After a hard day, a few minutes with a cat on your lap can feel like a reset. It turns out there’s a measurable reason. Researchers have found that petting animals for just 10 minutes can lower a major stress hormone.
The Study
In 2019, Patricia Pendry and Jaymie Vandagriff of Washington State University published a study in the journal AERA Open. They wanted to see whether the “pet your stress away” events held on many college campuses did anything real.
They randomly split 249 students into four groups:
- Spent 10 minutes petting and playing with cats and dogs
- Watched other people pet the animals
- Looked at a slideshow of the same animals
- Waited quietly without phones or books
The researchers measured cortisol, a major stress hormone, in the students’ saliva. Those who actually touched the animals had significantly lower cortisol than the other groups. It wasn’t enough to watch the animals or see their pictures.
It was the first study to show a drop in students’ cortisol in a real-life setting and not in a lab.
What It Does And Doesn’t Show
The study included both cats and dogs, so it can’t say that cats are better or worse than dogs at this. The participants were college students, and the effect was short term. It shows that a brief, hands-on visit with an animal can help in the moment.
That’s still useful. Ten minutes is not a lot to ask for a real change in the body.
If stress or low mood is sticking around, a cat can be wonderful company, but it’s no replacement for talking to a doctor or a therapist.
How To Pet A Cat So You Both Enjoy It
Cats have opinions about this, and a relaxed cat is a much better stress reliever than an annoyed one.
- Let your cat come to you. A cat who chooses your lap is more likely to stay.
- Start with the head, cheeks, and chin. Most cats prefer these spots, along with the neck and back.
- Go easy on the belly. It’s often a trap, and it can lead to a surprise bite.
- Keep it short. Stop while your cat is still enjoying it, and watch for a flicking tail or flattened ears.
Make It A Habit
You don’t need a big routine. Put your phone down for 10 minutes in the evening, sit somewhere comfortable, and wait for your cat to arrive. If they fall asleep on you, that’s even better.
No cat of your own? Many shelters welcome volunteers to sit with the cats. The study’s animals came from shelter programs, and the cats could use the company too.
