Cat signs of contentment versus sadness

It might be useful to compare the signs of contentment versus the signs of sadness in domestic cats. These are emotions at the extremes. Therefore, there should be a big apparent difference between how domestic cats behave and present to us when they feel these emotions.

RELATED: Ten Emotions That Cats Share with Us

Contentment or happiness

As is the case for humans, when there is a release of oxytocin and dopamine into the brain of a cat, they will feel content, happy or even elated. Domestic cats release oxytocin just like humans. When you stroke a cat the human brain releases oxytocin. Studies have confirmed that when humans interact with companion animals it causes the secretion of oxytocin from their bodies. The release of oxytocin is probably/possibly a key factor in creating a bond between cats and humans.

Oxytocin has the function to not only inhibit and reduce stress but to promote social behaviour. So, this feel-good peptide hormone makes cats feel good. Eating makes a cat feel good as does being petted or lying-in warm sunshine or playing with a toy and falling asleep on your lap.

Happy and contented cat show affection by allowing us to groom them and playing with us. And depending upon your personal ideas and thoughts, many people believe that cats can love their human companions and that this love is reciprocated.

To recap, a cat will express contentment by being loving with their human caregiver and seeking interaction and reassurance. In seeking interactions with their human companion, they may become more vocal and start to have long conversations with their human caregiver! The tone of their voice may indicate a more contented cat by being higher pitched.

Happy cat

Happy cat. Photo: Instagram.

Content cats look healthier because they are grooming themselves properly and I believe that there will be some facial differences between the content cat and the depressed cat. They will be subtle but noticeable nonetheless. This is part of an overall more relaxed posture of the content cat. And of course, a happy cat will have a good appetite.

Contentment can be elevated to the state of elation or euphoria! Elation, it seems, is translated to the “cat crazies”. This is when cats chase around madly in a burst of euphoric activity. I would also add that there can be quite a subtle difference between the cat crazies caused by being very happy and the cat crazies being caused by boredom.

But it is probably fair to say that short episodes of activity may be signs of pleasure or happiness combined with a release of pent-up emotion.

Sadness or depression

When cats are separated from their home environment with which they are very familiar, they can become sad and depressed. An example would be when they are hospitalised. Dr. Bruce Fogle tells us that the “sad hospitalised cat doesn’t show any particular fear, anger, or worry, but it doesn’t eat as usual, and it doesn’t respond to play activity from the nurses”.

Once they leave hospital and return home their sadness disappears, their appetite returns as does their activity levels.

Depression is an extreme version of sadness and it can be overwhelming to the point where it undermines the cat’s most basic survival instincts.

Clinically depressed cats exhibit signs of complete withdrawal. They don’t want to eat or drink and seem to lose the will to live. Dr. Fogle says that he has seen clinically depressed cats overcome their depression when they have been reunited with their owners.

Depressed cats also lose the desire to be with their human companions. They may hide in corners and under furniture. They become sullen and quiet.

In general, depressed cats become less active and steep more. This is a sign of losing interest and becoming withdrawn.

I depressed cat may also stop grooming themselves causing their coat to become matted and dirty. They also may become more aggressive or perhaps are more easily provoked. Perhaps they are open to being provoked by a frustrated human caregiver because they have become so withdrawn.

Unhappy cat held in the wrong way makes a strange sound

Unhappy cat held in the wrong way makes a strange sound which has been described as a bark but it is a modified meow. It’s a sound which is saying ‘put me down’. I don’t think I’ve seen a cat communicate more clearly what they want and demonstrated to their owner how annoyed they are at their owner’s behaviour.

Further, a depressed cat may stop using the litter box correctly and they may even start spraying to mark territory where they didn’t do it before. This may indicate a link between depression and a lack of confidence. Spraying urine is reassuring for a cat. If your cat needs reassurance this may be a part of the emotion of being depressed. It may also be an indicator as to what is the cause of the depression i.e. being bullied by a dominant cat in the home.

Please share your thoughts about signs of contentment and unhappiness in domestic cats. I really welcome the ideas of others. I am not always right. I have to take some risks when I write on topics such as this one because there are no hard and fast answers. First-hand experiences are very useful.

Below are some more pages on feline emotions.

Cats don't become embarrassed

Cats don’t feel embarrassment. I explain why.

It may seem ridiculous to some people to discuss the emotion of embarrassment in relation to the domestic cat but ...
Read More
Emotions that domestic cats feel and one they don't

Infographic on 9 emotions domestic cats feel and 1 they don’t

The issue of domestic cat emotions is a developing one. I think it fair to say that it is only ...
Read More
Cats profoundly affectionate towards each other

Are male cats more affectionate with humans and other cats than females?

The first point to make is that we are discussing neutered male cats and spayed female cats. That has to ...
Read More
Cat responds defensively to the sounds and movements emanating from a computer printer

Printer causes curious kitty to twitch. Is this true?

A cat responds defensively to the sounds and movements emanating from a computer printer. We know what twitching is but ...
Read More

Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.

Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in many jobs including professional photography. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare. If you want to read more click here.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *