Do cats care if you cry

Do Cats Cry And When? What It Means When Your Cat Cries

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If youre wondering whether cats can cry, the simple answer is yes. Cats cry, but it happens because of very different reasons than when people cry. People shed tears, due to sadness or sometimes extreme pain.

As a long-time cat owner, Ive had quite a lot of experience with teary eyes and excessive meowing. You know your cats purrs and meows, but do you know what your cats meows accompanied by cries and tears mean?

Your cat probably isnt crying tears because you were at work all day, but it can be that your cat felt anxious enough to shed a tear. Read on to see all the possible reasons cats cry.

Do Cats Cry Tears?

Yes, as Ive already said, cats can and do cry. Cats eyes, i.e. tear ducts, have the same function as human tear ducts. However, the huge difference is that cats tears are not emotional like ours. Cats cry by vocalizing.

My colleagueIram Sharma DVM, agrees with what most experts say; cats meow or yowl in an attempt to express something. She goes on to say that cats dont cry due to sadness or pain, but they will express some signs if they are in pain.

Their vocalization and behavior changes, their cries will be longer than usual, and you may also be able to see signs like:

hiding away

increased vocalization

aggressive behavior

appetite loss

different litter box habits

change in grooming habits

your cat isnt as active as normal

Cats dont cry because theyre sad or hurting badly, but they do cry out for other reasons.

Why Do Cats Cry 10 Reasons

Almost every cat parent wonders whether cats can cry, when, and why they do it.

If youve noticed your cat has watery eyes, it is normal for you to want to know why that is. The following are the most common reasons your cat cries or has discharge coming from its eyes.

1. Anxiety

Most commonly, cat owners report that theyve noticed their cat crying when left alone. This is most often an indication of separation anxiety.

Other things can also make your cat anxious, like changes in the cats environment, changes in cat food, and overall changes in your cats everyday routine.

2. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that is caused by your cats aqueous liquid (the liquid between the cornea and lens of the eye) insufficiently draining. This results in an injury to your cats eyes or an anatomical abnormality.

In the case of glaucoma in cats, youll notice squinting, pawing at the eye, swelling, your cat keeping its eyes partially closed for long periods, and watery discharge from the cats eyes.

3. Allergies

Cats can be allergic to many different things. This includes pollen, mold, dust, and other environmental factors. Cats can also be allergic to some foods, perfumes, and various chemicals found in cleaning products.

Symptoms most usually include irritation, sneezing, and teary eyes. You can help minimize allergy symptoms by using dust-free litter, bathing and grooming your cat to relieve irritation, and keeping your home clean of dust and dirt.

Also, keep your cats napping spots clean and maintain a healthy diet.

4. Cat Flu

Cats can also have teary eyes in case of an upper respiratory infection, i.e. the cat flu. Cat flu is most usually caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, in which case youll notice your cat is lethargic or it lost its appetite.

Your cat can also sneeze, and there will be discharge from its nose. There is no exact cure for these viruses, but your vet can help. Your vet will probably prescribe some eye drops, antiviral meds, antibiotics, or pain relievers.

5. Feline Cognitive Dysfunction

Feline cognitive dysfunction is compared to and considered equivalent to dementia in humans. However, FCD usually affects senior cats older than 10.

Cats that suffer from this condition often get confused and cry out for help. They cry to their owners so they can help them.

6. Eye Infections

Cats, especially kittens whose immune systems are still not strong enough, can catch infections, either bacterial or viral, when they come into contact with other infected cats.

Eye infections in cats can also occur if they suffer trauma to the eye from a fight or any sharp object that wounds them. In case of eye infections, you will notice greenish or yellowish, sometimes even clean, discharge from your cats eyes.

Your cat could also have red eyes or inflamed eyelids. If you notice anything like this, schedule an appointment with your vet.

7. Arthritis

Most cats older than ten suffer from arthritis. If your cat falls into this age category, then its probably crying and meowing because of arthritis. Youll also notice your cat avoiding the stairs or any activity that requires a lot of joint movement.

8. Corneal Ulcers

Ulcers usually lead to eye discharge due to the excessive production of tears. In this case, your cat will be squinting, pawing at its eyes, have red eyes, or experience cloudiness.

