Do Cats Sense Depression and Anxiety in Their Owners?
Updated: 6 days ago
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Let’s talk about mental health. Yes - really!
Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety have been a taboo subject for millennia across many different cultures. Despite gaining a deeper insight and understanding of it over the last 100 years, we still don't talk about it. Why? For all of the progress made by both medical professionals and society as a whole, it remains highly stigmatised and the mentally ill are often victims of shaming or disregard.
Perhaps this is why so many people turn to pets for comfort. Animals are non-judgmental and they love us unconditionally. They see us at our best and, more importantly, at our worst. Anyone who has any kind of bond with their pets or animals in general will understand when I say they have a healing presence. They seem to be able to connect with us on a soul level because, with animals, we can truly be free.
Can Cats Sense Depression and Anxiety?
Animals are known to have superior senses, especially when it comes to illness in humans. Dogs have demonstrated that they can sniff out various forms of cancer, as well as detecting diseases such as Parkinson's, diabetes, malaria and epileptic seizures. Amazingly, they can also sense our emotions - and it isn't limited to man's best friend.
Dogs have a reputation for being loyal companions that want nothing more than to please their owners or guardians. Meanwhile, a cat's aloofness has turned them into a meme sensation - which is a totally unfair representation. An increasing number of studies into feline behaviour and psychology indicate that cats are not only capable of sensing how we're feeling, but they can change their behaviour to react to our moods.
In typical feline fashion, just because they can do something doesn't mean they will! Even so, a cat's reaction is likely to be far more subtle than a dog's in any respect. For example, if a cat picks up on depression then it might spend more time with that person. If you're anxious or stressed then you could notice that your cat approaches you more than usual.
While it's doubtful that they understand the feeling itself, cats have shown that they can recognise emotions through visual and audible cues such as crying, tone of voice, body language and gestures. They're also sensitive to physiological changes like heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, which can change dramatically during periods of anxiety.
Quite simply, cats pay enough attention to know when something's "off" - even if we think they're only interested in food and petting. It's not hard to put this into practice, for example, when playing with your cat. If you approach the session with high energy and laughter, you may witness their excitement levels increase.
Likewise, if you act nervous or scared around a particular stimuli then your cat might mirror your reaction or use it as a basis for how to respond to the same thing. These are just a few methods that cats use to understand and communicate with us.
How Cats Can Help with Mental Illness
Cats are being used as an example here, as the same could apply to all pets and animals. Studies have shown that pet ownership - or companionship, as I prefer to say - has multiple benefits across many situations, circumstances and health conditions. In fact, mental health charities are now recommending pets as a therapy of sorts, which isn't surprising when we consider the rise of pet adoption during Covid.
The pandemic swept across the globe and saw people confined to their homes, in some cases not having any human contact for days, weeks or months at a time. We can't rule out that boredom was a factor - yes, I am calling out all those who failed to acknowledge that a pet isn't just for Covid - but the sense of companionship we get from animals can be truly life-changing.
On a more scientific level, pets can increase our dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin levels - the hormones that make us feel good and happy. Let's take a look at some of the other ways our fluffballs can help with mental illness like depression and anxiety.
Unconditional Love
We touched on this earlier, but it's so important that it deserves another mention. Love is a powerful emotion, and what we receive from animals is incomparable to anything else. Our pets don't care who we are, what we look like, where we come from, what we do for a living or how much money we have. In this sense, they're a completely different species and we should be worshipping animals for what they can offer us.
Companionship
Pets can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, as we saw in the Covid example. Not only that, but research has found that owning a pet can improve relationships and help with social bonding. Let's be honest, pets are a huge conversation starter - I'll talk about my cats to anyone who'll listen!
Distraction
An animal's presence can literally fill voids and provide a healthy distraction from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. It can be hard to relax after a bad day or when mood is low but, seeing your furry's face light up when you enter a room, you can't help but smile.
I can hear the mocking laughter from all you kitty parents, but being blatantly ignored by your cat isn't so bad. It shows that they trust you, and that's an honour.
Purpose
Animals give us a sense of purpose because they rely on us for their general care, which in turn provides structure and routine. Owning a dog - or even a cat if it's harness trained - helps people to get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. Some people live for their kids, others live for their pets - and that's perfectly acceptable in my book.
