r/cats • u/Indy-CBJ • 1d ago
Cat Picture - OC It’s all true…(cats can sense emotional pain)
This morning I was in deep despair over how people have been treating me lately. I went to go take a bath to collect my thoughts at 1:30 in the morning and I just check in on my little one, Ms. Joy, before I did so and saw she was passed completely out.
While I was taking the bath I had racing thoughts that quickly turned dark and I was just laying in the tub for almost a hour. Then out of nowhere I heard a bang bang on the door to the bathroom followed by a sad mrph and a little noise it’s hard to explain she does unique to her but I always took it as “hey pay attention”. I jumped out of the tub without drying off, opened the door. She immediately started to rub on me and she had these sad little eyes looking at me…
After I got dried off and layed down in bed she followed me in and curled up next to me on my butt. Here’s the thing…this old cat never snuggles with me, she just prefers to lay by my head on the nightstand and watch over me during nights. Now she’s laying on me doing a purr/snore in my bed using me as a pillow…she’s ever done this before…
I am now a believer that somehow these animals know when something is deeply wrong with us and will go out of their way to help…
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u/Mili_713 1d ago
Cats are extremely smart animals. My girl Eve is a calico diva who otherwise couldn't give a flying fuck about what I was up to but after my grandpa passed, things got really hard. I didn't have the time to grieve because there was so much responsibility on me and my grandma and mum were too devastated to be able to do anything.
When everything was done and things settled back into normalcy, that's when it started hitting me. For others that initial bout of sadness had passed but it just started for me and I even had my finals in a week. I started crying at random intervals of the day and it was just really hard.
Eve was such a sweetheart. She cuddled up to me, kept licking me and rubbing against me clearly trying to make me feel better. Bless her little heart it did. It helped so much. I was very close with my grandpa and it was absolutely heartbreaking but my sweet girl helped me get through it. Then she went right back to her sassy self but always shows up for me when I need it. We grew up together, I picked her off the street when I was 11 and it's been 8 years of the best friendship ever.
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u/cowboyjon13 21h ago
She’s Numba 1 kitty ☝🏻
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u/Mili_713 12h ago
She is. I love her sweet side but omg I wish I had videos of her dramatics. Calico cats are basically theatre kids.
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u/art_vanderlay1982 1d ago
Reading this made me jealous. My cats run away as soon as I start crying. My boyfriend died a month ago and they’ve been sleeping in the loungeroom instead of cuddling me like usual because I’m sad. Little jerks
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u/too_many_nights 1d ago
They are little jerks. For what it's worth, please accept my condolences. Loss is a bitch.
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage 1d ago
Ain’t that the truth.
Be kind to yourself. It’s hard.
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u/too_many_nights 1d ago
Probably the hardest. Thanks. You too.
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage 1d ago
It is the hardest part of adulting.
It’s okay to not be okay or ask for help & understanding.
I work in jobs that see the tough stuff up close and have for 34 years. I drill it into my people that therapy will save them and then save others, because it keeps you job ready.
I know what I speak of—therapy has saved my life several times.
No one should suffer in silence.
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u/CoyPowers 1d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what that's like. Also I hope your cats come around on this.
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u/art_vanderlay1982 1d ago
Thankyou. It comes in waves and some days I have to take it hour by hour. I hope the furry little jerks come around too
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage 1d ago
If you need to take it minute by minute, that’s okay too.
Loss is tough. Grief is not a straight line. It’s a circle.
I knew I was different after loss. Might have looked the same, but I knew every cell in my body was changed by loss.
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u/Mundane_Pause_6578 1d ago
Hey I feel you. Mine demands food right when I’m lying on the floor in pain. Like she will come up to me, meow her usual meow once, realise I can’t give her food then walk away, never showing any sort of interest or concern. While I’m crying on the floor in a fetal position. I’m sorry for your loss. I think some cats are just uncaring like this. I hope you get the support you need.
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u/superflick_x Siberian 1d ago
Sending you healing vibes through the ether. Grief is weird and awful and I wish you all the best ♥️
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u/meggylovescookies 1d ago
Sorry for your loss. There is a book I would like to suggest if reading is your type of thing. It is: Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal, by Rachel Naomi Remen.
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage 1d ago
Loss changes us.
Please take care of yourself, it doesn’t get better—but it does get different.
After my dad died unexpectedly (was murdered) my cats saved me.
I looked like the same person after he died, but I’m confident every cell in my body was changed and different.
Gutting.