9. Mourning

Even though your cat wont shed emotional tears, it is possible that your cat is sad because of a loss. Many cat experts have confirmed, and all of us have experienced, or at least heard, that someones cat cried because of the loss of a loved one.

Cats form strong bonds with their humans, and if you lose a loved one, your cat will probably cry because it is also missing that person.

10. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common feline eye disorders, and it can also be the cause of your cats teary eyes. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Most cats suffer from it at least once in their life. It can occur in one or both of your cats eyes.

The clinical signs will be most visible in your cats third eyelid. Youll also notice squinting, discharge, and excessive blinking. In this case, the eye discharge will be dark-colored and thick or watery and colorless.

Other Medical Conditions

Whenever you notice a sudden change in your cats behavior, you should consult your vet.

Sudden changes in behavior can include many different things, from harmless to severe medical issues. Its a broad spectrum, so a vets help is needed. The same goes for crying, if you notice your cat crying all of a sudden, talk to your vet.

Older cats or any cat that has impaired hearing will probably cry more than usual, as well as cats with higher blood pressure or cats that suffer from kidney or heart issues usually vocalize more than normal.

Suggested: Why Is A Cat Crying Outside At Night And How Can I Stop It?

How To Help Your Crying Cat

Always determine what the cause of your cats crying first is. Deal with any underlying issues you discover together with your veterinarian. After youve ruled out that there are no underlying issues, provide your cat with his or her favorite things.

Spend time with your furry friend to ensure that theyre not anxious or sad because they miss you. Provide your cat with its favorite blanket, toys, cushions, etc.

Cat scents also play an important role, so other than smelling you, your cat might benefit from things with its own scent as well. If youve lost a loved one or youve been away for a long time, play music for your cat.

Final Words

In case you notice anything unusual in your cats behavior, like your cat meowing and crying or tears in your cats eyes, consult your vet. There are different reasons that answer why do cats cry.

Your cat might be crying for different reasons and various health issues, some of which require veterinary care. At your cats regular vet check-up, always mention any behavioral changes that youve noticed.

My beloved feline friends sometimes cry (vocalize) because they want playtime or food or they simply want their daily dose of cuddles. However, its not that common to see cat tears in our home.

This is good since tears in cats are mostly associated with infections and other eye issues. Hopefully, Ive answered your inquiries, and I hope it helps determine what might be the cause of your cats teary eyes.

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Do Cats Know When You Are Sad?

In the movies, when the main character is crying after a dramatic breakup or grieving a loss, its not uncommon for their pet to comfort them. Perhaps their dog lays their head on their lap, or their cat curls up next to them on the sofa. But is this realistic? Do cats really know when we are upset? And if so, how?

Can Cats Sense Their Owners Emotions?

Cats recognize human emotion is based on our body language, behavior, speech, tone of voice, and facial expressions

Although dogs are widely acknowledged as being more in tune with their humans emotions than cats, cats arent blind to our moods. In fact, they can pick up on various behavioral and emotional signals from humans and adjust their behavior.

For example, cats tend to engage and interact more with their owners if they are depressed or showing negative emotional states like sadness, grief, or loneliness.

The way that cats recognize human emotion is based on our body language, behavior, speech, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Though its very unlikely that cats can differentiate a full spectrum of human moods and emotions, they certainly seem to know when theyre needed. Which is kind of cute, really.

Also Read:How To Get A Dog And Cat To Bond

Can Cats Sense Sadness?

Cats can sense human moods as well as depression and sadness.

They might not understand the reasons behind our sadness, but cats do have the ability to pick up on signs of low mood in their owners. In the cat world, true sadness isnt necessarily an emotion that is recognized in cats often. However, cats do feel negative emotions due to stress, anxiety, pain, grief, or loneliness.

So, while you cant expect your cat to understand that youre sad because youve argued with your mom, or because your friend is unwell, they might well surprise you by showing that they know that you are feeling down.

Also Read:Why Does My Cat Meow At Night?

What Might Your Cat Do When They Know You Are Sad?

Cats pick up on your moods, and may act differently if youre feeling upset.

1. Spend More Time Around You

Cat enjoys human interaction and physical contact

This is a subtle change in behavior, but if youre sad, you might notice that your cat seems to be around more. Rather than being clingy, theyre probably just trying to reassure you and be there for you in their own way. Plus, if theyre nearby, theyll be ready if you decide you want to fuss or stroke or cuddle them.

