Do Your Pets Sense Your Feelings?

ChimeraCreative · Jul 9, 2008

We have four cats and as it turns out, one of them will seek me out and cuddle if I'm not feeling well, bored, or bummed out. While I am very, very grateful that each cat has a highly unique personality, I'm kinda surprised only one of them wants to cuddle. So I'm curious to know, do your cats or dogs or etc pets like to snuggle when you're blue?

-An

(The two dogs are adorable but I don't think I'd brand them as especially sympathetic to the plight of their owners.) ^_^

benbradley · Jul 9, 2008

I believe so. We have two dogs, and on the rare occasion I'd rather not have anything to do with either, they "know" not to get too close to me. But I think it's that they can see it in my actions (much the way other people do), not that they somehow directly sense my emotions.

For a fascinating story of a horse that could sense subtle cues in people, even people the horse had never seen before, look up Clever Hans. There are many articles about that horse online.

Mandy-Jane · Jul 10, 2008

They definitely do. When I was 15, we made the unhappy decision to have our pet dog Pebbles put down. She was 18 years old and could hardly see, hear or walk. On the day of her appointment at the vet, I went out to talk to her. I was so upset, and she pressed her little head into my legs and held it there. I swear she was comforting me.

Later on as my sister's car was preparing to leave (she was taking her), Pebbles looked up at me through the window, wagged her tail and then turned away from me. No doubt in my mind, she was saying goodbye.

She knew what was going on and she knew how we were feeling. I still miss her.

awatkins · Jul 10, 2008

My parrots definitely do. They react whenever I'm stressed or excited; they can be all the way down the hall and they'll start screaming their heads off. I think maybe they pick up on my emotions from the tone of my voice. I've learned to lower my voice if I'm going to be having a heated discussion with someone and don't want parrot input.

If I'm upset and angry, they respond by being loud and agressive. No way I'm going to handle them when they're in that mode; that's a sure way to get bitten.

On the other hand, they were extremely gentle and sweet when my brother, and later on, my dad died. I believe they understood that I was sad and grieving and responded to my pain.

wombat · Jul 11, 2008

Perhaps I have uncommonly self-centered dogs, but they not only don't comfort me when I'm feeling poorly for whatever reason, they don't even give me a break. I can be as sick as death and they will still expect exactly the same level of service that they are normally accustomed to. I think it might be true, the legend that in ancient China, pugs had their own servants.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jul 11, 2008

I had a dog when I was in grade school who would come sit beside me with his head on my leg when I was sad or crying. Cats, not so much. But if I'm ready for nap, they're there and ready to serve.

Shadow_Ferret · Jul 11, 2008

I don't have feelings. :tongue

But sometimes I wonder if we don't anthropmorphosize our pets too much.

If you're depressed you seek out comfort from the dog. He's content to be petted and can't reason as to why you're crying.

I mean, I'd like to think that my keeshond throughout my high school years was the only one who really understood me, but I doubt that was the case. He just liked being with me.

Write4U2 · Jul 11, 2008

My two Yorkshire terriers are totally different in temperment and personality. One is a loner and only comes around when she wants something, usually food. Her food. My food. Her name is Scooter, and I call her "Hoover."

The other one, Jilly, (with me in my avatar) is always right with me, even at night she sleeps with me. She isn't a pest; keeps to herself but is always right near me. She's front and center, though, when Scooter is Hoovering.

Scooter also likes to wear doggie clothes; Jilly dislikes to be dressed. Scooter likes to be clean and wear a bow on her ponytail. Jilly will rub her head until she gets the bow off.

Although Scooter is standoffish with us (she sleeps in the master bath), she loves to go out. I take her to Petsmart once a week to look at the other dogs in the Petshotel, walk around the store, and "talk" to everyone who looks at her. It's the only time she shows any animation or wags her tail.

BUT -

When I'm upset or in pain, she is right there to give me comfort or "ask" what's wrong. Jilly does, too. I kind of expect it from her, but Scooter surprises me because normally she doesn't seem as though she cares.

jennifer75 · Jul 11, 2008

They sure do.

When my 13 year old dobie was taken to get put down, my poodle sat on my lap and let me hug her while I sobbed. She totally knew I needed someone to hug at the moment. Or she just loved the attention.

