Do your cats know when you're sad - and do they respond?

my 2 year old "kitten" appears alarmed and overprotective when I am sad and/or are weeping...even the sad expressions on my face....do they sense when you are sad and in pain?

really? even if i lay on floor nor crying he "chks up" on me...sniffing around, keeping me in his sight at all times rite by my side. even ignores treats! lol

thank you all so much for your opinions....do your cats behave "protective", defensive (i.e growling , hissing ) when others approach you? My cat is 2and a half years old...this behavior began about 8 months ago. Prior to that he seemed ok with others entering the house and approaching us in our home....y the change? No one has ever presented a threat to him ot to us....hmmmmm....

thanks for any advice...

Celeste

Without capacity to communicate in specific terms as humans do, I suspect cats live more in the realm of feelings. I would be willing to bet cats are more in touch with how we feel than we are. I don't believe there is any question of whether a cat knows and responds to our feelings, I believe it is really a matter of how sensitive a human is to the cats reactions toward us. So, to answer the question in this context: yes, I am sensitive enough to know when our cats are reacting to my own feelings of sadness.

If I am upset, our Bengal Makena will at first stare intently at me, giving me 100% of his attention. After a moment or two of staring, he will simply come over and sit by me or stay very near me. He will quietly purr the whole time. If it is at night and I am in bed, he will spend a lot of time sniffing my face, then lay down near my head - he never sleeps near my head otherwise. I am sure he does this because of the bond we share, but I wonder if he is also thinking "thats the guy who knows how to open cat food cans, I better stick close if he is sad to make sure he is okay."

Eric

I have a 15 year old Border Collie/Ger Shepherd mix named G whom I love with all my heart. I've always been an avid dog lover. She & I are bonded and a real team. I also have q 14 year old black cat named Roxanne. Last October I found my brother in his apartment. He was dead. It was the most horrific thing I have ever experienced. He was 5 years older than me and as we tend not to relinquish our sibling roles he was always my "big" brother. I loved him and watched as he suffered from lung cancer. I was devastated and deeply wounded by his death. I have a younger & older sister and they have been great through this ordeal.

Anyway, I still break down sobbing from time to time thinking of my brother Derek. Without fail Roxanne comes to me during these times. She lets me hug & hold her. As soon as I feel better Roxanne goes on and does whatever she wants--sleeping or eating usually.

I have always considered myself a "dog" person, but Roxanne has a calming presence that I treasure. I love dogs because there is nothing phony about them. I find cats more mysterious and somehow this enigmatic quality reaches that saddest part of me. It is very soothing & remarkable. What a wonderful thing. I know that Roxanne doesn't bring Derek back to me, but her presence has a soothing effect that transcends words..

My old lady Snowball would come bounding in the second she heard me sniffing - whenever I was upset she was there. Man, I miss her. The two lads we've got now are still quite affectionate but nowhere near as much as she was.

Definitely! After my Daughter Hailey passed away my Calico Opal always came to comfort me every night when I would cry! even if my door was closed and I was crying quietly. She always pushed open my door and jumped up onto my bed to cuddle with me and comfort me! And still nearly ten years later she comes running to comfort my cries in the night! I truly believe that she loves me cares about my pain and sorrow!

Luke doesn't seem to react when I cry, or if he does I just don't really notice it. Lucien absolutely responds though. A few nights ago I came out of my room crying and he ran up to me in the hallway and meowed. I sat down on the ground with him and he climbed on my leg, put his paws on my chest, and rubbed his face on my cheek before curling up in my lap. It was actually so touching that it made me cry even more haha. Since then it seems like he wants to spend a lot more time with me and will regularly climb on me and rub his face on my cheek even if I'm completely fine.

Wally is very intelligent and in tune with my moods. When I wake up in the morning he comes in the room and sings until I pet him. For the remainder of the time I am at home he is with me. He isn't overly cuddly but I notice he is closer when I'm struggling. I had wisdom teeth removed 2 weeks ago and he stayed close to the couch I was laid up on. When I went to bed he snuck under our bed to be in the room (the cats get locked out at night) and he was quiet most of the night. I think he wanted to keep an eye on me. 

Sansa is so senseless she wouldn't realise the change in temperature.

Bourney, my Mums first cat, always knew when I was unhappy. As  a baby, when I cried, she would sit by my cot til my Mum or Dad came to get me, she was very maternal cos we kept her only surviving kitten. AS a child she would always come and cuddle up to me if I was upset. Badger was not very bright and never took much notice, Frank wasn't too bothered and quite attached to my mum anyway. Max was my baby and knew if something was wrong, he would bump his head against me and look at me as if to say 'It's OK mummy, I'm here'.  

arcadian girl said:

I never can talk about this with non-cat people, because they just don't believe it, they think it's wishful thinking..but it's just happened to me too many times to just be coincidence.

