A study tracking cats and their owners for a month found that their oxytocin levels tended to fluctuate in sync. The relationship was stronger when cats and owners were physically closer, while owners’ reported moods also corresponded with their pets’ hormone levels.
Researchers monitored oxytocin and cortisol in urine samples from 29 cats and their 19 owners. Owners also reported their moods. Oxytocin is associated with social bonding and wellbeing, while cortisol is a marker of stress.
Owners were more likely to describe themselves as happy and relaxed when their cats had higher oxytocin and lower cortisol. When cats showed lower oxytocin and higher cortisol, owners more often reported feeling stressed or gloomy.
The study did not investigate which member of the pair influenced the other, or whether the relationship worked in both directions. Its findings show an association between the cats’ and owners’ hormonal patterns, but do not establish what causes it.
Sources: Psychology Today.