3 Things You Notice When Your Cat Sighs: Is It Depressed Like Humans?

Sighing is simply a physiological reaction of the body, which occurs in order to regulate breathing that has become shallow due to stress. We tend to have a negative image of sighing because we tend to do it when we feel depressed or irritated. So, what does it feel like when a cat sighs? In this article, we will introduce in detail about cats sighing.

1. Feeling relaxed and good

One reason cats sigh is because they're relaxed. It's not like we're worried about something or deeply depressed like we humans are.

For example, your cat may sigh when jumping on a fluffy blanket or relaxing in the sun. Many of you may have seen your cat say "huuuuuuuuuuuuu~" and close its eyes after grooming itself.

This is similar to how we humans exhale deeply when we take a bath. You could say it's a sigh of relief.

2. I'm tired and can't help but sigh

Activities that involve trying to obtain a target, such as hunting or playing with toys, are stressful activities for cats. Therefore, you may sigh through your nose between or at the end of a stressful activity.

Cats basically only breathe through their noses, so when they sigh, they exhale through their noses. If you have been moving vigorously up to that point, your breathing will be rapid, so it may be difficult to notice a small sigh.

Sighing after an activity can help you release all the fatigue that has accumulated in your excited and tense body all at once.

3. Changing your mood to calm down

Some of the reasons why cats sigh are due to small dissatisfaction that arises from everyday life. It's a sign to forget the bad things.

For example, when you try to jump to a faraway place but fail because you can't reach it. Or, when he misses the time to catch a toy and misses the chance, he may sigh through his nose as if nothing happened.

Seeing the sigh of disappointment that reality did not match the challenge of my beloved cat, I, too, couldn't help but say, ``Ah, what a shame!''

When you sigh at a time like this, you are trying to quickly forget about your failure and calm down. Cats are always positive.

What to watch out for when your cat is sighing

Normal sighing is caused by the action of the autonomic nervous system and is mostly temporary.

If your cat does not normally breathe through its mouth, but it sighs with its mouth or sighs continuously, it may be due to the following physical problems.

• stuffy nose
• Abnormalities and discomfort inside the nose
• Hyperventilation due to heat stroke, etc.

Also, if sigh-like breathing continues for several days, there may be an abnormality in the respiratory system or heart (pulmonary edema).

Compared to younger cats, older cats may have a weakened respiratory system and may develop more sigh-like breathing.

These breathing abnormalities can be a serious emergency, so be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

summary

Cats sigh when they feel relaxed and in a good mood, when they feel tired when they feel like they need a change of pace.You may see your cat sighing while relaxing in the sun, at the end of a playdate, or when something goes wrong.

Sighing is a natural response from the body. Cats aren't trying to make you feel bad about yourself. That's a relief.

If your cat sighs through their mouth or sighs too often, it could be a sign of a health problem.

In the case of elderly cats, it is also necessary to pay attention to the decline in respiratory system function. If you notice any abnormalities, please consult a veterinarian.