Nov 13, 2024
Cats, on the surface, may seem like uninterested individuals who just spend their time crawling and climbing around any surface they can get their hands on.
But these mysterious creatures feel more than they look. Cats are very emotional creatures on the inside. They just don’t show it. So when you catch your cat being sentimental or overly affectionate to you, grab the chance to spend time with it.
Can Cats Cry
Yes, cats can cry. But they don’t cry as humans do, mainly because their tears have different meanings. When cats cry, their tears may have different meanings, which do not necessarily pertain to emotions. So, whenever cats cry, this does not automatically mean they are sad or depressed. It has a deeper meaning that must be explored.
Why Do Cats Cry
Cats cry for a different set of reasons. These issues vary and may encompass several meanings that pertain to its condition, feelings, and protection. Whatever these reasons, it might be essential to take note of any context clues that may appear to understand your cat’s situation properly. Here are some of the reasons why cats cry:
Lubrication and Protection
Cats can cry to help lubricate their eyes and keep them moist. Their tears are super functional as the lubrication helps keep a protective barrier around their eyes. This avoids any unnecessary issues such as dry eyes, infection, and injuries from small particles that could harm your cat’s eyes.
Infection
Cats can cry whenever they are dealing with an eye infection. These infections can be caused by feline calicivirus and herpesvirus. Additional symptoms to look out for include redness, inflammation, swelling, and extreme blinking. When you observe your cat with these symptoms, there might be an infection irritating your cat’s eyes.
It is crucial to keep a close eye on your cat’s eyes when these symptoms start to manifest. Possible diseases include conjunctivitis, uveitis, and cataracts.
Allergy
Allergies are a possible reason why cats can cry. Small particles such as dust, pollen, mold, or dirt may come into contact with your cat’s eyes and irritate them. When this occurs, you can expect your cat to have watery eyes and nasal discharge accompanied by some itching and sneezing.
You will notice these signs when you see your cat frequently blink or use its paws to relieve its eyes of the irritation.
Blocked Tear Ducts
Some cats can appear to cry just because of how they grow. When cats develop blocked tear ducts, their eyes can seem to have tears in them since they have no way of clearing out the moisture. This condition can be present at birth or acquired due to external factors such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign bodies.
If you notice your cat having watery eyes, possible observations will include excessive tearing, tear staining, and wet fur around the eyes.
Genetics
Certain cat breeds can cry because of their genetic makeup. Persian and Himalayan cats are brachycephalic. In other words, their flat faces make it hard for their tears to drain effectively whenever they cry. This leads to several issues, such as watery eyes, which is a very troubling issue in cats.
Eye Issues
When cats cry, it could be because of several eye issues, such as glaucoma and corneal ulcers. These diseases are caused by excessive tearing in cats, which in turn is caused by insufficient drainage of their eyes.
Stress and Discomfort
Changes in your cat’s routine, such as their homes, diets, and activities, may lead to stress and discomfort for your cat. This might be the reason why your cat sheds a tear or two. Your cats can cry in order to get your attention, as they need someone to share their pain with. The best way to determine if your cat’s tears are caused by stress is by looking at other indicators.
How Do Cats Show Sadness
While cats can cry for entirely different reasons, we rely on other indicators to ultimately determine their emotions. Cats use a combination of vocalization and body language to show how they are feeling at the moment. Here are the indicators you should take note of to determine if your cat is sad or depressed:
Decreased Appetite and Activity
Cats can lose their appetite whenever they are sad or stressed. This comes with a decrease in their normal activities as they would prefer to sit, lie down, or even hide from the world. They would prefer to avoid any interaction with anyone in the house and withdraw from doing any activities. This is accompanied by lethargy and weakness.
A decrease in grooming can also be observed whenever they feel sad or stressed. Cat grooming is a significant part of their nature and hygiene. This decrease in grooming can be a huge indicator that they are too troubled to even care about grooming themselves. Cats experiencing this show of sadness can be observed to have unkempt fur that looks messy and greasy.
Increased Aggression
Some cats may feel too emotional to the point that they can be more aggressive than their usual selves. This may show whenever they come into contact with anyone, either you or another animal within their vicinity. They can be easily irritated when handled or touched, which is why it’s better to look for ways to comfort them from afar without putting yourself at risk.
Meowing
Meowing is one form of vocalization cats utilize to express their emotions to pet owners. Constant meowing can be a sign of immense sadness and the need for your attention. They might meow because they are hungry, want your love, or feel too uncomfortable with their bed or litter box. Meowing is one way they can communicate with us and share their thoughts and emotions.
Purring
Purring is usually a sign of satisfaction and contentment, but cats can also purr when they feel stressed. Their purring acts like a soothing mechanism that helps relieve them in times of great distress. If you notice your cat purring, take note of the body language to discern if it’s satisfied or stressed.
Body Language
A great indicator of a cat’s emotions is its body language. Cats can cry, but those tears do not show emotions as efficiently as their body language. When cats get sad or stressed, their posture is usually one of the biggest differences.
They tend to have their heads down with a crouched body that stays low to the ground. Cats may also resort to hiding in places where they can be alone. Their tails hold low, and their eyes may be dilated and focused on avoiding contact.
How to Care for a Sad Cat
Sad cats are not that easy to spot. Cats can cry, but this does not mean they are sad. Instead, other factors mentioned above are the key indicators to know when a cat is feeling down. With this, there are lots of ways to care for a sad cat and make it feel whole again. Here are different ways to help your cat feel better:
Spend Time Together
Try to give your cat attention to distract it from the stress it is feeling. Use games, food, and other treats to help it get back on its feet. A good distraction will help your cat feel better, especially since it knows you are there to help.
Provide a Comfortable Environment
Some cats want to be left alone whenever they are sad, so they hide in corners and other places where they can be alone. Providing a place where they can relax and collect their thoughts is a great way to help them recover. Use soft bedding, blankets, and pillows to help them feel more comfortable. Cleaning their litter box is also a great way to start.
Use Pheromones
Cats use pheromones to communicate what they want to say to other animals. Commercial pheromone products are helpful in giving your cat signals to relax. These come in sprays, collars, and diffusers.
Ask Veterinary Help
Our vets are the go-to for any advice on dealing with distressed and sad cats. At Noble Vet Clinic, we give expert advice and treatments to help keep your cat happy and healthy. Veterinary specialists who specialize in feline behavior are a gold mine for understanding the emotions of your cat and knowing how to respond to certain actions from this behavior.
Seeking expert advice is always a good practice to learn how to take better care of your cat at home.
Conclusion
Cats can cry, but not in the ways we humans do. Instead, cats give off several indicators other than crying that tell us how they feel. By understanding how they convey their emotions, we can begin to understand the struggle and pain they feel. We get to be a part of their experiences and fulfil our duties as their caretakers.
The most important thing to do after is to help them get back on their feet. As pet owners, it falls upon us to be there for our furry friends.