Can Cats Get Depressed?
📝 Summary
When my boss read my resignation reason—'the cat is depressed'—he looked unbelieving. But it's true.
1 Overview
1. How to tell?
Signs: random scratching/urinating, anorexia, unexplained hiding, over-grooming, lethargy. (Urinating may be heat; anorexia may be gut or stress. Diagnosis is for the vet.)
2. Little Orange in the sun
Each cat’s depression cause differs! Little Orange over-groomed until bald; the vet diagnosed depression. Causes: environment change, family change, separation anxiety, being shaved or whiskers cut. Little Orange hated the small, sunless new place with buildings outside iron bars. So I moved! After moving he was happy; next day no over-grooming; in half a month the bald spots grew soft fur.
3. They really need you
Again, don’t force cats into disliked acts. Spend time, interact, keep them relaxed and happy.
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