Can Cats and Dogs Sense When We’re Sad?

Although cats and dogs cannot talk, they actually They tell us a lot with their eyes or some of their movements. Especially as we spend time with them, we can understand a little better what they need or how they feel. However, it is a mystery whether they have such a skill or not.

So, what are the reasons behind the behavior of cats and dogs as if they want to console us? Can he understand whether we are truly sad or happy?

First, let’s start with dogs.

University of London researchers found that 12 years ago, the likelihood of dogs approaching a crying person was He found that it was higher than in a person who talks or mumbles. However, such a situation does not of course mean that dogs fully understand our emotions.

For example, the fact that dogs distinguish between crying and humming shows that their reaction to crying is not just out of curiosity. More crying, carries greater emotional meaning for dogs and causes them to react more strongly than humming or speaking.

Although research shows that dogs are successful in communicating with humans, scientists have not yet found definitive evidence that dogs can empathize or truly understand someone else’s pain.

In a 2006 study, researchers tested whether dogs would respond empathetically to crying. He put 18 pet dogs and their owners to a test. This test took place in the dogs’ homes, and their owners faked crying and purring.

Of the 18 dogs participating in the study 15 approaching its owner while crying, only 3 showed a reaction during the humming. In fact, this may indicate that what motivates dogs is emotional feelings rather than curiosity.

Likewise, when these dogs see a person they do not know crying, By curling their tails and tilting their heads, they tended to approach those humans. Thus, it may be possible to say that dogs respond to the other party’s emotions, not their own needs.

So, can cats distinguish our emotional states?

Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what cats think or feel, but they uses various cues to shape their behavior We know that they are curious creatures. The first of these clues is smells.

According to research, cats try to empathize with us. can use our scent as a signal and shape their behavior accordingly. In addition to smells, visual cues are also effective.

For example, cats They are creatures that are sensitive to look where their owners’ eyes are looking. and they use it to assess their owner’s mood or intent. Additionally, according to various studies, cats are also sensitive to auditory cues.

These creatures Can tell if owners are happy or sad based on their tone of voice and their own emotional state may change in a similar way to that of the owner.

Every cat owner has witnessed their cat stare at them while crying and even snuggle up to their face.

In fact, with these movements, cats He tries to make sense of what he sees and hears. Every cat wants to make eye contact, even if it can’t understand that its owner is crying. Because this way he will collect as many clues as he can and use them to adjust his behavior.

Of course, all these research and studies It is not valid for all cats and dogs. Although there is a lot of evidence that these creatures comfort their owners when they are sad, it is possible to say that studies in this regard are continuing. However, the owners’ experiences show that they understand that we are sad and want to console us (For example, my dog ​​is among the leading ones in this regard).

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