Cats and Stress

Do cats get stressed? Can they sense stress in their owners? And are they the ultimate stress-busters?

In many ways, cats are just like people. Just as some humans get more wound up in certain situations than others, so it is with cats. Some feline friends are naturally chilled, whereas others become all tense and twitchy at the slightest provocation.

Classical treatment
If your cat is highly strung, you should consider playing music to her. Not just any music, mind you, but classical music. Research has shown that cats (in common with other animals, including dogs and even chimpanzees!) respond particularly well to soothing classical sounds.

Choose music that doesn’t have too many dynamics (no great changes in volume or tempo – a classical guitar or harp piece is believed to be best), and within a few minutes your cat should slip into a far more calm, serene state.

However, do not be tempted to leave the television or radio on when you are leaving your pet alone in the house. People often do this in the belief that the background noise provides ‘companionship’ for the animal. However, because of the natural changes in dynamics between different songs or different TV programmes, it can actually do more harm than good – meaning you come home to a cat that is anything but relaxed!

Do cats sense stress in people?
Yes, is the short answer. However, some cats are more highly attuned to their owners’ feelings than others and are correspondingly more likely to react to changes in human mood.

Surprisingly, though, despite innumerable accounts from cat owners, scientists are not convinced that cats can sense stress (or other moods). The boffins claim that there is a lack of hard evidence supporting the claims.

Moggy stress-busters
Again, the evidence is largely anecdotal, but it is compelling. Stories abound of people feeling their anxieties melt away as they watch kittens at play. And it has been scientifically proven that pet ownership helps reduce high blood pressure in humans. According to David Frei of the Delta Organisation in the US, ‘Watching your pet’s silly antics can make you laugh and help relieve stress’.

In addition, cats reduce feelings of loneliness in people who live by themselves, particularly the elderly, while the sense of companionship has also been shown to help combat depression.

All in all, the reasons for having a cat just keep getting better!

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