Study: Petting your cat sends an oxytocin wave through both of you
A February 2025 study found that owners who spent 15 relaxed minutes petting, hugging, or quietly holding their cats experienced higher oxytocin levels, and the animals showed a parallel rise as long as they were free to walk away, Science Alert reported. Saliva samples collected before and after each home session confirmed that the longer a cat voluntarily stayed near its person, the larger the hormone spike for both partners. Forced hugs or attempts to corner an evasive cat produced no surge and sometimes a drop in oxytocin. “The hormone flows when the cat feels safe and comfortable,” the authors wrote, according to Science Alert.
Low-frequency purring also mattered. Earlier research cited by the same outlet showed that the rumble helped cats heal while lowering human heart rates, blood pressure, and cortisol—a physiological shift linked to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Cats evolved from solitary hunters, so their displays of trust tend to be subtle and must be earned over time. A 2021 Japanese study demonstrated that two or three minutes of gentle stroking or even a calm bedtime-story voice raised oxytocin in owners, suggesting that the words mattered less than the soothing tone.
The hormone’s influence extended beyond pets. A 2005 experiment with human volunteers indicated that oxytocin made people more willing to trust strangers in financial games, and a 2002 trial showed that gentle cat contact reduced cortisol, lowered blood pressure, and eased pain.
Comparative work highlighted species differences. A 2016 experiment recorded a 57 percent oxytocin increase in dogs after ten minutes of play with a human but only a 12 percent rise in cats. Researchers linked the gap to evolutionary history: pack-oriented dogs were bred for constant eye contact, while cats reserve the hormone surge for moments when they feel entirely secure.
Attachment style mattered as well. Cats that chose to climb into a lap or initiate head rubs showed the strongest oxytocin spikes. Anxious animals began with high baseline levels that sometimes fell if interactions became too intense, and aloof cats showed little change. Respecting an animal’s boundaries proved essential.
Oxytocin, long called the biological glue of parent-child bonding, also appeared during everyday exchanges with felines. Touching a familiar cat elevated the hormone more than contact with an unfamiliar animal, and companion cats offered a buffer against anxiety and depression similar to human social support.
Cats rarely rely on prolonged eye contact; instead they signal comfort with a slow blink. Returning that blink signaled safety and could trigger an oxytocin release in both species. Each blink, rumble, or nudge acted as a chemical handshake.
Purring remained central: the low vibration correlated with higher oxytocin in humans and lower cortisol. Even brief daily gestures—an aisle-side greeting, a quiet stroke along the back—kept the hormone circulating. “Science may never explain why cats choose to show affection in riddles, but the hormones don’t lie,” said one researcher, according to Vice News.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.
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