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Your Cat May Not Be the Tiny Stress Reliever You Think It Is

They might actually make you feel worse.

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The common wisdom was that if you were stressed out, spending some time with a beloved pet might do you some good. A few belly rubs, head scratches, or a cuddle on the couch were supposed to make them feel good and, in turn, maybe some of that good vibe would rub off on you. But according to new research published in Frontiers in Psychology, it might be a bit more complicated than that.

Researchers from the Open University in the Netherlands tracked 188 cat and dog owners over five days, using a smartphone app that continuously asked participants about their mood, stress levels, and interactions........

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