Why is natural light good for your pets?

Just like us humans, our furry and feathered friends need natural sunlight to stay happy and healthy too. From dogs and cats to budgies and house rabbits – all of our beloved pets are sensitive to the patterns of natural sunlight. Are your animals getting enough light during the day?

Why might a cat curl up on a sunny spot on an armchair to nap, or why will a dog will choose a bright window to sit by when guarding the house? Without doubt, we’re a nation of animal lovers with a huge 49% of us owning pets and it’s our responsibility to give them everything they need to stay healthy and happy. Our small companions always seem to enjoy a spot of sunbathing as much as we do, often searching out a nice ray of sunshine to stretch out on. It helps to keep them warm, but there are other reasons why natural light is good for your pets, too.  

We’ve all headed off to work at some point or another without opening the curtains, for example. But are your animals getting enough sunshine on a day to day basis? Consider whether your pet’s cage is positioned in a north-facing room, or if your dog only allowed downstairs where there are fewer windows. Does your cat tend to keep herself away in the airing cupboard where is it warm and cosy, but gets hardly any natural light?

Natural sunlight consists of a full, balanced spectrum of colours, which changes during the day from having a high ultra-violet content in the morning to having a high infrared content in the evenings – which photographers tend to call the ‘Golden Hour’ as it can make everything glow. Both humans and animals need exposure to sunshine for good health and wellbeing and unfortunately, artificial light simply cannot be used as an alternative. Apart from specialist lights for reptiles, artificial light cannot replicate the subtle elements of natural light that your pets need. 

Affecting your pet’s moods

Our pets are highly reliant on natural light to stimulate their bodies daily circadian cycles. Their eyes and skin are especially photosensitive, allowing them to see in the dark much better than us humans. A lack of sunlight will cause their brains to produce more melatonin, which leaves them feeling sleepy and lethargic. What’s more, their serotonin levels will also drop, affecting their mood and appetite. 

When this happens, you might notice that your cat doesn’t seem as interested in her favourite toy anymore, or your dog doesn’t want to practice their latest trick with you. Get him bounding about outside in the sun and you will see the difference a bit of sunshine can make. Exposure to full spectrum natural light has been shown to help with cranky budgies and self-harming behaviours in birds such as feather plucking.

Getting a good night’s sleep

A circadian rhythm is a 24 hour regular cycle that runs in the background as a human or animal goes about their day, which is controlled by the hypothalamus section of the brain. Throughout the cycle there will be intervals of sleep, tiredness and alertness. 

A good, healthy circadian rhythm plays a crucial role in controlling your pet’s brainwave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and a whole range of other biochemical activities. Early morning light will get your pet’s brain into gear, boosting their metabolism and getting them moving. A lack of sunlight will greatly affect their circadian rhythm, and being in artificial light for too long could also affect their sleep patterns, especially in ‘white light’ which will keep their brains overstimulated in the evening. 

Ticking body clock

Your pets were originally wild animals and their species have evolved in an outdoor environment, meaning that they need to be exposed to the sun, which helps to keep their body clock in check. 

Anyone who owns a dog will know that they have highly accurate body clocks, badgering you when it’s their dinner time and settling down to sleep in the evenings. A group of stray dogs in Moscow caused a stir when it was discovered that they happily travel about the city on the underground, using their sense of timing along with smell and sound to learn which stations to get off at.   

Vitamin D and bone health

Just like us humans, your pets need natural light for Vitamin D, which helps them to absorb calcium. While they should be getting Vitamin D from their food, sunlight gives them an extra boost, which is very important for helping your pet to have healthy strong bones. 

Vitamin D deficiency can be particularly hazardous to parakeets and budgies, as it can lead to seizures, avian stargazing disease (twirling and lack of balance), soft eggs and egg binding. If you have a breed of dog that is particularly susceptible to joint problems, then sunlight can be highly beneficial for good bone formation, and it can help older cats who are prone to suffering from arthritis. 

Once you actually start to consider how much natural light your animal companion gets throughout the day, you realise how easy it is for them to go without sunshine. Ideally, your pets should be exposed to the changing natural sunlight throughout the day to get the full benefits. Get the outside for the morning light, then again in the late afternoon as a minimum. 

If you’d like to find out more about Aliwood and our roof lanterns, then get in touch today! Call us on 01245 967107.