Whether you’ve just adopted a cat recently, or you’ve been a pet owner for years, you want your cat to be happy and healthy. But just like humans, cats can become depressed for a wide range of reasons. It’s simple to tell if your cat is depressed because they behave the same way a person does, but they don’t try to hide it. They’ll eat less food, not appear motivated to get up and play, and probably sleep a lot.
In order to understand this condition better, it will help to gain an understanding of what can make a cat depressed.
Common Cat Depression Issues
There are several reasons why a cat may become depressed. The first one can involve an injury or health condition that is causing them distress. If you can’t discern any other reason for a sad cat, a trip to the vet clinic is in order. Cats can also become depressed if their living situation has changed. If they were used to living on the streets, they may not take easily to being locked up inside a home. Likewise, if they were re-homed, or adopted from a cat rescue, they may feel sad they’ve lost their old home. Cats may also grieve the loss of a human friend or cat or dog that they used to live with. Cats may also be depressed because they used to have access to the outdoors, but now they’re stuck inside and bored.
How to Cheer Up a Sad Cat
Cats need social interaction, just like we do. Be sure to spend plenty of time with your cat when you’re at home. Often they just want to cuddle up to us, or be in the same room. Cats enjoy playing with their toys, but they also want us to join in. Grab a ribbon toy or a wand toy and join in on the cat fun. Keep an eye on your cat. Often they’ll learn to ask up for attention, and if you notice that, you can stop what you’re doing and pet and play with them until they’re happy.
Provide a Safe Outdoor Space
Cats that have always been indoors will suffer less from this type of depression, though they may lack exercise. A cat that you have rescued from the outdoors, or one that is used to being both inside and out, is going to have a harder time to adjusting to being an indoors-only cat. The best solution is to build a cat enclosure or cat run that provides them with the smells, sights, and sounds of the great outdoors, but keeps them safe and secure inside our Catnetting solution.
Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier. You can start with creating a safe outdoor enclosure for them. This will provide plenty of entertainment value during the day, as well as giving them plenty to do when you are busy looking after your home or family.