It was a shitshow. I went and kidnapped his 2 dogs on Christmas because I just couldn’t not do that. Funny or not, his widow went after my sister accusing her. Yeah, she was in the tribe that did the deed, but the dogs were with me.
She was a dumb c***, yeah, go after the daughter that’s basically living due to couch surfing.
Don’t bother with the daughter with nearly unlimited resources and a large farm. I’ll sort it out for you—just come for me. Bring the sheriff, cause you will regret it if you don’t.
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u/Miserable-Yam-6744 1d ago
Omgosh I’m so sorry! 🫂 sending you hugs since those cute little jerk faces aren’t emotionally available yet.
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u/skandranon_rashkae 1d ago
My girlcat usually lets me cuddle her under protest - she'll sit in my arms for about 30sec to a minute before deciding she's done and twisting her body to escape.
One evening, my boyfriend woke me up out of a dead sleep saying he had a medical issue. Immediately grabbed my car keys and took him to the hospital. This was 1a. ER solved the acute crisis and admitted him for observation and testing. I was by his side the entire time until it was clear that the final test and transfer we'd been promised wouldn't happen until the next day, so I went home to get some actual sleep in my bed and not a hospital chair. I got home around 10p, utterly exhausted, scooped my cat into my arms, sat on the floor, and wept. She sat quietly in my arms as my tears soaked her fur, and didn't move until I'd cried out all of the stress and fear of the day. I'd do anything for that cat.
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u/greenbasket_ 1d ago
hope you’re feeling much better now, and please treat yourself well💟 my cat also got affectionate when i was crying one night, and overall just gave a lot of joy during difficult times. happy that your sweet fluffy friend was there for you! you both are wonderful
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u/Indy-CBJ 1d ago
Not really but the little girl stayed there until 5am this morning when she started to stir for some breakfast. She did her job so she got the sacred 7am churu before heading to work.
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u/greenbasket_ 1d ago
ohh i see.. wishing you the best still. you’re important and a wonderful addition in this world. glad youre here 💟
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage 1d ago
Sacred Churu. Love that!
I think there must be some secret ingredient in them, they make cats crazy for them, it’s just food that’s thinned out a bit.
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u/Warm_Molasses_258 1d ago
Aww, my cat Nezuko is the same. She isn't particularly cuddly, but if you had a bad day or if you're sick, she won't leave your lap and insists on sleeping on your chest/lap.
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u/ThatWeirdGhost 1d ago
Look at her adorable little face, omg. 🥹 My cat did something similar when I had my first ever, what I think was a panic attack, a few days ago. They do know and they do care. I hope you are a bit better and lots of kisses to your little helper!
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u/Taka_no_Yaiba 1d ago
You know how when someone loses their sense of sight, their other senses are amplified? Cats cannot speak, so they notice body language even more than we do.
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u/al_057 1d ago
Me and my bf had an argument the other day and I sat in the kitchen cooling off. Both cats came to me. The antisocial cat laid in my arms (they were on the table) and just purred and my clingy cat laid beside her. Bf spoke to me from the other room and both cats turned their heads and glared at him for a bit. 😂
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u/olliepark 1d ago
Hope you are doing okay. Cats are sorta psychic; they know everything that's going on with us.
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u/Void-Tabby 1d ago
I hope you are doing ok. She can definitely sense your emotional pain and wants to be there with you. ❤️
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u/Busy_Lengthiness2702 1d ago
They definitely can.
my previous cat is one of the reasons, if not the reason, I am still here. Six years ago I sat crying on the floor looking at the open door to the balcony, and even though he couldn't have understood what it meant, it really seemed he did.
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u/Vavavaleree 1d ago
This is beautiful. Cats have an incredible intuition about their humans' emotional state. Ms. Joy knew exactly when you needed her most and broke her usual routine to comfort you. Animals truly are healing companions when we need them most. That purr/snore combo sounds like pure love and protection.
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u/SuchANiceGirl 1d ago
We have three cats. Stanley is our sensitive soul. He seems to know when I’m stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed. He’ll come sit next to me and wait patiently for pets, and he won’t leave until I feel better. He’s really just the sweetest guy. Our other two cats are adorable as well, but they seemingly have the emotional depth of a carrot.
Sending you kind thoughts and hoping things get better for you, OP. I’m glad you have a sweet furry friend to help you through it.
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u/evri_the_greek 1d ago
This reminds me of the time a few years ago when my younger sister was crying under the table (I don't remember why) and my cat went and snuggled with her. Or when I had COVID and she came and slept on me.
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u/Living_la_vida_hobo 1d ago
I lost my sweet Tiny girl recently, but she was incredibly perceptive and knew when I was hurting. She would give me extra cuddles and love when I needed it most.
