Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish a cat’s emotional state, due to their subtle facial expressions and body language. But that doesn’t mean your cat doesn’t have feelings.
Cats, like humans, experience a wide range of emotions, and sadness is one of them.
It’s important for cat owners to be able to recognize signs of sadness to provide appropriate care and support. Following are 8 signs of a depressed cat
1. Changes in Behavior: If your normally playful and affectionate cat becomes withdrawn, avoids interaction, or isolates themselves, it could be a sign of sadness.
2. Loss of Interest: A cat that suddenly loses interest in activities they used to enjoy, such as playing with toys or exploring, might be experiencing a period of sadness.
3. Change in Eating Habits: A significant decrease or increase in food consumption could be an indicator of emotional distress. Cats may lose interest in their favorite meals or treats when they are feeling sad.
Read: Is my kitten sick or just tired?
4. Excessive Grooming or Lethargy: Over-grooming, leading to bald spots or skin irritation, can be a manifestation of stress and sadness in cats. Conversely, lethargy and a lack of interest in physical activities might indicate emotional discomfort.
5. Vocalization Changes: Cats communicate through vocalizations, and a sad cat may exhibit changes in their meows. If your cat begins to excessively meow, whine, or make unusual sounds, it may be a cry for attention or a sign of emotional distress.
6. Body language: Ears held back, tail tucked, hair standing on end, and other body signs are all forms of silent communication that your cat may be unhappy.
7. Spraying or changes in bathroom habits: A sad cat may use their own scent to feel better by urinating outside of the litter box. There are a lot of reasons why cats urinate outside in inappropriate places but stress, depression, and sadness are high on this list.
8. Excessive scratching: If your cat is sad or depressed, it may start scratching furniture or other objects more than usual to relieve stress and mark its territory.***
Read: Why Do Cats Purr?