Does my cat have bipolar? (+5 Easy solutions)
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the…
This post will be answering if your cat has bipolar. We will also be listing the different signs and symptoms that your cat may have bipolar disorder and the different causes of this illness. Furthermore, we will also look at the different treatment possibilities.
Does my cat have bipolar?
Your cat may have bipolar if they are exhibiting the following signs and symptoms,
- They don’t move as much
- They refrain from eating
- They become more aggressive
- They fixate on certain objects
- They meow more than often
- They show their jealousy
- Their sleep patterns change
- They pee or poop in random places
- They destroy things
- They pant too much
- They are aggressive with your other pets
They don’t move as much
One sign that your cat is suffering from bipolar disorder is that they don’t move as much. While cats are known for being pretty lazy and easy to get comfy in a single spot, if your cat is being immobile for long periods of time for unexplained reasons, they may have bipolar
They refrain from eating
If your cat is suffering from bipolar disorder, their eating patterns may also suddenly change. More often than not, your cat may lose its interest in food. They may also get very aggressive with their food and play around with it instead of eating.
They become more aggressive
Another sign of bipolar disorder in your cat is that they may become very aggressive for no reason at all. This aggressiveness may even be shown on you and your otherwise tame cat may suddenly scratch or claw at you.
They fixate on certain objects
Some animal psychology experts have also felt that long-gaze fixation for lengthy periods of time in cats can be a sign of bipolar disorder. The object can be something that they like or something random.
They meow more than often
If your cat is suddenly meowing more than often, this is another sign that they are suffering from some emotional distress or illness, most likely bipolar disorder. If your cat is suddenly meowing more than usual, you can try consulting a professional who can help your cat in this matter.
They show their jealousy
One more sign of bipolar disorder in your cat is when they show their jealousy. This may be a personality trait in your cat already. But, if your cat is increasingly showing its jealousy when you play with other pets or talk to other people, this may be a sign of some underlying disorder.
Their sleep patterns change
A sudden change in the sleep patterns of your cat is another sign that they may have bipolar disorder. This may differ from cat to cat. While some cats may sleep a lot more than often, others may be active more than usual.
They pee or poop in random places
Cats are known to be superb pets because they are easily trained to pee and poop in a litter box. At the same time, if your cat is suddenly peeing or pooping in places other than the litter box provided for it, this can also be a sign that they are struggling with bipolar disorder.
They destroy things
Cats are known to claw their way into your furniture among your other possessions. However, if this destructive pattern is happening more than often, this may be another sign that they are struggling with bipolar disorder.
They pant too much
Some cats in distress may pant too much. This type of pants is different from when your cat may be excessively thirsty or when they have sunstroke. Panting in cats is a sign of emotional distress, and can indicate the presence of a mood disorder like bipolar disorder.
They are aggressive with your other pets
If you have pets other than your cat, bipolar disorder can make them aggressive with their siblings as well. Your cat may also become jealous when you play with your other pets and may even get aggressive with you as a way of expressing it.
Causes of bipolar in cats
Bipolar disorder in cats is pretty rare to diagnose since the signs and symptoms can always be misinterpreted as normal behavior. Bipolar disorder in your cat may be caused by past trauma which could have affected them.
For instance, if they have been abused by their past owners or injured by others, this can lead to a lot of stress which turns into bipolar disorder later. They may also be affected by bipolar disorder when they have a family history of this.
In some instances, if you have any mental illness or more specifically bipolar disorder, your cat may imitate you and adopt these same characteristics. In this case, there is no treatment for them but goes to show how much your pet actually loves you.
How to treat your cat’s bipolar?
If your cat has been diagnosed with bipolar, the first thing that you need to do is to consult with a vet who has specialized in treating this disorder before. They may often recommend anti-anxiety medication like Prozac.
At the same time, there are also many feline behaviorists who can actively work with your cat to bring down their stress levels and help them heal. There are also numerous techniques that you can use to help your cat’s bipolar.
- Taking care of your own mental health: The best thing that you can do for your cat’s mental health and to help them heal with their bipolar. This is because your cat often imitates your behavior and persona.
You can try creating a solid routine for yourself, by waking up on time, eating your meals, working out regularly and even taking time for meditation and self-care. Soon, you will find that your cat also follows suit.
- Create a positive environment: You can also improve your cat’s environment by bringing more positive elements in your household. For instance, if you live in an apartment, you can try bringing in a scratching post or even some indoor plants.
Cats respond better when there is a lot of greenery around and numerous places to climb and explore. If you have a yard, you can even keep cat-friendly plants to ease their mood and help in their stimulation.
- Give them the right amount of attention: There is no better treatment for your cat’s bipolar other than actively showering them with love and affection. You can show this by spending time with them and playing with them.
- Improve their meal-times: You can also improve your cat’s diet to improve their mental health. If you find that their appetite has been dipping, you can try asking your vet for better choices to add to your cat’s meals.
For some cats, easily digested food like chicken broth can work wonders. You can also try making meal-time itself a positive experience by eating your meals with your cat and using new bowls or brands of food.
- Try music as therapy: Some people have also found that music can work wonders when it comes to helping cats with their bipolar disorder. Music, especially classical music, can be wondrous for cats and can help in stabilizing their moods.
You can try playing some classical music whenever you see your cat being sullen and depressed for a long period of time. The trick is to find out what your cat likes. While some may love some Bach, others may love some metal.
Conclusion
This post has answered if your cat has bipolar. We have also listed the different signs and symptoms that your cat may have bipolar disorder and the different causes of this illness. Furthermore, we have also looked at the different treatment possibilities.
If you like this post, please leave your comments and questions in the space below.
Citations
Take Control of Your Bipolar Disorder Today: Get Personalized Therapy with BetterHelp
