Your Cat Can Experience Depression and Anxiety

When you brought your new kitten home he was frisky, playful, and full of boundless energy. He was loving and happy. After a couple of years, your cat began to mature and although he may have remained playful and adventurous, he slowed down considerably. This is typical cat behavior. Each season you go through with your aging cat is a growing and enjoyable experience for you both.

Sometimes, however, life changes your feline may experience can send him into a tail spin. When we go through life changes such as a move into a new home or a divorce we can forget how it can affect our pets. When your cat experiences a major change of scenery into a new environment, as a move into a new home, he can go into a major depression. A divorce can give your cat separation anxiety from the now-missing household member or members. Your cat is a creature of habit and can even get sad due to a change in food or cat litter. Adding an additional pet to your household can cause emotional trauma to your cat as well. Anything outside of their normal schedule can upset their apple cart. Your pet can also sense any emotional stress or mood changes you may be having. If you pay attention, you may notice that when you get angry or cry your cat is soon to be nearby in an attempt to comfort you. One of my cats, for instance, will meow and nip at the backs of my legs if my voice level becomes too elevated. It upsets him if he thinks I am upset. When I am sad he is there to jump up in my lap, watch me, and I know this is his way of saying, 'Hey, I'm here for you.'

Your cat can experience chemical imbalances as well as a human being can. If your cat becomes lethargic and seems to be depressed, it is important to have her seen by the veterinarian to rule out any possible physical problems she may be having. If your vet determines that your cat is suffering from depression, he may want to prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms. Obviously this will be entirely up to you to decide. Personally, I would not medicate my cats in this instance. The medication can open up a whole slew of new problems such as loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, and in some cases death.

If you decide to say no to medication, my advice to helping your cat to regain his happiness is simple. If you haven't already, form a deep emotional bond with him. You are his loved one. You are his family. He needs contact and affirmation that you love him. Especially if you are gone for lengthy periods of time, he needs some quality time with you when you return. Talk with him, pet him, hold him, groom him, and play with him. This will give him the security he needs to feel content.

Try to stick to the same cat-care products. Use the same cat litter. If a dietary change is needed, as happened to my cat when he got a urinary tract infection, change his diet slowly. Phase out the old and gradually bring in the new. The labels on bags or cans of pet food give advice on how to do so or you can get advice from your veterinarian.

Give your cat something to do. They can get bored and when they do, offer a few new toys occasionally to give them something new to do. Having a comfortable spot in a sunny window for your kitty to perch himself on can be a beneficial spot for him to view outdoor critters such as squirrels or rabbits in your yard. I enjoy feeding the birds and my cat enjoys watching them come in several times a day to feed. He chatters and gets excited when they fly in. Giving them a cozy, quiet spot to curl up in and sleep when needed adds to their comfort.

Ultimately, all of these things can alleviate the depression in your cat. A peaceful environment won't only help your cat get over his stress and sadness, but you will find when you are conscious of your cat's emotional well-being, you may see a drop in your everyday stresses too. We are good for our pets and they are good for us.