It appears that cats can sense human moods as well as depression. Cats are observant and intuitive, and this allows them to understand emotional cues from humans. So when you are depressed, they can sense that too. In particular, cats may come in closer proximity when their fur parents are depressed.
Animals can be surprisingly aware of our emotions. Research has shown that dogs will comfort their humans when we are sad, and cats can pick up on our emotional gestures. According to new research from Nottingham Trent University, cats also notice when we're stressed out or anxious, and can be less healthy as a result.
Cats can pick up on people's facial expressions and behavior. They can tell that a person is in pain by analyzing his or her emotional and physical cues. They include wincing, grimacing, moaning, limping, increased breathing, frequent tossing, and turning on the bed.
It is not uncommon for cats to become more attentive and stay close to their owners when they are ill. This behavior may seem unusual to some cat owners, but it is actually a natural instinct that cats have developed over thousands of years of domestication.
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.
In particular, cats may come in closer proximity when their fur parents are depressed. Some even purr and rub themselves more once they sense that their human is depressed, but it also depends as cats have different personalities too and may have their own ways to adjust their behavior when you are depressed.
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.
Your cat may want to stay close to you when you're ill because it wants to make sure you don't die. Cats know that when you're sick, you're vulnerable and they'll do anything they can to make sure you don't get hurt. They'll even try to help you if they can.
Cats can say all sorts of things by way of their body, but a cat who might be experiencing an illness or is feeling overly stressed may intensify body movements and behaviors. These can include following you everywhere or attempting to stay as close to you as possible.
Medical Illness
Unfortunately, physical illness can lead to increased affection. An ornery cat may feel compelled to sleep beside you or crawl into your lap if they're not feeling well. And even if there are no other outward signs of illness, that doesn't necessarily mean something isn't brewing.
And both dogs and cats can also sense the change in mood, behavior and pattern that affect a daily routine. They can also sense the differences in behavior both physically and psychologically due to an illness.
A cat's sixth sense is also believed to give them ability to pick up on when their owner is sad, sick or distressed, leading the cat to behave strangely. In many cases, owners have reported their feline friends displaying abnormal behaviors with the supposed intent of providing them comfort, warmth and joy.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
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.
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.
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.”
This means they often prefer to communicate at a distance and is the reason why some cats may be content just to be in the same room as their human, rather than being constantly stroked and cuddled.”
Restraining or hugging cats can cause them to become afraid and frustrated [4]. This is a natural and common response of the cat when they feel they do not have control over a situation and can be associated with aggressive behaviour when they are irritated or restrained [4].
They're trying to bond with you.
Your kitty needs you for food, warmth, and shelter, and sometimes all they want is show you how much they love and appreciate you. Your cat's headbutts, cuddles, and purrs are all tokens of affection and appreciation.
Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
Cats for example, will normally find a good hiding place away from the fray, but that doesn't mean they're not affected. Dogs on the other hand, tend to become clingy and protective under these circumstances. Like humans, cats, dogs and other animals have the ability to sense energy shifts in people.
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
Cats are often considered to be uncaring or disinterested toward their human family members, but this isn't true. Although cats don't need as much constant attention as most dogs, they do connect and bond with their humans, and they feel unhappy when separated for too long.