But, they know when to stay away, so I'm thinking they know when you need them, too.

heyjude · Jul 11, 2008

Whenever I'm sick one of the cats will follow me everywhere. As soon as I sit down, he sits in my lap and "talks" to me--something he doesn't do much of normally. He sticks super close. It's sweet. The other cat wants to know when dinner is.

The dog is mildly concerned, at best. But he does get anxious whenever I am, which forces me to calm down so as not to stress him.

Pets are good.

Unique · Jul 11, 2008

Ma'am has licked the tears from my face. I don't think she was after salt.
I had another cat that would walk to the bus stop and walk back with me all the way home. Talking and talking and talking.

I can't speak about dogs though. I'm a cat person. A Unique cat person.

Write4U2 · Jul 11, 2008

We got a Shih Tsu and named her Mopsy. We had a beagle already and when we go Mopsy as a puppy it was instant love between the two dogs. They were true friends. When the beagle died, Mopsy sat at her head and nuzzled her. When my husband started to pick up the beagle, Mopsy kissed her head and moved away.

A year later, I had to put Mopsy down. She was dying from liver cancer, and was in so much pain the meds weren't working. I still cry occasionally when I think of her. I have her picture alongside my bed. I adored that little dog. She was perfect in every way.

DL Hegel · Aug 30, 2008

My cat i think does---I have a male cat that since his sister died has been taking over all of her old routines--including wanting his face washed--following me around meowing--and laying in her old spot.(he was never vocal or liked water) I have been very heartbroken because she was 15 years old and was very much around me all the time. I wondered if he started doing these things to please me or because he misses her?

joyce · Aug 30, 2008

I definately think mine do. When I'm sad they are the first ones to come and comfort me. When I get angry at my husband and exit to the bedroom, the two dogs look at him as if shooting him the bird, and leave with me. He can't get them to come to him to save his life. I tell him "even the dogs know you are a jerk and don't want to be with you"!

selkn.asrai · Aug 30, 2008

Absolutely. My cat, Evie, always knows when I'm crying or upset. It's the only time she wants to cuddle - usually she's more of a sit-next-to-you feline.

When I would get upset by anything while I was (states) away from home for college, my late dalmatian, Pepper, who was the sweetest dog I ever knew, would go up into my old bedroom and lay on the floor by my bed and cry, and she wouldn't leave. I still miss her terribly.

Animals know.

L M Ashton · Aug 30, 2008

My cats also knew when I wasn't feeling well - they both cuddled with me then, too, even the less-affectionate one.

One cat, Tellulah, was psychic, I swear. Whenever I thought about her, two or five seconds later, I'd hear her meow as she walked towards me. Never fail.

Thump · Sep 22, 2008

I had a Springer Spaniel pup named Inca. She was sooo much fun. It was crazy how much she loved the snow too. Anyway, one day she got sick. She was throwing up all the time, losing weight and turning rather yellowish and dull colored. Our regular vet milked us of all the money he could before we caught on that he wasn't really doing anything for her, just prolonging her misery (that bastard!)

Eventually, dad and I went to pick her up and decided to go to the 24h emergency clinic for a second opinion. The vet told us her kidness were basically gone and there was nothing that could be done. She was lying on my father's lap, everyone was waiting for me to make a decision, then suddenly she just jumped off dad and put her little paws on my knees and just looked at me. I just knew she was telling me "it's okay". She was very calm and kept her eyes on me the whole time while I just sobbed my way through it.

I hope I never have to go through that again but since, I never understimate what an animal might be able to do.

ETA: Oh, and our new dog, a yorkie named Charlie, always jumps on my bed to nap when I have cramps. He puts his head on my pillow and snuggles up close. It's cute except he always sinks so it's really not helpful.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 22, 2008

My dogs sense when my wife is angry. I mean, it could be because she's screaming, but they tend to come and hide behind me.

melmeza82 · Sep 22, 2008

My evil cat

My cat bites my ankles when I walk by. He slaps me in the face every night at 2 am. He hisses at me when I want to clip his nails. He chewed my hair so much I had to cut it.

