Cats can get depressed just as us humans. One example of what may trigger feline depression is change. Any change to the cat`s familiar territory, especially if it’s drastic, is potentially distressing for the cat.
Pax had to witness his usual litter box space being changed forever. It was a place of very personal nature for him, of course.
He now has a new space for his litterbox, and luckily he has settled with the changes.
But he was displeased to begin with, and restless. He also meowed differently, expressing his discontent. His world was shaken. What was next, he thought. If this can happen, then what else may happen? Will it stop here? Or will these changes go on forever? Has a Pandora`s box of changes been opened?
Be patient and attentive to your cat if you make changes in the home – anything new must be thoroughly examined by the their acute senses before they can relax. It can look lovely, sure – but is it SAFE?
Another reason for Feline Depression can be the loss of a cat companion and International Cat Care has further details on Feline Bereavement.
Help them get some of their potential frustration out by playing with them. When humans get depressed or anxious, a common tip is to exercise or get involved in a hobby. A cat playing goes into the same cat-egories.
Additional resource on Depression in Cats.
Originally posted on A Bohemian in Scandinavia
My cat was depressed, sitting in corners etc and once we got him a little bro his personality totally changed and he became like a caring mommy cat haha x
Cat depression is very heartbreaking to the human too. My Rocky’s heart was broken when we lost his sister Rosie, they were 12. He lost weight, he lost his appetite, he searched for her everywhere, and when he accidentally saw a life size color picture of her on the computer screen he continually tried to get the screen open to let her out, just like you see your cat trying to open a cupboard. It broke my heart too.. He didn’t want to play. It is so sad, there was nothing I could do. We tried a new kitten but Rocky drove it away—afraid perhaps that Rosie wouldn’t come back with the new cat there. He died a year later, half his normal weight and still depressed. It was the worst thing for me.
That must’ve been heartbreaking Nora. I’m so sorry to hear you went through that and I’m so sorry for your losses. I have been through similar, but my kitty rebounded when we got another cat and the two fell in love like his previous sweetheart. It seems there’s no easy answer I wish there were much more written up on the types of things we cat parents can do!
My cats I notice do not care for small changes, but take a big change like a total new place to live in, and the new surroundings are an adventure to explore!
Good information. ?
A tip for those who have cats with aging or infirm friends: When their friend passes away, let them see the body, sniff it if possible. Cats understand death and they will be sad but they will at least know what happened to their friend. When Nezumi’s “Father” died, she saw it happen and knew what was going on. Though she sometimes called out using the same meow he used to use, she never went looking for him.
My cat has made friends with a neighbor cat, they have never met face to face but spend a long time staring at each other through their respective front windows. We live literally “Kitty corner” from them. Whenever he’s sick or lost, she acts depressed. This last time, we knew he was okay before the owners told us because Nezumi was acting bouncy again.
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I didn’t know it could get that bad. I’m still learning. I have 3. Thank you.