Nowadays, depression is a very common problem for humans. But, did you know that cats also experience depression? It’s a very difficult situation for cats to deal with, as they can’t talk or express their feelings about depression. So, you have to understand their feelings. In this blog, I will be discussing how to understand if your cat is depressed.
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Every cat has its own personality, with some being more outgoing than others. But when a typically social cat suddenly becomes quiet and reserved, it can be concerning. In most cases, cat owners have no idea why their cat is sad or depressed. But by looking out for some signs, you can rest easy knowing that it may just be temporary. Also, learn more about some frequent causes of depression in cats and your best course of action.
Signs of a depressed cat:
A picture is worth a thousand words, and so is the look of your cat. Pay attention to some signs of possible depression in your cat.
- Vocal clues or changes in vocalization: Your cat may meow more or less than usual. These are clear signs that your cat might not be feeling happy. These unhappy noises are usually higher pitched. However, they do not always indicate happiness, and an unhappy kitty might also purr more as a way to comfort themselves. Other cats that are normally vocal may become quiet, while other quiet cats can turn up the volume.
- Body language: Sometimes your cat’s body language can clue you in on their happiness. And there are many ear, tail, and body positions that can indicate this. Tail tucked, ears standing up, and other body signs are all forms of silent communication that your cat may be sad.
- Aggression or fear: Sad cats tend to be more reactive and may act out with aggression or fearfulness. If you notice behavior changes that result in your cat being scared or abnormally aggressive, then they might be sad.
- Clingy behavior or hiding, changes in personality: A sad cat may lose interest in activities that used to engage them. They may become more lethargic and hide. More reserved cats can become clingy or demanding, and the fear of strangers that all cats seem to share can become heightened when a cat is sad.
- Excessive sleep: Cats normally sleep a lot, but sad or depressed cats sleep even more. If there have been changes in the location of a favorite nap spot, this can also indicate sadness.
- Poor grooming or changes in grooming: This can be a sign of unhappiness and ill health. Cats experiencing illness or depression frequently cease grooming, resulting in coats that appear disheveled.
- Not eating or change in appetite: If your cat has stopped eating, or you’ve noted a sudden change in their appetite, it may be unhappy about something. Sad cats may not like foods they previously enjoyed and may even lose interest in their favorite treats.
- Spraying or changes in bathroom habits: A sad cat may use their own scent to feel better by urinating in inappropriate places. There are many reasons for urinating outside of the litter box, with stress, depression, and sadness being high on the list. Your cat may urinate in high-value areas such as lookouts, your bedroom, or places where the scent of a deceased pet or missing human lingers, in order to spread their own scent. Additionally, if your cat eliminates outside of the litter box, it should be a cause for concern.
- Over scratching: Your cat may begin to scratch objects more than normal to relieve tension and mark territory if it is unhappy or depressed.
If you can think of any other ways of telling if your kitty is depressed or how to help them overcome it, please let us know in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this article and found it helpful, please visit our other articles. That’s it from us today. Thanks for visiting.