Do you think cats can get depressed?

Question

My ginger cat Baz, who is always, even at 11 years old, happy and bouncy. For 2 weeks now he has seemed very low in spirits. I've taken him to the vets, who said he was fit and healthy, but offered to give him "cat Valium". I don't wanted a drug dependant cat but what else can I do?

Answer 1

I Think cats and all animals can get depressed my og gets depressed when it is left at home all day even though it can get out try giving the cat lots of attenion and treats and see if that helps i wouldn't put my cat on drugs x

Answer 2

if you're vet is offering anti depressants, then I guess the cat is depressed. Poor Baz. I hope you can get him better. Might some catnip perk him up? I read that giving them flavoured water makes them happier - they have to drink why not make it nice for them by putting a little tuna in the water, maybe a little of the oil from a can of tuna? Have you tried a food-ball toy? It's basically a ball that you can fill with Baz's fav treats and as he bats it around the floor the treats are dispensed. He might like that.

As for, ''get him a friend, cats are pack animals" duh! This answerer even gives an example - lions - yeah, sure, there are prides of lions but pretty much all other big cats go solo:

Tiger
Leopard
Ocelot
Jaguar
Puma etc etc.

Answer 3

A week ago I would have laughed me socks off at the thought but since then I had to take my cat to the vet. She was always happy and bouncy, and she's the same age as your cat. She had a major appetite and was bit and glossy (but not overwieght). Recently she lost her appetite and lost 3lbs (a lot for a cat). I thought she might have a liver or kidney issue but the vet said she was low on vitamins so she now gets a monthly vitamin injection, as well as a steroid injection for any achey bones. BUT, the vet asked if the cat had had a trauma recently and the only thing I could think of was that my other cat died from old age about 2 months ago. The vet said the my cat was pining for her, and was basically depressed. Poor liddle puddy tat!

Since her vit injections, and having oodles more attention, she's regained her appetite and condition and seems to be ok!

Answer 4

They definitely can, yes. Whenever I need to go away on business or vacation and get a cat sitter, my cat mopes around for 2-3 days before returning to his normal, sprightly self and accepting the sitter. One cat that I was very close to, I was forced to leave behind as I was moving to another country and didn't want to subject him to 6 months in a quarantine cage. I gave him to a good friend that the cat had always really liked. On arriving at my friend's house, he ran straight for a closet - he then stayed in there for 6 months, refusing to come out, until my friend finally decided it was best to have him put to sleep, as he was obviously miserable. He did eat and drink, but just barely, and the vet diagnosed him with severe depression due to losing his "mommy", and sadly, he never did recuperate.

Cat valium does sound a bit extreme. Since the vet gave him a clean bill of physical health... Has anything changed in his/your home? A new baby, a new cat or other pet, a family member who's left, anything like that? Or have you changed his food or anything else that he's used to?

You could try to just give him some extra attention - play with him, activate him, pet him a lot, give him some extra treats, and see if that helps. Maybe some cat vitamins in addition to his regular food?

Good luck, I hope he perks up!!

Answer 5

Most definitely yes. of the many cats we have had two at least have become depressed - on both occasions due to the loss of a long standing companion. Getting a replacement cat has not helped in the current case, as the original one is still feeling down.

Lots of cuddles, attention, distractions is about the best. I would avoid drugs. Some catnip or those treats that Whiskas do seem to be popular.

Answer 6

Cat have emotions just like you and I do. Depression can be one of those emotions, like happiness, love, anger, etc...
You are doing right by NOT giving him "kitty uppers", I would not drug my cats either. I have a 3 year old Siamese Himalayan, and when he is upset, he pouts. He will turn his back and go to a corner, and sit there and pout until I pick him up and cuddle him.
Give your Baz lots of attention, and possible a new friend may help. Male cats are very good at accepting little friends, especially when it's a kitten.

Answer 7

DONT give valium!!!!!

your cat is 11 years old as with everything as it gets older your cat might just be showing signs of slowing down in its old age

if you cat has been doing less and less over the last few weeks/months then dont worry about it

for example does your grandmother still run around all day and skip rope?
its the same with you cat
it is content to watch the world carry on while it relaxes

Answer 8

Yes, I believe that cats and dogs certainly do get depressed. Try interacting with your cat more; pets really love getting cuddles and attention. I would also suggest you try buying him a little toy or something for him to do. Perhaps he is bored, animals often become depressed when they can't find anything to do.

Maybe your cat just has the winter blues... we all get them. :-)

Answer 9

Dogs can get depressed so I would assume that it's likely that cats can too.
Your vet will know what he's talking about so take his advice and hopefully your cat will be back to his own self soon.

Answer 10

Definitely. Animals/pets have feelings too! When they are just fed up of the day and being bored, they get depressed and usually if you bother them, they will scratch you, so don't get near a depressed cat!