Can Cats Get Depressed?

Lately, your cat has been moping around the house. She’s meowing a lot more than usual, not eating as much, and is no longer interested in playing with her toys. Can cats get depressed? You’re wondering what you can do to cheer your sad cat up and help her get better.

By doing your research about cat depression, you can help improve your cat’s mood and make sure that she feels happy once again. 

Why Cats Get Depressed

Cats may experience depression for a number of different reasons. Usually, changes in cat behavior occur because there is a major change in their life circumstances or surroundings, or something has happened to the pet parent or family member.

For instance, if you move to a new home, your cat might suddenly start feeling upset. The arrival of a new baby, member of your household, new pet, or new cat can also make them depressed.

If your work schedule changed or a member of your household left – for example, your child went off to college or your parent moved to a retirement home – then your cat may become depressed. This may be especially tough for your cat if she had a close relationship with the loved one who left.

Additionally, if a traumatic event occurs, this could affect your cat’s mood. If she got hit by a car or there was a loud explosion in your home, your cat could start to feel depressed as a result of the event.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

If your cat is exhibiting the following behavioral changes, signs, and symptoms, she may be depressed:

• She has a lack of interest in her once-beloved activities, such as playing with her favorite toys or scratching her post
• Increased vocalization, like meowing or yowling
• Going to the bathroom more frequently in the litter box
• Not using the litter box and going to the bathroom around the house
• Lack of energy
• Increase in sleeping, especially during odd times of the day
• Loss of appetite
• Less interest in interacting with other cats in the house or people
• Not wanting to cuddle anymore

Keep in mind that these symptoms and signs of depression could also indicate that your cat is experiencing health issues. Keep an eye on their body language.

You should go to a veterinarian/DVM as soon as you notice a change in your cat’s behavior. It could be depression, or it could be something else that you need to treat right away. 

How to Help a Cat with Depression

If your veterinarian determines that you have a depressed cat, then there are ways to treat it, including the following.

Get on a Routine Schedule

Cat owners can do a number of things to try and treat their cat’s depression. As much as you can, get your cat on a routine and predictable schedule, since pets need that. Feed her and play with her around the same times every day. 

Create a Space for Your Cat

Make sure you keep her litter box, bed, and other belongings in the same spot so your cat knows where to go for comfort. This could be in another room where she goes to unwind if she’s feeling depressed or anxious, which could be related to the depression.

Show Her Love

You can cuddle her cat more, such as when you’re watching TV or working on your computer. Pet and rub her as often as possible so she knows she’s not alone. 

Change Her Diet

Another method to treat your indoor cat’s depression is to give her new kinds of food, such as tuna fish, cheese, roasted chicken, or chicken broth. You may also switch to a higher-quality brand of cat food.

Another thing to consider is your cat’s weight. Pet obesity has been linked to not just physical pain, but emotional pain as well.

Just make sure that you ask your vet what types of food are safe to give your cat before implementing any major changes.

Put on Calming Music

Your cat may like it if you put on some calming music; type “music for your cat” into YouTube or play some classical tunes to help her relax.

Tap into Pheromones

By using pheromones, you may be able to make your cat feel calm and content. Give her some catnip or put it into her favorite toy so she can try and find it.

Use Supplements

Another option is to incorporate supplements into your cat’s diet to increase the serotonin in her brain and improve her mood. Ask your veterinarian about the best types of supplements for your cat. 

Give Your Cat Mental Stimulation

You can switch up playtime – perhaps you engage in play with her or invest in some new toys that will provide more mental stimulation than usual.

For instance, the Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Cat Game will tap into your cat’s natural foraging instincts. The way the toy works is your cat will “hunt” for her reward, her favorite treats, by batting the pegs and swatting the raindrops. There are slots for 14 treats, which will keep her occupied for a while.

Along with giving your cat a puzzle game for independent play, you can also use toys where you engage with her, like a teaser wand. Cats enjoy crinkling sounds, which is why a lure like the Fairy Flutter Teaser Wand includes wings that crinkle when your cat swats at them.

If you’ve tried a number of different things to help your sad cat feel better, you can also reach out to a veterinary behaviorist for additional advice and guidance.

Can Depression Lead to Death?

While cats can’t pass away from depression itself, they can die if they experience dramatic weight loss, weight gain, stop doing physical activity, or engage in other behaviors that are unhealthy for them and can cause health problems. That’s why it’s important to be in touch with your vet about your cat’s health.

Making Your Cat Feel Better

Your cat’s health is of the utmost importance to you. All you want is for her to feel better. By taking the right steps and being in touch with your veterinarian, you can contribute to your cat’s mental health and overall wellness, and hopefully cheer her up in no time.