Panic attack...?

Question

Is it possible for cats to have panic attacks?

It's weird because he'll be in the bath tub (no water) and he'll come out wheezing but if I pick him up and pet him, he's fine within a second.

The animal rescue shelter said that the previous owner tried to drown him and he absolutely fears being in the bathroom or kitchen when I start running water.

Answer 1

Hi Jane...cats can suffer from behavioural disorders such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder like humans.

However, diagnosing the behaviour disorder requires a veterinarian specialist in animal behaviourism. They then do a study on the cat's past behaviour history in order to learn how to best treat the animal. Anti-depressants are sometimes prescribed if the vet finds this might be helpful as well.

Answer 2

Don't know if it's panic attacks, but we once had a cat that would go through what we called the "crazy's" almost every night. He would just run through the house and jump all over everything for about 10 mins., even try to climb curtains, and then would be fine. I read somewhere that this is common and had something to do with their primal hunting practices, or somethng. Kind of a cool thought huh?

Answer 3

I guess but I'm not a vet. I know you probably want someone to look it up for you or that someone who knows the answer to post an answer. Why are you asking? If your cat is acting weird or having signs like a panic attack telling us could help you determine other causes.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Panic attack...?
Is it possible for cats to have panic attacks?

Answer 5

I seriously doubt it. You need a certain level of intelligence and self awareness to have a panic attack. And of all animals cats come across as the most self assured.

Answer 6

Yes, cats can suffer many phychological problems just like humans do. They can suffer from depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder just to name a few. My cat Leo is terribly nervous. He is scared of everything. He only comes out at night and when I am here. He hides a lot and every little noise frightens him. He was abused by the people who give him to me and after 13 years he still hasn't gotten over it.

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

Believe it or not, cats aren't too different from humans, psychologically.

I had a cat that would run like a bat out of (you know where) whenever I opened a plastic garbage bag around him. Then I found out from a friend of mine (who worked at the Humane Society where I got him) that they took the litter away from the original owners because they were drowning the kitties, one at a time, in plastic garbage bags :(((

Needless to say, the only time I changed the garbage bags after that is when Boxer was outside. (I named him Boxer, because whenever he clawed at something, he'd stand on his hind legs and swing like a boxer...anyone ever see anything like that?)

Answer 9

lol,that will be funny to watch, but at the same time i do think so and i don't think they have panic attacks.It may be possible since they have a heart and nerves so maybe,i would love to see my cat die from a panic attack,that thing peas everywhere and it seems like he smiles when i find the spot(evil little cat) and it's sneaky too.Good luck hope you find your answer,mine probably didn't help but i tried :)

Answer 10

Definitely.

I had the pet shop assistant to bring my cats for their vaccination, and one of them had a really bad one.

He diarrhea-ed and vomitted on his way home, he was panting really badly and his whole body was limp! I thought he was dying!

But he overcomed it in an hour or so.