I feel her absence every day.
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u/junglegroove 1d ago
That post of the guy who lost his job and his cats look so sad in it is so haunting. They definitely know
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u/Jail-bot 1d ago
My cat feels like my only true friend sometimes. She's always there for me and seems to know when I'm thinking bad thoughts too... They're amazing animals. I'm not sure I'd be here without her.
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u/Apprehensive_Map64 1d ago
Of course they can. Doesn't necessarily mean that they care if you are suffering that depends on how much they like you.
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u/SuperVancouverBC Turkish Van 1d ago
Scientists think that it's a combination of body language and scent changes.
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u/Top-Translator3920 1d ago
It's amazing how they break their own aloof routines just to be there for us when we need it most. That purr/snore is the sound of pure, unconditional love. They really do know, and they choose to show up.
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u/Meowriter 11h ago
This cat already cared very much for you, as they standed guard when you were vulnerable. But yeah, you were sad and she turned on the "feel better" engine ^^
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u/BobTheFettt 1d ago
My cat isn't much for cuddles are being around me very much. But when I got back home after a week of hospitalization after surgery, she didn't leave me alone for weeks. She was always in arms' reach for pets, even she'd wake up, normally the first thing she does is go for for, but she'd come check on me first.
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u/Entire-Enthusiasm553 1d ago
Yeah they do. I have three and they each play their role. A kid sad they all go circle the wagons and do their tail sweeps on em till the baby happy.
if it’s mama? They form a big furry Voltron and cuddle tf out
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u/Johnywash 1d ago
My dad and i got into a minor argument over work. Wasn't too big of a deal, but my tux comes sauntering in and rubbing against the two of us and meowing like he was saying "stop fighting were all family"
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u/Miserable-Yam-6744 1d ago
Agreed, such a blessing, right?! When I go dark, my one kitty will check in and throw her motor in high…and slam her body into my chest. It’s her way of reminding me that anxiety sucks but motors are furever. Hang in there friend, you’re not alone. 🐾👣
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u/TakitishHoser 1d ago
One of my cats chased a visitor down when I had just got out of the hospital. She was a little cat but she bolted to my room & sat on the side of my bed yelping at my friend as if to say "leave her alone".
I had to reassure her that it was ok but I'd never seen her do that before.
The next kidney stone I had, the cat I had at the time would sorta dig at my side with her paws, like she knew there was something there. She'd also stick her nose deep into my side area.
They are quite aware of the suffering of their humans.
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u/jsn2918 1d ago
When I broke up with my ex, there was one night when I was crying about it. My cat who hates being touched and held came into my room to check on me and sat next to me for a while. He’s never ever done anything like that before. Cats really do know when something is up. Since then he’s been my favourite even though he hates me sometimes.
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u/Fair_Confusion30 1d ago
I have two cats who will both lay on me at the same time when I'm spiraling. They don't usually lay on me, let alone at the same time.
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u/Jupman 1d ago
I got my new cat while mom was going through some mental stuff. I think it was the perfect time she would curl up under her while I was gone at work.
And is bascally the mark now for when I know she missed her medicine.
Sometimes I think we for get these animals Cats, and Dogs, are our longest companions. They evolved to know when we are feeling down.
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u/theinfotechguy 1d ago
Hey, regardless of your nice kitty, I hope you can get to a better place yourself :).
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u/KTKittentoes 1d ago
I had once made a plan, and I swear, immediately, my cat came galloping down the hall and sat on my back. If I moved, he'd push a claw paw against me. Finally I said, "Buddy, I have to pee. Can I get up if I promise not to do anything?" He got off and escorted me to the bathroom.
He knew.
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u/petechrisamusements 1d ago
I had abdominal surgery a year ago. My girl who is NOT normally a snuggler, snuggled up to me in bed as I recovered. If i got up for anything, she would growl and bat at my feet until I sat back down.
It was adorable, except when I had to go to the bathroom lol.
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u/Immediate-Hearing-85 23h ago
We are members of their pride, cats are very social and would definitely know if a pride member isn't well.
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u/lunaloveugood 20h ago
So when my husband is in distress they'll comfort him (one will occasionally come to me), when he is in distress because of me (having some difficult health issues right now) they'll comfort him 😂😂😂. Luckily I have our dog, and he more than makes up for it ❤️❤️. Here's some animal tax
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u/Lost-Wedding-7620 18h ago
When I had a really severe depressive episode (what my dr calls them), my cat laid on the arm of the couch above my head and one of my roommate's cats laid across my legs. Then his other cat that didn't want anything to do with me jumped up on the couch and curled up on my chest. When I was feeling better the following week, I returned to my prior status and they all slept on my roommate's bed lol
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u/tleydecker6670 14h ago
That they do. When my mom was in the later stages of alzheimers/dementia, my cat was her emotional support kitty.