2. Comfort You

If your cat enjoys human interaction and physical contact, they might go one step further than just hanging around nearby. You might find that they try to comfort you by laying in your lap, offering you affectionate exchanges like head-butting (bunting), kneading, and gentle nibbles of the ear. They might also lay on your chest, offering comfort with their rhythmic purring and warmth.

Also Read: Why Does My Cat Lay And Sleep Between My Legs?

3. Ignore You

Every cat is different, just like every person is. So, you cant expect all cats to react in the same way. If your cat feels a bit uncomfortable or stressed by your sadness, or if theyre not a touchy feely cat, they might ignore you altogether. Theyre not being heartless, and it doesnt mean they dont love you. Theyre probably just particularly sensitive to stress.

4. Avoid You

If your cat finds your distress particularly stressful, they might avoid you altogether. However, this is most likely if there have been arguments, crowds, or lots of noise around the home. In time, when its just you and them, theyll probably feel brave enough to show they care again. If after a day or two theyre still acting stressed and staying out of the way, speak to your vet.

5. Try To Distract You

Like it or not, cats can be a great distraction. Whether they force you to get on with your usual routine by waking you up and crying for food, or try to instigate playtime by playfully nipping you or attacking your trousers. This might not be a conscious decision by your cat, but it can certainly help you feel better.

Also Read: 8 Purrfect Games You Can Play With Your Cat

Do Cats Know When Other People Are Sad?

When youre feeling sad, cats can be a great pick-me-up.

Cats are best at picking up on the emotions of their human family members. These are the people they know best, and theyll be much more familiar with your normal body language and behavior. Strangers or infrequent guests will be harder for your cat to read, so dont expect your cat to comfort all your neighbors, friends, and relatives!

Does Owning a Cat Help When We Are Sad?

Owning a pet has been proven to help improve peoples moods. In fact, therapy animals can even help when people are unwell. One of the reasons for this is that stroking and petting an animal reduces our stress levels and releases happy hormones.

Its not just hormonal; knowing that our feline family member is there for us makes us feel good, and we appreciate their loyalty and affection. Add to that the fact that caring for cats and other pets can give us a sense of purpose, keep us in a good routine, and make us feel needed, and its easy to see why furry family members help when were feeling sad.

Of course, its not a one-way thingmost cats also enjoy the company of their owners and like having them around. Some cats even suffer with separation anxiety from their owners. You can find out more by reading our article Do Cats Miss Their Owners When Theyre Gone.

When were sad, a cuddle with the cat might be just what we need. Thankfully, cats often pick up on the signs that we are feeling down, and make themselves more available. So, next time youre sad and notice your cat lingering nearby when theyre normally out exploring, be comforted by the fact that they care and want to make you feel better.

Also Read: 6 Best Emotional Support Letter Services For Cats

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cats sense human sadness?

Yes! Cats pick up on cues from their human's behavior, body language, and expressions that give them information about their mood. Though they wont be able to tell the difference between the vast array of negative emotions like grief, loneliness, or depression, cats are certainly able to tell when their owners mood is low.

How does my cat know when Im sad?

When youre sad, your speech changes and you might make other noises like sniffling or crying. Your body language will also change and you may be less active, more hunched, and generally seem weighed down with life. Your cat can pick up on this information, as well as other observations like your facial expressions, and use it to interpret your mood.

Will my cat comfort me when I cry?

Every cat is different, so if youre expecting your cat to hop into your lap for a cuddle when you cry, you could be disappointed. However, cats do tend to alter their behavior when their owner seems depressed or sad. They tend to linger nearby, coming closer than they normally would, and some will interact more or be more affectionate.

No matter which type of cat you have, its likely theyre trying to comfort you in their own way. However, its worth mentioning that some traumatic events that could cause human sadness could also cause your cat stress and anxiety. So, if theres been a lot of new visitors, loud noises, or hostility, your cat might withdraw for a while to a place they feel safe.

Do cats have feelings for their owners?

Cats are known to be quite independent, and they can sometimes come across as aloof. If youre not a cat lover, you might think that cats only show affection on their terms, when theyre hungry or want something. However, many cats have feelings for their owner, and the bond between a cat and their human can be very strong and very special.

In fact, cats often have a favorite person. You can find out if youre your cats chosen one in our articleHow Cats Choose Their Favorite Person.