Cat is depressed?

Hi

Kinda throwing things at the wall, and see what sticks. Ever think your cat is depressed? I know Rufus wasn't feeling too well last summer, and whatever he had (has) turned into diabetes but he still has the underlying issues. He is responding a bit better lately, but he used to do a lot of things that he doesn't do as much or not at all anymore. So, before I sound like an idiot when talking to my vet about this, is there a possibility that depression could make him act differently? Or is just the ailments?

 

He has a number of things going on health wise that probably make him feel unwell. GI issues make us feel yucky and it’s likely the same for a kitty.

 

Yeah , I'm totally sure of that. I know this bupe makes him happy. I was just wondering if cats get depressed. Random thought of the day

 

Google it!

 

Ha! That's too easy! Plus, for some reason I trust people on here more then the crazies on the other side of the net

 

I absolutely think they get depressed--atually my shop cat was SO depressed a few months back..... long story but had BW and she has to be sedated for it-
well she was awake and ate and I had her heated bed in crate so she didn't hurt herself-
anywayyyyy--turns ou she had hypokalemia and 1 of the symptoms is depression-her potassium levels tanked...she is doing much better now.

 

Glad she is doing better! I kind of figured they could get depressed.. You can just tell. I did read on petmd that gabapentin can help.

 

Yes. Ty was very down after our Hollycat ( boy) passed away in 2009. He pulled his own fur out in patches for a good two years in anxiety.
Ty was his normal loving pusscat self with me which made it harder for my husband as Holls slept his side & Ty doesn't fuss with husband .
Husband also grieved quite badly for a good year or so but he did not pull his hair out in patches as he hasn't any really. But he did need some help .

So yes. Cats have feelings.

 

Yes I can just tell by looking at him sometimes. It breaks my heart. Even my other cat, Ozzie, seems to be having issues with Rufus being sick. Ozzie is losing hair on his thigh inside and out, and under his armpit. We'v done tests, and nothing. We think it's stress.

 

Yes, they can get depressed! (Mirtazapine, which is often prescribed as an appetite stimulant is actually an antidepressant.) But, if he is 'happy' when he has pain medicine, that sounds to me like it is pain/discomfort making him appear depressed.

 

I agree! But this like almost over the top happy! Like starts purring loudly as soon as he sees you! I read gabapentin sometimes is used for depression. It didn't seem to do much for Rufus, at least in that regard.

 

Gabapentin is used for a lot of things. My drooler was on it for arthritic pain. I was on the same pill(exact same pill) for hot flashes so I could sleep. They use it in cats to calm anxiety and dull pain.

It is like a wonder drug!

That said, yes, I think they have a degree of depression. Maybe not in the same context as humans, but when the body isn't right that can be a Debbie Downer.

 

I wonder if he needed to be on gaba longer to see those results. 1 vet said you put him on it for life, other said they never use it. The one that said for life saud it takes time to build up in system.

 

My civie Beni was sad all day yesterday while Dusty was at vets all day. He sat by the door waiting for Dusty to come back and was super excited when I walked in the door with him. It'll be a sad sad day when one of them leaves us.

 

Totally! When Rufus was at the vet all day, when we came home Ozzie came out of the bedroom and was licking his head for quite a while. While they do lick each other every once in a while, most of the time it just seems they live together. It's nice to know they truly care about "miss" each other and are compassionate when the other doesn't feel well.

 

My Monty is a bit depressed after his brother Dweezil had to go away 2 weeks ago. He's eating well and seems his usual self mostly, if a bit clingy and more vocal, but he still sometimes looks for Dweezil and he will at night just kind of lay on my handbag gazing sadly outside.

They were adopted brothers, both 9.5 years old and born 2 weeks apart, and though never exceptionally close, they were companions.

 

I've seen almost all there is to see in both cats and dogs. We had a Border Collie named Hannah, smartest dogs in the world but with that intelligence comes a lot of neurotic behavior. After Pit Bulls, Border Collies are next in line for dogs that are returned to breeders or just given away. Everyone wants a smart dog but we had no idea what we were in for. Separation anxiety, neurotic behavior and irrational fears were just some of her problems but she walked without a leash for 12 years and every mom in the neighborhood knew their kids were safe around her. She would even nose kids back when they stood too close to the curb.
Can cats get depressed? Of course they can, why wouldn't they be able to? They get bullied by other cats, they get old and sick, they get arthritis and neuropathy. We can't think they're smart and then turn around and think they never feel sad, lonely or depressed.
I would never have given up any of the sad things that have happened in out home when we also had moments like this. This is Hannah and Nigel. Nigel was our first diabetic cat (my GA) and was Noah's brother. This is what happens when your animals live in a house full of love (and hair).