Is my cat depressed? Telltale signs
7/20/2026 | Written by Dilber Hussain | Advised by Evan Antin
Cats, just like other mammals and humans, occasionally get depressed, but the question is how it is determined that they are depressed because they do not tell that they have depression issues. Unlike us, when we get depressed, we become sad and lose interest in everything. Depression in cats can be found out by looking at the signs and symptoms, which are pathognomonic of depression; hence, it is important to have knowledge of signs that cats show when depressed. Here we will discuss each of them in detail for pet parents so that they can easily spot depression in cats and subsequently get them treated.
Causes of depression in cats
There are many reasons that are responsible for depression and anxiety in cats; the majority stem from environment-related interventions and changes.
Separation or loss of family member
When cats are separated from someone to whom they are attached socially, especially caretakers and those who spend much time with them. When somebody moves away or dies, cats show obvious signs of depression, go off feed, become sidelined, move away from the crowd, etc.; this holds true for other canine and feline family members too.
Change of environment
A change from the current living environment to something new can be stressful to both pet and pet guardian. Aside from the stress of the move itself, moving from a large house to a smaller house or apartment would cut down the amount of space a cat has to explore and may restrict their level of activity, leading to depression.
In addition, when a cat that is used to having access to the outdoors moves to an apartment where they can't go outside, they can become depressed. So before changing houses, consider your cat's situation and accordingly make a decision that does not cause discomfort to your cat.
Abrupt change in schedule
When you change your schedule abruptly, for example, office timing or your time with the cat becomes less or altered, the cat senses it negatively and shows signs of depression. When feeding, playing, and exercise schedules are changed, it also causes depression in them. It is recommended to bring gradual changes to their habit as well as your behavior toward them.
Health issues
If an active cat starts to develop arthritis and can no longer jump up to their comfortable spot on the couch, bed, or window, it can be depressing and lead to a loss of enrichment. As a result, your cat can become depressed. Joint issues and muscle aches are also sources of depression.
In situations when a cat experiences a sudden loss of a limb or an eye, or when they start losing their sight, that would totally affect how they navigate the world. Some cats may adjust really well, but an older cat may take longer to adjust and may become depressed. Some medical procedures such as amputation, extraction, and enucleation also serve as stressors for depression in cats.
Hospitalization or boarding
When going outdoors and being free, cats got hospitalized and boarded for medical procedures; they got depressed when in an environment that caused mental trauma and stress in them, leading to decreased appetite, lethargy, and loss of interest in the environment.
Signs of depression in cats
Cats show a host of signs and symptoms when struggling with depression. Some depressed cats may exhibit very obvious changes in behavior, whereas other cats may only exhibit subtle signs that you need to carefully look for.
Decreased appetite: Cats stop eating when they have depression; this can be improved by introducing appetite stimulants, adding flavors to meals, and giving treats and snacks.
Vocalization: Normally happy and relaxed cats do not show vocalization except during estrus and nursing periods, but when they are in a depressive state, cats show increased vocalization and become restless.
Increased urination: Depressed cats visit the litter often and have an increased frequency of urination.
Increased sleep time: They start to sleep longer than normal sleep time when depressed.
Loss of interest: When they are having depression issues, they lose interest in food, playing, going outdoors, interacting with family members and other pets, etc.
House soiling: When they have the urge to poo, they do it at the spot without going to the litter box.
Stop grooming: They are well known for self-grooming. When they are struggling with some mental issues, they stop grooming and have an unkempt coat and dirty condition.
How to console depressed cats
There are many ways to improve the mental health of cats; some of them are discussed here.
Spend quality time
Try to spend quality time with them to reduce boredom and improve mental conditions. Pet them by touching and scratching ears and paws, brush coat, and just sit with them for some time; this improves mental health and reduces anxiety.
Toys and games
You can also try to spark your cat's interest in life again by engaging your cat in more activities or offering them new toys of different sizes, textures, and colors.
Offer different and new food
Some cats may show interest in different flavors or brands of food, or even human food such as boiled or roasted chicken or yogurt. Other cats may respond well to meat-based baby food. Before feeding cat human food, have your vet okay the type and amount of food.
Provide supplements
Supplements containing l-theanine and l-tryptophan cause an increase in the serotonin level, which is a feel-good hormone, and induce calmness and happiness in them.
Adopt another cat or pet
Some cats may enjoy the companionship of another cat. However, careful consideration is needed. Even if your cat was very social with a previous feline housemate who passed away, getting another cat may not be the right answer. Your resident cat may not want a replacement for their recently departed housemate.
Conclusion
Cats are sometimes affected by depression and other health issues that can be managed by following guidelines from experts and veterinary behaviorists. For cat owners, this article provides relevant information on how to combat depression in cats.