The veterinarian spoke about the impact of seasonal changes on the diet of dogs and cats

With the onset of autumn, owners of dogs and cats may notice changes in the eating behavior of pets: some animals begin to eat more, while others, on the contrary, lose interest in food. The reasons may be related to temperature, reduced daylight hours, activity levels, and health conditions. Anastasia Subbotina, a veterinarian at the AlphaPet brand, told Izvestia about this on August 31.

According to the expert, before changing the pet's diet, it is necessary to make sure that there really are changes in appetite. Owners often estimate the feed volume visually, which can lead to errors. For an accurate assessment, it is recommended to weigh the amount of food that the animal receives.

"It is also important to pay attention to possible symptoms that may indicate health problems. A decrease or increase in appetite is not always associated only with seasonal changes," the expert said.

One of the reasons for increased appetite in autumn may be a change in ambient temperature. The animal's body needs more energy to maintain thermoregulation, so the calorie requirement may increase.

Another factor is changes in circadian rhythms due to shorter daylight hours, the veterinarian added. In the dark, animals produce melatonin, a hormone that affects the functioning of the hypothalamus. This can lead to a restructuring of metabolic processes, increased appetite and the start of seasonal molting.

At the same time, a decrease in interest in food in the fall may also have natural causes. For example, dogs may walk less in bad weather, which reduces their level of physical activity and energy requirements. As a result, the appetite may become less pronounced.

According to Subbotina, sex hormones can also influence eating behavior. In non-castrated animals, instinctual activity may increase during the transition seasons, which affects their general behavior and diet. Autumn molting has a separate effect on appetite. In cats, the grooming process increases during this period, which is why animals can swallow more hair. The accumulation of hair in the gastrointestinal tract can worsen well-being and reduce the desire to eat.

The most noticeable seasonal changes, the expert said, can be observed in animals that live on the street. Their body reacts directly to changes in temperature, daylight hours, and other natural factors.

In addition, during the transition period, it is important to pay attention to the intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to Subbotina, they are involved in maintaining skin health, help maintain water balance and can positively affect the quality of wool.

The expert added that any dietary changes should take into account the individual characteristics of the animal, not just seasonal factors.

On July 27, Svetlana Kapustina, a zoopsychologist and invited expert of the Triol brand, told Izvestia why cats mark their territory. According to her, this action is a natural part of behavior and is related to the animal's perception of the surrounding space. For a cat, an apartment is a system of zones — a place to rest, feed, play and observe. When a new object appears in the house, the familiar picture of the territory changes, and the label helps the animal to identify the object with its own scent and return the feeling of familiar space.