After a long, stressful day, do you prefer to hug your partner or your pet? If the furry, sometimes sharp paws of your feline friend are calling your name, you’re not alone. According to a new survey of thousands of pet owners, hugging your pet offers better stress relief than hugging your spouse.

When you think about pets providing emotional support, you may think first of dogs. Dogs are the most common ESA (emotional support animal)¹ and regularly provide support and therapy in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. But there is growing evidence that cats can provide just as much emotional support!

The De-Stressing Effect of Cats

The new survey, commissioned by pet company Mars and mental health company Calm, surveyed more than 30,000 pet owners in 20 different global markets. The results show the important role pets play in modern family life.

According to the survey, 83% of pet owners believe their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. 58% also said they prefer spending time with their pets when stressed, placing their furry companions above spouses, children, and friends.

77% of those surveyed said that their pets help them reduce screentime, and 73% said their pets help them stop worrying and overthinking.

77% also said that they enjoy talking to their pets. Here at Catster, we think that sounds a little low…

The Emotional Benefits of Having a Cat

There are many reasons to adopt a cat, but one of the big ones is that they can help reduce your stress and improve your mental health. Anecdotally, it makes a lot of sense: our cats entertain us with their antics, keep us grounded while draped across our laps, and provide steady, meowing companionship. But there is also a growing body of research backing this up.

Cats have helped their owners get through COVID-19 lockdowns, contributed to office morale, and helped autistic children. There’s even research showing that cats can reduce your risk of a heart attack (though reducing stress could explain this). And one theory proposes that cat purring can promote bone growth and overall healing.

Although one theory attributes many of these benefits to cats just helping you relax, a 2023 study found that interacting with cats actually raises your heart rate and excites your nervous system. That may not sound positive, but the study found an increase in oxytocin levels, colloquially known as the “love hormone,” suggesting that hanging out with your cat can have a more active, positive effect on your emotions and body.

And for those who can’t commit to the lifelong care of a cat but still want to enjoy some of the benefits of pet ownership, there are even robotic cats designed to act as therapeutic companion animals. Particularly helpful for older adults with dementia or simply in need of additional companionship, these cats can purr, roll over for belly rubs, and sit on laps, all without requiring care, feeding, or expensive vet bills.

Research into the science behind all of this is ongoing, but in the meantime, we can all enjoy the support and comfort of our furry friends.

Just One More Reason to Adopt a Cat

As cat lovers, we already know that adopting them brings many benefits. The joy of watching them learn and play, the comfort of having them curl up on our laps and feet, and the hilarity of their strange antics improve our lives every day. But this new research suggests one more valuable benefit that we could all use: stress relief.

Do you think your cat provides stress relief? Let us know in the comments!

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