Discussion Getting a pet as a severely depressed person.

[Jacket]

What is your opinion on getting yourself a pet while suffering from severe physical and/or mental illness? Do you maybe have one yourself and would like to share your experience?
I ask because I am thinking of getting a house cat. I imagine having someone to care for and who keeps you company can increase your motivation and mood. You know, taking good care of the cat will make her feel good and that makes you feel good in return. Having to feed her and clean the toilet daily builds some drive, motivation to get your ass up, playing with her might be fun and so on.
On the other hand you have the financial aspect, mainly cat food and doctor visits, those don't pay themselves. And of course buying the cat also costs money. The biggest part after that would be cleaning after her, mainly the car hair she leaves behind and the toilet stuff. All extra work, for someone with severe depression who already has very low energy. Also, sometimes I doubt if I have what it takes to care for someone else since I barely take care of myself. But I would never neglect her or anything, of that much I am certain.

 

[Dot]

What is your opinion on getting yourself a pet while suffering from severe physical and/or mental illness? Do you maybe have one yourself and would like to share your experience?
I ask because I am thinking of getting a house cat. I imagine having someone to care for and who keeps you company can increase your motivation and mood. You know, taking good care of the cat will make her feel good and that makes you feel good in return. Having to feed her and clean the toilet daily builds some drive, motivation to get your ass up, playing with her might be fun and so on.
On the other hand you have the financial aspect, mainly cat food and doctor visits, those don't pay themselves. And of course buying the cat also costs money. The biggest part after that would be cleaning after her, mainly the car hair she leaves behind and the toilet stuff. All extra work, for someone with severe depression who already has very low energy. Also, sometimes I doubt if I have what it takes to care for someone else since I barely take care of myself. But I would never neglect her or anything, of that much I am certain.

Perhaps foster a cat. Shelter pays for veterinary costs & food in many places. Fostering often temporary so can use placement to see how cope without pressure of full adoption, which coild always move onto in future if feel up to it.

 

[Lucifer'sRight]

i'd personally consider if i won't off myself before my pet's lifespam finishes, you can always get an older animal from a shelter, a lot of websites advertise pets for adoption as well. also i'd check yt videos on how hard it is to care for a specific animal, how much time it takes out of your day, how much energy etc. and consider every aspect separately. if you're the only one who'll care for them then it usually takes at the very least few hours a day to give them care and attention. perhaps maybe i'd try to find the lowest maintanance/attention needing animals, and trust me hamsters and mouse aren't one of these xp for sure don't get a turtle xp

 

[Smart No More]

A house cat is perfect as long has you have a decent space/size home.

As a cat lover with experience I can offer some advice and tips....

Adopt first of all. There is an overpopulation of cats and so many cats and kittens are put down because they're not adopted after being abandoned and mistreated.

You can find many cats that make very little mess. Obviously there's the litter tray which is unavoidable but as far as fur there are a wide range of cats and definitely a big difference between them in the amount of fur they shed. It's easy to guage by eye generally but a brief online search will add to your ability to pick a cat that sheds very little fur.

Cats need enrichment as they are programmed to hunt catch kill and eat before cleaning themselves and sleeping to reserve energy for their next hunt. That's their daily cycle. So they sleep a lot which is really convenient but as a house cat wone likely be hunting anything it will need to be played with. 'wand toys' are ideal foe this and your job is to mimic prey with the toy and they'll hunt it a few tines until you kind of tire them out, then you feed them and they'll simmer down. As soon as they start cleaning themselves you can pretty much assume they're ready to sleep again. This whole process can be rewarding for both of you as you're codependant and they know they're relying on you to fullfil that natural instinct in them. They're very clever. Some more than others.

