Cats become depressed for many of the same reasons people do. Often it’s because of a major life change such as the pet owners divorcing the death of a family member or pet the kids going off to college or the addition of a new family member into the household.  Anything that significantly disrupts the cat’s ability to predict and control its life can cause depression in felines.

The fact that kitty doesn’t know the inside story can exacerbate the problem. For example if the pet owners are separating or divorcing the cat will not understand why the husband and wife are arguing with each other or why certain people have suddenly disappeared from the house. That can make the cat feel unsettled or depressed.

During a crisis such as a death in the family or divorce the cat may approach its owner expecting that person to act like he or she usually does. But the owner may be crying or act very withdrawn and not pay much attention to the cat. So suddenly everything in the cat’s world turns upside down.  If you are feeling down chances are your cat will feel the same. Your cat can easily pick up on your emotions.  If your cat thinks your world is falling apart that worries the cat because if your world is falling apart it thinks its world will too.

But you don’t have to have a major crisis in your family for your cat to become depressed.  Lack of activity or exercise a poor diet boredom or long hours of being left home alone all can cause a pet cat to be depressed.  Perhaps the wife who had been a stay-at-home mom goes back to work full time. Try to monitor how you are presenting yourself to your cat and be as cheerful as possible when you are around it.

If you think your cat is simply lonely or bored provide some outlets to keep it happy while you are away from home. Buy some new cat toys and put the old ones in storage. Rotate toys occasionally for variety. Tie a toy to a rope and suspend it from a chair. Leave an empty paper bag on the floor for your cat to bat around. Buy a window perch for your cat so it can watch the great outdoors. Fill the food bowl with some enticing new flavors. Rub some catnip on the scratching post for a surprise that your cat will discover when it walks by. Be creative in thinking of ways to keep your cat entertained when you aren’t around.

When you are home make a special effort to interact with your cat. Try to greet kitty the minute you come home from work. Talk to your cat while you cook dinner. Let it sit on your lap as you watch television. Take it for a walk after your evening meal. Start a trick training program. Don’t let a day go by without spending at least a half-hour of one-on-one time with your cat.

If your cat’s depression persists consult a certified animal behaviorist or veterinarian who can recommend the appropriate kind of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drug. The drugs should not be used as a solution in and of themselves but as an adjunct to behavior therapy. Once the behavior starts to turn around then in cooperation with the referring veterinarian you can start to wean the cat off of the drug gradually from week to week.

Most importantly don’t just ignore your cat’s depression and think it will just get over it by itself. Often when there’s a reason for the cat to be depressed there’s also a reason for the owner to be depressed such as during a family crisis.  It may be hard to think of your cat when your life is in upheaval but your cat is suffering too and it needs your help. Making the effort to cheer up your cat will not only help it adjust it may also help you. A snuggly little kitty can make anyone feel better.