Anyone who has truly been owned by a cat knows how sensitive they can be. Over the years I’ve watched my own Siamese sulk, withdraw and go quiet when something in their world wasn’t right — and it always teaches me the same lesson: cats feel far more than we give them credit for. When people first hear me talk about depression in cats they tend to look a little sceptical, but those of us who live alongside cats know it’s very real. This guide walks you through the signs, the likely causes, and the practical, gentle things that help.
One important note before we start: a low, withdrawn cat is very often an unwell cat. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so changes in mood should never be brushed off as “just a phase”. Always rule out medical causes with your vet first — what looks like sadness can be pain, nausea or an underlying condition asking quietly for help.
What does depression in cats actually mean?
When I talk about depression in cats, I don’t mean clinical depression in the human sense. What I mean is a noticeable, lasting dip in mood and behaviour — a cat who has become withdrawn, flat, listless or simply “not themselves”. It’s a state of low mood rather than a single diagnosis, and it usually has a trigger behind it.
The key word is change. A naturally quiet cat isn’t depressed; a cat who was bright and engaged and has since gone quiet, hidden away and lost interest in life almost certainly is telling you something.
The signs and symptoms to watch for
Some signs are obvious, others creep in slowly. If you spend a lot of time with your cat you’ll often notice them straight away, but it pays to stay watchful when you suspect something is off.
Change in appetite. One of the most reliable signals is a cat going off their food. If yours normally licks the bowl clean and now ignores the sound of the tin opening, take it seriously — appetite loss can point to a whole range of medical problems as well as low mood.
Hiding and withdrawal. Cats are more sociable than people assume, so a cat who suddenly retreats and won’t come out to play is waving a flag. This instinct to hide goes right back to the wild, where an unwell cat would conceal itself to avoid being picked off by something stronger.
Changes in grooming. Cats are fastidious groomers. A coat that has become dull, dirty or matted often means your cat has stopped caring for themselves — a classic sign of feeling unwell or low.
Sleeping more, playing less. Cats sleep a lot anyway, but a marked increase in sleep paired with a loss of interest in toys, windows and company is worth noting.
Changes in voice or temperament. Some cats go silent; others become unusually vocal or clingy. Any persistent shift in behaviour is a clue, as long as you’re looking out for it.
What causes low mood in cats?
In my experience the most common triggers are stress, boredom, grief and illness — and they often overlap.
Illness or pain. This is the one to rule out first and fast. Dental pain, arthritis, infections and many other conditions can make a cat withdraw long before any obvious symptom appears.
Grief and loss. Cats genuinely mourn. The loss of a companion animal, or a person they were bonded to, can leave a cat flat and searching for weeks.
Change and disruption. Moving home, building work, a new baby, a new pet, even rearranged furniture can unsettle a sensitive cat. For more on this, our guide to stress in cats is well worth a read.
Boredom and under-stimulation. An indoor cat with nothing to do is a prime candidate for low mood. Enrichment matters enormously — see keeping indoor cats happy for practical ideas.
How to help a depressed cat
Start at the vet. I cannot say this strongly enough — before you treat the mood, rule out the medical. Book your cat in for a proper check so anything physical can be found and treated. Never reach for human medication or guess at doses; that’s firmly your vet’s territory.
Once medical causes are ruled out, there’s a lot you can do at home, usually without any medication at all:
Play, toys and enrichment. Keep your cat occupied with fishing-rod toys, catnip mice, puzzle feeders and a bit of dedicated daily play. Engaging that hunting instinct does wonders for a flat mood.
Let the light in. Keeping curtains and blinds closed all day while you’re out can quietly contribute to the gloom. Leave them open so your cat can watch the world and bask in a sunny spot.
Routine and reassurance. Cats find security in predictability. Steady feeding times, calm handling and plenty of gentle attention all help. Good nutrition underpins everything too — our cat nutrition advice is a sensible place to start.
Consider company — carefully. If loneliness is the root cause, a feline companion can help. But introductions must be slow and managed over a week or two, or you risk adding stress rather than easing it.
If your cat doesn’t pick up despite all this, go back to your vet. Persistent low mood occasionally needs further investigation or, in rare cases, medication — always under veterinary guidance. For a broader overview of feline wellbeing, the charity International Cat Care has excellent, evidence-based health information.
Worried your cat isn’t themselves?
Browse our full library of practical, owner-friendly cat health guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats really get depressed?
Yes — not in the clinical human sense, but cats absolutely experience lasting low mood linked to stress, boredom, grief or illness. A previously bright cat who becomes withdrawn and flat is genuinely telling you something is wrong.
How long does depression in cats last?
It varies. Low mood from a one-off upset, such as a house move, often lifts within a few weeks as your cat settles. If it’s driven by illness, it won’t improve until the underlying problem is treated — another reason to see your vet early.
Should I take my cat to the vet for low mood?
Always, as a first step. So many physical conditions show up first as withdrawal or appetite loss that a vet check is the only safe way to rule out a medical cause before treating the mood itself.
Will getting a second cat help?
It can, if loneliness is genuinely the cause — but not always, and a poorly managed introduction can make things worse. Introduce any newcomer slowly over a week or two and watch both cats closely.
Written from years of living with and loving Siamese cats. Find out more about me and this site.
