Did you know that cats can have mental issues, just like us?
Animals can experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It’s also possible that some animals have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there’s not enough evidence to confirm this.
We don’t know much about cats’ mental health. Some people don’t even realize that cats can have mental issues!
Causes of Mental Issues in Cats:
Traumatic events
Stress
Loneliness
Loss of a friend or owner
Change in household
Boredom
Symptoms of Mental Issues in Cats:
Hiding/not seeking out social interaction
Excessive sleeping
Increased or decreased grooming
Stress
Lethargy
Increase or decreased appetite
Restlessness
Excessive meowing/whining
If you think that your cat is dealing with a mental issue: schedule an appointment with your vet because she could be sick or if she does have a mental problem, your vet could direct you to an animal behaviorist.
Feliway Classic diffuser or spray is a drug-free and vet-recommended solution that relieves stress and anxiety in cats.
Caring for a Cat with Mental Issues
Cats with mental issues have different needs and require special attention.
Some mentally unstable cats may do better as solo kitties, although some may enjoy another cat’s company.
Cats with mental issues shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time as they can get lonely, stressed out, or destructive.
It’s very important to give your cat plenty of attention and schedule daily playtime sessions to keep her happy and mentally and physically stimulated.
Adult cats need about 30 minutes of playtime a day. Kittens need between 45-60 minutes of playtime.
You should closely monitor your cat’s eating habits; depression and anxiety can cause your cat’s appetite to decrease or increase.
As said above, we know very little about cats’ mental health. We’re unsure how many mental issues cats and other animals can/do have. I hope we can all agree that feline mental health is something we should bring attention to. I ask that you either send the article to your friends or simply tell them how cats can have mental problems, too!
Works Cited
Castleberry, Emma, "8 of The Best Interactive Cat Toys for Mental Stimulation," PetCBD,
​https://www.pawcbd.com/blog/post/eight-of-the-best-interactive-cat-toys-for-mental-stimulation#:~:text=Mental%20Stimulation%20and%20Play%20Are,between%2045%20and%2060%20minutes.​​​​​​​​
Hauser, Wendy, "What to Know About Mental Health Care and Cats," ASPCA,
​https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/cat-depression/#:~:text=Like%20people%2C%20cats%20can%20suffer,you%20can%20do%20about%20it.​​​​
L, Kim, "Can Cats Have ADHD?" Petcube,