[ScathachWarrior]

I've found that my cat has been a real help to me over the years. Mine is particularly clingy and demands lap time and play time several times a day. It doesn't matter how I feel or how my day was, he always wants attention from me and really helps with the loneliness. He does seem to be able to tell when I need more attention and on the really bad days won't leave my side. I think having a pet can be extremely helpful to those struggling with depression. The constant companionship is invaluable.

What have been your experiences with pets as someone suffering with depression?

[allimsaying]

Just like yours

[optimize990h]

My cat was clingy, but needed to be made understand boundaries and decrease her "Basic Instinct"(the movie) possessiveness.

The bird was more depressed than I was. Now she is just needy. She seems to be polite despite the neediness. After some requests are completed, she does indicate her thanks. Or perhaps, it could a mannerism that represents such a kind of reward(maybe a treat?). She is not clingy nor touchy, so mannerisms are the "gifts" I need to interpret. Of course, all those readings could also be my mental illness, ha ha.

[Touch of gray]

No pets here. I used to have two kitties. Best buddies ever.

I do feed the birds - a lot. I know they depend on me, and I really enjoy watching them. Amazing creatures. And then there's the squirels and chipamonks, too. Even on my worst days I'm certain to tend the flock. It helps.

[Zora]

Originally Posted by ScathachWarrior

I've found that my cat has been a real help to me over the years. Mine is particularly clingy and demands lap time and play time several times a day. It doesn't matter how I feel or how my day was, he always wants attention from me and really helps with the loneliness. He does seem to be able to tell when I need more attention and on the really bad days won't leave my side. I think having a pet can be extremely helpful to those struggling with depression. The constant companionship is invaluable.

What have been your experiences with pets as someone suffering with depression?

I agree they also know when we're feeling depressed.

[Fig4]

I have 8 birds...5 parrots and 3 finches. The parrots are very affectionate and do know when I'm sad and in need of more attention. These little guys save me, really...between attending to their care and being entertained by them and playing with them and cuddling with them.

[yellowted]

a few years ago i had a gerbil who seemed to always know when i was at my worst, he would somehow escape his cage, jump off the table, go under the living room door, climb the stairs...yes climb the 15 steep stairs, come into my bedroom and climb up my duvet onto my bed for a play! best medicine ever. even now my gerbils still stop my loneliness, give me a purpose to live and a reason to get up each day. Although they are tiny creatures compared to a cat or dog, they still give the same love and fill the house with their presence. i would hate to live in a house without pets.

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by ScathachWarrior

I've found that my cat has been a real help to me over the years. Mine is particularly clingy and demands lap time and play time several times a day. It doesn't matter how I feel or how my day was, he always wants attention from me and really helps with the loneliness. He does seem to be able to tell when I need more attention and on the really bad days won't leave my side. I think having a pet can be extremely helpful to those struggling with depression. The constant companionship is invaluable.

What have been your experiences with pets as someone suffering with depression?

My guy is a lot like that too. Now that he has been with me for a few years, he has settled down a bit and is more polite. He will follow me and sit at my feet waiting for my signal before jumping up.

His absolute undivided love has kept me going. I feel bad for him right now, I'm not doing great and that stresses him out. I wonder if he worries about losing his home? He is a rescue cat. I've never had a cat like him before. He gives out real hugs, he will come up put his paws on ether side of my neck and squeeze. I thought this was an English Blue personality characteristic ( I had a Siamese (Isis)-wonderful talky gal and an American short hair(Inca) they were both more traditional cats. Isis did play fetch and all my cats greet me when I come in the door)but I keep reading about other cats like Sir on PC. Are these wonderful guys drawn to us or maybe we are drawn to them?

Definitely mixed. I love the 3 cats I have to pieces...but I have had really bad luck with cat health issues (even before my current cat situation) that has caused a huge amount of stress (including moneywise) and continues to do so, esp. with my almost 12-year-old having colon, kidney, and heart issues.
I also have a younger one (2 years old) on prozac for aggression (getting attacked by your young cat who is acting like a rabid raccoon gets old fast) who my other two sweethearts can't stand, and he has no idea how to not stalk them and act appropriately, so I don't blame them (he wasn't taught "manners" as a kitten as he was found alone very young).
So there has been a split in them making me feel better and making me feel more stressed and upset when all is considered, I think.
I think in the future I will probably be an only cat person (plus I SO want a dog in the probably far future). I guess I should be happy the two sweeties I have get along so well...sigh.

[pixielou]

I have 4 dogs, all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They were bred back in the day as companion/lap dogs and are so loving. I have a lot of medical issues as well as depression--a chicken & egg situation. I am stuck in bed a lot with being ill and my dogs are there with me 24/7. They are cute and cuddly and my youngest one whose name is Tiny Girl I call my Candy Striper. I have little or no support except from my husband and my dogs. I guess it can be sort of a lot of work but at least that keeps me from doing absolutely nothing. I often am too ill to walk all 4 of them but they are happy for me to throw a ball in the yard and play fetch. My kids are back home in Minnesota and busy in college and career and I am in New Zealand alone during the daytime. I would be lost without my dogs, no doubt about it!