Can the weather affect cat mood?

tom w

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I have noticed that on days when I don't feel like doing anything and laying around because of rainy day or what ever that most of the times or cats are the same way. They just lay around or sleep all day, but then some days they are all nuts, tearing around like 6 month old kittens.

Have any of you out there with more than one cat noticed the same thing? I could see one or two of them having lazy days but all 5 seems odd to me.
 

yayi

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Maybe a bit. When it's very hot and humid, my gang hardly move.
See the picture? Two of mine spent almost a whole day taking advantage of the cool concrete and the rare balcony breeze.
 

sweetiecat3

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I also think it can. Doesn't the weather affect your mood?


Cute picture yayi!!
 

ncarpi75

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I think so as well!! Our seasons are all messed up, so it has been quite mild. However, for the past couple of days, it has been SOOOO cold!! I leave the heat on around 65 during the day, but it still gets cold in the house. My point is...
I have noticed that my girls are eating more during the day. A cup of dry food a day used to be fine. Now, around 5, the food is gone!! Comfort eating I guess!!
 

stephanietx

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I think so as well. Seems like when it's cold and dreary outside, the kitties are more sedentary. When it's sunny they are more active. Then, when the moon is full, well, we all know what that does to wild animals!!


Stephanie
 

sashacat421

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Oh absolutely! here in the Northwest, we've just finished 2 ++ months of rain and donwpor every day. It's been a very bad winter with lots of storms and wind, raining sideways, day after day. Sasha and Saba just lollygag around, they hibernate for hours and come out only for dinner. Today we had sun and warmth. Sasha was like a little kitten again, joyful and dancing, alert and having conversations with Sandy puppy. I really notice it. What I notice the most is that I can always tell when a realy bad storm is coming, as Sasha will frisk around and meow loudly for no reason. Within 12 hours like clockwork, we have a major wind or drop in air pressure or hard rain.
 

candice dubois

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When it rains outside my cat does'nt sleep all day he is wild & crazy he does'nt listen when it is sunny outside all he wants to do is sleep......

 

ritz

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I don't notice a change in Ritz's behavior when it's raining (and I personally love rain).  However, when it is windy, Ritz is wilder, unsettled.  I don't think she likes wind because of the noise.  I live on the top floor, and  I think the gutter is loose so lots of noise is created (and I personally don't like the wind either).
 

katkuddler

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I think ours are weather sensitive. I know our German Shepherds can sense inclimate weather.

 

pushylady

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Our cats seem more lethargic in the rainy weather, and will happily sleep most of the day. On nice sunny days they complain to go outside. When it's really windy they can get all jazzed up and want to go charging around outside, generally being nuts. I've noticed this with lots of dogs who get all excited in the wind too.
 

ruthyb

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Oh my word definitely, Candy especially, she is the most grumpiest cat ever when it rains, she sits in the window all day looking out and growls if you go near her, she is terrible, when the weather is dry she is fine.x
 

katkuddler

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Oh my word definitely, Candy especially, she is the most grumpiest cat ever when it rains, she sits in the window all day looking out and growls if you go near her, she is terrible, when the weather is dry she is fine.x
Our Vet said something about some animals can sense barometric changes/atmospheric pressure.

 

curiosityscat

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Oh, I'm a Believer!...my youngest Stilpho has an aversion to when it rains. When raining, he gets a bit twitchy, and when it thunders, I can't find him (period --not even if I shake the cat treat bag), because he is somewhere hiding under something (usually my bed). I'm not sure if it originated with the thunder or my reaction to thunder (I'm good w/lightening, but I h-a-t-e the sound of thunder, so he may pick up on the fact that I get tense). I'm not sure why it happens, but it started a few years ago, he just started hiding during storms. Then again, he stayed here local with me during Hurricane Katrina (not at our home, but we were together here locally), so he knows storms mean a bunch of "grab and go" long trips to new places (until a hurricane was over after Katrina, we tried more often to leave), so that probably did nothing to endear him to bad weather sounds. During Katrina, where we were it sounded like a big scary monster was roaring outside and trying to rip the roof off of where we were staying. In the case of Hurricane Katrina, I have no problem admitting, I was very scared.. Stilpho is currently (I dunno where, but I know he won't come out until the thunder stops).
So, yes, I believe that various types of weather can effect how cats behavior and personality. But, it also depends on the cat, my older boy 21 yrs old (no lie on the age), could careless that it is raining and storming outside, he just does whatever he normally does. I say leave a skittish animal be when it is being skittish, because you don't want to be the reason/cause of a full on panic attack (fight or flight response), leave the love and cuddling until once they calm down.
I know on the pet market they have various treats, smell associated products, homeopathic products that are suppose to have a calming effect during times of stress (like what you discuss), so if you aim is to "do something" to help, maybe some of that stuff will work?? Otherwise, if it is just desire to comfort an animal, I say let them be until they calm down. *winks*
 
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