Every cat has a different personality, some are more outgoing than others, but when a typically sociable cat suddenly becomes quiet and withdrawn, it can be cause for concern.
Most of the time, cat owners don't understand why their cat is sad or upset. But by looking out for some signs, you can rest easy knowing that this could be temporary. Also, learn more about some common causes of depression in cats and the best ways to deal with it.
Origin
The cat that was destined to become the famous Grumpy cat in 2012 appeared in the family of Tabatha Bundesen from Arizona. Tabatha's daughter named the animal Tardar Sauce because the spots on its fur reminded her of tartar sauce. The girl made a mistake by one letter, but they decided to keep the cat’s name.
Tabatha's brother Brian took a photo of the cat in September 2012 and posted it on Reddit. Many found it difficult to believe that this was not Photoshop and that the animal really had such a face.
But Tarde really looks like this: the cat has an incorrect bite and was born a dwarf. To prove. that this was not a hoax, Tard’s owners began posting videos of the cat.
Some sources, for example Wikipedia, write that Grumpy cat is a cat of the Snowshoe breed - a cross between Siamese and American shorthair cats. But in fact, Tard is an ordinary mongrel, like her parents.
The Internet literally fell in love with Grumpy cat, in 2013 it was recognized as “Meme of the Year” according to the Webby Award. The cat's Facebook page has 8.7 million followers and has its own website.
Tarde starred in a commercial for Friskies food, and two books were published about her: “Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book” and “The Grumpy Guide to Life: Observations by Grumpy Cat.” The face of an angry cat is printed on pillows, T-shirts, cups and many other things that are sold both on the official website and on AliExpress.
In the wake of the hype, the film “A Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas” was made in the United States in 2014. In the story, Grumpy the cat, which no one wanted to buy from a pet store, is chosen by a 12-year-old girl on Christmas Eve. And it turns out that the cat can talk, and life seems rather dull to her. The film failed at the box office.
Grumpy cat is an example of a commercially successful meme; according to press estimates, already in 2014 the Bundesen family earned about $100 million from the cat.
Why is the cat acting lethargic?
This state means complete indifference to the environment, weakness, drowsiness, the animal lies all the time, does not react to the outside world, perhaps even refuses to eat. Lethargy in cats occurs for the following reasons:
- middle age;
- taking medications;
- decrease in hemoglobin in the blood;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- inflammatory processes, infections;
- injuries;
- tumors;
- neurological diseases;
- disruption of hormone levels and endocrine system;
- helminths;
- piroplasmosis;
- being in a stuffy room.
Gallery
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Diagnostics
At the appointment, the veterinarian collects an anamnesis from the owner, what the animal did and ate, and then carries out diagnostic procedures.
There are methods that will allow you to make a correct diagnosis and find out why your beloved animals are sick:
- It is necessary to find out what the owner associates the disease with. What did the cat eat, where was it, did it walk outside, what medications did it take. That is, collect anamnesis.
- The doctor takes tests - general blood and urine, biochemistry, feces for coprogram and worm eggs.
- Depending on the symptoms, additional examinations are prescribed - ultrasound, x-rays, surgical diagnostic intervention.
How to treat a pet?
To cure a disease, the cause must be eliminated.
If it is caused by taking medications, stop taking it. For helminthiases, the cat is given a drug that removes them. They go to the toilet and the worms will come out along with the feces. Piroplasmosis is treated with special substances that kill Babesia. In case of inflammation and infections, you need to relieve this process with anti-inflammatory or antibiotics. Maintenance therapy and pills to boost immunity are used. Only a doctor can identify the cause and prescribe the correct treatment.
Sad cat today
Tabitha and her daughter blog on Instagram, Facebook and other social networks. They take thousands of pictures of a sad cat every day and keep the content constantly updated. Tarde participates in cat food advertising; her appearance has inspired artists and designers to create cartoons and full-screen films, as well as soft toys and souvenirs. Tarde's crowning glory was receiving the Webbi Awords Award from her owner. The sad cat was declared the most influential animal.
Despite the popularity of her pet, Tabitha is not going to raise cats based on Tard's genetic abnormalities. She believes that it is better to help animals that end up in shelters.
I want that! What breed?
The popularity of the animal has given rise to the desire of many people to purchase a cat of this particular breed. But the saddest cat in the world is truly unique - he is the only one!
His mother was picked up from the street while pregnant, and his father was a robber cat from a neighboring yard. The appearance of the parents is unremarkable. But the kids turned out to be extremely funny. Most likely, the appearance is predetermined by genetic abnormalities transmitted by the mother to some kittens.
The cat is very small in size, with short legs. Minor problems with the structure of her hind legs prevent Tard from moving dexterously, but in general they do not affect her health. The animal has genetic abnormalities associated with the growth gene and bone deformation.
Speculations have been repeatedly made about the breed, and many versions have been put forward. But experts agreed that the Tard breed, the saddest and incredibly angry cat in the world, is the most noble - the common cat .
