If you are a cat owner, you’d know for sure that felines are intelligent animals. Apart from understanding simple commands, they provide companionship for us too. Perhaps that’s why there are over 370 million cats kept as pets in the world. Sometimes when their owners are indisposed, cats like to snuggle them a lot or even sleep on them. There is a common phenomenon that cats sleep on us when we’re sick, can they really feel that?
If your cat sleeps on you when you are sick, you have a sensitive pet trying to provide comfort. Your cat has the ability to feel you are in discomfort and trying to comfort you and provide companionship by staying close to you. One thing’s sure: cats are one of the best cuddle creatures ever! They are smart animals, and as research proved, they form attachment bonds with their owners.
But how are we so sure that cats can sense when you are sick? Could this behavior simply be coincidental, or are you just imagining it? Stick with me, and I’ll explain some studies and scientific facts that prove that cats can sense when we are sick.
If your cat sleeps on you when you are sick, you have a sensitive pet trying to provide comfort. Your cat totally aware and has the ability to feel you are in discomfort and trying to comfort you and provide companionship by staying close to you.
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Can Cats Sense When You Are Sick?
Some say cats can sense when we are sick. Think about it. Do you ever notice how your cat stays moody and trails around you while you are sick? That’s enough to make you wonder whether felines know when their owners are under the weather. There are some who even say their cats can feel they are depressed or just having a bad day.
Studies prove that cats are very intelligent and sensitive animals. One of the characteristics of intelligent animals is their ability to sense human emotions such as anger, sadness, or happiness. While some cat owners can attest that their pets can sense human emotions, the results of studies on this matter are controversial. A study of 12 cats found that felines are modestly sensitive to human emotions, especially to their owners. While this experiment is not conclusive proof that cats have an innate ability to sense human emotions, it doesn’t rule it out.
Remember, only 12 cats were used for this experiment. So, that’s little compared to millions of pets in the world. Many cat owners have noticed how their pets become more comforting when they sick. You might have noticed how she hangs around you more when you are unwell. Does your cat stay in your room instead of its own when you are sick? That’s because your cat can sense you are sick. So, as your friend and companion, snuggling is her way of providing comfort.
I would love to hear also from your experience if you had a situation in which your cat could feel you and comfort you while you were sick. You can use the comments below and write your own experience, it would be great!
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How Can My Cat Tell If I’m Sick?
When we are sick, we could make our human friends know by telling them. Unfortunately, this may not work for our feline friends. But still, a cat can tell when her owner is sick through other means. When you are sick, you might experience more negative emotions. It could be sadness, fear, or even depression. And that changes your mood. For instance, your voice is lower than usual. You may even have to stay in instead of going to work. Besides, you are less cheerful than usual. Cats are very sensitive and intelligent creatures and they sense these changes in mood and behavior.
Moreover, Moriah Galvan & Jennifer Vonk’s study suggests that cats might have the innate ability to detect emotions. When we are sick and down, our pets notice the change in our emotions and know that something is wrong. Although only 12 cats were studied, I’m not sure from a research point of view how accurate it is, but my personal view is that my cat can really sense me.
Besides, we smell different when we are sick, and cats can sense that too. Cats have impressive olfactory senses. They recognize people partially by their smell. When we are sick, we often smell differently. So, that makes them know that something is wrong.
Moriah Galvan & Jennifer Vonk’s study suggests that cats might have the innate ability to detect emotions. When we are sick and down, our pets notice the change in our emotions and know that something is wrong.
What do Cats Do When You Are Sick?
Now, we know that cats can sense when their owners are sick. But what do they do about it? How do our feline pets react when we are sick? Keep reading, and let’s find out.
If you have a cat, you should notice it stays around you more when you are ill. Most cats like to have their own sleeping space. But when they sense that their loved ones are in distress, they prefer to stay around and provide both comfort and company.
