Mental Health for Cats
As Americans begin to slowly return to normalcy, there is one thing that won’t be changing. That is the emphasis on mental health. Today, we are going to talk about your cat’s mental health. Yes, that is correct. Our pets can also be mentally ill just like how we can get mentally ill from mental illnesses like depression. Before we talk about this, one thing I would like to remind you is that there are many more mental illnesses cats can suffer from than the ones I listed below. Now with that said, let’s get right into it!
What is mental illness?
According to The Mayo Clinic, “mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions: disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors. Many people have mental health concerns from time to time”. Mental illnesses are not only limited to humans however as our pets can also be affected by them as well.. These mental illnesses can only be diagnosed by a professional.
[Important Note]: I am not a veterinarian and found all of this information in this blog from my research. If you are in doubt, you should contact your veterinarian for the best treatment option.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a behavioral disorder in which a cat does repeated, exaggerated behaviors that do not seem to have a purpose. This can include over-grooming, pacing, vocalizing, overeating, sucking or chewing on fabric or plastic, etc. Siamese and other Asian breeds of cats seem to be more prone to OCD. When a veterinarian is suspecting OCD, they will consider parasites, fungi, bacterial infection, allergies, skin cancer, pain, lead poisoning, thyroid problems, hypertension, vitamin deficiencies, liver and kidney disorders, thiamin deficiency, neurological problems, ruptured spinal discs, nerve inflammation, hearing loss, fecal tests, skin tests, and more. This is to determine if you cat’s behavior is not caused by external factors such as parasites and is rather caused by a OCD. If you are concerned about your cat having OCD, spaying and neutering, regulating feeding times, eliminating inconsistencies and distressing stimuli in the household, making play, exercise, and social time priorities, increase dietary roughage, and a change in diet can be considered as a possible solution.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
FHS in cats is a rare disorder that can be present in cats of any age but it typically is found in mature cats. This condition causes the cat to react to physical stimuli that should not be causing any pain. This is also called “rippling skin disorder” as the skin and the muscles on the cat’s back move in a distinctive way when touched and is reacting to the pain. Signs of FHS also include salivation, wild vocalization, uncontrolled urination, and the cat attacking the pain site. FHS is more commonly found in Asian breeds. Fortunately there is treatment which can include amitriptyline, fluoxetine, phenobarbital, prednisolon, or gabapentin. You can also help you kitten that is suffering from FHS by scheduling feeding and play times and by avoiding scratching the cat’s back.
Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (FDS)
FDS -also called senility- is a disorder that mostly found in cats over 15 years of age. Signs of FDS include litter box problems, aimless wandering, confusion, getting stuck in corners, inability to recognize familiar people or family, anxiety, fear, tremors, vocalizing, licking the floor and objects, reversing or disrupting sleep cycles, and a change of interaction with family or pets. This change in behavior are sometimes caused by a protein called beta amyloid which deposits itself in the brain. This protein is also what causes Alzheimer’s disease in humans. FDS is a scary condition that no cat owner wants their cat to suffer from and while there is no current cure, there are ways to help treat and prevent it. A great way is to provide a lot of mental stimulation such as puzzle toys and sources of entertainment like bird feeders for your cat to watch. Any mental stimulation will be beneficial for your cat as it can help keep him/her mentally alert. You can also combine mental stimulation with physical stimulation as well by giving your kitten places to lounge, jump, and climb. You can also hide treats around the house and even take your cat outside for a walk. All of these treatments will not only be beneficial and improve the quality of life of cats who are suffering from FDS but also those who aren’t!
Mental Illnesses Caused by Trauma
Cats who experienced living in the harsh outdoors with no one willing to take care of them, suffered grievous injuries, abused, mistreated, attacked by animals, caught in tight spaces for extended periods of time, and more will have a higher chance to be suffering from a mental illness caused by these traumatizing events than cats who did not. Those who are suffering from mental trauma will often be hypersensitive (meaning that the kitten will be more cautious, aware, and startled by changes and physical stimulation). You can help a cat that you believe is suffering from mental trauma by giving them mental stimulation and giving them a dedicated play time with hunting orientated games being the best option. For more information on how to play hunting orientated games with your kitten, you can click this link which will take you to another blog I wrote on how to do so!
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(read the How can I get my kitten to lose some of his/her weight? (Part Two) and What is the best way to play the hunting-orientated games with my kitten? sections for the information)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Going into more detail about mental illness that are caused by trauma, one example is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is also found in humans. Symptoms of PTSD in cats include increased neediness and attachment, hypervigilance, aggressiveness, being easily startled, decreased appetite, agitation, fearfulness, urinating or defecating in the house when already potty trained, avoidance of people, places, and things that remind them of the trauma, pacing, excessive hiding, destructive behavior, sudden temperament changes, extreme escapes to avoid triggers, excessive meows, fear of being alone, unprovoked crying, and sleep disturbances. Some cats suffering from severe PTSD usually get treated with medication, exercise, and play therapy.
Thank you for reading this blog about mental health for cats. I hope you have learned something from this blog. If you believe that your kitten may be suffering from any of the mental illnesses mentioned above, make sure to check in with your veterinarian as only they can diagnose the condition. This blog is not meant to self-diagnose your cat. Keep making sure you wear a mask and thoroughly wash your hands. Stay safe and I will see you next time!
Citations:
[1] Colham, Mari. “Lessons From My Cat With PTSD.” Medium, Tenderly, 4 Mar. 2020, tenderly.medium.com/lessons-from-my-cat-with-ptsd-bba87bd1aaa8#:~:text=PTSD%20symptoms%20in%20cats%20can,Aggressiveness.
[2] “Mental Illness.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 June 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968.
[3] Row, Janis. “Can Cats Be Mentally Ill?” RSS, PetPlace, 28 Sept. 2019, www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-behavior-training/crazy-cats-can-cats-be-mentally-ill/.