet point out, while many cat’s end up in veterinary clinics due to negative effects of sun exposure, very few are seen due to problems caused by lack of sunlight. As cats obviously derive very real pleasure from sunshine, there is no reason to deprive your cat of the joy and simple precautions can help make it a lot safer.

What Are the Factors Affecting the Sunlight Requirements of Cats?

One of the main benefits that cat’s get from sunlight is warmth. But if you live in a naturally warm climate your cat won’t need much sunlight at all. In the same way, cats with long, thick fur won’t need much time in the sun, and hairless cats may want to snooze in the light for hours, but their exposed skin will actually be more susceptible to problems. Older cats will also probably relish time in the sunshine more than younger cats who are better able to regulate their body temperatures. Just like humans, cats’ personalities play an important role in determining their need for sunlight. But what is true for all cats is that sun exposure can increase the chances of sunburn, skin cancers, or even overheating and dehydration (if they are prevented from moving out of the sun or heat).

What Are the Signs Indicating That a Cat Needs More Sunlight?

Cat’s naturally love the warmth of sunshine and the way it feels on their bodies. While they enjoy basking in the sun, it is a misconception that they require sunlight for their health in the same way humans do. Cats do not synthesize vitamin D from sunlight; instead, they obtain all necessary nutrients from their diet. However, the instinctual behaviour of sunbathing serves several purposes beyond mere warmth.

Cats are natural predators and retain their instinct to conserve energy for hunting through long periods of sleep. And while these days Kitty’s only real job is to waddle over to the food bowl at dinner time, cats retain that instinct for endless nanna naps. A cat’s metabolism slows down during sleep, so you will often find cat’s snoozing in sunlit window areas, such as window sills or cozy corners, to maintain their body temperature.

Signs that your cat may need more sunlight can often mirror those of a cat that is simply too cold. If your feline companion appears withdrawn, exhibits signs of depression, or lacks enthusiasm for play, it may be a signal that they are not getting enough exposure to natural light. Sunlight plays a crucial role in regulating melatonin and serotonin levels, which are vital for mood and sleep patterns.

Can a Cat Suffer from Sunburn from Too Much Sun Exposure?

Yes, cats can suffer from sunburn due to excessive sun exposure. While cats typically move out of the sun when they get too warm, on cooler days sunlight still has high levels of harmful UV rays which harm their skin. The length of time a cat stays in the sun, the time of year, the level of UV in the country or location, the thickness and length of fur, and the lightness of a cat’s exposed skin areas can all affect how quickly a cat will get sunburnt.

Which Cat Breeds Are Most at Risk from Sun Damage?

Hairless breeds of cats such as Sphynx, Bambino and Donskoy are the most susceptible to sun damage as they have no fur that can act as a barrier between their skin and the sun. If you have a snowy or light coloured cat you should be careful about their exposure to direct sunlight and look for signs of sunburn or skin changes.

Older cats with thinning fur may also experience sunburn if they are exposed to too much direct sunlight. And if your cat spends a lot of time in a cold house with sunlight as its only source of warmth, this may increase their exposure to UV and therefore make them more prone to skin damage and sunburn. Similarly, cats kept outside for long periods of time without proper shelter will have more exposure to harmful UV than cats kept inside during the day.

What are the Symptoms of Sunburn in Cats?

A cat’s fur can act as a protective barrier against the sun, so when checking for sunburn you are more likely to find symptoms in those hairless areas such as ears, nose, face and tummies where fur is usually thinner.

Look out for pink, red, scaly or crusty skin areas. If the ears have been affected they may be a little swollen. Sunburn is also itchy or painful, so your cat might be scratching or pawing affected areas, or slink away from touches. In extreme cases of sunburn, your cat might also experience dehydration or exhaustion. This could mean vomiting, panting, lethargy and increased heart rate.

And repeated exposure to direct sunlight can lead to skin cancers. You should see your vet immediately if your cat has red scaly areas on their skin that does not heal.

How Can I Protect My Cat from Too Much Sun Exposure in Summer?

Do indoor cats need sunlight because they don’t get to go outside? The answer is probably the opposite! While cats love sunlight and warmth, they don’t necessarily need it for biological needs in the same way humans do. Protecting your cat from too much direct sunlight is probably more important than trying to give them more access to it.

You can follow these simple steps to protect your cat from direct sunlight include:

• Keep them indoors in the hottest part of the day when UV is at its highest (usually between the hours of 9am and 3pm)
• Apply UV blocking filters on windows so cat’s can bask safely in the sun
• Provide warm but sheltered spots in the garden under shade cloth
• Apply non toxic sunscreen on cat’s nose and ears when they are spending a lot of time outdoors
• Provide warm places in the home away from direct sun exposure

Final Thoughts:

Do cats need direct sunlight in order to be healthy? Well actually, while cat’s seem universally drawn to sunlit spaces, the truth is that direct sunlight can be more harmful than it is helpful to cats. Sunlight helps your cat stay warm and regulate sleep and wellbeing by encouraging melatonin and serotonin hormones. Because cat ancestors lived in hot areas such as deserts and African plains, they have evolved to require a high body temperature. They also sleep a lot, which means they need to find a source of warmth that can keep their body temperature high while their metabolism slows down during sleep. But they don’t strictly need sunlight to get any of those benefits.

In fact, most vets will warn you about reducing your cat’s exposure to direct sunlight because it can cause sunburn or skin cancers, especially in our snowy coloured cats or hairless breeds. 

Keeping cats indoors, using non toxic sunscreen and not allowing them to roam during the hottest parts of the day are great ways to prevent skin problems due to direct sunlight. 

An outdoor cat enclosure is another great way to control how much exposure your cat gets to direct sunlight. If you can set up warm but sheltered sleeping nooks, such as under shade cloth that lets in warmth but still blocks UV, your cat will reap the benefits of being able to live a life that fulfils all their cat instincts and urges but keeps them safe. Outdoor enclosures will stop your cat roaming around the streets where you have no control about where they are spending their time, and still give them access to all the sensory and pleasurable activities that cats are instinctively drawn to. 

Kitty Safe are the outdoor cat enclosure experts. And we also really really love our cats. So if you want a cat netting enclosure in Perth or some good advice on how to get a safe but stimulating enclosure for your property, we are happy to help.

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