Research has demonstrated that cats can sense anxiety and anxiety attacks as well. The study by Animal Cognition showed that cats are looking at their owners for signals, or what is known as “social referencing”.
Cat anxiety symptoms include:
Hiding, pacing, crouching defensively. New aggressive or overly clingy behavior. Meowing way more than usual. Coat changes from not grooming or bald patches from over-grooming.
Cats' soothing influence may stem from a physiological effect, states Whittenburg. “Petting or cuddling your cat can reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body,” she says. “This leads to feelings of calm and happiness, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and a calming of anxiety.”
Studies have proven that cats smell fear. When we're stressed out we release cortisol and our kitties can smell it from a mile away. When someone comes over to our house who has a fear of cats, our kitties sense that immediately.
Cats have the power to sense their owner's emotions. So, cats have the ability to feel whenever their owner is sad. Beyond sadness, domestic cats are also able to feel whenever their owner has switched moods and emotions.
Either way, there's evidence that cats comfort humans when sad. "When pet parents are depressed, cats rub against them more often. It's likely your cat is responding to your emotional state by trying to comfort you or draw your attention," McGowan says.
Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. “Cats can definitely sense when you are sad because they are highly attuned to your normal behaviors and moods, and if there is a change, they sense it,” Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.
This behavior can be especially common when a cat is relaxed and content. Fear or Stress: In some cases, a cat's intense gaze can be a sign of fear or stress. If your cat is staring at you with wide eyes and a rigid posture, it may indicate that they are feeling scared or threatened.
Some cats will want to come to you for comfort when they are afraid, while others will want to hide or be left alone. It's always best to respect your cat's choice and don't force them to come to you if they're scared - this could actually make them feel more afraid. Close the curtains and try playing music or the TV.
What are the signs of fear? When frightened, some cats may hide, try to appear smaller, pull their ears back and be immobile. Other cats may show signs of agitation or aggression, such as dilated pupils, arched back, pilo-erection (hair standing on end), and hissing.
When you've had a hard day, coming come and spending some time petting a fuzzy feline can cause your body to produce stress reducing hormones. When you do so, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease and your anxiety levels normalize. Many people benefit from a relationship with a pet.
Lower Stress and Anxiety
Petting or playing with your cat can release all the right chemicals in the brain. There is also evidence that a cat's purr can help lower blood pressure and relax the nervous system. They also help relieve stress and provide anti-anxiety benefits for their owners.
Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults.
Stress has been identified as a significant component of (or trigger for) most common cat behaviour problems and some common diseases. Cats do not show their emotions as overtly as some other species and tend to withdraw and become quiet rather than 'act out' their anxieties.
Cats are often quite independent creatures but if they have a strong bond with you, they may simply follow you around because they want to be near to you and see what you're up to. Or perhaps they're waiting for you to sit down so they can jump on your lap for a snooze.
Signs of stressed cats can include: becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual. becoming less tolerant of people. hesitating or becoming reluctant to use the litter tray, go through the cat flap or sit on your lap.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
They love their owner(s) and feel dependent on them for security, comfort, play and food. Having a staring contest is just another way to affirm your bond. When you are calm, they are, too. They are constantly sizing you up to see how you're feeling so they can react in kind.
Your Cat is Claiming You or Being Protective
That's also your cat trying to mark you with their scent. Your cat's pheromones not only establish ownership but also familiarity for future encounters. By sitting on your chest, it may be a subtle signal to others in your environment that you belong to them.
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of their time.
Some might be able to create a very strong connection with their owners. According to a survey of an American blog, The Catnip Times, 80 % of 700 respondents stated that their cats can sense their physical or emotional pain. Of course it also depends on how sensitive we are with respect to the signs in cats' behaviour.
It's Simple: Your Cat Loves You. You're not just a comfy cat bed; your cat loves you too, and laying on your chest is one way they show their love. That's what all those head butts and all that purring mean.