Affection
Humans have an innate need for physical contact, as we see through displays of affection like hugging and kissing. Animals have their own ways of bonding - grooming and licking, for example - which suggests that our basic needs aren't so different.
Imagine coming home from work after a long and taxing week, when all you want to do is snuggle up on the sofa with a loved one and Netflix playing in the background. Stroking and petting an animal can provide instant relief from stress and anxiety, too.
Children
More evidence from studies has shown that children living with pets have a lowered risk of anxiety and higher self-esteem. Strengthened emotional intelligence can result in increased levels of compassion, empathy and responsibility. Interactions with animals can be especially beneficial for children with ADHD and autism.
The Healing Power of the Purr
One cat-specific quality is, of course, purring! A cat's purr isn't only magical to hear, but science has discovered that it does in fact have healing properties. So, how does it work?
When a cat purrs, it releases endorphins in the brain - hormones related to feelings of happiness and comfort - but the truly magical part is that purring releases endorphins in humans, too. This can decrease stress levels, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks. According to studies, it can also help to promote healing of the bones.
When my Persian cat, George, was close to the end, I'd often hear him purring - which made the decision to put him to sleep all the more difficult. We associate purring with happiness, so when the vet explained that they sometimes purr when they're in pain or stressed, it suddenly became clear that George was trying to soothe himself.
This is achieved through sound or, more specifically, vibrations. Healers throughout history and the world have used sound in their work, more recently in the sports and fitness industries, with the belief that certain frequencies have healing effects on the body and mind.
A search on YouTube will bring up hundreds of sounds and music that are set at specific frequencies (also known as hertz) for healing various ailments. This is a common practice in reiki, a form of energetic healing - more commonly referred to as "vibration therapy" in the medical world. It's believed that the frequency of a cat's purr works in a similar manner to this.
Whether you believe in vibration therapy or not, evidence is backed up by decades of scientific research into the topic - which is a fascinating one to say the least.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
In case you need a little more convincing, it might be helpful to look at some of the ways in which animals are used for what's known as "animal-assisted therapy" and the impact it has on people's lives. This is simply a health intervention designed to improve physical, social, emotional or cognitive functioning.
War veterans - helping ex-soldiers to overcome PTSD and reduce suicide rates.
Care homes - petting and bonding experiences can bring much joy to elderly people.
Classrooms - aids learning and social skills, as well as helping special needs children.
Prison settings - provides comfort, distraction and teaches empathy.
Palliative care - decreases depression, brings comfort and peace.
Psychotherapy, psychiatric treatment and counselling sessions - increases quality of life and the mental and emotional wellbeing of patients.
Other vulnerable individuals and behavioural disorders.
Summary
It's important to remember that, while adopting an animal companion can have a major impact on mental health and wellbeing, it's not a decision that should be made lightly. Pets are a huge commitment and can potentially come with financial burdens, which is a stressor in its own right.
If you're struggling with mental health then you should consider the long-term responsibilities of owning a pet, as they're not supposed to be a quick fix. If that's what you've taken from this article then I urge you to go back a re-read the finer points.
To help you make an informed decision, here are some factors to consider:
Affordability - Are you financially stable enough to provide a pet with all of its basic daily needs such as food, bedding, toys and veterinary treatment (vaccinations, check-ups, medications, etc)?
Living arrangements - Does your home have enough space for a pet to live comfortably? Even smaller pets like rabbits and hamsters need the freedom to explore and exercise, rather than being shut in a cage all day.
General care - Can you care for your pets and cope with any potential issues without help from another person? Having friends and family is a great form of support, but you shouldn't be completely reliant on others in case they're not available.
Walking - Do you have access to outdoor space or areas to walk a dog? Are you able to get out on a regular basis?
Think about the type of animal you want to adopt and whether it's a suitable match for your lifestyle or schedule. Kittens are bundles of joy and can bring a lot of fun into the home, but they also require more attention than an adult or senior cat. If you live alone and work 12 hours a day then consider if this is fair on a young kitten or puppy, because their wellbeing is just as important - if not more so - than yours.
What's your take on animals and mental health? Do you have your own inspiring story to share? Let's get talking about mental health!
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