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Why Spending Time With Your Cat Feels So Good, According to Science

A study found that higher oxytocin levels in cats were associated with lower stress hormones and fewer negative emotions in their owners.

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When you hug, hold, squeeze, and pet your cat, you’re probably vaguely aware, maybe just in the back of your mind, that you’re actively trying to improve your quality of life by engaging in a pleasant activity. But something might be happening on a deeper, hormonal level that boosts not only your mood but your cat’s, too.

According to research published in iScience by a Kyoto University team, previous studies on whether cats actually make our lives better have been a bit of a mixed bag. There’s enough science to strongly........

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