Cats get a bad rap for being emotionless for no factual reason. The truth is that every cat is different, but most care about other cats and their human parents.
We’ve been living with felines for over 12,000 years and all that time spent together has helped us understand each other on a deeper level and read each other’s emotions.
In this article, we’ll explain how these cats recognize when their owner is feeling blue or happy, so let’s dive right in!
Can Cats Sense Emotions?
Cats can sense our emotions because they’ve lived with humans for thousands of years. Just like we can tell if a cat is happy or sad by how they act, cats can pick up on our feelings too.
As you probably already know, cats have a sharp eyesight and they’re not colorblind, which helps them notice changes in our appearance and behavior. This means they can tell if we’re sad. They also have great hearing and can hear the sounds of sadness, like crying.
In the wild, cats often form loose groups, especially females, and they rely on each other for help and protection. They even greet each other, which is one of the untold facts about cat communication.
Pet cats, on the other hand, can’t form these groups but they have their humans who care and provide for them. In return, cats learn to recognize their emotions and comfort them, making life better together.
Research suggests that the more you seek comfort from your cat, the more they understand and react to your emotions by licking your hand, rubbing against your legs, or kneading you.
Other studies have found that cats look to their owners for guidance when uncertain of something. This further proves that these animals care about our emotions and use that information to survive.
Fun fact: Cats share 90% of our DNA, so it makes sense that they can understand our feelings.
What do Cats do When They Sense You’re Sad?
When cats sense that you’re sad, they often adjust their behavior to help you feel better. Here’s what felines usually do when they sense unhappiness in their owner:
- Your cat might come to you and start purring. Cats purr when they’re happy and when they want to comfort their owners.
- Your cat may insist on sitting on your lap or letting you hold them. They want to be close to you.
- Your cat might sit near you or look at you to keep you company.
- Your cat could walk between your legs and rub against you. This is their way of showing affection.
- Sometimes, your cat might bring you their favorite toys or treats to cheer you up.
These actions show that your cat is trying to make you feel better. When they see you’re sad, it can make them feel sad and anxious too. By comforting you, they also get attention, treats, and snuggles, which they enjoy.
The result is a better mood for you, affection for them, and a stronger bond between you two.
P.S. We recommend DIY snacks for your cat over commercial ones because they’re healthier and of course, cheaper.
Do Cats Get Clingy When You’re Sad?
Though cats can seem distant and reserved, many cats try to comfort their sad owners and act clingy. They can sense changes in your behavior and know when you’re upset. They might lie in your lap, lick your face or hands, or stay close to you.
If your cat always comes to you when you’re sad, they probably understand your mood. Some cats can even contract sadness from their favorite humans. They will try to spend more time with you and comfort you. They might stay in one spot for a long time or lose interest in their favorite activities as well as lose their appetite when sad.
That being said, even though cats like their independence and they’re solitary animals, they still care about their owners and can understand their emotions.
Do Cats Know When You’re in Pain?
We suppose that cats know when you’re in pain because of cats like Oscar. He was a therapy cat at a nursing home in Rhode Island and he could sense when residents were about to pass away. He would cuddle with them in their final hours, providing comfort.
This shows that cats can be very in tune with human emotions and conditions, even if they’re not one of the most affectionate cat breeds.
Oscar knew something was happening and chose to be close to those in need. His actions weren’t just random; he did this 25 times with amazing accuracy.
Can Cats Sense Depression and Anxiety in Humans?
Cats can sense depression and anxiety in humans. They can recognize your emotions by seeing your face and hearing your voice because they have unique eyes and great hearing.
In fact, when cats sense negative emotions like anger or sadness, they may become stressed. They’re more relaxed when they sense positive emotions like happiness.
Cats spend more time looking at faces that match the emotional sounds they hear. This shows they understand your feelings.
Feel the Love!
In short, cats understand our feelings and provide comfort when we’re sad. Studies show that being with animals, especially our pets, increases oxytocin (OT) levels in people. Oxytocin helps us bond and reduces stress. When we look into our cat’s eyes or gently pet them, it triggers oxytocin release, calming us down.
Overall, owning a cat benefits our health because cats can sense our emotions and support us during tough times just by purring on our lap.