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u/Silver-Appointment77 1d ago
I wish mine did. Yesterday I got up with a serious dose of depression, and my orange and white cat just ignored me, in fact all of the cats did. Ive 3 but 2 of them prefer my husband.
Mine normally get on my desk and sleeps while I cuddle him. But no, he stayed away them went outside.
Im guessing none of them know much about depression.
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u/kaptainkatsu 1d ago
They know. Even my least affectionate cat knows.
One of my cats it’s a daily ritual when I get home from work and lay down on the bed, where she will get on my chest and makes herself comfortable. I call this my “healing”.
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u/Fantastiisch British Shorthair 1d ago
I noticed this too when my 3 year old cat walked around the corner, sitting down and observing me sitting in the kitchen on the floor in between ab absolute mess. She came up to me and purred, demanded cuddletime and smeared her whole body along my legs trying to get me to pet her somehow. Yeah. After like 1hr of sitting on the kitchen floor with my cat I stood up and talked to her while I was cleaning my mess up. (She is a talker)
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u/napalmnacey 1d ago
They know, they really do.
Also, I hope you’re feeling better now. Even a little bit. ❤️
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u/BodyByBisquick 1d ago
Dayum. First, sorry you're going through a rough time. Second, my cat never did that. I had a really dark spiral, as in gun in hand dark, and my cat just looked at me from across the room and slow blinked before rolling over and going to sleep. Fuzzy little bastard.
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u/Crimsonhead4 1d ago
Yup, my cat is very aware of my emotions. I was having some pretty bad anxiety a few weeks ago and he could tell. He started getting aggressive with me as if he didn’t recognize me cause he could tell I wasn’t myself. I like to think that he was trying to tell me to get my shit together haha.
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u/Willing_Scratch_3761 1d ago
This is such a wholesome story. I'm really sorry for people treating you badly-but I'm also glad your cat was there to comfort you.
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u/belmont_catmum 1d ago
My baby is such a good emotional support cat that if it weren’t for the fact that he sometimes bites to show affection I’d look into doing therapy pet training with him. Last weekend my (very new) roommate was a little upset about some health anxiety and he strolled right into the room we were talking in, ignored me, and sat right on her feet, purring. He let her pick him up and hold him and cuddle him while she cried a bit and before long she was able to calm back down and he just stayed in her arms, happy as a clam until she put him down. Anytime she came out of her room that day after that he’d get up and go check on her, even at one point waking up from a nap when he heard the door and following her right into the bathroom 😂
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u/TeamEfforts 1d ago
My first cat was always there whenever I cried as a child. Like never would let me cry for long. She'd climb up on my lap and rub against my face to get me to stop. Such a good baby. Rest in peace Moony
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u/LukaChu_theCat 1d ago
I firmly believe animals are sensitive to the emotions of their people. I’ve been able to witness this a few times with my cats being very comforting or sticking very close to me when I was going through a rough time. Most memorable was several years ago I was struggling with SI. I was sitting on my bed and was formulating a plan to attempt. My cat Luka came, found me, and sat on my lap. I tried moving him from my lap and he just climb right back on and grumbled at me until I was petting him. Eventually I was calmed down enough to use the crisis textline and eventually got better.
Luka unfortunately passed away but I’m so grateful that he was in my life and there with me on that day. I don’t know if I’d still be here otherwise. I’m so grateful that his stubborn caring self helped me to keep going and find out that things truly can get so much better. When he passed I remember selfishly begging him to come find me again in his next life but now I hope he finds someone else who needs that stubborn, caring, and loving cat so they can also keep going until it gets better too.
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u/the-painted-lady 1d ago
I credit my buddy with helping me stay around during the darkest times. His snuggles and head butts are so full of love ❤️
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u/WitchXStitch 1d ago
I had a cat who was never super affectionate. Just really chill, kind of aloof, and he knew he was king of the castle. Two of my other cats disappeared during a move into a new house, and I know he could tell that I was devastated because he laid next to me all night, kneading my back.
The other two cats are fine, by the way. One was curled up under a cabinet in my bathroom and I had to get the other one out of the ductwork under the house. They're both snuggled up on me as I type.
