[Trua]

I’m newly divorced and recently moved into an apartment. I have a roommate but she stays to herself a lot of the time and is more of an introvert. I’m BP1 with lots of anxiety and major depression currently (this episode has lasted 5 months so far)

So I’ve been thinking of getting a cat for some furry companionship / pet therapy. I’ve read a lot of online stories and reports specifically regarding BP that say having a pet has been really helpful. My dilemma is that if I’m pretty depressed / anxious will having a pet be a positive or a burden.

What is your opinion or experience? Thanks.

[Daonnachd]

Hi, Trua. Welcome to PsychCentral.

I think having a pet is a good influence on the bipolar individual for two reasons. (There may be more, but I can only come up with two right now.) First: there's the affection, simple as that. The love from your pet will help you feel better when you're down, even if it doesn't make you completely better. Second: pets need routines. Your cat would need to be fed at the same time (more or less) every day. We also benefit from a regular schedule, so having that pet means I have to get up out of bed every morning even if I'd rather sleep all day. To sum up, I would say a pet is a positive burden.

[WildcatVet]

It's an occupational hazard for me to have many pets and I find them a blessing...but you have to be a real animal lover to start with or it WILL become a burden.
For me...the unconditional love they give keeps me grounded and the responsibilities keep me from becoming a lump on the couch. I may not shower for a week but I feed them... clean their box...play ball and hike with the dogs...and their purring and company helps me sleep well at night...

[Trua]

Thanks much for the replies and your thoughts. A "positive burden" sounds right.
I'm an animal lover but not overly so. For some reason I get sort of sad thinking about having a cat, but maybe it's because I'm just down right now.

[bizi]

I agree with the others, a pet can be delightful. The kitty box is the biggest responsibility. We have a pet fountain and a dry cat food gravity feeder. So fill them up once a week or so and they are good to go. So less of a burden then wet food. This makes them self sufficient for a long week end away too.
I highly recommend a cat.
bizi

[~Christina]

I have to get out of bed and care for my Dog no matter what...... Which is a good thing.

[Naynay99]

I have always loved animals and wanted pets. But when I got my first kittens I was in a horrible depression. my pdoc at the time thought it was a good idea. something to force me to have to take care of, keeP a routine, and that would need me to stick around for a long time. While it was not the reason I got them. and may not work out for others when in a deep depression, my "suicide watch kittens" kept me going when nothing else could have convinced me to stick around. Bc I knew that no one else would care for them as much as I did. It can be a big responsibility and extra work being a good pet owner, but I think it is so worth it.

[Trua]

I wanted to let you know that I did decide to adopt a cat, about 3 yrs old all black with 2 little white patches. I haven't figured out her name yet.

At first, when more in my depressive state, I thought it may have been a mistake, but now I really enjoy her company. Thanks again for all the replies

[~Christina]

Good for you ! Enjoy your fur baby ! Take your time naming... Took me a week or more years ago to name one lol

[Row Jimmy]

Get a dog - you'll get more affection, you'll get some exercise when you take it for walks, and you'll meet new people because dog people love other dog people.

[glennk]

If you can afford having a pet, it will be the best choice you can make. Something about having an animal breaks a lot of people out of their depression. Maybe it is something primal? Not sure.

[emgreen]

I love cats & am glad you decided to get one, Trua! I've had a few cats, but have always had dogs. My German shepherd is 13, old for a large dog, & I watch her struggle more each day. She's family. It will be very sad when we have to make a decision...I already get weepy about it. I hope your cat lives as long & as happy a life as my dog. I'm sure it will, given the fact it will have such a committed owner.

[Stuck1nhead]

I actually have had a ESA dog for about 6 months now and she has been a god send. She’s actually curled up in my side as I write this.

There’s nothing better go for it

[HALLIEBETH87]

my cat keeps me responisble becasue she needs fresh water daily and food and litter cleaned. even when i dont want to i know she needs me to do those things for her.

(right now she is laying beside me in bed, sleeping so peacefully and SO CUTE!)

[Gabyunbound]

My kitty of 15 years passed away a few months ago and I thought I'd never climb out of the mourning I was so devastated by.

But I eventually got another cat, and he has helped me immeasurably, in so many ways, as had my previous cat.

Aside from the routine and responsibility, the proximity, cuddles, warmth, affection -going both ways- help to keep me stable. I'm an introvert and suffer from sometimes crippling anxiety and this keeps me in my apartment more than I'd like. I'm venturing out more and more now, but when I'm home I'm never lonely: he's always there and full of love. Lately he's taken to sleeping on my belly: keeps me warm and helps me sleep!