Symptoms of depression in cats

Contents

1. Can a cat be depressed?
2. Causes of cat sadness
3. Types of feline depression
4. Cat depression symptoms
5. How to deal with depression in cats?
6. Changes in the cat's environment
7. Play therapy
8. Additional sources of stimulation
9. Support from a caregiver
10. Supplementation and pheromonetherapy
11. Summary

There are times in every cat's life when they'd rather stay in their den. However, if your cat hasn't been happy for a long time, they may need help. Depression in cats is a serious problem, often linked to a loss of security or unmet natural needs. Although low mood is usually associated with apathy, a cat's blues can also take on more unusual forms. How can you recognize depression in a cat and what should you do if your cat has been sad for a long time?

Can a cat be depressed?

Although cats are considered somewhat reserved in expressing their emotions, they are actually very sensitive. Cats can experience similar emotions to humans and, therefore, can also suffer from depression.

One of the basic emotions in cats is sadness, which often accompanies uncertainty, stress and fear. Sadness in a cat is a reaction to the current situation and is most often short-lived—it subsides when the triggering stimulus ceases. A much more serious problem is depression in cats, which is characterized by a long-term (lasting more than a week) low mood, often difficult to link to specific events.

The biological basis of depression is an imbalance of neurotransmitters., such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Depression in cats is also related to individual characteristics and the sensitivity of the nervous system – animals that are naturally anxious and reactive are more susceptible to it.

Cat depression is associated with learned helplessness. Animals that live in uncomfortable conditions for a long time and are unable to stop being exposed to unpleasant stimuli eventually withdraw from activity and become apathetic.

Causes of cat sadness

The causes of depression are most often found in a cat's immediate environment. A cat's peace of mind can be disturbed by changes in its environment and social relationships. Cats often suffer from depression because they are unable to engage in natural behaviors, such as grooming or hunting. The most common causes of depression in cats include:

• moving or temporary change of residence (e.g. staying in a pet hotel),
• changes in the environment (e.g. rearranging furniture),
• change in living conditions (e.g. introducing an outdoor cat to an enclosed space),
• separation from a caregiver or a friendly animal,
• accident, surgery, serious illness,
• social conflicts,
• the arrival of a new resident in the house,
• lack of adequate physical and intellectual stimulation,
• unpredictable living conditions and loss of rituals,
• preventing body care (so-called hip depression),
• sun deficiency (seasonal depression).

Types of feline depression

Depression in cats can vary in severity. Depending on how it develops, it can be divided into acute and chronic. Acute depression, resembling post-traumatic stress disorder in humans, is characterized by a sudden onset related to a traumatic experience for the cat. It can often occur following the death of an owner or an accident. This form of depression usually resolves spontaneously after 3-6 weeks. However, it can become chronic in cats.

Chronic depression It develops slowly, as a result of prolonged exposure to factors that cause stress, frustration, or anxiety. It can persist for many months. This form of depression is particularly common in cats living in large groups, where conflicts and a silent "psychological war" rage between the animals.

Cat depression can also take specific forms, depending on the factors that trigger it. Some cats experience what's known as. autumn depression. It appears in the fall and winter due to a lack of sunlight, which causes increased melatonin levels and decreased serotonin levels (responsible for a good mood). Autumn depression in cats usually requires no treatment—it resolves spontaneously with the arrival of spring.

Another unusual type of cat blues is the so-called. hip depression. It appears after a cat is placed in a protective coat (usually after neutering or abdominal surgery) and is associated with limited grooming. These symptoms disappear once the coat is removed.

Cat depression symptoms

When thinking about cat depression, most people imagine an apathetic cat sitting in the same spot all day, staring at a single spot, completely oblivious to what's going on around them. Indeed, depression in cats can look like this, but it can also take on more unusual forms. Sometimes, the only clear sign of a cat's blues is compulsive overeating or persistent licking of its fur. Sometimes, depression in cats also manifests itself in other ways. a form of irritability and over-excitability. Therefore, it is worth being sensitive to any changes in your pet's behavior.

A depressed cat's mood is most often accompanied by a decrease in activity. A depressed cat will refrain from playing, moving around, socializing, and exploring its surroundings. It will consume less food and water. Additionally, it may neglect grooming its fur, which often results in ruffled fur. A depressed cat is disinterested in its surroundings, absent, and lacking initiative. It often isolates itself, seeks hiding places, and avoids contact with people and other animals. A sad cat usually spends most of its time lying in its bed. It may only appear to sleep or rest—remaining motionless for long periods. If a cat does move, it moves slowly and with its body lowered.

