Cats and the Art of Hygge: Raphy Cuddles Up

Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster! Every week, we share a story from one of our cat-loving Catsters. This week is about Wes and his fiercely cuddly Russian Blue, Raphael.

The Danes get a lot of things right—whether it’s bikes, herring in curry sauce, or minimalist design—they really know how to do it. But there’s one thing above all they excel at: Hygge.

‘What is Hygge?’ you might ask. Well, Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge, writes that it is:

“about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down. You may be having an endless conversation about the small or big things in life—or just be comfortable in each other’s silent company—or simply just be by yourself enjoying a cup of tea.”

In simpler terms: it is those small pieces of domestic bliss that collectively create the highest form of happiness: general contentment.

The other day I curled up on the sofa, the lights were down low, a pot of food was cooking slowly, a candle was lit, I had a soft hoodie on, and I’d cracked the spine on Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Perfectly on cue, Raphael came to me and started the most vigorous session of biscuit preparation I have ever encountered. I was unsure if a little cat was upon me, or a pneumatic drill. Before I knew it, he was snoozing away on my lap while I learned the fate of Bill Furlong and his five daughters from the pages before me.

And then it struck me:

I can’t get up.

Even if I wanted to.

How could I possibly turf this little bundle of fur from my lap? With his delicate chest rising and falling, my legs were his suspended hammock. A safety net above the harsh, hard floor. I was his protector, and at that moment, I would not fail my task.

Even reaching for my cup of Chinese tea was like laser dodging in a heist film.

As I sat there, immobilized, it caused me to reflect on what a calming effect cats can have. For all the energy they provide, cats are extremely sedate, and they cast this effect around like a warm net. If walking next to them on the sofa, they’ll cast a look your way, as if to ask, “Don’t you fancy a rest too?” And who can resist that little face and its considerate request?

Not me, that’s for sure.

Before you know what they’re doing, your legs have positioned themselves in front of the aforementioned sofa. Despite any mental protestations, you’re now next to that feline siren. Then, one single stroke on their soft fur turns to two, and like a dam breaking, your hand has been lost to time, sedated on a bed of purring fur. Pure bliss for you both.

But this impact is not imagined. According to Purina US, these cat interactions release serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. The last on that list is associated with a decreased heart rate. The “stress hormone” cortisol has also been shown to decrease in the presence of cats, improving blood pressure, cholesterol, and hypertension.

But really, Hygge is about so much more than these cold, calculated facts. It’s an emotion, a feeling, and one that I contend cannot be truly appreciated by a non-pet owner. No number of candles, blankets, or cold snowy mornings will ever be able to replicate the feeling in your heart of a cat resting on you. To have their trust and love is an individual treasure, one that lifts all the worries of the day from our brains and, for that period of time, allows us to simply exist. If that isn’t Hygge, then I’m not sure I know what is. The next time you need a rest, reach for the treats before the candle.

Incidentally, ‘Hepper’ was not only named after its founding cat, but it’s also a Danish word. I suppose they get everything right, really…

How do you like to relax with your cat? Are you a sofa person or a bed-dweller? Do you practice Hygge? Or are you far too practical for such endeavors? I’d love to know if others have had similar revelations to me!