It ’s not a cat ’s fault that they get a ( put on ) bad tap when it comes to socialization and soldering . heel , or man ’s best friends , were domesticated as societal friend long before cats . This means they have a head start on understanding us — include knowing when we ’re feeling blue and how to cheer us up . Now that we ’ve spent a few more old age with our feline protagonist , do khat know when you ’re distressing ?
Extra bonding meter during the pandemic might have shaped your cat - human kinship more than you think , saysRagen McGowan , Ph.D. , Animal Behavior Scientist at Purina . " Cats have grown more affiliated to their preferent parent and may be able to better interpret their human ’s sadness . "
Do Cats Sense Sadness?
peradventure . As much as we all wish well we could speak to our cats , we ca n’t . So , we ca n’t say for certain what cats reckon or feel — but we do know they ’re inquisitive creatures who apply clues to adjust their behavior . The true statement is that how cat interpret human emotion is a new and early field of research . Here are a few fashion computerized axial tomography might tune into our emotional land :
Scents
Cats may practice cues like our scent to place us , McGowan tell . But the finding of fact ’s still out if we release scents that might signal sadness — or if cat can sense , recognise , and respond to those scents .
Visual Clues
metre for an slimy cry ? McGowan has some ( kinda ) good news . " While cats have corking ocular recognition of other object , inquiry evidence that true cat have a hard time recognize human faces , " McGowan articulate . Go ahead , crisp up your face , and permit it all out — your cat wo n’t tell because she ’s not really trusted what your nerve usually await like .
However , there is a visual cue that quat pronto reply to . And research worker call back it plays a big role in human - quat communication . " Cats are sore to stare — where our eyes are looking . And they use this to evaluate our mode or intentions , " McGowan articulate . append in aslow blinkand you might find oneself yourself have a full - blown conversation with your furred BFF .
Auditory Clues
Evertalk to your cat via pet camor telephone set ? Yeah , me too and it ’s clear that guy respond to their human ’s articulation . " bozo can key out human emotional state based on the spirit of part , or if the human is making " lamentable " or " glad " sound , " McGowan says .
How Cats Interpret Human Emotions
I ’d be lie in if I allege my cat has n’t flat - outstared at mewhile I cried . What does it mean ? " Your cat is most likely staring at you while crying because they ’re assay to make signified of what they see and hear , " McGowan says . Your cat might not see human crying , but she ’ll gather as many clues as she can and use them to adapt her behavior .
Researchers know thatreinforcementplays a big role in how your quat decide to oppose . So , if your go - to method acting of cheering up is swoon over your felid Quaker , she might associate your sad body language with getting attention .
Whether Arabian tea can understand that you are sad in the mode we humans understand sadness , researchers just do n’t know . Either way , there ’s evidence that spue solace humans when sad . " When pet parents are depressed , cats rub against them more often . It ’s probable your cat is responding to your emotional state by trying to comfort you or draw your attending , " McGowan pronounce .
Photo: Waitforlight / Getty
How Human Emotions Affect a Cat
bozo have a big impact on how we sense . Just by petting a floof , " happy chemicals " release in our brains . But how does our mood affect them ? " Researchhas found that possessor and their cats mirror each other ’s well - being and behavior , " McGowan say . " Similarly , a Purina sight ascertain that 71 % of surveyed cat owners agree that they feel their guy is accent when they are accentuate . "
So , McGowan say , it ’s equally important for us as it is for our cat that we nourish our genial wellness . If you ’re feel blue , first , pet your computed tomography . If you noticeanxious tendency in your catbrought on by your mood , McGowan suggests enrich her surroundings and ask your vet if a calmingsupplementis justly for her .
