Why do cats like to bask in the sun?
Cats really like to bask in the sun. Whether it is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat; whether it is long-haired or short-haired or hairless; whether it is winter or summer, there are always kittens basking in the sun. What are the benefits of sunbathing cats? Why do you like sunbathing so much?
There are many benefits for cats to bask in the sun
(1) Provide heat source for the body
Cats are warm-blooded animals, which can maintain their body temperature by their own metabolic heat production. But if there is extra heat radiation (sunlight), TAs don't have to waste precious physical energy. Therefore, some wild cats bask more in the sun, use heat radiation, reduce physical energy consumption, reduce calorie intake, and achieve the purpose of reducing hunting.
(2) Vitamin D supplementation
A study by the University of California found that cats cannot promote the production of vitamin D3 in the body by letting the skin bask in the sun like humans, and basking in the sun can help cats "eat" more VD. Under light, the secretion of sebaceous glands in cats increases, and part of the provitamins (precursors of vitamins) in sebum oil will be converted into VD. When cats lick their hair, they will eat these VDs into their stomachs.
(3) Promote sleep
A 2017 study found that the reason why cats can sleep more than ten hours a day is closely related to the level of melatonin in their bodies. Melatonin only reacts with the retina and pineal gland, and finally regulates their sleep cycle Q and improves sleep quality.
But previous research suggested that melatonin is only produced by the pineal gland at night. A new study in 2019 found that melatonin produced by the pineal gland accounts for only a small part: about 95% of melatonin needs to be produced by the mitochondria of cells under sunlight (near-infrared light NIRQ). So getting more sun can help cats sleep 12 or even 20 hours a day. (Poop shovelers who don’t sleep well can also try to get more sun..
(4) Relaxation & anti-depression
Sun exposure can also make cats happier in a multi-pronged way: First, it increases melatonin, which, in addition to helping sleep, can also improve depression. In addition, an Australian study pointed out that sunlight exposure can also increase the level of serotonin in the body, which can regulate mood and promote appetite. Another Austrian study found that as the seasons change, when the duration of sunlight increases, it will prompt the brain to secrete more dopamine, which will make the mood happier.
(5) healthier body
Researchers at Georgetown University in the United States found that proper exposure to the sun can enhance the body's immunity and skin resistance. Because in sunlight, low-intensity blue light helps to activate hydrogen peroxide in the signaling channel, so that immune cells T cells move quickly and stay alert to deal with the invasion of germs. Ultraviolet rays can effectively fight against bacteria and parasites on the skin and reduce the incidence of skin diseases.
The summary is: More exposure to the sun will make cats healthier and happier~ TAs naturally love to bask in the sun~
There are many benefits for cats to bask in the sun
(1) Provide heat source for the body
Cats are warm-blooded animals, which can maintain their body temperature by their own metabolic heat production. But if there is extra heat radiation (sunlight), TAs don't have to waste precious physical energy. Therefore, some wild cats bask more in the sun, use heat radiation, reduce physical energy consumption, reduce calorie intake, and achieve the purpose of reducing hunting.
(2) Vitamin D supplementation
A study by the University of California found that cats cannot promote the production of vitamin D3 in the body by letting the skin bask in the sun like humans, and basking in the sun can help cats "eat" more VD. Under light, the secretion of sebaceous glands in cats increases, and part of the provitamins (precursors of vitamins) in sebum oil will be converted into VD. When cats lick their hair, they will eat these VDs into their stomachs.
(3) Promote sleep
A 2017 study found that the reason why cats can sleep more than ten hours a day is closely related to the level of melatonin in their bodies. Melatonin only reacts with the retina and pineal gland, and finally regulates their sleep cycle Q and improves sleep quality.
But previous research suggested that melatonin is only produced by the pineal gland at night. A new study in 2019 found that melatonin produced by the pineal gland accounts for only a small part: about 95% of melatonin needs to be produced by the mitochondria of cells under sunlight (near-infrared light NIRQ). So getting more sun can help cats sleep 12 or even 20 hours a day. (Poop shovelers who don’t sleep well can also try to get more sun..
(4) Relaxation & anti-depression
Sun exposure can also make cats happier in a multi-pronged way: First, it increases melatonin, which, in addition to helping sleep, can also improve depression. In addition, an Australian study pointed out that sunlight exposure can also increase the level of serotonin in the body, which can regulate mood and promote appetite. Another Austrian study found that as the seasons change, when the duration of sunlight increases, it will prompt the brain to secrete more dopamine, which will make the mood happier.
(5) healthier body
Researchers at Georgetown University in the United States found that proper exposure to the sun can enhance the body's immunity and skin resistance. Because in sunlight, low-intensity blue light helps to activate hydrogen peroxide in the signaling channel, so that immune cells T cells move quickly and stay alert to deal with the invasion of germs. Ultraviolet rays can effectively fight against bacteria and parasites on the skin and reduce the incidence of skin diseases.
The summary is: More exposure to the sun will make cats healthier and happier~ TAs naturally love to bask in the sun~