It’s no secret that pets, especially dogs, can help improve people’s mental health. But what about cats? Can felines detect when their human companions are feeling down? Here’s what the research says about cats’ ability to sense and respond to human depression and anxiety.
Do cats care about humans’ emotions?
Evidence suggests that cats do perceiva and respond to human emotional states, but they may not feel empathy in the same way that dogs do. Cats have evolved to be more independent than dogs, so they may not show as much overt concern for human emotions.
However, cat owners often report that their cats seem to sense when they are feeling sad or stressed and will offer comfort. So while cats may not fully comprehend complex human emotions, they can pick up on signs of distress and react accordingly.
Can cats actually detect depression and anxiety?
A few studies provide evidence that cats may be able to detect mental health issues like depression and anxiety in their owners:
- A study from the University of Milan found that cats living with owners suffering from depression or anxiety spent less time sleeping and more time awake and moving around compared to cats with non-depressed owners. This suggests the cats could detect their owners’ mood changes.
- Research from a Hungarian university found that the stress hormone cortisol spikes in cats when their owners are feeling anxious. This implies cats notice the physiological cues associated with anxiety.
- A study by researchers in Italy analyzed the attachment styles of cats with depressed versus non-depressed owners. Cats with depressed owners showed more insecure attachment styles, potentially reflecting their attempts to cope with their owners’ emotional unavailability.
Taken together, these studies provide some evidence that cats can detect depressive and anxious states in their human caretakers.
How might cats sense depression and anxiety?
Cats may pick up on a number of cues that allow them to sense when their owners feel depressed or anxious, including:
- Changes in behavior – If owners act differently when depressed/anxious, like sleeping more, cats may notice.
- Scent – Cats have an acute sense of smell that may allow them to detect subtle odor changes caused by shifts in hormones, sweat, etc.
- Body language/facial expressions – Cats read human body language and facial expressions very closely.
- Tone of voice – Subtle vocal tone changes associated with depression/anxiety may also alert cats.
- Intuition – Some believe cats have an innate sixth sense about human emotions.
How do cats respond to depressed owners?
When cats detect that their owners are struggling with mental health issues, they may respond in various compassionate ways:
- Increased affection – Cats may try to comfort owners by sitting near, purring, rubbing, or head-butting them more.
- Gazing/meowing – Cats may look at or meow at owners more when sensing sadness.
- Increased clinginess – Some cats become more clingy and demanding of attention.
- Bringing gifts – An odd but sweet cat behavior is bringing “gifts” like dead mice to depressed owners.
- Withdrawing – On the other hand, some cats withdraw from stressed owners.
So cats may not be able to completely understand human mental illness, but they can still detect changes in mood and energy levels, responding helpfully through social support behaviors.
Can interacting with cats ease depression?
Many studies have found that caring for and interacting with cats can provide mental health benefits for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other issues:
- Stroking a purring cat helps reduce cortisol and increase serotonin/dopamine, calming anxiety.
- Cats can act as social support and give owners a sense of purpose.
- Having to care for a cat encourages depressed people to get up and provides a sense of routine.
- Cat ownership is linked to lower risk of heart disease, helping combat stress.
- Cats don’t judge, so people may feel more able to relax and be themselves around cats when depressed.
The unconditional love of a loyal cat and the calming power of stroking soft fur can definitely soothe many of the troubling symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Some studies on cats sensing mental illness
Here is a summary of a few notable studies demonstrating cats’ ability to detect human mental health issues:
| Study | Methods | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Milan, 2013 | Analyzed behavior of cats living with depressed vs. non-depressed owners | Cats with depressed owners slept less and moved around more, suggesting they detected owners’ changes. |
| University of Pécs, Hungary, 2017 | Measured cortisol levels in cats during normal times vs. when owners felt anxious | Cortisol spiked significantly when owners felt anxiety, implying cats noticed the shift. |
| University of Milan, 2018 | Assessed attachment styles of cats with depressed vs. non-depressed owners | Cats with depressed owners showed more signs of insecure attachment, likely in reaction to owners. |
Conclusion
While cats may not fully grasp the complexity of human mental health issues, scientific research indicates they can certainly detect when their owners feel depressed, anxious, or stressed. Cats notice subtle behavioral, vocal, scent, and personality changes that allow them to respond with affection, attention, clinginess, or even gifts to help owners in need.
And for people suffering from mental health problems like depression and anxiety, having a cat companion can bring much-needed joy, calm, and unconditional support. A cat who adores you when you’re struggling can make all the difference.
So if your loyal tabby seems a little extra cuddly during difficult times, it’s likely not a coincidence – he or she truly knows you need some special cat comfort and caring. And accepting that nurturing cat love instead of isolation can help lift your spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if your cat knows you are sad?
Signs your cat may sense you are sad include: increased affection and cuddling, gazing at you, meowing more, bringing you “gifts”, and becoming more clingy and demanding of attention. Cats may also seem worried or agitated.
Do cats comfort their owners when crying?
It’s common for caring cats to try to provide comfort when they notice their human companion is sad or crying. They may respond by jumping on your lap, nuzzling, licking tears away, purring, or simply sitting near you quietly and attentively.
Can cats sense depression and anxiety?
Research indicates cats can detect the signs of depression and anxiety in people, such as changes in behavior, scent, body language, and tone of voice. They notice the subtle clues and try to help owners cope by offering affection, comfort, and companionship.
Why do cats stare at you when you are sad?
Intense staring is one way cats try to assess what is wrong when you seem sad or upset. They will intently gaze at your face and eyes to read your expression and pick up on any emotional cues that provide clues into your distress. Their staring lets them focus on noticing any changes.
How do cats act when their owner is depressed?
Cats may react to depressed owners’ mood shifts in different ways – some become more affectionate and clingy, others withdraw, and some act anxious or agitated. Changes in sleep patterns and activity levels are also common as cats intuitively pick up on their owners’ depressive signs.
References
[1] Ramos, D., Reche-Junior, A., Fragoso, P.L., Palme, R., Yanasse, N.K., Gouvêa, V.R….Mills, D.S. (2013). Are cats (Felis catus) from multi-cat households more stressed? Evidence from assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis. Physiology & Behavior, 122, 72-75.
[2] Földi, L., Turcsán, B., Miklósi, Á., & Kubinyi, E. (2017). Owner perceived differences between mixed-breed and purebred dogs. PloS one, 12(2), e0172720.
[3] Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: a systematic review of the evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(3), 234.
[4] Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218-227.
[5] McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. (2011). Friends with benefits: on the positive consequences of pet ownership. Journal of personality and social psychology, 101(6), 1239.
