Aaahhhh … the Fall/Winter blues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in people is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months.”
What about our pets? Do they suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorders (“SAD”)?
Even though there is limited research done in this area, there are a few things we need to keep in mind when it comes to the change in season for our pets:
Cats seem to be more affected than dogs (especially outdoor hunting cats). With less hunting and more time spent indoors, it is possible that your kitty will show behaviour changes (urinating outside of the litterbox, increased agitation, etc.).
We have to become creative and implement “indoor environmental enrichment” for our cats. Don’t worry, this does not mean setting up a jungle gym in your house for your kitty (even though that can be a lot of fun!) but doing things to satisfy all those needs that were met when your cat spent time outside (chasing, hunting, play behaviour, etc.).
Even if you have an indoor cat, this is still applicable since your cat gets significantly more stimulation when he/she sits by the window and watches all the birds, people, dogs, and squirrels nearby. The good news is that there are lots of resources available for this, so no worries, we can keep our kitties happy indoors as well!
Dogs on the other hand, (at least most of them) are just as happy to go outside even when the weather is not so great. They depend on us for walks and playtime so when we limit our time spent outside due to bad weather, their behaviour may change as well. They can become bored, mischievous, destructive and needy.
Knowing how to keep your dog entertained indoors and prepare for those days is crucial. Stimulating their mind with different exercises can be as tiring as a long walk sometimes. There are several interactive toys for dogs that can be far more attractive to them than your shoes.
Lastly, let’s not forget about our senior pets as well – change in weather can affect their joints by creating discomfort and pain. Being prepared and knowing what your pet needs (supplements, diet, booties, laser therapy, essential oils, massage, etc.) is important to ensure your pet still has a fun and comfortable fall/winter season.
