28/06/2025
☀️3 REASONS WHY OUTDOOR TIME IS VITAL FOR YOUR CAT'S HEALTH☀️
Reason #1
Natural daylight helps regulate a cat's internal clock, improving sleep cycles and mood. Cats, like humans and other mammals, have a circadian rhythm influenced by light exposure. Natural light plays a key role in aligning these rhythms, supporting healthier sleep-wake patterns and promoting behavioural stability (Zanghi, 2016).
Reason #2
Sun exposure supports grooming-related vitamin D synthesis, although cats, unlike humans, do not synthesise significant amounts of vitamin D through their skin. Instead, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) forms on the fur and is ingested during grooming (How et al., 1994). While dietary intake remains the main source, sunlight still plays a role in maintaining overall natural rhythms.
Reason #3
Access to fresh air can enhance respiratory health and overall vitality by reducing indoor air irritants like dust, cleaning agents, and artificial fragrances. Fresh, moving air outdoors often contains lower levels of allergens and provides improved oxygenation, which can be beneficial for cats with mild respiratory sensitivities (Reinero, 2011).
RISKS AND SAFETY OPTIONS
Whilst many cats enjoy spending several hours a day outside, following their own routines and exploring familiar territory, it’s important to be mindful of potential risks, such as:
- Traffic accidents
- Exposure to disease or parasites
- Fights with other animals
- Getting lost or stolen
- Toxic plants or chemicals
To give your cat the benefits of outdoor time while minimising risks, consider:
- A secure catio
- Harness and lead walks in safe areas
- Supervised garden or balcony access
- Purpose-built cat-safe fencing in the garden
References:
How, K. L., Hazewinkel, H. A., & Mol, J. A. (1994). Dietary vitamin D dependence of cat and dog due to inadequate cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. General and comparative endocrinology, 96(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.1006/gcen.1994.1154
Trzil, J. E., & Reinero, C. R. (2014). Update on feline asthma. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 44(1), 91–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.08.006
Zanghi, B. M., Gardner, C., Araujo, J., & Milgram, N. W. (2016). Diurnal changes in core body temperature, day/night locomotor activity patterns, and actigraphy-generated behavioral sleep in aged canines with varying levels of cognitive dysfunction. Neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms, 1(1), 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbscr.2016.07.001
📸Rosie during one of her adventures!
