Maine Coon Parents List 9 Signs That Show a Cat Is Depressed
Whether your pet is a dog, a cat, a bird, or even a reptile, it can be difficult to imagine them feeling sad. All loving pet parents want their four-legged friends to have as much fun and as many naps as they want, but the heartbreaking reality is that many pets experience depression sometime throughout their life.
The good news is that there's a lot you can do to help a pet who's feeling blue! While each animal's journey will look a bit different, one Maine Coon cat's mom is sharing the signs that she noticed when her cat, Mango, was suffering from depression. Even if concern for your pet's mental health isn't on your radar, it's always smart to know what to keep an eye out for!
Aww--it's so difficult to imagine a sweet cat like Mango feeling depressed, but it's a good thing he had a caring cat owner looking out for him. As @mangoandheramainecoons' mom explains in a later video, she knew something was wrong when she noticed these signs because she's a therapist herself! Once she noticed, however, she brought Mango to multiple veterinarians to rule out physical illness or injury. He was one healthy cat!
Related: Precious Signs of a Happy Cat Are a Win for Pet Parents
However, this Maine Coon was not a happy cat. Apparently, his change in behavior happened after both of his owners began working at the office once more (he was adopted during the pandemic), and he was incredibly lonely. Once kitten sister Hera arrived, though, things began to turn around again.
Since Hera--who is also a Maine Coon cat--arrived in his life, Mango has been feeling like himself again. Now, his owner can share their story to inspire other cat owners to keep an eye out for feline depression.
What does depression in cats look like?
As Mango's owner found, depression in cats looks an awful lot like depression in humans. It can have both physical and mental symptoms and can cause a debilitating lack of interest in life. This can appear to be a subtle change for cats who are already on the grumpy end of the spectrum, but it's cause for alarm when any cat starts becoming disinterested in food, water, toys, touch, or even relieving themselves.
As many concerned commenters pointed out, visiting a vet is always better than self-diagnosing a pet's problem. A vet visit will help you determine whether an underlying issue is causing their moodiness or if something like loneliness or a cat's boredom is what needs to be addressed.
In Mango's case, what he needed most was a friend. Maine Coons are one of the more social cat breeds, after all, and he was likely having a difficult time adjusting to his parents being back in the office. Luckily, his mom's diligence helped him begin feeling better--and it brought little Hera into their lives, too!
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