It's always good to take a cat in as a kitten as they will know your home as their entire world and it avoids issues with them wishing they could go outdoors however if your home is big enough you can adopt an older cat that used to go outdoors. The benefit of an indoor cat is that there are much fewer risks. Lower vet bills. Cheaper insurance if you choose to do so. Also, adopting an older cat means they are more likely to be more relaxed than a kitten which for the first few years will be full of energy and in everything you own. That's not to say that all older cats are super chilled though. I have a middle aged cat that is still like a kitten. She's a snowshoe siamese and highly intelligent. A lot like a dog in many ways. She and I used to go walking together, no harness and we can communicate with a sort of short hand. Mostly body language. It's surprising how clever they are and overlooked by many cat owners.

You can get them vaccinations and newtering done for free through various charities depending on where you live and if you adopt they'll probably already be done.

If you go for a kitten and fear their liveliness and the need to look after them for too many hours of your day the best solution is to get 2 kittens. Ideally from the same family but not entirely necessary. The other option is to get a middle aged female cat and a kitten so that the female cat will mother the kitten and help you out. Your local shelter will be able to advise you on picking the right cats for this scenario.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I am happy to offer advice.

Dogs are cool but take a lot of upkeep and whilst they definitely have character I don't think I've ever found connection with a dog that matches the connection that comes with a cat. They're quite independant and when you break ground with a cat you know it's not just because they're trying to please you which is the nature of a dog. I think this makes a connection with a cat feel very genuine and really rewarding.

You can apply to foster cats too. This is a good option if you want to test it out and get to know how well a cat will fit into your life and home. If you're out a lot a cat isn't ideal unless you have 2 and a big space for example. When adopting you just care for the cats until a home can be found for them and then once they've been adopted you care for the next one on a rolling basis if you choose to continue. This might be more rewarding for depression as you're saving their lives however many people end up keeping their first foster.

There's some good stuff on youtube about cats if you want to do any research. There's an American guy called Jackson Galaxy. He's a really good source of useful info but can be a little cringy at times. It's worth looking past that for the info though.
Cats can live around 20 years.

 

[fox_wannabe]

You can go to animal shelter and give it back when It is too much to handle. I am sure they will understand If you tell them that you can't keep him anymore.
You can also buy low maintenance animal or maybe a plant would be a better start.

But at the end, the best pet to take care of is yourself. Maybe you could spend money on yourself instead of cat. Buy better food, go to massage etc.

 

[Dot]

A house cat is perfect as long has you have a decent space/size home.

As a cat lover with experience I can offer some advice and tips....

Adopt first of all. There is an overpopulation of cats and so many cats and kittens are put down because they're not adopted after beong abandoned and mistreated.

You can find many cats that make very little mess. Obviously there's the litter tray which is unavoidable but as far as fur there are a wide range of cats and definitely a big difference between them in the amount of fur they shed. It's easy to guage by eye generally but a brief online search will add to your ability to pick a cat that sheds very little fur.

Cats need enrichment as they are peogrammed to hunt catch kill and eat before cleaning themselves and sleeping to reserve energy for their next hunt. That's their daily cycle. So they sleep a lot which is really convenient but as a house cat wone likely be hunting anything it will need to be played with. 'wand toys' are ideal foe this and your job is to mimic prey with the toy and they'll hunt it a few tines until you kind of tire them out, then you feed them and they'll simmer down. As soon as they start cleaning themselves you can pretty mixh assume they're ready to sleep again. This whole process can be rewarding for both of you as you're codependant and they know they're relying on you to fullfil that natural instinct in them. They're very clever. Some more than others.

It's always good to take a cat in as a kitten as they will only know your home as their world and it avoids issues with them wishing they could go outdoors however if your home is big enough you can adopt an older cat that used to go outdoors. The benefit of an indoor cat is that there are much fewer risks. Also, adopting an older cat means they are more likely to be more relaxed than a kitten which for the first few years will be full of energy and in everything. That's not to say that all older cats are super chilled though. I have a middle aged cat that is still like a kitten. She's a snowshoe siamese and highly intelligent. A lot like a dog in many ways. She and I used to go walking together, no harness and we can communicate with a sort of short hand. Mostly body language. It's surprising how clever they are and overlooked by many cat owners.

