Why Your Cat Is Obsessed With Sunbathing (No Matter How Hot It Is)

Avocados and toast, podcasts and long walks, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, cats and pools of sunlight… some things are just meant to go together. But wait — why do cats love to stretch out in the sun so much, anyway? Did you ever wonder? When I asked the internet, Reddit was ready with answers: “They recognize how extra adorable they are when roastin’ and toastin’,” said one user. “They need regular downloads and system updates from the mother ship, so they sit where the reception is better,” another said.

Others simply rhapsodized about the joy of sunbathing cats, one likening sun-soaked cats to “clothes that just came out of the dryer.” While it’s true that a sun-warmed cat is as deliciously snuggly as a pile of fresh laundry, I decided to consult some actual veterinarians and get the real scoop on why our little friends are such devoted sun-worshipers.

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“Cats historically lived in desert-like environments that were warm and dry,” Dr. Julie Hunt, a veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, explains. “However, our homes are not generally nearly as warm as their bodies would like to be.”

Maintaining their natural high body temperature, which hovers around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, requires a significant amount of a cat’s energy. “Cats are instinctively drawn to sunlight as a way of conserving their body’s energy and warming themselves,” Dr. Hunt says. “Taking a nap in the sun and externally warming their fur is an excellent way of conserving their energy and efficiently maintaining their body temperature.”

Veterinarian Dr. Geri Katz, an advisor at Pet Honesty, echoes Dr. Hunt. “Sunlight has direct effects on their temperature, so they can reserve energy for other activities,” she says. “Think of cats in the wild storing up energy to hunt for prey.” I guess that explains why lions are always lounging around in nature documentaries, taking it easy between kills.

And then there’s my cat, curled up in a patch of sunlight, snoozing the untroubled sleep of a cat who’s never once had to pounce for her dinner.

There’s more than one reason to soak up the sun.

Cats have been sun-worshiping since the days when they themselves were worshiped: The ancient Egyptians — the original, and most famous, cat-lovers — associated cats with the sun god, Ra, because they loved napping in the sun. (OK, maybe Taylor Swift has eclipsed the ancient Egyptians as the most famous cat-lover on the planet.) But it’s not just about keeping their body temperature high and conserving energy; soaking up the sun has other benefits for your cat, too.

“Older cats commonly develop arthritis in their hips and spines after a life of running and jumping up onto furniture or high sleeping perches,” Dr. Hunt says. She explains that for a senior cat, resting in the sun may have the added bonus of soothing arthritis symptoms.

And veterinarian Dr. Geri Katz, an advisor at Pet Honesty, says that cats are no different from humans when it comes to the sun and our moods: “An added benefit of sunlight is increased serotonin production, which is the feel-good hormone. A surge of serotonin can both lift [your cat’s] mood and assist in healing,” she tells me.

That also might explain why one Reddit user reported that their cat liked sitting in front of the lamp they got to help with their seasonal depression. “One of my cats used to like sitting in front of my SAD lamp,” they wrote. “I think it's partly the light. And probably for the same reason as I have the lamp: Sunlight makes our brains happy.” (And now I have this John Denver song running through my head.)

Keeping your cat safe in the sun.

Like humans, cats can get sunburned. Red, swollen, peeling, or flaking skin, hair loss, and unusual sensitivity to touch can all indicate that your cat has a sunburn. Keep them out of the sun and cool them down as best you can, if it happens. (Cold compresses and fans can help.) Cats can even get skin cancer from too much sun exposure; white cats, especially, are vulnerable to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This can appear as a lump, or as a sore or lesion that won’t heal. Consult your veterinarian if you see any suspicious spots on your little sun-lover. 

Prevention, of course, is key — and it’s pretty simple. If your cat goes outside, keep them in during the middle of the day, when the sun is strongest. (While you’re at it, consider turning them into an indoor-only cat; vets say it’s one way to help them live a longer life.)

And though they do make sunscreen for cats, UV-blocking window films or curtains can help keep the sun’s harmful effects at bay, so your cat can safely sprawl out and catch some rays without getting burned. Or, you could put a sunhat on your cat, like this Reddit user. Cats and hats are definitely a pair that don’t go together so well… but you can always try!