Sad Cat – signs, causes and treatment of a depressed cat

Can a cat be depressed?

Yes, your cat can be depressed, especially if there are certain causes

Cats behave in a totally different way than dogs. While dogs express their love and joy by waving their tale, jumping up and down and licking your face, cats are usually more calm and more independent.

Signs of a sad cat

The most common signs of depression in cats are the following:

1 Loss of appetite or not eating normally.

If your cat stops eating or show changes in appetite (like not eating its favorite treats), it may be an indication that something is wrong.

2 Low energy levels and decrease in activity

Another sign of a sad cat is when it seems to have lost interest in its favorite activities or shows low energy levels in general.

3 Sleeping more than usual

Cats like to sleep and relax a lot. However, if your cat is sleeping all the time it might be a sign that it's sad.

4 Hiding or not engaging and not playing with other pets or family members.

A cat that is feeling depressed may want to spend a lot of time alone, and can spend a lot of time hidden. It can also stop interacting with other pets and family members.

5 Changes in daily routine or bathroom habits

Urinating and pooping outside of the litter box or other changes in the daily routine of your pet should alarm you because they might be an indication of stress or depression.

6 Poor grooming or not grooming at all.

Cats that feel sad will often stop grooming themselves something that will make their fur look neglected and even dirty.

7 Scratching objects more than usual.

Cats have the tendency to scratch many objects, but if this is something that happens more than usual then it can mean that your cat is stressed or depressed.

8 Meowing more or less than usual

A sad cat can start meowing more than usual as a way to communicate its status or to catch your attention. On the other hand, other cats that feel depressed may stop meowing or meow less because of their sadness.

9 Aggression or fear

Sad cats can often be more aggressive, so this another sign you should pay attention to.

Causes your cat is sad

Provided that the basic needs of your cat are fulfilled (food, water, clean litter box, a place to sleep and relax, space and toys to play), the most common causes for cat depression are the following:

1 Grief

Grief can come when a relationship is lost. If a family member (including other pets) moves out of the house or passes away it can cause feelings of grief. Most of the times this is something temporary and your cat feel better soon.

I've heard stories about cats who have been together for years, and when the one cat passed away, the other wandered the house meowing for days.

2 Changes in the environment

Cats don't like changes. Moving to a new house or a smaller appartment, or even rearranging the furniture and moving the litter box to another place can be stressful for your cat.

Another example of a change that can make your cat sad is when a new pet or a new family member is brought home. In most cases, your cat will adopt to the change after a while.

3 Changes in your schedule

Whenever you're late from work or when you're absent for long periods of time, your cat may start to feel neglected, something that can lead to stress and depression.

Another stressful period is when you're away for vacation because your cat has no way of knowing that you're coming back.

4 Age

Elderly cats may suffer from arthritis and other age-related conditions which make them less agile. In some cases, even jumping on the sofa or the catio can be painful.

Other cats could slowly start losing their sight when they get too old. All these things can be causes for sadness or depression.

5 Injury.

If your cat gets injured and is not able to do the things they liked, it may start to feel sad and depressed.

6 Illness.

Being sick is something that makes all of us emotionally fragile. The same applies to your cat.

There are a number of conditions that can make your cat feel sad or depressed and that's why it's always important to visit the vet when you notice a change in the mood of your pet.

Helping a sad Cat - How to Make Your Cat Happy

The first thing you should do to help your sad cat is visit your vet in order to eliminate the possibility of illness or disease.

Once you know that the cause is not physical, there are several things you can try, to cheer up your feline companion.

1 Playtime and new toys.

One of the most important things with all pets is to spend quality time with them. This will make your bond stronger and both of you happier. Try to buy or make new toys every once in a while and play a lot of games.

Toys and games keep your cat mentally and physically active and are very important for its well being. Another solution is having a cat tree (cat tower) where your cat will be able to play, exercise, relax and have something to scratch.

2 Walk your cat.

Physical exercise is good not only for you but for your cat also. Teaching your cat (especially from a young age) how to walk on a leash is a great exercise because it provides your pet with many new simulations and help it spend its excess energy.

3 Petting your cat.

Cats love to be petted (however never force a cat to be petted when it doesn't want to). Petting and cuddling is something that makes your relationship deeper and gives pleasure to both of you.

Many cats also like being brushed or being rubbed behind the ears and under their jaw.

4 Offer your cat a variety of treats

Offering a variety of treats not only makes the food more interesting but also provides your cat a variety of nutrients.

Some cats may prefer different flavors or brands of food, while others may be more interested in human food such as boiled chicken, yogurt and cheese (it's advised to talk with your vet before giving your cat human food).

Keep in mind that there are also natural supplements that contain l-theanine and l-tryptophan, which are substances that increase the serotonin levels in a cat’s brain to boost betetr mood and fight depression.

As mentioned earlier, cats hate changes. A stable routine will help your cat feel more secure, calm and happy.