# Suicidal Kitties? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-kitties/486230 "2009-02-17T03:56:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hamishritchie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f4b2a3/32.png) [@hamishritchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hamishritchie)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-kitties/486230/1 "2009-02-17T03:56:09Z")
I was just reading an article which mentioned some perscription drugs that, as a side effect, may cause suicidal thoughs or feelings in humans. Some of the drugs also have applications in vetinary medicine. Could these medications, and others like them, cause the same effect in animals? Do drugged up critters start displaying suicidal tendancies? Should I be concerned that someday Mr. Tiddles may decide he’s had enough of life cruel grip and throw himself underneath a steamroller? ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-kitties/486230/2 "2009-02-17T06:07:15Z")
Drugs often affect animals in much different ways than humans. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But there’s really no animal (that I know of) that has the cognitive ability to override the will to survive and end its own life. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-kitties/486230/3 "2009-02-17T06:19:54Z")
My favorite [New Yorker cartoon](http://www.cartoonbank.com/item/38697) that relates …