You can get them vaccinations and newtering done for free voa various charities depending on where you live and if you adopt they'll probably already be done.

If you go for a kitten and fear their liveliness and the need to look after them for too many hours of your day the best solution is to get 2 kittens. Ideal from the same family but not entirely necessary. The other option is to get a middle aged female cat and a kitten so that the female cat will mother the kitten and help you out. Your local shelter will be able to advise you on picking the right cats for this scenario.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I am happy to offer advice.

Dogs are cool but take a lot of upkeep and whilst they definitely have character I done think I've ever found connection with a dog that matches the connection that comes with a cat. They're quite independant and when you break ground with a cat you know it's not just because they're trying to please you. I think this makes a connection with a cat feel very genuine and really rewarding.

You can apply to foster cats too. This is a good option if you want to test it out and get to know how well a cat will fit into your life and home. If you're out a lot a cat isn't ideal unless you have 2 and a big space for example. When adoptonf you just care for the cats until a home can be found for them and then once they've been adopted you care for the next one if you choose to continue. This might be more rewarding for depression as you're saving their lives however many people end up keeping their first foster.

There's some good stuff on youtube about cats if you want to do any research. There's an American guy called Jackson Galaxy. He's a really glod source of useful info but can be a little cringy at times. It's worth lolking past that for the info though.
Cats can live around 20 years.

As soon as read words 'hunt catch kill' was waiting to see Jackson come up

 

[Smart No More]

Another good thing about fostering is that you never have to witness the death of your loved pet. That's the worst thing about having a cat/pet! Especially with animals that live long lives because they are family members and it is on par with losing a loved one. If you suffer depression and you find a cure of sorts in your pet, their death can obviously bring back the depression and all that comes with it. If it wasn't for my cat and my brother I am near enough certain I would be dead now. I don't trust anyone I know to care for my cat in the way she needs so I can't leave her like that.

 

[ReallyTired]

I know what you mean about doubting yourself. I have a little dog. She's 8 now. I've had her since she was a puppy, only 6 weeks old. About 4 weeks ago, I had a complete nervous breakdown became depressed and suicidal. Now I'm back on antidepressants and I'm trying to cope. My dog is with my friend who's fostering her but he wants to look for a new home for her. I'm trying so hard to pull myself together and bring her back home. I miss her little face so much. But at the same time, I don't trust myself. My depression is so bad I'm barely functioning. I don't trust myself to look after her well. It's absolutely heartbreaking to be in this situation. I can't stop feeling guilty for abandoning her.

 

[FuneralCry]

Pets can make our lives better as of course animals are better than humans. I have a cat and it is one of the only good things about being alive. However I believe that you should only consider getting a pet if you know you will be able to give it the proper care that it needs.

 

[Rational man]

I have a cat and shes beautiful and very independent..she chose me at a shelter. Ive made plans in my will, for.when.im.gone. She will be.taken.care.of.

 

[Josuyo]

What is your opinion on getting yourself a pet while suffering from severe physical and/or mental illness? Do you maybe have one yourself and would like to share your experience?
I ask because I am thinking of getting a house cat. I imagine having someone to care for and who keeps you company can increase your motivation and mood. You know, taking good care of the cat will make her feel good and that makes you feel good in return. Having to feed her and clean the toilet daily builds some drive, motivation to get your ass up, playing with her might be fun and so on.
On the other hand you have the financial aspect, mainly cat food and doctor visits, those don't pay themselves. And of course buying the cat also costs money. The biggest part after that would be cleaning after her, mainly the car hair she leaves behind and the toilet stuff. All extra work, for someone with severe depression who already has very low energy. Also, sometimes I doubt if I have what it takes to care for someone else since I barely take care of myself. But I would never neglect her or anything, of that much I am certain.

