Causes of depression in cats and what to do if a cat is depressed?

Age: any

Symptoms: change in behavior, atypical aggression, refusal to eat, refusal of the animal to care for itself, reluctance to make contact, and others

We are accustomed to the fact that depression is a problem for people, but it turns out that our pets, in particular cats, can also suffer from this disease. Veterinary medicine encounters depression in cats quite often, although not all owners are aware of this problem. So what is it - depression in a cat ?

How to tell if a cat is depressed

Emotionally, cats are not much different from people. They know how to rejoice, have fun, be sad, suffer and be offended. In case of emotional shock, depressive disorder manifests itself.

Why depression occurs . Cats are conservatives. It is important for them to maintain their usual way of life. Any sudden change leads to stress, which, with prolonged exposure, can turn into depression. The reasons are:

• loss of a close friend - human or other animal;
• moving;
• new owners;
• new daily routine;
• prolonged loneliness;
• loss of offspring;
• constant feeling of danger.

Depression is often associated with hormonal surges. Pregnant and newly given birth cats are at risk.

How to recognize . Cats carefully hide their condition. It is often difficult to understand that something is bothering your pet. However, a caring owner will notice the depressed state immediately. Certain signs indicate that something wrong is happening to the animal.

Take a closer look at the behavior. Like depressed people, pets prefer to retire and sleep constantly. If previously the cat loved to doze off on the owner’s bed, stretched out at full length, now she sleeps in the closet or under the bathtub.

Another sign is a change in habits. If a cat no longer greets a person from work, does not caress, or touches a favorite corner, this is a reason to think about the pet’s state of mind.

Depressive disorders are revealed by a changed character. The affectionate cat shows aggression with hissing and claws. The beloved seems to say: “Leave me alone!” A sociable animal becomes withdrawn and no longer likes games and fun. The opposite change also happens: a constantly angry and independent cat seeks support and attention from the owner, clings to him, and becomes incredibly affectionate.

In cases of sadness from loss, the cat often begins to walk in circles, unable to find a place for itself. She “cries”: she makes drawn-out sounds, as if calling someone.

Physical signs include refusal to eat, dull fur, and permanent curling. Often, to feel safe, cats begin to mark their territory.

What to do . First, stop scolding the cat for its changed behavior and marks. Talk to him kindly, offer familiar food and treats (you can give him from your hands). Don't pester the animal too often, but show care and love.

Traumatic factors

Cats love stability and regularity. The mental state of a pet can be disrupted by:

• changing his usual daily routine;
• loss of a playmate;
• moving;
• loneliness;
• the appearance of strangers in the house;
• feeling of danger.

The changed behavior of the animal will help you recognize that something is wrong. The cat becomes apathetic, its gaze becomes absent, and its appetite disappears. The pet stops washing itself, loses interest in games, and orientation in familiar spaces deteriorates.

Periodically, he becomes aggressive, suddenly attacking the owner, scratching and biting. The cat may begin to urinate in inappropriate places: on the carpet, upholstered furniture - as if to spite their owners, the cat may mark everything.

With such negative discharge, animals signal problems with their psyche. But a sharp change in a pet’s habits can also be a sign of physiological disorders. Therefore, you do not need to treat the cat yourself; it is better to show the animal to a specialist. Having examined him and ruled out diseases, he will be able to confidently determine whether the pet is experiencing stress.

Your cat may be depressed! How to recognize and what to do?

Our small pets require care and attention. You need to take care of them: walk them, comb their fur, feed them, give them vaccinations. Otherwise they will get sick and you will have to take them to the vet. It turns out that our pets can get sick not only physically, but also emotionally. Just like people, they can experience depression. At such moments, animals need the support and attention of their owner.

How to recognize depression in a cat?

