How to Treat Cat Depression

Yes, cats can get depressed too! If you notice one or more of the following signs: loss of appetite, sleeping more than usual, not using the litter box, aggression or attention-seeking behavior, changes in grooming habits- your feline is probably suffering from depression. Here are some ways to cheer your pet up:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Cats are creatures of habit. Search your home for any recent changes, such as a new brand of kitty litter or cat food. Temporarily revert to the old brands and gauge the changes in your pet.

2. Monitor how you are presenting yourself to your cat. Pets pick up on the emotions of their owners. Try to be as cheerful as possible when around them.

3. Play with your cat! Set aside at least 15-30 minutes a day to interact with your pet. An easy game: attach a feather to a stick using string. Pretend it’s a fishing pole, and dangle the feather over your cat’s head. Make him leap for it. Let him catch and play with it from time to time so he doesn’t get bored.

4. Make an effort to pet, hold and groom your cat as often as you can. This will give him the security he needs to feel content.

5. Contact with the outdoors can work wonders. Clear a comfortable perch for your cat by a window, preferably in view of outdoor critters such as squirrels and birds. If you have a backyard, take your pet out for supervised visits.

6. Consider getting a second cat if the reason seems to be loneliness. An extra buddy to play with can make all the difference!

7. Take your pet for an examination and blood test. If physical causes are ruled out, it could be the result of a chemical imbalance. You vet may prescribe anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications to treat it.

Tips & Warnings

• Side-effects from medication can be severe. Do not use unless as a last resort.

[acsniece]

on 11/13/2008 k build up. Ebony now insists on belly rubs! I hope these ideas will help readers and the cats who own them, lol. Just the fact that you are reading this shows you love your animal, so (s)he has a running start in his/her healing. Wishing you the best, acsniece Oh, yeah, ps, I'm long winded, so I had to break this comment into two posts.

[acsniece]

on 11/13/2008 My Scoobie-Doo became physically ill after her "Husband", Pumpkin died. She had to be hospitalized at the vet's. Upon release, she was on anti-biotics, so there was a ligitamate infection, but I'm positive her grief made her more vulnerable. She's okay now. We cuddled her extra and followed the vet's reccomendations, and she's fine now. Another of our cats, Ebony, had a litter of kittens, four of them. They were quite sickly and did not make it, either. Ebony basically just wants to sit on my lap now, though she is starting to play again. The vet said she is grieving the kittens, and she'll just need extra attention for awhile. She's getting better, too. She got a new toy as well. I know I can't bring her kittens back, but I can help her by cuddling, playing, etc. Oh yeah, another vet reccomendation was to rub her belly, as she's likely sore with no kittens to relieve the mil