Cats are highly food-motivated and typically eager for mealtime. As with humans, melancholy cats may lose their appetite.
On the other hand, depression may cause some cats to begin gorging. This is less common than appetite loss, but it does occur in some cats.
A sudden decrease in energy or an increase in sleeping could be a sign that your furry feline companion is depressed.
Depressed cats may stop or groom poorly. If your cat stops grooming, you may notice matted or dull fur. Your cat's coat may get tangled, greasy, or dandruffy.
Depressed cats may hide in hard-to-find places to avoid humans and other pets.
If your normally cuddly cat suddenly becomes more distant, you may want to check for additional signs of sadness.
Pet them or sit next to them on the couch, you may want to take them to the vet for depression testing.
Depression may cause your normally quiet cat to meow more. When provoked, depressed cats cry, yowl, or hiss.
They may also talk randomly. Your cat may meow or make other noises to tell you something is wrong.
Depressed cats may become aggressive. Depression can turn even the kindest pets cruel.
Depressed cats often bite, hiss, or growl at anyone who enters their space.
If your cat shows this behavior, take them to a vet to determine if depression or another medical issue is the cause.