Sad cat; what can I do?
As loving cat owners, we always want to see our feline friends happy and jolly. But just like us, cats can have sad episodes. Unlike us, however, their faces will not always reveal that we have a sad cat at home. Learn how to tell when your cat is sad and, very important, check for signs or reasons why he is on the blue.
Causes of a sad cat
All cats are different in their personality. You cannot expect for them to be clowning around all the time. There are events in their lives that can prompt sadness. Losing a friend or watching his favorite human go to school can produce separation anxiety.
Even being separated from their human due to death or separation can make cats fall into depression.
In other times, a cat can be sad out of illness. Fat Liver Disease, for instance, can cause depression in cats. Not feeling well will make a cause stop eating, which can be fatal if he is not force-fed.
Hormonal causes of sadness and depression can be triggered by hypothyroidism. But once the levels of thyroxine get back to normal, the cat’s spirit is lifted.
Signs that your cat is sad
Be aware of the following signs of sadness:
- Body signs. Check for a more aggressive or fearful reaction. A sad cat will usually curl himself with his tail. He will usually crouch low and have droopy whiskers.
- Vocal signs. A sad cat becomes pretty vocal and low-pitched. Usually, a cat will purr more to comfort himself.
- No more playing. When a cat is sad, he becomes more reclusive and unwilling to perform those tasks that used to be fun.
- More sleep. A sad or depressed cat will sleep even more than normal.
- Scent behavior. Cats sometimes litter outside out of depression and sadness. They might pee on the bed or belongings of the missing person to show their frustration.
What to do
The one suggestion to deal with your cat’s sadness is to spend more time with him. Spend an extra 30 minutes cuddling and comforting him. Introduce him to new toys and activities. If you suspect the underlying cause is a disease, a visit to the veterinarian is called for.
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