But when I'm sick (cold, fever, menstrual cramps that keep me in bed) he lays down next to me, purring his heart out and doesnt leave my side. He keeps me warm. He rubs his head against my hand and sheds hair all over the bed. For that and more I adore my evil cat.

shawkins · Nov 6, 2008

Any pack animal (wolves, apes, dogs, humans) are going to have some level of inter-pack communication, and most will be able to pick up the basics of the communication used among other species. Wolves and dogs have a lot of gestures in common: ears flat and tongue out is submission, the lower animal in a pack hierarchy always looks away in a staring contest, a dog letting you scratch his/her belly is showing submission, if they stick their front paws out+lower their head+butt in the air it's playtime. Etc.

Interestingly, some behaviors are specific to individual packs. My elder dog grew up in a pack where dog A initiated play by mounting dog B. Now she's in a pack where that's a hostile gesture and play is initiated by taking the back hind leg (or my shorts) and tugging gently.

Hunters in general are also good at picking out nuances of other species. I read an article once about villagers in india who wear masks on the back of their heads because they realized tigers mostly jumped them when they were looking away.

In general, dogs are really good at picking up on the body language and tone of voice of their owners. If the dog is really smart sometimes they'll learn individual words or phrases that you didn't try to teach them. (I have to spell out "bath" around one of mine.)

ajkjd01 · Nov 7, 2008

<------my cat.

Elizabeth gets stressed out when I'm stressed out. In fact, the vet has started asking if I've been stressed when we're in there for anything other than a routine checkup.

She's also been diagnosed with separation anxiety.

She's licking bare spots on her belly and hotspots into her legs. We've dealt with a flea allergy, and dry skin, and now there seems to be no other medical reason than "she's stressed because I'm stressed."

Um, I'm in the middle of packing up the apartment, packing up my office to change jobs, NaNo, jury trials (I'm a trial lawyer) and the holidays are looming. She's gonna have to deal with a while.

(And I've got a cone on her head, Feliway in the outlet, and antibiotics for the sores. We've also got cortisone cream for the sores. The only thing left to try is some form of Kitty Prozac, and I really don't want to go there yet.)

Buffysquirrel · Nov 12, 2008

My dog used to notice when I was down, and try to figure out how to cheer me up. I don't think my current cat has a clue. When I was sick about this time last year (viral infection; not pretty), she was very puzzled by the change in my routine. What, not getting up and coming downstairs? No playing? Look, I've brought my caterpillar! Can we play? No? Awww.

She did keep me company, though, to the extent that she put on weight from eating the same and exercising less....

CatSlave · Nov 12, 2008

ajkjd01 said:
<------my cat.

Elizabeth gets stressed out when I'm stressed out. In fact, the vet has started asking if I've been stressed when we're in there for anything other than a routine checkup.

She's also been diagnosed with separation anxiety.

She's licking bare spots on her belly and hotspots into her legs. We've dealt with a flea allergy, and dry skin, and now there seems to be no other medical reason than "she's stressed because I'm stressed."

Um, I'm in the middle of packing up the apartment, packing up my office to change jobs, NaNo, jury trials (I'm a trial lawyer) and the holidays are looming. She's gonna have to deal with a while.

(And I've got a cone on her head, Feliway in the outlet, and antibiotics for the sores. We've also got cortisone cream for the sores. The only thing left to try is some form of Kitty Prozac, and I really don't want to go there yet.)

Ask your doctor for some Prozac for yourself.
Might help both you and Elizabeth.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 12, 2008

My son was sick this morning and my dalmatian tried to climb up next to him on the couch.

personally I think he just wanted the pillow and my son was in the way.

ajkjd01 · Nov 13, 2008

CatSlave said:
Ask your doctor for some Prozac for yourself.
Might help both you and Elizabeth.

LOL. But most of this will pass in the next couple of months. At least I hope so. She's now figured out how to untie the tie on the cone and take it off, so it's become a battle to keep it on her.

Do Your Pets Sense Your Feelings?

Been there, Done that.

It's a doggy dog world

venturing ever further into the unknown

Not harboring illegal parrot

wombats galore

Hand? What hand?

Court Jester

SupahStah!

Making my own sunshine

Agent of Doom

Tigress Tyrant

I'm really shy...

Rawr.

crazy spec fic writer

defying grabbity

Court Jester

Ahhh. Sweet.

I just have to be faster.

Mah tale iz draggin.

Court Jester

I just have to be faster.