As the days get longer and the weather warms up, cats can get antsy. It’s a phenomenon known as spring fever and it affect cats of all ages. But what is spring fever in cats, and how can you manage it? In this blog post, HICC PET™ delivers expert advice on what to do if your cat has spring fever.
What Is Cat Spring Fever?
Spring fever in cats is a form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that happens in the spring season. During this time, cats become more restless and active than usual. In some cases, cats may even develop separation anxiety or become overly clingy. Generally, cats with spring fever will display signs of excessive energy, restlessness, and an inability to focus.
Causes of Spring Fever in Cats?
There are a few possible causes of spring fever in cats. One of the most common is the increase in daylight hours that comes with the spring season. This can cause cats to become more active and restless due to the longer days. Cats may also become overstimulated due to the increased activity of birds and other animals in warmer weather. Finally, cats may experience boredom due to the lack of activity during the winter months, leading to a natural desire to release energy.
Signs of Spring Fever in Cats
When cats experience spring fever they may run around, play more, or get clingy, following you around. If you see any of these signs, your cat may be getting their seasonal spring fever itch:
- More lively or rowdy behavior
- Meowing or howling more
- Waking up at earlier hours
- Shedding more than usual
- Increased appetite
- Yearning to go outside more often
- Desire to mate
- Heightened aggression
These are a few signs of spring fever in cats. Some cats even forget their litter box training and urinate or defecate around the house. Luckily, there are ways to manage your cat’s behavior while also tending to its instincts.
Treating Spring Fever in Cats
The first step in managing spring fever in cats is ensuring they get enough mental and physical stimulation. Provide your cat with plenty of toys, interactive play activities, diet and lifestyle changes, and mental stimulation. Take them on daily walks and provide them with plenty of space to run and explore. If you notice any signs of spring fever in your feline, here are some simple tricks to calm their behavior:
More Exercise and Playtime
Your cat’s energy will be at peak levels due to its wild nature. The best way to combat this is stimulating your cat with playtime physically. Lay more toys around the house, or find some cool DIY cat toy projects to try at home. Anything that grabs your cat’s attention, like moving objects, cat trees, scratch posts, and more, will help reduce their energy.