In some cases, the symptoms of depression in cats are very subtle or absent, and the animal's mood may be affected by: behavioral problems. Sadness in a cat, especially when related to stress or frustration, can result in urine marking, intense claw marking, aggression towards people or other animals, self-mutilation, or increased vocalization.

Symptoms of depression in cats are often similar to those seen in many illnesses (including neurological problems, osteoarthritis, or infections causing pain and fever). Therefore, if you notice any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues.

How to deal with depression in cats?

Treatment for cat depression should be tailored to the underlying cause and conducted under the supervision of a behaviorist. In most cases, combating cat depression involves increasing the animal's sense of security, providing a stable living environment, and introducing new sources of stimulation.

Changes in the cat's environment

One of the most effective ways to improve your cat's mental well-being is to rearrange its environment. It's important to ensure your cat can isolate itself from disturbing stimuli when needed. Creating a haven for your cat (e.g., a kennel-like bed) in a quiet, secluded spot can be helpful. Additionally, offer your cat elevated areas to relax. It's also worth enriching your cat's environment. new accessories encouraging physical or intellectual activityj, e.g. scratching posts, cat trees, fountains or interactive feeders.

Play therapy

Play is often used in the treatment of depression in cats. Each day, you should organize activities for your pet. several sessions of hunting games (e.g., using a cat fishing rod). Hunting games improve a cat's mood and increase its confidence, encouraging activity. During play, the cat should be able to complete a complete hunting sequence—so it must end with the cat grasping the toy and eating the treat presented to the cat, which serves as the "prey.".

Additional sources of stimulation

Often, depression in cats is the result of constant boredom. Providing your cat with new, exciting stimuli can be an effective antidote to the blues. Natural attractants have a stimulating effect on cats— catnip and valerian. The substances contained in these plants mimic the effects of pheromones, affecting pets through the vomeronasal organ. Catnip and valerian accessories can be used to stimulate your pet's activity and exploration.

It might also be a good idea diversifying cat nutrition — both by introducing new treats into the diet and changing the feeding method (e.g. hand-feeding or placing treats in smell mats and interactive toys).

If depression occurs in a cat that has changed its lifestyle (been placed in an enclosed space), it's worth considering arranging leash walks for it, creating a garden aviary/secure corner on the balcony, or a spot for observing its surroundings by a mesh window. Some cats may also enjoy exploring objects brought in from the outside environment (e.g., pebbles, leaves, pine cones) or nibbling on potted cat grass.

Support from a caregiver

Although cats are considered solitary creatures, they can actually form strong bonds with people. A good relationship with their owner is very valuable when a cat is suffering from depression. Social interactions can be used to overcome a cat's sadness. A cat should feel supported by its owner, which can help them cope with anxiety and stress. Bonding rituals play an important role in treating cat depression—for example, affectionate petting, shared relaxation, hand-feeding, or brushing.

Supplementation and pheromonetherapy

To improve your cat's mood, you can use special dietary supplements, functional treats, or pheromones. It's worth including foods containing L-tryptophan — an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin. Giving your cat serotonin can also bring positive results. preparations with alpha-casozepine — a peptide derived from cow's milk that lowers stress levels, reduces anxiety and tension, and increases the tendency to be active in stressful conditions.

For cats that are uncooperative, pheromone therapy can be used. F3 pheromone diffusers can help reduce your cat's anxiety and encourage them to explore their surroundings. In more severe cases, your veterinarian may decide to start your cat on medication, including antidepressants.

Summary

Depression in cats is a complex problem that requires an individualized approach from the caregiver. Some forms may resolve spontaneously, while others require long-term therapy. Sadness in cats doesn't always lead to a decrease in activity, so any changes in their behavior should not be ignored. To restore a cat's joy of life, it's often necessary to make changes to its environment and activities, as well as to use special ingredients that positively influence mood. Treatment for depression in cats should always be preceded by a visit to a veterinarian, who will rule out physical causes of the cat's sadness.

Bibliography:

1. Landsberg G., Milgram B., Mougeot I., Kelly S., de Rivera C., Therapeutic effects of an alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan supplemented diet on fear and anxiety in the cat, J Feline Med Surg 2017, no. 19 (6), pp. 594-602.
2. Schroll S., Dehasse J., Behavioral disorders in cats, 2018, pp. 129-131.

Marta Majewska

Zoopsychologist