Do animals comfort you when you are ill?

[alijangra]

I have been ill today and in my bed. My cat has not left my side. I also remember my wee dog comforting me when I was little if I was upset or ill. Do animals know and try to make you feel better?

[zara 4]

It seems so,if i'm ever upset my dog will come and lick my face,and my dog i had years ago,well i swear she was more human than some humans,she understood everything!!!

[drgnrdr]

Not really, if you want the hard researched truth, they actually read your body language and if the routine is messed up, they're good at reading you,they don't like the routine messed with, it throws them off, that's the short version.

But if you don't want that truth, then in "human" terms, yes they know and try to make you feel better.

Does it? then they were successful, enjoy their company :)

[CLOWN TICKLE]

All our pets have always done it and for my inlaws too

[whiskeysheri]

I was in a car accident recently and my cat would even sit outside the bathroom door for me. He doesn't usually bother with me, but for two weeks he wouldn't leave my side- I was even really injured. x

[Bohne]

I love my cats to death, but I have to admit, that I think the reason they come and lay by my side (or on top of me) when I'm in bed for whatever reason, is that it's comfortable for them...

[alijangra]

Bohne thats what I suspected with my cat, that she was enjoying the warmth as I had a really high temp!!

[noxlumos]

Interestingly a friend of mine who is Native American said certain animals including cats "feed" off negative energy which we give out when we are ill and take away imbalances in our energy fields. I'm only saying this because one of the few things that tell me I have a migraine heading my way ( I have very bad ones) is that our one cat will not leave me alone. If I allow the cat to sleep with me the migraine is less intense and goes quicker ( which I know is a physical impossibility before you all think I'm nuts) whereas if I keep the cat away from me I really suffer, so I'm quite prepared to give it credance, although other than anecdotally I can't back it up at all.

[drgnrdr]

Okay Tabithazig, I do not want to hijack this thread to answer. But ask any trainer with Credentials, any who have been training for over the last 20-30 years will tell you about dogs and how they do not like routines changed, they read your body language, they know when something is amiss, they know subtle changes in you. Anthropomorphizing, people do it all the time.

Why you called my answer trash..to "enjoy their company" have no clue what you think I said. Just to come on and attack me and not even contribute to the original thread...do I hear the backup alarm?

Sorry alijangra...we now return you to the originally scheduled program.

[alijangra]

Thank you everyone for your answers. My opinion is that animals do sense that something is wrong. My cat has her own bed both in the living room and my bedroom. She usually settles on her own bed but is always beside me when I wake up in the morning. I had a bad night last night missing my boyfriend who is working away, so I had a wee cry and the cat was up in an instant cuddling in. I dont know why she does it but I hope she never stops!

[drgnrdr]

exactly, she knew something was wrong (amiss), not routine, she jumped up to help and get all back to normal, she was successful, it made you feel better, give her a treat and rub under the chin for being close enough to you that she feels when & what you feel.

[WiccanKitten]

I think it depends on the connection between you and your cat.
My tortie Sugar is overtly protective over me, to the point where if someone walks into our room, she will leap up and sit on my lap. She also comes to nuzzle me whenever I'm down, and has been known to lick away my tears - bless her!

My fiances Ginger Tom - Dragon is completely loyal to him, when he comes in from a hard or stressful day at work, Dragon will go and comfort him.

Apparently its theraputic as well, the action of stroking a cat or dog is said to be relaxing, as is the sound of a cats purr.