How to Tell if a Cat is Depression

Just like humans, cats can suffer from depression. It can be caused by many factors, from moving to a new home to losing a close friend. Depressive syndromes are difficult to recognize because behavioral changes are sometimes not very different from normal. However, you can monitor to recognize signs of depression in your cat and take action accordingly.

Table of Contents

Assess situation

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Take the cat to the vet. If you notice a change in your cat’s behavior, you should contact your veterinarian to make sure your cat doesn’t have a medical problem causing the depression that requires special treatment.

Talk to your veterinarian about any changes you notice in your cat, such as changes in eating, sleeping, and temperamental habits. Your veterinarian will conduct regular physical exams, listen to your heart rate, check your eyes and ears, and take your temperature.
Based on the behavioral changes you provide, your doctor will, if necessary, do blood tests, x-rays, or some other test. Some test results are available immediately, while others take a few days to get results.
If the vet doesn’t find that the cat has health problems, it may be suffering from depression.

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Note any recent changes. Cat depressive syndrome is often associated with several factors. You need to review the current situation as well as spot any major recent changes that have led to depression in your cat.

Have you moved house recently? A change in accommodation is one of the main causes of feline depression. Many cats have difficulty transitioning into housing and may experience temporary depression as they adjust to their new environment. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Has anyone or a pet died recently? Whether human or animal, cats are affected by loss. They do not understand death like humans, but still recognize the absence of a person or an animal that causes them to become depressed. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Are you quite busy these days? Maybe it’s a new job, social, or romantic relationship that’s causing you to spend less time with your cat. This is very easy to make them depressed. Cats in general, especially breeds like the Siamese, are sociable creatures and will get depressed if they feel abandoned. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Note the time of year. Seasonal depression (SAD) doesn’t just happen to people, cats can be affected at certain times of the year, and they can become depressed during the winter months.

Winter usually has short days with little sunlight. A lack of sunlight can cause depression in cats, causing them to change their behavior. If your cat’s temperament changes during a certain season, she may be suffering from seasonal depression. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Sunlight has an impact on melatonin and serotonin levels. If these two substances are deficient, humans as well as cats can feel tired, anxious, and sad. Outdoor cats are especially susceptible to winter depression because they spend all their time outdoors. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Recognizing the Signs of Depression

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Observe your cat’s sleeping habits. Cats love to sleep. In fact, cats usually sleep 16 hours a day. However, if they sleep more than usual, it could be a sign of depression.

Cats often go to sleep, so it is difficult to realize how long is too much. However, you should determine when they wake up and go to sleep. Use this base to observe your cat’s sleeping habits. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
If your cat always wakes up to greet you in the morning but suddenly falls asleep on the kitchen counter, they may be depressed. You also need to be aware of the case that the cat often wakes up after being active, and now they are sleeping in the chair. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Watch for signs of a drop in energy. When cats are awake, do they look lethargic? Some cats are naturally lazy, but if you find that your cat is usually running around and is hyperactive but now lies on the mattress all day, they may be suffering from depression. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Listen to the cat’s meows with high frequency. Cats often make a variety of sounds, from hissing to purring or meowing. When they cry more than usual, this could be a sign of depression.

Cats with depression often squeal, hum, or hiss in response to stimuli or make random sounds throughout the day. Maybe they’re trying to tell us something’s wrong. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Every cat has a different amount of sleep, and how long is normal or abnormal is up to you. If your cat often meows loudly to announce his presence or to get attention, you don’t need to worry about them making noises all the time. However, if your cat is normally quiet but wakes you up in the night with a squeal today, they may be expressing their unhappiness.
The phenomenon of cats meowing too much may be due to the death of their close friend. Cats meow to try to help the friend find them. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Observe your cat’s eating habits. Cats with depression may eat more or less to combat the sadness. You should pay attention to the amount of food your cat eats.

Anorexia is one of the consequences of depression in both humans and animals. Your cat may not have an appetite and you will notice that when it’s time to eat, they won’t eat and won’t touch the dry or wet food available. When eating habits change, cats can lose weight. ^{[11] X Research Source}
On the contrary, there are some children who eat a lot when depressed. Although such a case is quite rare, it can still happen. If you notice your cat is demanding to eat a lot, especially gaining weight, this is also a sign of depression. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Check the cat’s fur. When depressed, cats no longer have the habit of grooming themselves or licking their fur too much. This phenomenon is clearly visible.

If your cat’s coat is dull and sticky, it’s probably not licking itself. In addition, you may also notice that they rarely groom. For example, when cats often clean themselves in the middle of the living room after dinner, but suddenly give up this habit, this could be a sign of depression. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Others lick their fur excessively to control anxiety caused by depression. You will find them self-grooming in the long run. In addition, some areas will experience baldness or itchy rashes due to excessive licking. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Note how often the cat hides. Cats are sociable animals, but they like to be left alone for some time. They often prefer to hide in a certain place, such as a closet or closet, but hiding for long periods of time can be a sign of depression.

