It's winter time. My dog and cat are comfortable inside. They especially enjoy the spots in the room where they can bask in abundant sunshine coming through the windows. My pets look really happy when they are in the sun during cold winter days. Watching the content faces of my pets makes my day. Whatever reasons there are, I can't help imagining that sufficient amounts of sunshine are benefiting my pets physically and mentally.

When I was working in the cosmetic industry years ago, I was constantly bombarded by information insisting that sunlight causes skin damage and premature aging. A lot of products were sunscreen-based -- I was told the sunlight was bad. I became so afraid of sun damage on my skin at some point that I started to avoid walking under the sun completely! I'm sure the information I received about the damages the sunlight can cause to your skin was true. It's common knowledge that too much sun exposure can increase your chances for skin cancer.

However, moderate amounts of sun exposure are good for the body. (Too much or too little is bad...).

Sunshine stimulates the production of vitamin D in our bodies. According to Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats by Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., vitamin D is "needed for proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract. It is needed for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, protects against muscle weakness, and regulates the heart."

However, recent studies indicate that dogs and cats can't synthesize vitamin D like we humans do. Dogs and cats have low levels of vitamin D activation by UV-B light due to low levels of vitamin D in the skin. They obtain vitamin D through food. It may be important to feed your dogs and cats nutritionally balanced food. (Too much vitamin D or too little vitamin D should be avoided).

Science may reveal more health effects of sunshine on animals in the future. In the meanwhile, I let my cat and dog get the best spot in the house where they can enjoy the scarce sunshine in winter. After all they are my pampered pets. That's their privilege, they say...