Interacting with pets can generally lead to positive emotions, but a recent study indicates that cuddling with cats may exacerbate stress for their owners rather than alleviate it. The research, conducted by scientists at The Open University in the Netherlands, explored the effects of pet interaction during stressful periods.
Researchers found that while cuddling with a dog did not significantly alter a person's emotional state during stress, interacting with a cat was associated with a worsening of negative emotions. "In cats, we even observed that a higher level of interaction was associated with a stronger link between stress and negative emotions in owners," stated Dr. Mayke Janssens, the study's corresponding author.
The study involved pet owners who completed questionnaires multiple times a day over five days, reporting on their emotional state, activities, and pet interactions. Although general interactions with pets were linked to positive owner emotions, these interactions did not appear to buffer the negative effects of stress when it occurred.
"The positive effects of pet interaction on well-being appear to be genuine, but they don't seem to happen because pets help people handle stress better at the exact moment the stress occurs," Dr. Janssens explained. The findings suggest that the beneficial effects of pet interaction may stem from mechanisms other than immediate stress buffering, such as providing companionship and reducing feelings of loneliness.
Researchers hypothesize that the difference in effect between cats and dogs might be due to the nature of their interactions. Interactions with cats are often described as more passive and less demanding, which may not align with a person's need for support during stressful moments. "A higher level of interaction might be more emotionally evocative," said Dr. Sanne Peeters, another author of the study.
In a related finding, a study from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary observed that while dogs and toddlers were more likely to offer help when a familiar person searched for an object, cats were less inclined to do so unless the item was a favorite treat or toy. Scientists suggest this difference may be linked to the way cats were domesticated, potentially without the same selective breeding for cooperation as dogs.
Despite these findings, cats are known to communicate affection through various behaviors, including whisker movements, tail positions, and body language, according to animal behaviorists and author Lili Chin in her book "Kitty Language."