My childhood kitty, Susie (we had lots of cats but Susie was mine) wasn't even a lapcat - she would sleep at the foot of my bed, snuggled up to my ankles every night, but she didn't get on my lap. She was sweet, but not a lovebug-that just wasnt her. As my mom used to put it, "Susie is her Own Cat". But, in my childhood, when I was having a hard time, if I'd start crying (and it happened more than it should, because my childhood really wasn't the best), Susie would come into my room and hop up on the bed, and headbutt me, and look at me inquisitively, like "What's wrong, mommy?". She'd purr, and rub against me, and settle down next to me for a while...and it always made me feel so much better. She's at the bridge now, but it's one of the things I'll always remember about her.

Fast forward to present day, and I rescue The Wonton from the streets of San Francisco. A few months later, I'm upset about something, and yeah, crying, sitting on my bed. Wonton comes right up to me, and just like Susie, he just seems so curious. But it's not simple curiosity, because if it were, he'd check it out, and then go off to do something else. But no, he head butts me, keeps trying to reach up and headbutt my face, sniffs at the tears on my cheeks, and then crawls into my lap, purring, and settles down. He will get in my lap if I'm at the puter, sitting in a chair, or sitting on the floor, or sitting indian style on the bed, but if I'm just sitting at the edge, he usually never tries to get in my lap - unless I'm crying. And that wasn't an isolated event. If he sees/hears me crying, he will come see if I'm ok, and comfort me, everytime. And you can't tell me it's something else, I just don't believe it, the behaviour is too specific, and not explainable by anything else.

Just another reason I love Wonton

So my question is - do any of you have cats who do this? Do you believe that they know you're sad, and are trying to comfort you? I do

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yes, i had a cat that did the same thing. he died a few months ago. he wasn't a lap kitty, he liked to sit beside you but if someone was crying, he would get in their lap. not for too long but long enough to show you he cared and he knew you were sad about something. cats are very good at reading our emotions!

Absolutely, cats sense emotion AND illness in their family members!

I have 2 boys - Keeker, a Black Domestic Short-hair, and Kricket, a Brown Mackerel Tabby and White. While born on the same exact day, they are only brothers in spirit. Complete opposites!

Kricket is the overly affectionate, lovey-dovey-can't-get-close-enough one, and Keeker is aloof, independent, and can't be bothered. 

If I am upset or not feeling well, Kricket is right there to give me love and attention. He will curl next to me, wrap his paws around my arm and cling to me, and lick me where ever he can reach until I think my skin is going to disolve! LOL

Keeker will (maybe?) get up and saunter close by and check me out to see if I am breathing. Then he will give Kricket that look that says, "You got this under control"? and he will waltz into the other room for a nap knowing his brother will comfort me.

However, there was an incident that still gives me chills!

I had a heart attack two years ago and I am on medication for A-Fib. I've not had any problems since 2013. 

Back in May of this year, I just wasn't feeling up to par. No energy, tired, and felt utterly exhausted. I finally went to bed early thinking I just needed some sleep.

About three hours later, I was forcibly awakened by BOTH of my cats! They were pacing back and forth over my chest, pawing and licking my face, and nipping their teeth into my hand! 

I sat up to see what the heck was their problem and I immediately fell back across the bed as I became dizzy. I slowly sat up again and propped myself until I felt steady. When I stood up, I became dizzy again. 

I turned on the light, slipped on my glasses, and took my pulse. It was so fast I couldn't get an accurate reading! I started feeling my heart flutter and I knew immediately I was on the verge of another heart attack! 

I called 911 and went to the Emergency Room where they detected I had another blockage in an artery. They put in another (my 3rd) stent and kept me for two days of observation. Thankfully, my neighbor came in to feed and otherwise care for my boys while I was away.

When I came home, I walked through the door and was bombarded by two worried boys! Kricket came rushing up and started chirping and rubbing against my legs. Keeker, ("Mr. Indifferent"), literally leaped up against my chest and tried climbing my leg! 

I sat on the couch and they both purred and chirped and meowed while climbing and rubbing all over me! It took about three days before they felt comfortable enough to return to their usual routines.

My cats saved my life! If they hadn't detected whatever it was they detected, I most likely would have died in my sleep that night! Needless to say, I am more aware of their behavior now than I ever was! 

There has been one other time since that incident that I noticed Keeker being unusually affectionate -- he was actually approaching me un-coaxed, and he kept rubbing on me which is SO not his character! I didn't feel 'bad', but I immediately took my pulse and found it to be 110! I took my medication that slows my heart-rate and monitored my pulse until it returned to normal. 

