Despite the fact that cats cannot tell us how they feel, that does not at all mean that they don't sense climatic changes. A pet's behavior can often signal the impending changes that nature has in store in the coming days.
Rain, surges in atmospheric pressure, strong wind, natural disasters and cataclysms — cats sense it all. Their vestibular apparatus is responsible for this. Even the faintest atmospheric vibrations are caught by the eardrums, which also react to changes in the level of moisture in the air.
Why cats react to changes in the weather
Cats are well-known conservatives. They dislike changes in their way and pattern of life, dislike rearrangements in the home and even changes in the weather, unless, of course, it changes from bad to comfortable.
Changes introduce discomfort into cats' lives, and they demonstrate this through their behavior. The main thing — is to observe your pet and pick up on these changes, so that, if necessary, you can help your favorite cope with the stress.
As descendants of wild animals, domesticated cats still act according to instinct. They pick up on weather changes in order to find a safe place for themselves, to take cover, escape and survive.
The reaction to weather conditions is best in cats that are often outdoors. It is worse — in indoor pets that don't venture beyond the threshold of the apartment, and in hairless cats. The latter almost always curl up into a ball or look for a warm place to warm up, even in hot weather.
Pets' weather sensitivity
Fluffy creatures love moderate weather. Heat and cold depress the animal and make it feel stressed. Rains often go hand in hand with thunderstorms and lightning, which cats are very afraid of. That is why a pet may fear even rain in advance, since it is associated with loud sounds and frightening phenomena. And cats, as is well known, don't like water either.
If rain or snow is approaching the area in the near future, then the humidity level in the air rises. A precise system in the inner ear signals these changes to the animal. Pets feel an itch in their ears and begin to actively rub their ears. People think the little cat is simply carrying out another round of hygiene procedures, but in reality it is trying to get rid of the uncomfortable sensations in its ears.
The second harbinger of weather changes in the near future — is a shift in the animal's feeding behavior. The plan is — to survive, which means the cat needs to stock up on water and chew some grass, which is good for the health of their stomach. If the pet doesn't go outside, it may drink more water than usual. If the cat periodically goes outdoors, it will look for that very grass to cleanse its intestines.
If a sharp change in the temperature regime is approaching or some natural disaster such as a tornado or earthquake, the cat's behavior changes before your eyes. It becomes abrupt and fidgety, as if searching for a corner to hide in. The pet tries to hide and presses itself to the ground. If a cold snap is coming, the cat tries to find a warm place for itself or to wrap up in clothing or blankets.
If a sharp warming is coming soon or a surge in atmospheric pressure, the cat behaves, on the contrary, inactively. It will approach its bowl several times but eat nothing, and the length of its sleep will increase. The pet will be reluctant to move and play and may even «betray» its favorite habits. For example, sleeping not in its favorite chair, but under the sofa or in a person's bed.
Rule out heat stroke in your cat, since in extreme heat it is especially hard for them to carry their natural fur coat on themselves. Cats with abundant fur are best clipped for summer with the help of grooming services.
Owners may interpret this as signs of digestive disorders or intestinal obstruction, and start cramming the cat with medications and looking for grass to cleanse its stomach.
If the cat changes for the better after taking medications or eating grass, then it really did have physiological problems. If it remains just as lethargic, perhaps the atmospheric changes are bringing it discomfort.
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How to help a cat get through a change in climatic conditions
If a certain kind of weather doesn't suit your pet, and it behaves differently than usual, you should be gentler with the animal. Don't try to forcibly play with it or pick it up, drag it out of its nooks into plain view, or feed and water it by force.
Let the cat calmly get through the changes and, if possible, ensure the intake of minerals and vitamins into its body, for example, with food or drink.
If, as it seems to you, the weather has returned to normal, but the pet still behaves strangely, this is a reason to show the animal to a veterinarian. Perhaps in the early stages you will prevent such illnesses as arthritis, heart pathologies, or inflammatory processes in the animal's body.
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