In general, dogs are considered to be much more affectionate pets than cats. However, there is something about cats, even with those looks that seem to judge us and their eternal indifference, that makes us fall in love. That is why there are many people who cannot imagine their life without a cat as a companion. In their own way, they make them feel good. But science is not so clear on this. There are studies that indicate that having a cat as a pet can increase our stress levels. Others dispute this assumption and point out that it brings us multiple benefits.
There don’t seem to be clear results on the matter, but we’re increasingly understanding our relationship with cats better, thanks to studies like the one published by a team of scientists at Kyoto University. In it, they suggest that it is better for us to have a cat. As long as we spend enough time together.
The question of hormones. 29 cats and 19 owners who had been living together for varying periods of time participated in the study. To see how they affect each other’s well-being, urine samples were taken from each to measure levels of two closely related hormones. Oxytocin on the one hand. It is known as the love hormone, although it can also be considered an attachment hormone, as it greatly influences whether we feel connected and connected to our pets, partners, children or friends. It’s not just about romantic love. On the other hand, cortisol levels were measured, a hormone that normally increases in stressful situations.
After all, the cats wore collars with Bluetooth beacons that allowed the researchers to analyze how far they usually were from their owners. Thus, they found that the more time they spent together, the more their hormones synchronized.
Effects on mood. A positive correlation has been found between oxytocin levels in cats and their human friends. Some had higher, others had higher. But not only that. There was also a negative and cross-correlation with cortisol levels. This means that when a cat’s oxytocin levels increase, its human cortisol levels decrease.
And, mind you, there’s something more intriguing: Cats’ oxytocin levels were more strongly associated with their owner’s negative mood than the owner’s own oxytocin levels. That is, the relationship is not limited to the fact that when oxytocin increases in cats, cortisol decreases in humans. It also happens that when people are stressed or overwhelmed, something that increases their cortisol levels, their furry friend’s oxytocin also changes. With a reciprocal relationship you can’t know which way the effect goes, but cats’ oxytocin seems to match people’s moods.
Background. In the past, all kinds of research has been done. Some studies have shown that owning a cat can reduce the emotional well-being of teenagers. Others find positive effects on a person’s well-being when adopting a cat, but they disappear very quickly. In this case, time does not reduce the effects, what reduces them is the distance from the cat. The study suggests very positive effects of cat-human relationships, but this requires closeness. It is true that cats are more skittish than dogs, but they seek us out too, and in that connection the trick seems to lie.
Limitations of the study. This study has two main limitations. On the one hand, it is purely observational. Correlations have been found, but causation has not been explored. On the other hand, it was run with a few humans and cats. To obtain more solid results, it would be important to increase the sample size with more cats and humans, and also to explore possible causes of the effects that were found. This could be the next step for these scientists. Regardless, those who share their lives with cats know very well that their relationship is beneficial and special, and no research is needed to prove it.
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