Little Psychologists: Are cats able to feel your sadness

Are cats capable of recognizing the emotions of their masters? New studies show that these pets can feel much better than a person.

According to veterinarians, during the pandemic, cats became closer to their masters due to more communication. Although cats are traditionally considered less emotional than dogs, scientists suggest that extra time together could improve their ability to capture human emotions.

Ragen McGouen, an animal behavior specialist from Purina, notes that cats have become more attached to their masters and perhaps better understand their sadness. She explains that these animals use several ways to evaluate human emotions.

One of the methods is smell. Although cats can determine their masters by aroma, scientists are not sure whether they can recognize “sad” odors. Instead, visual signals play a more significant role. Cats closely watch the eyes of their owners and can evaluate their mood in the direction of their gaze. Slow blinking can help establish closer contact.

The voice is also an important indicator. Cats respond to intonation, perhaps distinguishing “sad” sounds from “joyful”. Similar observations show that cats that hear their masters through the phone also react to their emotional state.

Even though scientists can not finally prove that cats can really feel the sadness of their masters, observations indicate their desire to support. Often, when the owners suffer from depression, cats rub more on them, trying to reassure or distract them from negative emotions.

These facts underscore that the interaction between people and cats is a complex and multifaceted process. It is essential to explore these relationships, as they can help us understand the impact of pets on our emotional well-being.