Can Cats Really Detect Human Emotions?
When you’re feeling down, does your cat come over to comfort you? Or do cats seem to know when you’re stressed and try to distract you with playtime? Many cat owners swear their feline friends can sense their moods and emotions.
But is this just wishful thinking and projection? Or is there real science behind cats’ ability to detect human mental states? Understanding whether cats can truly recognize human emotions, and if so how, has important implications for the human-animal bond and animal cognition.
This article reviews the latest research on cats’ emotional intelligence. We’ll explore cats’ superior senses, look for signs they respond to human feelings, examine theories on their detection abilities, and provide tips for further strengthening your relationship.
If you’ve ever wondered if your cat really knows when you’re feeling down, read on to learn the surprising extent of cats’ empathic abilities.
Cats’ Superior Senses
Cats have highly evolved senses that allow them to detect subtle cues in their environment compared to humans. Their sense of smell, for example, is about 14 times stronger than humans due to having a larger olfactory bulb in their brain and more scent receptors in their nose.[1] This allows cats to pick up on aromas and pheromones that humans can’t detect. A cat’s sense of hearing is also superior, able to perceive frequencies up to 64 kHz compared to a human’s 20 kHz.[2] Their larger ears and intricate inner structure gives them acute directional hearing to locate prey. Visually, cats have a wider field of view and more rod receptors allowing for better night vision.
These heightened senses allow cats to detect subtle cues like changes in human behavior and mood. For example, they may notice slight shifts in posture, tone of voice, or scent that humans can’t perceive. Cats are always gathering sensory information from their environment that we are oblivious to.
Signs of Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can manifest in many ways in humans. Some common symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite and sleep habits, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide or death (SAMHSA’s National Helpline 2023).
Signs of anxiety include excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances (Chronic Illness and Mental Health 2023). More subtle signs that cats may detect include changes in tone of voice, reduced activity levels, lack of laughter or smiles, and shifts in human scent from stress-related physiological changes.
Cat Empathy
There are many heartwarming anecdotes of cats comforting distressed owners. For example, cats may jump on their owner’s lap, nuzzle or lick them, purr loudly, or simply sit near them when the owner is anxious or sad. Some cats have even been known to fetch items for crying owners in an apparent attempt to cheer them up. While cats have traditionally had the reputation of being aloof, research shows that they can form strong social bonds and attachments with their owners that enable them to detect human emotions.
Studies on cat attachment indicate that cats form secure and insecure attachment styles similar to human children and their caregivers. Securely attached cats are more likely to greet their owners at the door, initiate physical contact, and calmly explore while the owner is present compared to insecurely attached cats. This attachment style allows cats to become sensitive to human emotional cues. In fact, research has shown that cats can discriminate between human emotional expressions in voices and faces, especially for positive versus negative emotional states.
While the exact mechanism is unknown, it’s likely a combination of cats’ observant nature, social bonding with their owners, and ability to perceive biological cues indicating psychological states that enables them to detect human emotions and moods. Their empathetic response behaviors may be an extension of the caregiving bond formed between cat and human.
Cat Responses
Cats may respond to depressed or anxious owners in various ways, including through altered activities, vocalizations, and displays of affection. [1] For example, a cat may become more clingy and want to be around its owner more. The cat may meow more often or use different vocal tones when interacting with the owner. [2] Cats are observant creatures and can pick up on changes in an owner’s behavior, movements, speech, and more that may indicate depression or anxiety. In response, cats may show more tactile behavior like nuzzling, sitting on laps, and kneading. They seem to do this as a comforting mechanism. Some cats may also modify their daily activities and sleep/wake cycles to match their owner’s changed routines during periods of depression or anxiety.
Theories on Detection
There are several theories as to how cats may be able to detect human depression and anxiety, based on their heightened senses, instincts, and close bonds with their owners.
One theory suggests that cats can pick up on the scent changes caused by chemical and hormonal fluctuations in those experiencing depression or anxiety. Research shows cats have an excellent sense of smell, 14 times better than humans, allowing them to detect these subtle differences.
Vocal tone changes may also provide clues for cats. Depressed people often speak in a flatter tone, while anxiety can create vocal tension. With their acute hearing, cats seem able to recognize these vocal tone shifts.
Additionally, cats closely observe their human companions over time. Changes in behavior, activity levels, sleep patterns, or responsiveness may alert cats that something is amiss.
An instinct to care for ill members of their colony may also motivate cats to respond. In the wild, cats depend on each other for survival. This innate nurturing instinct translates to pet cats caring for “colony” members in their human families.
Impact on Bond
Understanding cat empathy can strengthen human-cat bonds. Research shows that the human-cat bond has a profound impact on mental health. A cat’s ability to sense human emotions creates a comforting connection. When cats respond to our moods with caring behaviors, it makes caregivers feel understood and less alone. This cat empathy assists with emotional regulation, reduces anxiety, and improves mood.
According to a recent study, over 75% of cat owners said their pet helped them cope with the effects of isolation during the pandemic. The researchers found the human-cat bond boosts oxytocin, the “love hormone”, leading to significant reductions in stress. Cats acting in tune with our feelings reinforces attachment and trust. Their warmth and companionship can lessen depression, providing a source of joy and purpose.
Understanding that our cats empathize and care for our wellbeing can make us more attentive to their needs. This nurtures a mutually caring relationship where both cat and human feel seen, safe, and reassured. Appreciating a cat’s emotional intelligence deepens the human-feline bond.
Training Cats
While cats may naturally exhibit comforting behaviors, some people explore ways to potentially enhance this through training. For example, the website Servicedogtrainingschool.org discusses training cats as emotional support animals (ESAs) through socialization and basic obedience. They recommend positive reinforcement training to teach cats to remain calm in stressful situations. However, it’s important not to anthropomorphize normal cat behaviors and assume human emotions. As the Hill’s Pet Nutrition article explains, while cats may appear empathetic, it may be more pattern recognition of human behaviors that elicit caregiving from them.
Other Comforting Behaviors
Cats have many comforting behaviors they exhibit to help their humans feel better. Some examples include:
- Purring – Cats purr not only when they are content, but also as a self-soothing behavior. The rhythmic vibrations from purring have been shown to reduce stress and lower heart rate and blood pressure in both cats and humans.
- Kneading – Also known as making biscuits, kneading is an instinctive behavior from kittenhood that cats continue into adulthood. Many cats knead when they are comfortable and happy. The rhythmic motion can be soothing.
- Head Butts – Cats have scent glands on their heads and faces, so when they rub up against you or head butt you, they are imparting their scent. This helps them feel connected and lets you know you are family to them.
In addition to physical comforting behaviors, cats also respond to human emotions. Cats can pick up on subtle cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, body language and changes in routine to gather information about their human’s emotional state. They use this information to modify their behavior in an attempt to comfort their human.
Conclusion
In summary, research shows that cats do seem capable of detecting signs of depression and anxiety in their human companions. Cats’ superior senses allow them to pick up on subtle cues like changes in voice, posture, behavior and pheromones that may indicate psychological distress. Though more research is still needed, some evidence suggests cats respond to human emotions with empathetic behaviors meant to provide comfort and reduce anxiety.
It’s important we recognize and appreciate when cats demonstrate empathy, as it shows the depth of the bond between humans and felines. Paying attention to our cats’ comforting behaviors can make us more mindful of their emotional needs as well. Further research into cat empathy may reveal even more about how cats perceive human emotions, and lead to better care and stronger bonds. As science continues exploring this fascinating topic, we must value our intuitions when they tell us our cats simply “get” us.