Now there’s a question! 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often attributed to reduced natural sunlight during winter, which can lower serotonin levels—a hormone crucial for mood regulation. While this phenomenon is well-documented in humans, it’s possible that similar changes could also occur in our feline companions. 

Although cats may not express their winter woes by curling up on the couch with a cosy blanket and a premium subscription to Netflix, many owners do report noticeable shifts in their cats’ behaviour during the colder months. Instead of their usual daily escapades, patrolling their territory or plotting world domination from the top of the wardrobe, cats may display more inclination to honour us with their company indoors, or a preference for snoozing on the warmest window ledge in the house. So while there’s no scientific evidence that cats experience SAD in the same way and for the same reasons that humans do, many owners observe changes that suggest they too might be experiencing a touch of the winter blues. 

What are the signs of depression in cats?

Similar to humans, we can see changes in eating habits, energy levels, sleep patterns, interest and sociability. Plus a few more cat-specific ones.

• Eating habits: usually eating more, but sometimes less
• Energy levels: becoming lethargic, withdrawn or hiding away
• Sleeping habits: sleeping more
• Interest and sociability: losing interest in play or toys, interacting less with housemates
• Grooming less 
• Visiting the litter tray more often
• Becoming more vocal

That’s not to say that cats are selecting the best spot on the sofa and actively refusing to budge out of the house when it’s cold and wet outside. Changes in cats’ habits are likely to be as much about changes in human behaviour and routines over the winter. But the implications have a significant impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of cats. 

Physical exercise, mental stimulation, play and human interaction are as important to the overall health of cats as they are to humans. 

Winter months can mean:

• Getting less exercise and opportunity to display normal cat behaviours. 
• Less incentive to go outdoors: fewer small prey around to hunt.
• Overeating 
• Having to adapt to changes in human behaviour: staying in more, other people invited to the house

Interestingly, cats living wild will also tend to eat more in winter. But unlike their indoor cousins, they don’t seem to gain significant weight.

Tips to Prevent Your Cat from Getting Seasonal Blues

• Maintain routines: Keep daily schedules as consistent as possible.
• Create a safe space: Offer your cat a quiet area to retreat to when visitors are around.
• Groom outdoor cats: Take care of your outdoor cat’s coat and paw pads.
• Encourage play: If your cat isn’t interested in going outside or playing alone, tempt them with interactive toys and join in.
• Provide mental stimulation: Use puzzle feeders and games to keep their minds engaged.

What not to do

• Suddenly change routines over Winter
• Overfeed your cat: Obesity is a major contributor to diabetes and other serious illnesses in cats
• Give your cat any human treatments for SAD. There may be no harm in sharing your light therapy with a four-legged friend. It may even help! But tablets and vitamin supplements for humans can be very dangerous for cats. Vitamin D is toxic to cats.

Winter months bring more challenges than the weather and shorter days. Winter also means bonfire night, New Year and fireworks. For some cats, the repetitive stress of noise and the fear of loud bangs can lead to symptoms of longer-lasting depression. Check out Joii’s guide to fireworks for pet owners.  

Measures to ease anxiety and boost mental wellbeing in any stressful situation for cats include: 

• Calming diffusers
• Safe oral supplements for cats
• Special prescription diets for cats who experience health issues arising from stress and anxiety

And naturally, after a fun day out in the rain, sleet or snow, or playing in the sitting room, what better than relaxing with some well-earned, under-the-blanket snooze time!