I can't express how much love and trust I have for my boys! And I am forever grateful for the love they have for me!

I most definitely have two amazing guardian cats!

FYI: I was impressed that when I told my cardiologist about what they did, he told me cats have an acute sense of smell and have the ability to sniff out a chemical change in the body caused by a disease. 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. 

Fyllis said:

 
Absolutely, cats sense emotion AND illness in their family members!

I have 2 boys - Keeker, a Black Domestic Short-hair, and Kricket, a Brown Mackerel Tabby and White. While born on the same exact day, they are only brothers in spirit. Complete opposites!

Kricket is the overly affectionate, lovey-dovey-can't-get-close-enough one, and Keeker is aloof, independent, and can't be bothered. 

If I am upset or not feeling well, Kricket is right there to give me love and attention. He will curl next to me, wrap his paws around my arm and cling to me, and lick me where ever he can reach until I think my skin is going to disolve! LOL

Keeker will (maybe?) get up and saunter close by and check me out to see if I am breathing. Then he will give Kricket that look that says, "You got this under control"? and he will waltz into the other room for a nap knowing his brother will comfort me.

However, there was an incident that still gives me chills!

I had a heart attack two years ago and I am on medication for A-Fib. I've not had any problems since 2013. 

Back in May of this year, I just wasn't feeling up to par. No energy, tired, and felt utterly exhausted. I finally went to bed early thinking I just needed some sleep.

About three hours later, I was forcibly awakened by BOTH of my cats! They were pacing back and forth over my chest, pawing and licking my face, and nipping their teeth into my hand! 

I sat up to see what the heck was their problem and I immediately fell back across the bed as I became dizzy. I slowly sat up again and propped myself until I felt steady. When I stood up, I became dizzy again. 

I turned on the light, slipped on my glasses, and took my pulse. It was so fast I couldn't get an accurate reading! I started feeling my heart flutter and I knew immediately I was on the verge of another heart attack! 

I called 911 and went to the Emergency Room where they detected I had another blockage in an artery. They put in another (my 3rd) stent and kept me for two days of observation. Thankfully, my neighbor came in to feed and otherwise care for my boys while I was away.

When I came home, I walked through the door and was bombarded by two worried boys! Kricket came rushing up and started chirping and rubbing against my legs. Keeker, ("Mr. Indifferent"), literally leaped up against my chest and tried climbing my leg! 

I sat on the couch and they both purred and chirped and meowed while climbing and rubbing all over me! It took about three days before they felt comfortable enough to return to their usual routines.

My cats saved my life! If they hadn't detected whatever it was they detected, I most likely would have died in my sleep that night! Needless to say, I am more aware of their behavior now than I ever was! 

There has been one other time since that incident that I noticed Keeker being unusually affectionate -- he was actually approaching me un-coaxed, and he kept rubbing on me which is SO not his character! I didn't feel 'bad', but I immediately took my pulse and found it to be 110! I took my medication that slows my heart-rate and monitored my pulse until it returned to normal. 

I can't express how much love and trust I have for my boys! And I am forever grateful for the love they have for me!

I most definitely have two amazing guardian cats!

FYI: I was impressed that when I told my cardiologist about what they did, he told me cats have an acute sense of smell and have the ability to sniff out a chemical change in the body caused by a disease. 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. 

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Well, what can I say? My Guardian Angel was with me once again!

At 4:00 this morning, Keeker aggressively woke me up by kneading my belly and chest, meowing, slapping my face with his paw, and nipping my hand and arm. 

He is NOT ordinarily an 'affectionate' cat, so in my half-asleep state I was surprised when he curled up on my chest and just stared at me, purring like a freight train (something he rarely does) and repeatedly poked at my face with his paw.

I reached out to pet him and he rubbed his head against my hand and licked me - something he has never done! When I looked at the clock and realized how early it still was, I told him to hop down and let me sleep, and I gave him a nudge. He immediately turned and gave me a slap in the face and I pushed him off the bed! But he was persistent!

He jumped on the bed again and started walking all over me, meowing. When I reached down to nudge him down again, he actually grabbed my hand in his teeth (not hard, but enough to let me know he meant business) and he growled at me! OK, that was it! I threw the blanket aside and sat up ... and the room started to slowly spin. I got my blood-pressure cuff out of the nightstand and, sure enough, my blood-pressure was off the charts! 

I took my medication right away, then went to the living room and sat on the couch and put my feet up for a while. He curled up right against my leg and kept a very close watch on me. My blood-pressure eventually lowered within normal range, but I have been up ever since. After about 2 hours, he got down and went about his usual routine of eating breakfast and playing with his brother. 

