myKotty Autumn with a cat is definitely our favorite time of the year. Shorter days, more chances to snuggle under a blanket, cats happily jumping on our laps and asking for attention – pure bliss! But to make sure your furry friend handles the change in routine well, we need to prepare them for it. That’s why, on the first day of fall, we’re dropping by with the Autumn FabCat Calendar. How to get your cat ready for fall and take care of their coat, diet, and entertainment during this season? Let’s find out!
Autumn with a Cat: How Do Felines Change Their Routine?
Let’s start with what comes most naturally to cats in autumn: seeking warmth, taking longer naps, and craving more human contact. Both outdoor and strictly indoor cats can sense the change in weather in their bones. They notice the darkness falling much earlier and – just like their wild ancestors – try to adapt to the new conditions. Autumn is the time to prepare for winter: building cozy hideouts, thickening their fur coat, and… snacking more often.
As Guardians, we can make these preparations easier for them:
- Take the blankets out of the closet – if your cat loves kneading or burrowing into them, let them enjoy it.
- Place scratchers and cat beds by the window – whether on the sill or on the floor, cats will gladly catch the last rays of sunshine.
- Clean your radiators – if you plan to place your cat’s bed nearby, early autumn is the perfect time for a good dust-off. Otherwise, there’ll be… sneezing!
During autumn, your cat might snack more often – both out of boredom and from the instinct to store fat for winter. Keep an eye on this habit, as autumn is the easiest time to overfeed your cat. If you serve extra treats, remember to balance them out with more playtime and exercise.
Cat Grooming in Fall: Don’t Drown in Fur, fabCat!
Autumn in a cat household means one thing: a fur storm. Even though indoor cats shed all year round, the heaviest shedding usually happens in early autumn and spring. Nature planned it that way to make sure kitties don’t freeze when the weather gets colder.
To avoid drowning in fur, stick to daily brushing – even a quick session is enough to collect a lot of loose hair and prevent it from floating all over the house. If you have a long-haired cat, keep an eye on mats – this is their season! Without a good comb that reaches the roots, you might run into problems fast.
Our TIP: In autumn, consider adding a salmon oil supplement to your cat’s diet – it will improve their coat condition even during heavy shedding season.
Autumn Walks and Playtime: Keep Your Cat Active
As we mentioned before, autumn encourages snacking. We humans do it too – the more time we spend on the couch, the bigger the craving for chips, nuts, chocolate, or fruit. For cats, who are much more sensitive to weight changes, this means they need extra exercise. The first autumn priority is more playtime!
Take out the dusty fishing-rod toys (though we hope they weren’t dusty to begin with), find those catnip and valerian balls, favorite strings, and Kung Fu kickers – this is the perfect time to swap fly hunting and balcony-watching for a proper workout. The more effort you put in, fabCat, the more fun your kitty will have.
PS. Always finish playtime with a treat or meal to complete the hunting cycle. You can read more about it on our blog → More Movement, Lazybones!
Do you walk your cat? That’s an excellent way to burn calories and excess energy. Autumn still offers plenty of opportunities for outings, as long as the weather is good. But remember – ticks are still active this time of year, so refresh that spot-on treatment to avoid bringing home an unwanted hitchhiker.
Fall Diet: What’s on the Menu?
Honestly, not much needs to change. For cats who have their favorite flavors, eat well, and show no signs of excessive shedding, dull fur, sneezing, or general weakness, the diet can stay the same as in summer. Just keep an eye on calories:
- If your cat was very active in summer but now naps more, slightly reduce portion sizes to keep them at a healthy weight.
- If your cat lost a bit of weight over the summer (e.g., due to heat), give them slightly bigger portions in autumn.
- If your cat stays active year-round – let them snack! Just not too much, and always paired with plenty of playtime.
A Healthy Autumn with Your Cat: Key Things to Remember, fabCat
To wrap things up, here’s a quick reminder: regular vet check-ups are key to your cat’s health. If you managed to avoid the clinic all summer, now’s a good time to refresh blood tests, check vaccination status, reapply tick prevention, do a stool test for parasites (and deworm if necessary), and evaluate your cat’s general health. Ask your vet about supplements, too – especially if your kitty has struggled with immunity issues in the past. We never give cats supplements blindly, but a little boost under veterinary supervision never hurts.
And how about you and your cats, fabCats? Do you have your own favorite autumn rituals, games, or ideas to make long evenings more fun? Share them in the comments – we’d love to get some fresh inspiration from you!