If you want a pet it is a responsibility for you that you need to be willing to commit to.
You may find having a little creature to look after may be a motivation to you however.

I got two rats a couple of years ago as therapy pets and they are the reason I get up in the morning. It can be a pain sometimes cleaning up after them but they're honestly such little rays of sunshine. They are surprisingly socialable but do not require as much time or money as a bigger animal like a dog.

I'd say do some research into the sorts of animals you'd think you'd like, what care they need. Maybe don't get an animal that requires too much time in case you do struggle to tend to them with your lower days.

I wish you all the best. I do think pets are such blessings though. My little ones have made two difficult years a little less shite.

 

[Smart No More]

I have a cat and shes beautiful and very independent..she chose me at a shelter. Ive made plans in my will, for.when.im.gone. She will be.taken.care.of.

I wish I could do that. Financially I would do it no problem but my cat doesn't trust anyone but me. She was a stray and I took her in after building huts outdoors for the strays in our garden. She eventually started initiating play with me outdoors by chasing and catching things when I was gardening. It took a long time before she would let me stroke her but would come and sit close by when the family were in the garden. She spent a good year sussing us out. Even now, a few years in, she is skittish around my brother and Mum. They don't have the curcumstances needed to take her in and they're the closest to familiar I have to offer her. I feel guilty having to keep her indoors but I'd feel most guilty leaving her to a stranger. I'm not sure what to do about that to be honest. Part of me thinks maybe I should hold out until she dies but I don't know if I have it in me. I don't have it in me! Nobodies problem, I know. Just venting I think. Apologies for airing my shit. I'm glad youe in a better position to cater for your cat and respect for doing so! I've seen a few people mention doing right by their cats on the forum. I'm always pleasantly surprised by it. :)
I think as far as interactive pets go, cats must be the ultimate in low maintenance. They definitely do need some commitment but it sounds like OP has considered these factors.

 

[Rational man]

I wish I could do that. Financially I would do it no problem but my cat doesn't trust anyone but me. She was a stray and I took her in after building huts outdoors for the strays in our garden. She eventually started initiating play with me outdoors by chasing and catching things when I was gardening. It took a long time before she would let me stroke her but would come and sit close by when the family were in the garden. She spent a good year sussing us out. Even now, a few years in, she is skittish around my brother and Mum. They don't have the curcumstances needed to take her in and they're the closest to familiar I have to offer her. I feel guilty having to keep her indoors but I'd feel most guilty leaving her to a stranger. I'm not sure what to do about that to be honest. Part of me thinks maybe I should hold out until she dies but I don't know if I have it in me. I don't have it in me! Nobodies problem, I know. Just venting I think. Apologies for airing my shit. I'm glad youe in a better position to cater for your cat and respect for doing so! I've seen a few people mention doing right by their cats on the forum. I'm always pleasantly surprised by it. :)

When she adopted me three Years ago, I put into place a plan in case i was killed in an accident. I think she appreciates the home she is living in but i sense also that she knows I wont be around for long. She's a survivor and the organisation i have entrusted will look after her. I've left half the property to them and half to a donkey sanctuary.

 

[existtosuffer]

Chilling out with Cats is one of the few things that helps.

 

[AnonymousS]

Pets can make our lives better as of course animals are better than humans. I have a cat and it is one of the only good things about being alive. However I believe that you should only consider getting a pet if you know you will be able to give it the proper care that it needs.

Yes i second this, they are wonderful and can be therapeutic in so many ways. They just deserve to be properly looked after.

 

[Smart No More]

When she adopted me three Years ago, I put into place a plan in case i was killed in an accident. I think she appreciates the home she is living in but i sense also that she knows I wont be around for long. She's a survivor and the organisation i have entrusted will look after her. I've left half the property to them and half to a donkey sanctuary.

