-- Sad Cats, or the Late Winter Blues--
It was worse in this house when we had 8 cats, but this winter has been hard. Hard on the people, hard on the cats. My“ indoor and outdoor” cats have not wanted to go out, and I don’ t blame them in the least. For Hector, who patrols the perimeter every day, and for Jasper, who loves to watch all the wildlife in his domain, it means days of extra long naps, and indoor tag games up and down the stairs.
By February, they were getting bored. It didn’ t help that I went away for 10 days and the shop was not open. There were no people to greet, no new smells or new shoes to rub. The games became a little more aggressive and calling through the house happened all day. A clear sign of the Late Winter Blues, complete with Hector in a meow chorus, traveling up and down the stairs so it echoes magnificently.
Medical researchers have long diagnosed people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. But do cats have this disorder as well? Veterinarians say“ maybe.” Certainly, they exhibit symptoms of lethargy and will call for companionship or comfort more. They will eat more in winter. They will be a little more grumpy. I see Jasper moving a little more slowly. It could be that less daylight has an effect on them, physically.
Or it could be our cat’ s ability to“ tune into” our mental and emotional state. That happens
constantly. People who live with cats know how a cat acts when you are sick, upset, or grieving. Yes, they know words, but they read our energy, and the energy of other animals, like a book. How you react to anything, like the winter weather, affects your cat. Animal researchers into SAD and cats have to take this emotional bond into account. It seems that a person’ s response to the lack of light, or to therapy combating the effects of no sunshine is reflected, at least in part, by the cat that lives with them.
That means that the“ cure” for Seasonal Affective Disorder
for humans extends to cats as well. Use a full-spectrum light box to mimic the sun for several hours. Open the curtains and let in the light that is available. Light is the best cure for SAD in people and cats.
Increase your activity, and provide them with some new toys, or play chase and catch games with them. Hector and Jasper make certain that they thunder down the stairs, through the house and into the shop at least a couple of times a day. They sound like elephants rumbling, but it seems to stop the“ find me and cuddle me” meowing through the house for hours. Finally, a little outdoor time for all of us, when the weather is warm enough. With weather getting warmer, and the sun is up later, all of us are able to do some of our outdoor routines. The birds in the morning let us know that Spring is very nearly here. That is the final death knell for the Winter
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, writer, and owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP Linda Roller
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.” www. thelibertybookshop. com 1 East Park Street, Avis • 570-753-5201
Pawsitively Pets-- March 5