Moreover, they are more snuggly in situations like this. Sometimes you might notice that your cat sleeps on you, mostly across your chest when you are sick. You may find this a little weird, especially if your pet prefers to stay on her own. However, your feline is trying to stay close to you. You can scratch her back so she’d know that you are going to fine.
One more thing that is peculiar to them when you are sick is: they become very protective of you. So, you might notice that your pet doesn’t want people to come close to you. She might hiss at your friends that come visiting. You don’t have to worry that she’s becoming aggressive. Your cat is only trying to protect you.
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Are My Cats Trying To Heal Me?
Perhaps, you have heard about how a cat’s purr can heal people. So you might be wondering whether your cats’ purring is their effort in trying to make you get better. Well, indeed, scientific facts prove that the purr of a cat can heal. The frequency of a cat’s purr is calculated roughly as 25 to 50 hertz. So, what does this mean? That is the frequency needed in vibrational therapy. Vibrational therapy helps to strengthen bones and muscles. So, your pet’s purr can help heal you if you have body pain, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
Moreover, a cat’s purr has been associated with reducing dyspnea too. So, if you can hardly breathe while you are sleeping, your pet’s purr can heal you. In fact, some scientific papers suggest that cats purr when they are trying to heal themselves. So, if you notice your cat purrs more when you are sick, she’s probably trying to heal you. Having your pet around you while you are sick might not heal you in itself. But it definitely will provide solace when you are sick.
One more thing that is peculiar to them when you are sick is: they become very protective of you. So, you might notice that your pet doesn’t want people to come close to you. She might hiss at your friends that come visiting. You don’t have to worry that she’s becoming aggressive. Your cat is only trying to protect you.
You might be wondering whether your cats’ purring is their effort in trying to make you get better. Well, indeed, scientific facts prove that the purr of a cat can heal. The frequency of a cat’s purr is calculated roughly as 25 to 50 hertz. That is the frequency needed in vibrational therapy. Vibrational therapy helps to strengthen bones and muscles. Your pet’s purr can help heal you if you have body pain, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
Related Questions
Can Cats Sense When Something Is Wrong?
Yes, cats can sense when something is wrong, especially with their owners. They can detect a change in mood. So, they can tell when we are upset, happy, or sad. For instance, they know you are happy when you are smiling. They know you are upset when you raise your voice. Also, cats have a strong sense of smell and can detect a chemical imbalance in the body. So they can tell when their owners are sick. Moreover, the scientific study suggests there is a possibility felines can detect human emotions.
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Does My Cat Know I’m Sad?
Sometimes, you might wonder if your cat knows if you are sad. The truth is: Yes, they do. Felines can sense changes in moods. And when their owners are sad, they know too. But that depends on whether a bond exists between you and your pet. Before your pet can know you are sad, she must have a bond with you. So, she is aware of your moods and behavioral pattern. When you are sad, they know something’s wrong. However, if you don’t have that attachment with your cat, she may not be able to tell when you are sad.
Why Does My Cat Sleep On My Chest?
If you have a cat that loves sleeping on your chest, it’s fair for you to ask: why does my cat sleep on my chest? Felines sleep with people they feel safe and closest to. So if your cat sleeps on your chest, she loves you and feels very comfortable there. It’s a sign that you have a bond with your pet. Moreover, your pet may be comforted by the sound of your heartbeat. Besides, your cat might sleep on your chest to provide comfort when you are sick, sad, or depressed.
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Final Thoughts
When we are sick, our pets will know, and they are also in distress. They’s try to provide comfort the best way they can. So, your cat might sleep on you while sick. And if she doesn’t, it’s okay too. Each cat has its way of providing solace. Yours might just be more protective or prefer to cuddle. Since staying with your pet while you are sick might heal you, it is important to spend more time with her. So, snuggle her and sleep in the same bed. Cats are one of the best pets you can ever have! They are intelligent, great companions, and have healing abilities. So, enjoy every moment you spend with them, even when you are sick.
