Can my cat tell if I’m sick?
Of course
When we’re sick, our bodies undergo many changes, most of which cats can detect:
1.Changes in body temperature
When pathogens invade the body, the immune system may fight them by raising body temperature—literally, a fever.
At this time, cats may be acutely aware of their owner’s temperature changes, leading many to cling to them even more than usual.
2.Changes in Odor
When inflammation occurs in the body, the number of white blood cells increases dramatically to help fight pathogens, and as a result, our “smell” also changes. Furthermore, bedridden patients experience a buildup of sweat, which also contributes to a change in odor…
A 2017 study in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science reported that some of these changes can be detected and recognized by mutated V1Rs receptor genes in the vomeronasal organ of cats.
3.Changes in Respiration, Heart Rate, and Voice
Some illnesses can cause changes in a person’s breathing and heart rate. For example, a fever can cause them to increase, while hypothyroidism or certain heart conditions can cause them to decrease. Furthermore, some respiratory infections can cause changes in the color and pitch of the voice.
A cat’s ears can distinguish between different sound sources from up to 15 meters away, so even subtle changes can be easily detected by them if they choose.
4.Mood Changes
When people suffer from illness, their mood is inevitably affected, and depression is very common.
A 2020 study found that cats can recognize these emotional signals in humans and may exhibit stress/anxiety behaviors when influenced by their owners’ negative emotions.
5.Behavioral Changes
Cats are very adept at following their biological clocks, and they keep their schedules for everything they need to do.
When you’re sick and cuddling up in bed, they might notice that their owner, who’s supposed to be feeding them, hasn’t gotten up yet…
Given that cats can detect so many changes, they must be feeling something. However, it’s difficult for them to understand the concept of “sickness.” They simply think their owners have changed…
Therefore, cats may react differently:
Heartwarming Types:
Using their companionship and comfort, they help their owners through this difficult time…
The rebellious type—
Still “doing their own thing” and “being overbearing” at home, unable to be relied upon, even causing chaos…
In fact, no matter what cats do, as long as they are with us, they are already performing their “healing magic” on us.
