Cat Depression
Depression in cats can lead to changes in their behavior. This article seeks to throw more light on these behavioral changes and their reasons.
It is common for us to neglect the signs of animal depression since it is a concept that may sound strange to man but expert opinions say, for pets and animals kept in captivity, depression very possible.
Excess sleeping and general moodiness are the most frequent signs that your cat may be depressed. You can only fully establish that your cat is depressed when you notice behavior out of the norms in sleeping, playing, using the litter box and sleeping. Lore Hang, expert in animal behavior at A&M Texas University, loss of intention or desire to play is the very first indication of depression in a cat. A depressed cat may decide to be secluded, sleeping for long periods of time, rather than play with owner or other cats.
Many factors can be responsible for your pets’ depression. When you start noticing signs of depression, the first thing to do is to visit a vet to ensure your pet has no health issues. Depressed cats may not play or may hide to take long naps, but poor medical condition can also have these effects on the cat such as physical aches. Cats may also suffer allergies from grooming themselves. If the vet gives the cat a clean sheet, then the cats living environment should be the next thing to check.
Main counselor in pet behavior at the ASPCA, Katherine Miller, says a predictable environment puts the cat at ease. Cats are suckers for routines and a major or minor change in this routine, such as the loss of a playmate or a new cat may lead to self-isolation and thus depression. Minute details in a cats’ environment may also cause depression such as few litter boxes at home. Cats prefer a simple and tranquil life of the countryside and may get stressed and depressed by a modern family’s agitated lifestyle.
Counseling and even medication are remedies for depression. If your cat is stressed or depressed, some extra attention and care can cheer up your cat and bring it out of its depressed state. If your cat is depressed by your new baby, you can make it happy around the new baby by giving it a treat each time it is around the baby. Owners spending time with their cats, whether grooming them, teaching them tricks or just playing with them greatly reduces the risk of your cats getting depressed. As a last option, you can use antidepressants and they should only be used when there is no other way out.
Antidepressants should only be administered by a specialized vet and the cat should be observed closely to avoid damaging side effects and severe consequences. Miller therefore advises you use treatments like the synthetic version of pheromone and Bach flower essences, which do not require receipt. You can also use catnip toys to lift your cats’ spirit and bring back its playing spirit.
A clean environment which is clean and stress-free can go a long way to ensure your cat does not get stressed and depressed.