Kyoto University study finds hormonal link between cats and owners

Researchers from Kyoto University and Azabu University have identified a hormonal connection between cats and their owners. The study, published in the journal iScience, suggests that oxytocin levels—often referred to as the “love hormone”—are correlated between both species.

By monitoring 19 owners and 29 cats over a month using urine samples and Bluetooth trackers to measure physical proximity, scientists found that higher oxytocin levels in cats were associated with lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels in their owners. Owners of cats with higher oxytocin levels reported fewer negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and tension, and reported feeling more energetic when in close proximity to their pets.

Lead researcher Dr. Saho Takagi noted that the interaction, such as petting a purring cat, likely helps build this bond. While the study demonstrates a positive correlation, researchers cautioned that the small sample size means a direct causal relationship has not yet been established.