Study links daily cat proximity to owners' hormone levels and mood
Researchers at Kyoto University found that the amount of time owners spend close to their cats correlates with owners' oxytocin and cortisol levels, influencing mood.
A team from Kyoto University monitored 29 cats and their 19 owners for one month, using urine tests to assess oxytocin and cortisol and Bluetooth tags on collars to record how often the animals were near their humans. Questionnaires captured owners' mood, and behavioral observations noted cat activity. The analysis revealed that greater daily proximity was associated with higher oxytocin and lower cortisol in owners, accompanied by reduced negative affect, while cats' oxytocin levels aligned more closely with owners' low mood than the owners' own oxytocin.
The findings suggest a bidirectional hormonal interaction rather than a simple benefit of pet ownership. However, the authors stress the limited participant number and the need for further research to establish causation. The study was published in the journal iScience.