• Among felines, sleep takes 12–16 hours a day. When cats are depressed, they sleep more than usual. Sometimes for 22 hours. At the same time, they don’t even pay attention to toys. This is how their body tries to cope with stress;

• Poor appetite is another sign of a negative mood. This syndrome must be treated very carefully. After all, it is often associated with physical illnesses. If your pet does not run to the bowl and refuses treats for more than two days, you urgently need to contact a veterinarian. There is also the opposite situation, when an animal eats stress and becomes excessively gluttonous. This may include trying to chew inedible objects;

• During a difficult period, a cat may completely stop grooming its fur . She doesn't wash her face and becomes indifferent. The opposite behavior can also mean depression. Some cats begin to actively lick their fur and develop bald spots. Bald patches can also indicate other terrible diseases. In severe cases, it is necessary to consult a specialist;

• During depression, the behavior of pets changes greatly. During this period, even the most affectionate cat can become aggressive. And the most sociable one can hide in dark corners under the sofa. Even if the animal hisses and growls, you should not punish it or try to pick it up. It would be more rational to let him calm down;

Causes of depression in cats

Our pets are gentle creatures. Many factors can affect their emotional state:

• change of residence
• trip to the vet
• the appearance of another animal in the house
• lack of attention or rudeness on the part of the person
• age-related changes
• hormonal imbalance
• breed feature
• changing the usual way of life

Remember the latest changes

If your cat is showing signs of depression, you need to think about what changes have happened in the house recently. Stability and a calm environment are very important for cats; any changes can upset the pet’s psychological balance.

Moving to another home, as well as separation from someone close (human or other animal) can be stressful and negatively affect the cat's condition.

Owners should also consider whether they are paying enough attention to their furry friend. Cats, despite their apparent independence, are mostly social animals. They need communication with their owners, care, affection and attention. In the absence of this, they may become depressed.

Fighting depression

During such periods, our pets are very vulnerable. Their condition cannot be left to chance. The owner must help the animal himself or contact a veterinarian.

• Give your cat enough attention . When the owner leaves for a long time, the animals perceive this painfully. They feel lonely and abandoned. If a cat comes up and nuzzles you, then it clearly requires communication. Play with the animal more often. He must run and frolic a lot;

• Try to leave something at home to entertain your cat while you are away. Do not curtain the windows so that the cat can watch the street. Place cat toys on the floor for your pet to run around with. Some owners leave the TV on so that the animals do not feel lonely;

• rule out the cause of depression if possible. If your cat is worried about changing the litter box, return him the old one. If he is afraid of rudeness, never raise your voice again;
• when it is not possible to exclude the cause of depression, you can try phobia therapy . This method must be used with caution. In dosage forms, accustom the animal to its fear. If he is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, turn it on for ten minutes every day. If your cat is afraid of walks, take him out for a short time every day. This will develop a habit and there is a chance that the pet will completely get rid of phobias.

The most important cure for depression is love. Protect your animals, give them care and understanding. Then they will enjoy every day and repay you with their friendship and good mood.

Prevention measures

If the cat satisfies its hunting instincts, depression will recede. You need to entertain the animal, play with it, giving it the opportunity to get emotional release. Don't run to the store for special toys.

There are quite a few items around the household that can be chewed, torn, disturbed, rolled, shaken, grabbed, tossed: toilet paper, balls of yarn, clothespins, boxes, wine corks, paper bags, crumpled up candy wrappers. A cat can be easily interested in a moving spot of light cast by a flashlight, laser pointer, or mirror.

Such games will be a salvation for owners whose pets like to play with inappropriate things: furniture, carpets, curtains, shoes. A bully, the animal will forget about boredom and loneliness. His intellect will develop, and his physical form will improve.

The danger with feline depression is that it can be difficult to recognize. Often, apparently healthy animals experience mental discomfort for years, from which they cannot recover on their own, and their owners believe that everything is fine with their pets, they have simply matured and calmed down.

Treatment for depression will take a long time, and its result depends entirely on the cat owner, on how much love, care and time he is willing to spend on it. Disease is easier to avoid, especially since little is required. The animal needs to be provided with competent care, monitor its physical health, pay attention and not let it get bored, then there is no need to be afraid of depression.

