We explain how to spot depression in cats and, most importantly, what you can do about it.
Symptoms: What are the signs of depression in cats?
The clinical picture of depression in cats is similar to the symptoms seen in humans. Apathy and general bad mood are the main symptoms of depression. You can recognize them in your cat by the following behaviors:
- He seeks less physical contact with you.
- He sleeps more than usual and seems listless at all times.
- His favorite toy does not motivate him to play.
- The food bowl is fuller than usual and the cat does not even want to eat its favorite food.
- He grooms himself less.
- If your cat is an outdoor cat, he no longer wants to explore the neighborhood or go for walks.
If you feel like your pet has lost its zest for life, ask your veterinarian for advice. He will be able to rule out health problems such as pain, infectious diseases or other pathologies. He will palpate your cat, take its temperature and, if necessary, take a blood test.
- Therapy: How is it treated?
Treating depression in cats is often difficult and time consuming due to the complexity of the condition. It is therefore important that you regularly document developments, including progress and setbacks.
If you can cancel the alleged cause, try doing this to help your cat. If this is not possible, you can ask a feline psychologist or veterinarian to administer psychotropic medication. These are drugs that influence the brain and can relieve depression in cats.
- Causes: What causes depression in cats?
A cat’s psyche depends on many factors, so there are many triggers for depression in cats.
The most common are:
- A blow
- A new animal (for example a dog) or a second cat at home or in the neighborhood
- Lack of social contacts
- Property not suitable for species
- Death, moving or long trip of a family member
