How Can You Tell if A Cat is Depressed?









Most cat owners know when a cat is under a lot of stress. Physically, the cat's language changes to a slurred state, the cat may sneer or growl, the ears fall back and the pupils dilate greatly. For many, this is a well-known situation found in veterinary clinics [on how to reduce the trauma of animal visits. 


Serious problems are often apparent and caregivers can often identify the cause of a cat's reaction. But what about chronic stress, which is more subtle and more severe? Harmful to your cat's health, long-term stress can go unnoticed, leading to harmful effects. Here's how to recognize and manage chronic stress in cats.






It is impossible to eliminate all stress from a cat's life. A certain degree of stress is necessary for survival. When an animal feels threatened, a large stress response triggers hormones that trigger the fight/flight/freeze response. The increase in hormones caused by the stress response helps animals prepare to fight, run for safety, or freeze in place. This response is intended to be ephemeral to prepare the animal for temporary needs and situations. Once the threat is over, all physiological systems return to their baseline. 


The problem for most cats is not severe stress, but rather chronic stress that is mild and easy to ignore. This is a type of anxiety that seems to be under the radar of many caregivers. Chronic stress, if it lasts for a long time, can contribute to health problems, behavioral problems and even depression. His body was not designed to handle the constant pressure. 




2..Chronic Stress

Signs of chronic stress are easy to ignore. They can include changes in appetite, litter box habits, activity level, and even changes in appearance, because the cat can start to self-exhaust. Because these behaviors seem to develop gradually over time, they may go unnoticed by even the most diligent caregiver. This is the type of stress that occurs in situations such as when conflict continues in a family of many cats, 


Or when the condition of the box remains unhealthy for the cat. Other factors that can cause chronic stress include punishment, loneliness, inconsistent family structure, constant family turmoil, and even chronic illness. The list could be much longer. The truth is that the signs of chronic stress can be easy to miss, but the effects can be devastating.




3..Some signs of Stress may include:

  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in sleeping patterns
  • Management of rat eggs
  • Changes in normal voice
  • Increased anger
  • Hide




4..How to reduce stress: think like a cat

The first step is to find out what is causing the stress. This involves using the ability to think as your cat looks at the environment from its point of view. You can give your cat a loving and quiet home, but you don't take into account that every time the cat tries to use the box, it finds itself hidden by its fellow cats. 


Or, maybe your cat has a close relationship with you and now that you have changed the job to one that requires a few long hours, it continues to be stressed because of the inconsistent schedule. .



When you look at your environment, you can see that it is not the same, but many things that cause stress may require changes to reduce or even eliminate their effects. The most important thing is that you don't want to let your cat live in a state of chronic stress, because this can affect their health, leading to depression, and devastating s in term of quality's this life.



#1 Have your cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out any medical problems that may be contributing to chronic stress. 


#2 Help your cat adjust to transport by leaving the carrier as a safe haven and petting your cat near and possibly inside the carrier.


#3 Choose a veterinary clinic that emphasizes stress-free handling and reduced anxiety. 


#4 Review the litter box layout to make sure you have enough litter boxes, are available in multiple locations, are clean, and are the right size/shape for each cat in the family. A recommendation is to get as many boxes as you have cats plus extra for good size. Older or less mobile cats will benefit from a litter box that is easy to get in and out of, so choose a box with low walls and make those spaces more comfortable.


#5 Increase the fun and build your cat's confidence by playing at least two times a day. Use the fishing mobile model and organize fun playtime for your cat to enjoy being a powerful hunter. Interactive toys allow you to move the toy to prey so the cat can enjoy the hunt. Don't forget to let them in for the "kill."


#6 Resolve ongoing conflicts between multiple cats in the home by performing necessary behavioral tasks or even performing collective rehoming if necessary. This process involves separating the cats and returning them as if they had never been seen.


 #7 Increase the natural environment by adding climbing/play areas, safe shelters, scratching posts, and play areas just so your cat can enjoy being alone in the house .


#8 Provide good power and ensure that the power station is safe and quiet. Make sure you are not bullied by other cats at the feeding area and that the food bowl is not in the middle of the family lane. Cats generally prefer a quiet and safe place to eat their food. 


#9 Socialize your cat slowly by introducing new things, people and experiences in a way that doesn't abuse her. Doing this properly can help cats feel more comfortable with people and other animals as adults. 


#10 Introduce changes in your cat's life gradually and carefully, because cats don't like sudden changes.


#11 With multiple cats, make sure there is enough material and that they are distributed throughout the house to avoid material guarding behavior. 


#12 Add clicker training to help build trust and encourage confidence. For cats that are shy or reluctant, clicker training becomes a good language between the two of you allowing the cat to progress in small steps and get rewards. 


#13 Introduce new cats gradually and give the cats reasons to love each other by giving them treats, food or playtime when they are in each other's presence. This includes reducing feelings of threat and increasing positive associations. 


#14 Pay attention to behavior changes, litter box behavior, appetite and appearance.


#15 Give your cat your choice so they can control the level of interaction they want and the personal space they want. 


#16 If you think the stress is due to loneliness, consider adding a cat friend, but remember that the introduction should be slow and gentle. Some signs of loneliness may include lack of interest in play, changes in eating habits, depression, destructive behavior, lack of family relationships, or excessive clinginess. Keep in mind that this can also be a sign of a health problem, so have your cat checked by a veterinarian regularly.


#17 Be consistent and patient when training, and don't use punishment.