8 Signs Your Cat Might Be Depressed and How to Help

In this video, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ explains the symptoms of depression in cats and what you should do if your cat is showing these signs.

Video Navigation:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Signs of Depression in Cats
3:11 Causes of Depression in Cats
6:36 How to Help a Depressed Cat
13:39 Conclusion

[Mohaeyo]

1. Inappropriatel elimination/defecation
2. Changes in vocalization
3. Decreased grooming
4. Changes in habits (eating/sleeping/ play pattern)

[Sklzky]

One of my cats went through horrible depression after my dog who he grew up with (and learnt most behaviours from which is hilarious) had died. It took over a year of light medication and introduction of two other cats for him to slowly return to the normal (well, his normal. We picked him up from Tesco parking lot as a stray kitten, without any socialisation or knowing "cat ways", his primary modes of vocal communication are various forms of growling and weird whiny noises, since that's what he picked up from our husky x))

[attheranch]

Reading these heartbreaking situations in the comments that are going unanswered makes me feel very sad. People need to ask questions somewhere else.

[butchspence]

Hi Sarah! You are the best feline vet ever on the internet! My cat Siggy (Sigaard) I believe was slightly depressed when we moved from a suburban environment to a very rural wooded property and had to part with his three female companions. However, I quickly devised a plan to eliminate his post-move depression. I cut out several long walk paths in the woods around the property with secluded sitting benches. It only took Siggy 1-2 days to thoroughly explore each path. Now, each morning when we get up, we go out and walk one of the pathways (all average about 200yds). Sometimes I lead. Sometimes Siggy likes to lead. He has scratching logs on each pathway that he uses religiously. Sometimes he wants me to stop and sit on a bench with him. After we walk, he gets his breakfast food, and then is free to roam the property for the rest of the day. Not only does he get good exercise, but he makes choices of which paths to take, and who leads the walks. This early morning routine makes Siggy a very happy cat.

[swettyspaghtti]

I have to play with my cat about and hour over the day...he would play 10 hours a day with me if i was able lol

[HeronCoyote]

Thank you, Dr. Wooten. I currently live in a stressful situation. In the next 45 days, I’ll be moving to a small apartment, taking my cat with me. I think we’ll both benefit from the calmer atmosphere.
I’m going to set up a cat tree, and a couple of window ledge rests so kitty can enjoy Mother Nature. He’s fine with new places. We took him to my late mil’s house. He eventually wandered out of his carrier and had fun exploring.

[MadHax-wttl]

I adopted a 16 year old, her former owner surrendered her to the RSPCA when they moved into a nursing hole.
As fare as I can tell this home body of a cat lived in the same environment for 15 years, then in the space of a year her entire world was flipped upside down.
She is lacking confidence, and seems depressed, but I'm making sure my house is quiet and stress free, and even after 3 days I am seeing some positive responses.
I know this will take time, but I've got all the time in the world for her.

[sarahgocek]

Both our boys are harness trained, and we also have a cat stroller for them because they're both overweight at this point and get tired.
So they go on their harness and into the stroller with the top open. They know to put their paw on the edge if they're ready to go down and walk again.
Our boys LOVE it, and we feel really safe.
I would love a catio as well but our HOA does not allow them.

[lilyrrichard]

I am housesitting a 5 month old kitten and 2 year old chiuawawa for a month while my son in law and daughter are relocated out of state. My adult male cat has stopped socializing with the family. He was barely eating and stays behind the couch. I started feeding him so hand held squeeze food twice a day while holding him and loving on him and got some new scratch pads and tower. I basically spoiled him for 3 days and today he is back to normal. It was scary. I thought he was sick but the vet said it was probably depression so I worked on that.

[yuliyabutina]

Thank you a lot for the video! I adopted a cat 6 month ago, we've survived renovation (wasn't planned by me or my landlady, it was more of an obligatory one), being alone during vacation, a lot of new people visiting the place. And now I started to have a full-time offline job instead of online one, I noticed my bagel acting quite strange and go to more vocalizing moods with scratching some weird stuff like my papers and printed patterns, being less active and hiding more. I live in a quite small city where it's almost impossible to find a behavioral specialist so I had to check my guesses and have more insight on the topic and here I am. Thank you a lot for what you do and what knowledge you share ❤

[benton-benton]

I'm going to play the throw the kibble game. I know my boy would love it. Thanks!

[carlosvillegas]

If you don't talk to your cat about catnip, somebody else will.

[relaxmycat]

This is such an important subject, thanks so much for sharing this vlog, really informative!

[edytag]

I walk my cat on the leash outdoors. He is 10 months old and he loves it. He runs and jumps, climbs bushes and trees . He also hunts small insects, squirrels and birds which helps him to stay in shape . Just for fun 😁. He is a very happy cat. I play with him every day a few times a day. He is my first cat and I live him very much and enjoy his company.

[carlgomm]

My cat and I live alone after my wife passed away, kitty is now 13 yrs old, not sure if she's depressed but more likely bored, I don't let her go out as there's too many feral cats around, fleas are a big problem as well, I really like this channel and subscribed to your show because of the quality of this show, keep up the good work !!

[bernadettetsosie]

My cat was harness trained as a kitten and didn't start walking until 8 months...she loves going outside. Try to put her on a harness and leash when going outside even it it is tethered to a tree/post. She can sit for hours if I let her. But the best time is during our evening walks. She loves it and starts to cry when we haven't gone outside for our walk!

[TheDaffyduck]

My little Sugar walks well on a leash, but also loves her backpack. It doesn’t have the plastic bubble, but rather mesh all around. We make sure to fit the backpack securely, so it doesn’t wiggle around. If she sees it, she jumps inside, so that’s a sure sign. We also go slow and keep trips short.

[lindajaeger]

I think my cat has been depressed since the death last March of the cat she grew up with. Now it's not as frequently as it was before. Thanks for the tips. I live in an apartment and feed birds on my balcony just to entertain her. It's become part of her morning routine.

[sirintornstantripop]

I never knew about or thought about letting cats “catch” a laser pointer. This was all great advice: thank you 🙏🏻

[bellazaida]

I just recently left the house and I had someone take care of my kittens, and when I came back home, they were like feeling sad they were not acting like they usually do but thank you for this video