Can Cats Sense Human Illness?
Hello, my dear cat lovers! Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling under the weather—whether it’s a slight cold or something more serious—your cat seems to be glued to your side? You might have imagined that your furry friend has picked up on your illness and is sticking close to comfort you. But is there any truth to that? Can your cat really tell when you’re sick, or is there another reason behind their clingy behavior when you’re not feeling well? As it turns out, the answer is yes, and for a couple of reasons. First, your cat’s incredible sense of smell might be the key to their apparent sixth sense. And second, their extra affection might be more about their own comfort than yours. Let’s explore this further!Table of Contents
Cats have an incredible sense of smell
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Your cat’s sense of smell is way more powerful than ours. While it’s not quite as sharp as a dog’s, a cat’s nose is about 14 times better than a human’s. This means they can detect subtle changes in your body chemistry when you’re not well, like the shifts in hormones that happen when you’re sick. So, yes, your cat likely knows something’s up even before you fully realize it.
And besides that, there is information that cats can sense certain diseases, such as hypertension, epilepsy, and diabetes. There’s a scientific explanation for these situations. Sick individuals have their own scent, and cats can smell it. The sense of smell in these animals is much more developed than in humans, so they can recognize substances emitted by the body of a seriously ill person.
For example, diabetes is accompanied by a distinct odor; excessive glucose production results in a sickly sweet aroma. Cats can detect this smell. Unfortunately, they cannot warn their owners about it. I’ve read stories where a cat’s behavior changed dramatically when the owner approached, but no one could understand what was happening. Soon after, the owner was diagnosed with diabetes. The same goes for epilepsy.
They are incredibly observant, too
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But it’s not just their nose that clues them in. Cats are incredibly observant and can pick up on changes in your daily routine or behavior when you’re not feeling your best. Just like we notice when someone’s mood is off, or they’re acting differently, your cat can sense when something isn’t right. They might even read your body language and facial expressions in almost human ways.
You’ve probably heard that people often sense an aura before an epileptic seizure. There are hypotheses that cats can also sense this aura even before the person does. One woman wrote that her cat nervously started pacing around the apartment before her son had an epileptic seizure. Now, they use this as a sign to prepare for the seizure.
Some cats respond to these changes by becoming more affectionate or talkative as if they’re trying to let you know they’ve noticed something’s wrong. Of course, not all cats will react this way, so it’s tough to say if every cat is aware of these subtle shifts. Much of what we understand about this behavior is based on personal experiences rather than hard science.
Understanding Why Cats Are So Clingy
So why does your cat seem to be all over you when you’re sick? On one hand, it could be that they sense you’re feeling down and want to comfort you in their own way. After all, you’re their favorite human, and they might be unhappy seeing you in a bad mood.
But there’s another possible reason: warmth. When you’re running a fever, your body temperature increases, making you like a big, cozy heater. Even the most independent cats might find it hard to resist curling up next to you when you’re radiating that extra warmth.
You may like: 9 Strange Cat Behaviors and What They Mean
Cat Reactions to Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy
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There is also information that cats can sense pregnancy. Of course, pregnancy is not an illness, but during pregnancy, there are hormonal changes, and cats can sense the smell of hormones such as estrogen, human chorionic gonadotropin, and progesterone. Scientists cannot either confirm or refute this fact. It is possible that cats sense the olfactory changes in a woman’s body, but do they understand that it is pregnancy? And how can they communicate this to their owner?
In fact, cats are certainly able to smell these hormonal differences, yet they most likely do not know that such changes, in fact, mean pregnancy. In particular, such a smell may mean to a cat that something has changed with their human, but they cannot understand that this odor relates to the process of pregnancy.
Regarding how they might communicate such awareness to their owner, it has to be noted that cats are not able to do this, either. However, their behavior may change in such a manner that it would not easily be noticeable to most of the people. Some cats may become more protective or friendly, while others may become more aloof or stressed. It could be that these changes are reactions to changes they perceive and not a deliberate effort to convey the message of pregnancy.
Can cats sense when their owner is about to fall ill?
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One of the things that makes cats so fascinating is their mysterious, almost superior aura. As devoted cat owners, many of us like to think our pets have the kind of insight that we lack. But does that mean they can sense an illness before it’s even diagnosed?
The short answer is yes, they probably can—but with some limits. Before you show any physical signs of being sick, your body starts to change on a chemical level. Thanks to their keen sense of smell, your cat might pick up on these changes before you’re even aware of them. This could explain why your cat suddenly becomes extra affectionate, and the next day, you’re hit with the flu.
As for whether they can predict an illness that hasn’t yet developed, that’s less likely. While there are stories of cats seemingly predicting illness or even death, the most probable explanation is that the person was already sick without anyone realizing it. Your cat just picked up on those early signs that went unnoticed by everyone else.
The Healing Properties of Cats: Fact or Myth?
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Now, let’s talk about the healing properties of cats. Have you noticed that a cat lies on a sore spot? Is it just a coincidence? Remember the episode of House M.D. where a cat would lie on patients, and shortly afterward, the patient would die? The hospital staff believed that the cat sensed the patients’ impending death. Indeed, you can find articles on the internet about cats sensing when their owners are near death. Is this true?
As fascinating as this may sound, the answer is not so simple. Scientifically, it has been proven that cats can sense a person’s mood. These pets can also sense approaching danger and do everything possible to save people, such as during a volcanic eruption or an earthquake. But besides that, there is information that cats can sense certain diseases, such as hypertension, epilepsy, and diabetes. There is a scientific explanation for these situations.
But still, even if they cannot predict and alert their owner to the onset of illness, can cats possess healing properties? There is a theory with some evidence that cat purring has healing properties. Domestic cats purr at a frequency of about 26 Hertz, which promotes tissue regeneration. It has been proven that vibrations of the same frequency can aid in the healing of broken bones, joint recovery, and tendon restoration. In fact, vibration devices similar to purring have been patented for potential use in therapy, and some researchers have proposed attaching vibrating plates to the legs of astronauts during long space flights to maintain bone density.
1. Read Neural and mechanical mechanisms of feline purring for detailed information.
2. You may also read The Use of Vibration as Physical Exercise and Therapy
Wrapping Up Our Discussion
In conclusion, the healing properties of cats have been poorly studied. Some veterinarians and cat owners claim that pets can treat a variety of diseases, from migraines to cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence of this in the literature. Most likely, animals from the cat family sense not the disease itself but the associated changes.
But remember, if you, unfortunately, suffer from high blood pressure, it is better to consult a doctor for this issue and keep your cat for pleasant and positive experiences rather than expecting it to provide healing.
I will gather all the scientifically proven health benefits for cat owners. Till then, stay connected with us!
