It can be extremely frustrating to watch your beloved cat start to behave in strange, erratic ways. If your furry feline friend has suddenly started moping around the house or hiding in random places, there’s a good chance your cat may be depressed. If this seems like the case with your fur ball, don’t worry—there are plenty of things you can do to help him or her snap out of it. In this article, we cover 10 of the most common ways you can tell if your cat is feeling sad or down in the mouth and give you tips on what you can do about it.
1) Lethargy
Lethargy is one of the most common symptoms that people notice when their cat has depression. If your cat seems to have lost interest in playtime or other activities, you might want to take them to a veterinarian to get some professional advice on how best to help your kitty regain his or her joy.
2) Bad Grooming Habits
Cats have a tendency to groom themselves when they’re feeling down. When your cat starts grooming himself excessively, it’s a sign that he is unhappy and may be depressed. If your cat stops grooming himself, this too could be an indicator that he’s not feeling well.
3) Self-Harm
If you find out that your cat has been self-harming, please take him or her to a vet as soon as possible. Cats can’t tell us when they’re hurting themselves and need medical attention. They may be experiencing depression, but it’s also possible that they have a medical condition like an allergy or arthritis. A vet can help diagnose what might be going on so you can take care of your cat more effectively.
4) Strange Behavior
Cats can’t always tell us when something is bothering them. In many cases, a cat’s depression may manifest as strange behavior that seems out-of-character for him. Some signs your cat might be depressed include: withdrawing from his favorite people, sleeping for hours at a time and not interacting with other cats or household pets.
5) Inappropriate Urination
Inappropriate urination may seem like a minor issue, but if your cat is having accidents outside their litter box and you can’t figure out why, it could be a sign that they are depressed. It’s important to watch for other signs as well when trying to determine if your cat is depressed.
6) Lack of Appetite
Lack of appetite is one sign that your cat may be depressed. If he’s not eating, it could be due to a medical condition like diabetes, kidney disease or other issues that need to be addressed. If you’re sure nothing is wrong with your pet and he just doesn’t want to eat, it could indicate depression.
7) Crying or Meowing at Night
Crying or meowing at night is one sign that your cat may be experiencing depression. Cats usually sleep for 12-14 hours per day and if they’re feeling down, they may cry or meow during the night to get attention.
8) Sudden Weight Loss
If your cat suddenly starts to lose weight, you should investigate and see if there is an underlying cause. Cats can lose weight for a number of reasons including illness or a change in diet. The most common reason cats lose weight is depression. A depressed cat will not eat as often and may even refuse to eat at all. If this happens, it is important to address why your cat is feeling down and take steps to cheer him up again.
9) Litterbox Problems
If you have a cat, you know that litterboxes can be a source of frustration. When a cat is depressed, they may stop using their litterbox altogether. There are many reasons why cats might stop using the litterbox, but depression is at the top of the list. When your cat starts showing other signs of depression as well (like changes in appetite), it’s time to talk to your vet.
10) Aggression
There may be times when your cat displays aggressive behavior, such as biting or scratching you. This is a sign that he is either scared or feels threatened by your presence. Aggressive behaviors can also result from illness or pain, so it’s important to take him to a vet as soon as possible. Keep an eye on his demeanor and behavior so you can better understand what might be going on with him.