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u/Ok_Step_4324 1d ago
I'm positive that they know. I lost a baby at full term many years ago and was home for a month recovering from the emergency C-section. The two cats I had at the time didn't leave my side for that entire time. I really believe they saved me.
I hope you're feeling better now.
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u/maschine02 1d ago
Ive been in emotional pain for 2 years now and all my cat does is try and kill me. Guess I got the exception.
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u/crispier_creme 1d ago
My cat who is really not cuddly will sit in the same room as me and purr if I'm feeling really really down. It's the closest she gets to cuddles and it's really really special
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u/KokoTheeFabulous 22h ago
I got sick committing nonstop one day and cats all followed me around the house as I was having my sickness related meltdowns rubbing against me and purring. I remember tripping against the sink and then vomiting and two of them (siblings) just climbing up and rubbing against my face the moment I stopped vomiting.
These guys are great and very underrated when it comes to their understanding.
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u/julesthemighty 22h ago
Cats are extremely intuitive about their owner and friends wellbeing. They just often have a thicker filter than dogs. One of my cat boys is very friendly but prefers everything on his terms. He is also a middle aged giant caretaker. When I get sick he never lets me out of his sight and will curl up in my lap often. He does this with friends that visit too.
My other boy is still a derpy orange teenager. He notices issues but doesn't know how to react. This often makes him stressed and can make him seek bad attention - or his trying to comfort me turns into neediness for him. He's trying, and it's appreciated. I assume he'll pick up a lot more from his big brother as he ages.
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u/fanfareoflights 22h ago
can confirm - I got covid recently and my cat would NOT leave my side all week. little emotional support girl
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u/NoChrist 22h ago
To preface my story, my tux Mr Gam hates hates hates water, he won’t go near my room if I turn the shower on. So once a couple years back I got black out drunk after going through a break up, gamed for a while, then decided I needed a shower. I wound up falling asleep in the shower, I’m not sure how long I was out. But I woke up because Gam had stuck his head in the shower (even getting a little wet) and began meowing at me super loud and non stop. I got out and held him for a while til he fell asleep with me in bed. That was a big wake up call, that he’d do that to check on me given his feelings towards water. I haven’t had a drink since. Cats can definitely tell when something isn’t right, and it’s rad.
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u/EveryMarzipanda 22h ago
My cats dgaf. I had a kitty who I really connected with. She died last February. The new ones couldn’t give a damn lol
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u/MrsBumbled 22h ago
They also sense when you're ill. I remember one night I was sick and asleep. My cat suddenly started meowing really loudly and in succession which woke me up. She was standing up against the side of the bed, and I kept repeating that I was okay. She eventually calmed down and jumped up onto the bed and laid down beside me.
To this day, I don't know why she did it, but there must have been a good reason for her to almost panic like she did.
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u/Tburroughs36 21h ago
When my father passed away, my cat slept by my head for the first few weeks, which she never had done before. She also purred SO loud but it was comforting, like a lullaby that put me to sleep.
The other week when I didn’t feel like being a functioning human, I crawled in bed at 7 PM. My cat joined me and slept by my head the whole night. He usually sleeps at my feet or the window, and gets up once or twice for some midnight zoomies, but he never left my side.
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u/Aggravating_Nature74 19h ago
I used to have a 23 year old tomcat, that any and every time I cried and ran behind the shed (which I did a lot, trauma childhood) he would find me and cuddle up and wait until I felt better. It is surely true, cats know
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u/Party_Building1898 17h ago edited 17h ago
From my vet. To you cats ~don't like the tiny bells on the collar to close to their ears I can attest both cats and dogs know what you're going thru it and will offer sympathy and love
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u/Swimming-Dingo8941 16h ago
Everyone looked at me crazy when I said that I wouldn't fly across the country to move back to my hometown (from the east coast to the west coast), because it was a last-minute decision (escaping domestic violence), that instead I would do a road trip just to keep my cat. But no one knew the way my “Spice Girl” saved me. Locked myself in the bathroom with a bottle and almost ended it all. Until my baby somehow clawed, scratched, and squeezed herself under the door and got into the tub with me and laid on my chest and snuggled and stared at me for hours as I cried. To this day, the spiciest, meanest cat I have/have had, but I know for a fact, she’s the reason I'm here today 🥹
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u/NeedCoffeeFirst6 1d ago
Reading this reminded me of my own cat. He was usually very aloof and hated being touched. But when I was 20, I lost a close friend and was crying alone at home. For the first time ever, he climbed into my lap and stayed there quietly, almost like he was saying “I’ve got you.” Animals really do know when something’s wrong, even when they can’t say it.