Like people, cats can suffer from mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Find out how you can tell if your cat is struggling emotionally and what you can do about it.
Aggressive Biting, Scratching, and Fighting
If your kitten is displaying signs of aggression such as hard biting, scratching that draws blood, and dangerous fighting with other kittens, this is abnormal and problematic behavior.
Still, there's no way to know for sure. Generally speaking, though, no, your cat won't be diagnosed with retardation. They might seem to be a little dull sometimes, but without a way of measuring average feline intelligence, there's no way to diagnose those behavioral abnormalities.
There is much debate over whether or not a cat can have a mental illness. If your cat's behavior seems "off," it could be ill or could have a problem with its nervous system. Possible causes of inappropriate mentation include: Brain injury or infection.
FHS can affect both male and female cats equally, and it usually starts early in life. FHS can cause cats to abruptly shift from happy to upset without apparent provocation. Cats with FHS can display freezing behavior. Genetics seem to be at play in both human schizophrenics and cats with FHS.
Cats can't have autism, but they can be diagnosed with other conditions, and like humans and other animals, some cats have special needs. Some special-needs cats have mental impairments which may result from birth defects, illness, or accidents. Some cats even have Down syndrome-type symptoms.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
While some vets and animal experts seem to agree that cats can get ADHD, the condition isn't recognized by all. Cats can exhibit symptoms or personality and behavioral traits that are often linked to ADHD in humans, especially human children.
Pacing or restlessness. Going outside the litterbox. Overgrooming, which can lead to bald patches and painful skin issues. Changes in behaviors, such as irritability or clinginess especially if your cat is typically independent.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
In a nutshell, cats can't have autism, but they can be diagnosed with other conditions, and like humans and other animals, some cats have special needs. However, remember that most of these needs stem from physical disabilities or old age.
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Cats and Dogs
Trauma can also manifest as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, pacing, excessive vocalization, and panting,” says Pia Silvani, director of behavioral rehabilitation at the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.
While having a bipolar cat is uncommon, felines can experience mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Your cat may even develop anxiety or depression as a result of you suffering from the condition. Cats can sense when their pet parents are nervous or sad.
At what age do kittens calm down? Generally, by 9 to 12 months old, the massive amount of enthusiasm has begun to settle, and a personality has become more apparent. Each cat differs individually with some being more playful and some lazier. However, these are some typical stages you'll see as your frisky feline ages.
Toys that can be chased, swatted, and batted should be provided. Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
House soiling, aggression and scratching are the most common cat behavior issues. Most of the behaviors that people consider issues (e.g., chewing, biting and scratching) are actually normal cat behaviors. Unfortunately, they are unacceptable to many of us.
They may howl or become agitated when handled. A cat may groom the area excessively, hiss at or bite its back, cry, dash away, or defecate. Your veterinarian will first rule out medical causes, especially pain and skin conditions, which can cause similar signs.
In cats, the term used by specialists is a condition called Dysthymia. It causes sudden changes in mood in animals. It seems that this type of bipolar disorder is more common in certain breeds of cats like the Abyssinians for example. However, this remains rare.
What causes stress in cats? Most cats are very adaptable, but they're also a very sensitive species, so changes to their life, owners and environment can affect their stress levels. Some common causes include a threat to their territory, such as another cat, or being stroked more than they would like.
There are a few telltale signs that should indicate a cat has anxiety. These signs include pacing or restlessness, decreased appetite, excessive meowing, aggression, hiding, and more. If you see your cat start to exhibit one or more of these signs, they're likely suffering from anxiety.
Special-needs kittens, with challenges ranging from cerebellar hypoplasia to club foot, are adorable, unique and lovable. Few things in life are as irresistible as kittens.
What Age Do Kittens Get Fading Kitten Syndrome? Fading kitten syndrome affects kittens in the first four to six weeks of life—the time between birth and being weaned from their mother. Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent it.
These are "alpha cats." They are natural leaders; they refuse to be led and attempt to take charge of practically every situation. These cats like their food when they want it and the way that they like it - or else. They may only let you touch them for short periods of time and then again, only on their terms.
Taking home just one kitten may seem like a good idea—but a lonely kitten can be a real “cat-tastrophe” for felines and humans alike. Single Kitten Syndrome is the reason that, like many other organizations, we ask for kittens under 6 months to go home in pairs.
Much of this 'personality' development has already taken place before we get our kitten. For the cat, learning to enjoy the company of people takes place pretty early in its life – somewhere from about three weeks to seven or eight weeks old.