Sources

• https://moja-koshka.ru/zdorove-koshek/depressija-u-koshek.html
• https://KotMurka.ru/bolezni/depressiya-koshek.html
• https://4lapki.com/2019/02/depressiya-u-koshki
• https://lapulik.com/o-koshke/bolezni_i_lecheni/nervnoj-sistemy/depressiya.html
• https://life-instyle.com/o-sokrovennom/13773-byvaet-li-depressiya-u-koshek-i-kak-ee-raspoznat.html

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Causes of depression in cats

A natural phenomenon is depression in cats during the heat period.

Since cats love regularity and stability, their mental state can be significantly shaken due to:

• with a change of residence;
• change of owner;
• changing the usual way of life;
• lack of attention, rude and dismissive attitude;
• a trip to the veterinary clinic (especially if the animal underwent unpleasant manipulations there);
• the appearance of other pets in the house;
• various hormonal disorders;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• age-related changes in the body.

Experts have not reached a consensus regarding the main cause of feline depression. Some of them believe that nervous crises in animals arise due to isolation from their natural environment. Deprived of the opportunity to walk freely on the street, fight for territory and hunt, pets begin to get bored, and their hormonal cycle is disrupted.

Diagnostics

It is important to understand that it is impossible to independently diagnose depression in an animal, since all the signs of this illness can accompany a number of diseases, many of which pose a serious threat to the health and life of the pet. Therefore, if you notice that your cat is behaving strangely, do not put off a visit to the veterinary clinic. Doctors will examine your animal, take tests, check the condition of internal organs, and if the cat turns out to be physically healthy, then a mental disorder can be considered the probable cause of deviations in its behavior.

Main symptoms

Pregnant and recently pregnant cats suffer from depression caused by hormonal surges.

Due to the fact that each cat has its own temperament, any changes in the animal’s normal state should alert the owner.

The main symptoms of depression may include:

• depressed state and apathy (the animal ceases to enjoy its usual pleasures);
• sudden change in behavior;
• a sharp decrease or increase in appetite;
• deterioration of coat condition;
• ignoring the toilet tray.

Specific diseases of the nervous system

Cats can be diagnosed with specific diseases of the nervous system, which are rare, resulting from serious diseases or congenital characteristics. Not all of them can be completely cured. In complex cases, lifelong monitoring and the use of supportive measures are required.

Rare disorders of the nervous system include Kay-Gaskell syndrome (dysotonomia). The provoking factors and mechanism of spread of the disease are still unknown. This pathology manifests itself in the peripheral part of the system, affecting the main vital organs of respiration, digestion, and genitourinary tract. The treatment provides little effect, as the affected parts gradually cease to function. With Kay-Hassell syndrome, the following are observed:

• alternating diarrhea and constipation;
• urinary and fecal incontinence;
• overdrying of mucous membranes;
• cessation of third eyelid functions;
• pupil dilation.

Severe infectious diseases, as well as blood poisoning, can cause hepatic encephalopathy, which impairs the functions of the organ. A complication occurs when the content of the neurotoxic element hydrogen nitrite increases. It has an effect on the brain, locally softens its tissues. As a result, neuropsychic abnormalities in behavior appear, which gradually progress. If left untreated, hepatic coma occurs.

Epilepsy can develop as a background to the underlying neuralgic disease or as an independent pathology. The disease is expressed in the form of seizures and convulsions. Epilepsy cannot be completely cured; you can only use medications to prevent frequent seizures.

A pregnant cat nursing babies may develop eclampsia. The disease is caused by a lack of calcium, which during pregnancy and lactation is consumed in increased quantities for the formation of fetuses and milk production. With eclampsia, a cat develops edema, tonic-clonic convulsions, an accelerated heart rate, increased blood pressure, impaired coordination, diarrhea, and vomiting.