If you could pm the organisation that would be great but no pressure if you prefer not to for privacy reasons. I could just do with an option myself and not really sure where to start. Whilst there are some obvious options they wouldn't really work in our case. They would be overly stressful for my cat. I've written full instructions for caring for her. I did it a year or so ago but it would take some commitment from the right person or organisation to honour them. I'd happily pay for the service but wouldn't want it to be purely motivated by finances as that would be leave my eishes/her needs open to being neglected as who's going to check they're upheld if I'm not around?! If you get my meaning.

 

[LONE WOLF.]

I've shared the past 15yrs with a white Staffie and a black Staffie! And am a better person because of it! Dogs are Not hard to look after, and don't need much, a Harness and a good strong lead, a winter coat, Good quality Dogfood don't cost that much, a comfy armchair and a comfy dog bed! They are 100% loyal(unlike humans) and have loads of love! I'd be lost without a Dog!

 

[stygal]

Even tho I think pets/animals are cute and if you already "own" them/live with them they will probably give you lots of love and mental support.

I'm not the biggest fan of "us" unstable depressed folks having entirely "new" pets/children/dependencies in their lifes...only if you're 100 % sure you will make an effort to recover.
Otherwise it's unfair to drag a living being into this mess and leave them alone at any given point.

A better option would be to visit local shelters or to be a pet sitter.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

I think getting a pet can greatly help not feeling alone and help recover from depression but if one is suicidal and has plans it's in my strong opinion that they make sure the pet has a good home to go to in case something happens to you instead of just being put down or caged in a shelter. The same applies to parents too. Pets and young kids can't be left alone for very long.

Even tho I think pets/animals are cute and if you already "own" them/live with them they will probably give you lots of love and mental support.

I'm not the biggest fan of "us" unstable depressed folks having entirely "new" pets/children/dependencies in their lifes...only if you're 100 % sure you will make an effort to recover.
Otherwise it's unfair to drag a living being into this mess and leave them alone at any given point.

A better option would be to visit local shelters or to be a pet sitter.

But that's just my opinion.

I agree too.

 

[themanwithoutaplan]

I agree with others who recommend fostering. It gives you a way to try it out with less commitment.

I got a puppy because I thought it would force me to get out of the house more and provide some emotional support. He's a great add to my life, but in addition the financial burdens, there's also a sense of overwhelming responsibility at times and anxiety that comes from taking care of another living thing. (He's vomiting and not eating? Did he just eat a sock? I wonder if he swallowed the tennis ball I can't find?)

On balance, he's been a good add and the good outweighed the bad for me. I think with a cat, they're also lower maintenance so you may find it really helpful.

 

[pole]

i've been depressed and alone for quiet a long time. i don't interact with anyone and barely go outside.

nonetheless, i decided to buy a pet hamster back in September. didn't know what to expect. but she ended up becoming my bestfriend. spent a lot of money on a large enclosure and spoiled her to death.

unfortunately, she passed away unexpectedly last week on my birthday. only had her for two months. however, i'm happy i got her. having her sort of gave me a reason to want to live and do things such as take care of her, clean her cage, play with her, it just gave me something to look forward to. even though she was just an animal, i'd feel less alone and often spent time talking to her and venting, even though she was probably more focused on the treats than anything.

point is, for a long time nothing made me feel happy. i've been alone for quite a while and don't socialize much. and getting a pet made me happy and feel less alone for the first time in a while. it could do wonders for some people.

 

[rationalis]

i've been depressed and alone for quiet a long time. i don't interact with anyone and barely go outside.

nonetheless, i decided to buy a pet hamster back in September. didn't know what to expect. but she ended up becoming my bestfriend. spent a lot of money on a large enclosure and spoiled her to death.

unfortunately, she passed away unexpectedly last week on my birthday. only had her for two months. however, i'm happy i got her. having her sort of gave me a reason to want to live and do things such as take care of her, clean her cage, play with her, it just gave me something to look forward to. even though she was just an animal, i'd feel less alone and often spent time talking to her and venting, even though she was probably more focused on the treats than anything.

point is, for a long time nothing made me feel happy. i've been alone for quite a while and don't socialize much. and getting a pet made me happy and feel less alone for the first time in a while. it could do wonders for some people.