Five and a half hours later, all is well and my doctor asked me to come in later this afternoon for a 'check-up'. Again, when I told him my cat woke me up, he chuckled and said, "Cats are amazing creatures! And yours' is definitely a keeper"!

I am SO very grateful that I have such a wonderful cat! Three times in as many months he has literally saved my life! I am now wondering if I could somehow get him certified as a Therapy Cat?  

Wow what an amazing kitty!

wow. Keeker and Kricket are amazing cats!

Fyllis, you have amazing cats...wow....really a therapy cat without any training.. Instinct..and love...

Artiemom said:

 
Fyllis, you have amazing cats...wow....really a therapy cat without any training.. Instinct..and love...

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I've had them both since they were 6-7 weeks old and I am the only Momma they've ever had.  

The first time this happened, both cats were actively engaged; the 2nd and 3rd times it was just Keeker. Because he is the more 'aggressive or dominant' of the two personality wise, I'm beginning to think that Kricket was just 'assisting' him the first time and not fully aware of why he was waking Momma up. The last two times, Kricket sat off to the side and observed everything... ready to call 911, boil water, or whatever was needed of him, while Keeker did all the work.

After doing online research and making a phone call to the National Service Animal Registry (NASR), I've learned that only dogs and miniature horses can be registered as "Service Animals".  Cats qualify as Emotional Support Animals or Therapy Animals only. 

As stated by the  NASR:

For a person to legally qualify for an emotional support animal  (ESA), he/she must be considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.), as evidenced by a properly formatted prescription letter. Typically, a medical doctor does not qualify because they are not a licensed mental health professional. Some airlines and property managers will accept a verification form completed by a family doctor, however.

The letter should state that:

1. You are currently his/her patient
2. Are under his/her care for the treatment of mental disability found in the DSM IV or V (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 4 or 5).
3. Your disability substantially limits at least one major life activity
4. He/she prescribes for you an emotional support animal as a necessary treatment for your mental health.

In addition, the letter must be dated, written on his/her letterhead, include his/her license type, number, date of license, and state in which the license was issued.

The legal protections an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) has are to:

1. Fly with its emotionally or psychologically disabled handler in the cabin of an aircraft without being charged a pet fee. 
2. Qualify for no-pet housing (that also includes limited size, breed, or species housing) without being charged a pet fee. 

No other public or private entity (motels, restaurants, stores, trains, taxis, busses, theatres, parks, beaches, libraries, zoos, etc.) is required to allow your ESA to accompany you and in all other instances, your ESA has no more rights than a pet. That means they aren't protected by law to accompany you into any public place that does not allow pets. That doesn't mean these places won't let you, it just means that they are not required to, by law.

Because of my cardiac condition, I was also diagnosed with Major Depression, so if I wanted to pursue this I could do so, but it would require a lot of paperwork and jumping through hoops. All in all, other than the already benefit of having him/them with me here at home to detect an onset of A-Fib, the only other advantage of having him/them registered would be that I would no longer have to pay additional rent on my apartment due to having cats and I would get my pet deposit returned to me. 

I can fully understand that a Service Animal requires training, as well as specific social behaviors, to qualify but I would like to see some type of "exception to the rule" for cats who have proven to be accomplished at providing a service to their owner, such as mine have. Perhaps (and I am saying this tongue-in-cheek) I am a bit biased, but I am having a difficult time justifying someone being accompanied at a 5-star restaurant by their miniature horse to warn them of their elevated sugar levels, but I cannot take my cat into a low-budget motel to alert me to my heart attack symptoms. 

Until the day comes when cats are fully recognized and accepted as Service Animals, I will have to be content with my boys for what they are - My Guardian Angels!

P.S. - For anyone interested in getting your cat registered as an Emotional Support Animal or a Therapy Animal (within the United states), visit the website for the  National Service Animal Registry at https://www.nsarco.com/ 

Wow!there are some pretty awesome stories on this thread! Just proof of how amazing cats really are!
I went through a nasty breakup with my ex (of approx. 2 years)after only surviving living together for a few months.
I was living on the opposite side of town to where my friends and family were so it wasn't as easy for me to up and leave as it was for him. His family and friends lived only 10 minutes away and he would leave me by myself often.
As I was also going through a bit of family drama I began feeling completely isolated and the depression really started to kick in.
I have 2 cats. Daisy is a white DO

DSH and peeew is her big fluffy son.
They both have never really been lap cats but during that particular season of difficulty, they both made a point of taking turns sitting on my lap and comforting me with purring loudly and headbutts when I was deeply upset or snuggling close to me in bed on the days that I couldn't get out of bed.
The son also gifted a few dead birds which was a rarity!
I get teased a lot for having two cats but honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world. They are definitely my two guardian angels. [emoji]128150[/emoji]