When depressed, cats will hide in places that are hard to find. Instead of hiding under cabinets, they can dig and hide in the corner of the room to stay undetected. ^{[15] X Research Source}
As mentioned above, only you can determine what is normal for cats. Some cats prefer to hide more than others, but if cats have been in the living room all afternoon and suddenly disappeared today, they may have depression. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Observe the toilet tray. This is an item that can show signs of stress, a symptom of depression in cats.

Understand the difference between urine marking and urinating. Urine marking is a form of territorial marking and is not usually a symptom of depression in cats. Urine often appears on vertical cylindrical objects, has a pungent odor, and is usually male cats. If cats are using urine to mark their territory, it may be because they feel that their territory is being violated and not because of depression. However, pressure between cats and other pets can cause anxiety, stress, and depression. You should resolve all territorial disputes before mental health problems can arise.
If you notice urine or feces scattered around the house, this could be a sign of depression in your cat. They poop outside the litter box probably because they don’t like the size, shape, type of sand, and dirty trays. If the litter box is clean, and you haven’t changed it recently, the urge to urinate may be related to depression. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Overcoming Depression

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Take proper care of your cat. Depression in cats can be caused by inadequate care. You need to meet your cat’s need to be loved so that they are always happy and feel secure.

Cats are sociable animals, but highly independent. They will usually signal when they need attention, and you should allow them to get close. If your cat approaches you and exhibits welcoming behavior, like rubbing her paws or sniffing your body, she’s yearning for your attention. You can’t always meet your cat’s needs, but you should at least pet them so they know how much you love them.
Cats often want to be mentally stimulated, so you need to spend time playing with them for about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Cats love to play with toys like strings and chase animal plush toys. However, you should avoid rough games with cats. Some people use their hands to knock their bodies down, but this can cause cats to become timid and aggressive.

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Find other entertainment for your cat while you’re away. If your work has been quite hectic lately and your cat is depressed because of this, you should prepare entertainment for them when you are not at home. There are lots of ways to keep your cat happy when you’re out and about.

Open window blinds during the day, especially if you live in the suburbs. You should place a table, cupboard, or pole so that the cat can climb up to the window. They love to observe the outdoors, and be exposed to light and play while you’re away. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
Some companies sell DVDs and other electronic entertainment to put on your TV while you’re out and about. Certain types of movies have a stimulating effect on cats, such as movies about birds, mice, and other cats. However, you should be careful and cats can jump up and knock over the TV. You need to fix the TV firmly in case the cat is curious to explore. ^{[19] X Research Source}
There are a variety of toys designed for cats to play with while you’re away, such as catnip and catnip toys. There are also some intelligence games that consist of toys or pieces of food placed inside a device. Cats must find a way to open this device to get the reward and will attract their attention when you have to go out. However, you should be cautious as some toys warn against leaving cats alone. You should choose toys that are safe for them to play by themselves. ^{[20] X Research Source}

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Use light therapy. If your cat has seasonal depression, you should apply light therapy to ease winter depression.

Buy UV-stimulating bulbs and activate them for a few hours a day when cats are in the house. This type of bulb is available in greenhouses, because people often buy it to grow plants indoors. ^{[21] X Research Source}
Sp Box is a vet-recommended brand of UV bulbs because they are designed specifically for cats. You can buy it at the online retailer Pawsitive Lighting. These give off a white light, and the manufacturer recommends exposing cats to about 30 minutes a day during the winter months. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Try synthetic pheromones. Your veterinarian may recommend some synthetic pheromones that stimulate relaxation and euphoria in cats.

Feliway spray is one of the most popular synthetic pheromones available today at veterinarian clinics. You should only use it as directed and contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about this product. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

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Consider medication. This is a last resort to treat depression in cats due to some side effects and obstacles when giving cats medication.

There are four medications used to treat depression and certain other behavioral problems in cats: benzodiazepines (BZ), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and relapse inhibitors selective serotonin reuptake (SSRI). Often when cats are depressed, your veterinarian will prescribe an SSRI or MAOI. ^{[24] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}
Each drug has different side effects. Some have quite serious effects. For example, an MAOI can cause a life-threatening reaction if a cat accidentally ingests cheese while on medication. You need to understand all the possible side effects before giving them medicine. Consult your veterinarian about side effects and those that require immediate medical treatment. ^{[25] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}
Cats have a characteristic that they don’t like taking drugs. Most veterinarians only prescribe medication if other measures don’t work. In case your doctor prescribes it, you need to know the method of administration, dosage, and storage. If you are unsure or concerned about anything, you should contact your veterinarian for more information. ^{[26] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Advice

Always consult your doctor if you notice a change in your cat’s behavior. Don’t jump to the conclusion that your cat is depressed because some symptoms, especially anorexia, are often associated with many other illnesses. If your cat has serious health problems, you should intervene as soon as possible.
If you feel your cat is lonely because another pet has passed away, you might consider getting another cat or dog. This is not an easy decision, of course, but some are more sociable than others. If your cat enjoys making new friends, you should consider getting a new pet.

Steps

Assess situation

Recognizing the Signs of Depression

Overcoming Depression

Advice

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