It can be sad when a beloved pet dies, but we should really be glad when they die before us. At least we understand what happened, unlike the pet if they become abandoned or abused.

I have had many dogs die and I miss each but am glad they were active right up until a week, a few days, or literally a few minutes before death.

 

[empty]

I got rabbits pretty soon (like a month and a half) after attempting suicide. Having other living creatures relying on me to care for them gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction. That being said, of course only get a pet if you know you can take good care of it.

 

[smikey23]

What is your opinion on getting yourself a pet while suffering from severe physical and/or mental illness? Do you maybe have one yourself and would like to share your experience?
I ask because I am thinking of getting a house cat. I imagine having someone to care for and who keeps you company can increase your motivation and mood. You know, taking good care of the cat will make her feel good and that makes you feel good in return. Having to feed her and clean the toilet daily builds some drive, motivation to get your ass up, playing with her might be fun and so on.
On the other hand you have the financial aspect, mainly cat food and doctor visits, those don't pay themselves. And of course buying the cat also costs money. The biggest part after that would be cleaning after her, mainly the car hair she leaves behind and the toilet stuff. All extra work, for someone with severe depression who already has very low energy. Also, sometimes I doubt if I have what it takes to care for someone else since I barely take care of myself. But I would never neglect her or anything, of that much I am certain.

my cats are great friends. consider adopting from a shelter, as their life already sucks enough. you can be a hero by relieving the suffering of someone else. yeah, they scratch things, vomit on your floor and don't come free of challenges, but are totally worth it..

my cats are great friends. consider adopting from a shelter, as their life already sucks enough. you can be a hero by relieving the suffering of someone else. yeah, they scratch things, vomit on your floor and don't come free of challenges, but are totally worth it..

yeah, i'm a cat person, but dogs are cool too, but you have to walk them several times a day.. self cleaning litter box is your friend.

 

[gr1lledcheese]

What is your opinion on getting yourself a pet while suffering from severe physical and/or mental illness? Do you maybe have one yourself and would like to share your experience?
I ask because I am thinking of getting a house cat. I imagine having someone to care for and who keeps you company can increase your motivation and mood. You know, taking good care of the cat will make her feel good and that makes you feel good in return. Having to feed her and clean the toilet daily builds some drive, motivation to get your ass up, playing with her might be fun and so on.
On the other hand you have the financial aspect, mainly cat food and doctor visits, those don't pay themselves. And of course buying the cat also costs money. The biggest part after that would be cleaning after her, mainly the car hair she leaves behind and the toilet stuff. All extra work, for someone with severe depression who already has very low energy. Also, sometimes I doubt if I have what it takes to care for someone else since I barely take care of myself. But I would never neglect her or anything, of that much I am certain.

I agree with all those who recommended fostering a cat. You won't have to pay for a lot of their expenses, and it's not permanent.
I love dogs and cats, but I can't afford one of my own so I do a lot of pet sitting. That's how I get my fix.

 

[KTbear]

I have had both cats and dogs while extremely depressed. I loved all of them. There are pros and cons.

Pros:
- if you get a friendly and playful one, they are great for giving you a laugh and snuggles. (Mostly my experience with dogs).
- they are nice for non-intrusive company and soothing to pet (when I had cats).
-Cats are easier to care for.
- Dogs are more fun.

Cons:
- fur everywhere
- If you get one with a bad temperament, especially a dog, can be a total nightmare.

 

[ovaltinee99]

This is tricky because having a pet is a big responsibility - what if the cat doesn't get you out of bed after all? So really think hard on it. If you end up getting one, please get insurance right away. Cats can get really expensive sometimes.