Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 33,702 times. Keep in mind that it may take two weeks before therapeutic levels are reached in the blood stream. Cats (again, like people) are social animals and often benefit emotionally from having other cats nearby. Among the most effective ways to cheer up pets is by spending more time with them, especially when they’re depressed. 2. Your cat may be depressed if it starts over grooming; this is another sign of the cat’s health being problematic. Amitriptyline. Cats are known for their diverse, often feisty, personalities; some are anxious, some reserved, others inquisitive. Engage predatory impulses with interactive toys, like feathers on a string or... 3. While these are easier to spot than illnesses, even after an injury has been bandaged up or had the cat equivalent of a Band-Aid placed on it, these can still affect a cat emotionally. Your guide to everything cats! Purchase Toys That Your Cat Will Enjoy. Make sure you spend quality time with your cat. The smallest available tablet is 10mg so this is equivalent to taking half or one tablet a day. As stress is a major cause of feline depression, decreasing this can help get your cat back on her paws. If you suspect that your cat is depressed you should consider taking them to the vet. Furthermore, if this is the issue, it is best to know what to food to feed your sick cat so that you won’t further cause your feline pet any discomfort. Try all below possible ways to cheer up your life partner. When you're not around, the other animal will keep your kitten entertained and feeling secure. The body language of a cat can also be very telling if they are sad. Signs of Depression in Cats. Entertain your cat. If you are wary of letting your cat roam free outside, then you could build them a ‘catio’ which would be their very own outside playpen. Before using these supplements, consult a veterinarian who prescribes them to cats a regular basis. [CDATA[ Here are some signs you might see. To help your depressed cat, try to establish a routine for it, especially if there's been a recent major change in its life. Provide events for the cat to look forward to, such as mealtimes before you go to work and when you return, a grooming session before bedtime, and a play session when you get home from work. How the heck do you cheer up a depressed cat? Some cats that are acting depressed might actually be sick rather than depressed. Unfortunately I live in a second floor flat and so letting her out just isn't realistic. Be sure to use a cheerful voice when around your cat, and spend lots of time playing with them or petting them. of these behaviors area unit wholly opposite to his or her traditional behavior. Cats can grieve. Even just spending time with your cat and talking to it in a soothing voice can help it feel loved and less depressed. It doesn’t take much to spend 15-30 minutes or so playing with your cat every day. For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, like how to use supplements and medication to combat feline depression, scroll down. There are illnesses that cats have, which are not apparent and can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian. She used to spend most of her days outside in the garden. My cat lost all 4 kittens and she is depressed, what should I do? This article has been viewed 33,702 times. Many cats get depressed because they are bored. It is the same when a cat might purr, and its owner turns around and tells you exactly what the cat has just said in English. Here are some of the most common. The nutraceutical Zylkene has been developed to decrease stress in cats. Play with her. The above are some simple ways you can cheer up your pet. Socialize your pet. The one word that best sums up the signs of cat depression is “withdrawal”. None of your tips seem to have worked, sadly. ":"&")+"url="+encodeURIComponent(b)),f.setRequestHeader("Content-Type","application/x-www-form-urlencoded"),f.send(a))}}}function B(){var b={},c;c=document.getElementsByTagName("IMG");if(!c.length)return{};var a=c[0];if(! Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Your cat will take time to learn to walk on three legs and to do the things it used to do, so you need to expect some low feelings in your cat over time. I should point out that if your cat displays any of these it does not automatically follow that they are sad or depressed as these symptoms can be due to them suffering from an ailment or illness. It can be difficult to distinguish psychological issues and physical illness in your cat, as there is a big overlap with the quiet behavior of a depressed cat and a cat that is ill. However, if there is no other obvious reason for these behaviors and symptoms, sadness should be considered. My cat doesn't purr when I pet her, she's moving slowly and doesn't sleep much. Socialize with your pet However, you can help by spending lots of time with your cat, giving it cuddles, talking to it, helping it walk, etc. Giving supplements should always be done under the advice of an integrative veterinarian. Give Kitty Your Attention on a Daily Basis. An alternative is Skullcap and Valerian tablets, also by Dorwest Herbs, with a total daily dose of two tablets. Thusly, when he’s depressed, abstain from frowning or showing them that you’re sad. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. Play with your cat every day, even if he doesn’t seem interested at first. Play with your cat every day, even if he doesn’t seem interested at first. Spending quality time together shows your pet how much you love and cherish him or her. Part 1: Recognizing the Signs of Depression, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Help-Your-Depressed-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Help-Your-Depressed-Cat-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Help-Your-Depressed-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/aid5596090-v4-728px-Help-Your-Depressed-Cat-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"