We all like to think our pets are as happy and playful as they can be, with their only concerns being what's for dinner or when you're going to play with them.

But cats can become depressed, as well as experience similar emotions to humans. They are affected by what goes on around them.

It's a tough thing to hear, but let's try to understand why cats get sad. What are the signs of depression in cats? And what can you do to help them?

6 Common Causes of Cat Sadness

1. Moving to a new home: While a new home may be exciting to us, it can cause real anxiety, stress and depression for our feline friends. New sights, sounds and smells can be interesting, but not having the safe space that they were used to can be very stressful.
2. Family changes: Whether you've lost someone, had a baby, started living with a new partner or brought home a new pet. Any changes to those around them, their routine and their safe space can have a seriously negative impact on your cat.
3. Loneliness: Cat sadness can be triggered by not having enough company from their owners or other pets. Some cat breeds are more social than others, so they will want more attention. While some are happy to live without a feline friend, others thrive and are much happier having a playmate.
4. Boredom: If your cat isn't getting enough enrichment from their environment, it can lead to boredom and feelings of sadness and depression. Indoor cats are more likely to suffer from this, as a cat with outdoor access has lots of smells, sights and sounds to explore.
5. Illness: Feeling under the weather will cause most to feel sad, cats included. Sometimes it's not obvious that our feline friends are in pain or discomfort, as they're clever at hiding it. It's important to speak to your vet if your cat is depressed, as they may be suffering from health conditions like diabetes, urinary tract infections, or an infectious disease.
6. Injury: Your cat's ability to do things they enjoy may be limited by an injury, and the pain from the injury will affect their mood too. This may be from a new or old injury. Keep on top of any pain relief your vet prescribes and contact your vet if their problems persist after the course of medication or if it gets noticeably worse.

How to Tell If Your Cat is Sad

We already know the answer to the question "Can cats feel sad?" But how can you help?

If your kitty doesn't seem like its usual self and you're worried about what it may mean, it's always best to get them checked over by your vet. But it does also help to understand regular cat behaviour, so that you can notice any unusual moments. 

Signs of a Depressed Cat

• Activity levels: Cats can experience depression, and one sign of a sad cat is losing an interest in play or generally becoming more lazy.
• Appetite: Loss of appetite and refusing to take treats. Fatty liver disease is a serious condition that can develop in cats, causing them to stop eating, so changes in appetite should always be mentioned to your vet.
• Body language: Your cat's body language and sounds are crucial to their communication, so check their body positions for clues on how they're feeling. Ears held back, a tucked under or wagging tail, slit pupils, and hair standing on end can indicate sadness in cats.
• Grooming: Changes in coat appearance caused by a lack of grooming or overgrooming can be a sign of unhappiness or ill health.
• Litterbox habits: Sad cats may avoid using their litterbox and instead poo or pee in random places around the house. Grieving cats may pee in places where their deceased friend's scent is. Any toileting outside of the litterbox is a cause for concern and should be discussed with your vet.
• Scratching: An unhappy cat may start scratching furniture or other objects to relieve their stress.
• Sleep: Sleeping more than usual is a sure sign your cat doesn't feel itself. But trouble sleeping and restlessness can also be signs of feeling depressed. So, any sleep changes should be investigated.
• Socialising: A sad cat may become reclusive and hide away from people and other pets. Others may become more clingy or more demanding than usual. And some become more reactive and display signs of aggression or fear.
• Vocalisation: Low-pitched, mournful meows are often a sign of unhappiness. And it may surprise you to know that purring can also be a sign, as cats will purr to comfort themselves. If your cat starts to vocalise more than normal, they're likely telling you something's wrong.

What to Do If You Have an Unhappy Cat

If your cat is showing signs of being depressed, you should get them checked by your vet. They'll test for any underlying health problems and will suggest suitable treatment options. If your vet has given your cat a clean bill of health, other causes will be discussed, like recent lifestyle changes, your cat's environment, or their diet.

How to Help a Lonely Cat

If your cat is sad due to loneliness, try to spend more quality time together so they feel comforted and reassured. If you're not able to be around as much as your cat needs, consider getting them a feline friend. There's also the option of a pet sitter who can visit your home when you're out and spend time with your cat.

How to Help a Grieving Cat

A cat that's grieving a loss can be comforted by giving them something that belonged to that family member that contains their scent. This could be a piece of clothing, a blanket or a toy. Maintain their routine as much as possible, like mealtimes, and try to keep their environment calm and peaceful. Provide them with a safe space to retreat to and try to spend more time together.

How to Prevent Boredom in Cats

To prevent boredom, make sure your cat's environment is stimulating enough for them. Provide climbing trees with different platforms for them to sit on. Cats love to climb and perch somewhere up high to keep watch. It mimics what they would be doing if they were outside.

Provide them with lots of games to play and toys, including interactive ones that dispense treats. This should keep them interested and entertained for longer, and mimics natural hunting behaviours. Scratch posts are a great idea as they allow cats to carry out natural scratching behaviour without ruining your furniture!

Treatment for Cat Depression

Your vet may also suggest a change in diet and antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help boost your cat's mood and energy levels. There are also alternative or complementary therapies like acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy that may be beneficial for your cat.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your kitty will be well looked after. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.