Can pets sense depression in humans?
Aradhana Jha | TimesPets Bureau | Feb 21, 2026, 14:15 IST
Signs your pet is secretly smarter than you think
There’s a reason why people say that pets are more than just animals, they’re family. Many pet owners believe that their dogs or cats somehow know when they’re down. But is it just emotional connection, or can pets actually detect depression in people
There’s a reason why people say that pets are more than just animals, they’re family. Many pet owners believe that their dogs or cats somehow know when they’re down. But is it just emotional connection, or can pets actually detect depression in people?
Science says that the answer may be more yes than we ever thought.
How pets detect human emotions
Animals, especially dogs, are very good at detecting human body language. Studies have shown that dogs are able to detect facial expressions, tone of voice, and even behavioral changes. When a person is depressed, their posture, energy, and tone of voice change – and pets can pick up on this.
Dogs, for example, have been living with humans for thousands of years. This has made them very sensitive to human emotions. They can sense when a person is less active, crying, avoiding social interactions, or when their routine is disrupted.
Cats, on the other hand, seem aloof. However, research has shown that they are also very sensitive to their owners’ emotions. Many cat owners have reported that their pets become more clingy when they are emotionally distressed.
Can they smell depression?
It may seem hard to believe, but animals have a very keen sense of smell. Dogs, for example, can detect changes in the human body’s hormonal and chemical composition. When a person is depressed, stress hormones such as cortisol levels may be affected. Dogs trained to detect scents have been known to detect stress in humans using only their sense of smell.
Why pets become more affectionate
If a pet picks up on the distress, it will commonly respond by being more affectionate, such as sitting closer, resting their head in your lap, or refusing to leave your side. This is not necessarily random behavior. Many animals are socially attached to their owners and will respond to their emotional vulnerability by being more nurturing.
What is also interesting is that petting an animal can actually reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin, or the “love hormone.” This is a powerful feedback loop: you feel better, and your pet responds to that.
Emotional support and mental health
Due to their sensitivity, dogs are often used as emotional support animals or therapy dogs. Their ability to pick up on emotional changes makes them a great companion for those with anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
Science says that the answer may be more yes than we ever thought.
How pets detect human emotions
Animals, especially dogs, are very good at detecting human body language. Studies have shown that dogs are able to detect facial expressions, tone of voice, and even behavioral changes. When a person is depressed, their posture, energy, and tone of voice change – and pets can pick up on this.
Dogs, for example, have been living with humans for thousands of years. This has made them very sensitive to human emotions. They can sense when a person is less active, crying, avoiding social interactions, or when their routine is disrupted.
Cats, on the other hand, seem aloof. However, research has shown that they are also very sensitive to their owners’ emotions. Many cat owners have reported that their pets become more clingy when they are emotionally distressed.
Can they smell depression?
It may seem hard to believe, but animals have a very keen sense of smell. Dogs, for example, can detect changes in the human body’s hormonal and chemical composition. When a person is depressed, stress hormones such as cortisol levels may be affected. Dogs trained to detect scents have been known to detect stress in humans using only their sense of smell.
Why pets become more affectionate
If a pet picks up on the distress, it will commonly respond by being more affectionate, such as sitting closer, resting their head in your lap, or refusing to leave your side. This is not necessarily random behavior. Many animals are socially attached to their owners and will respond to their emotional vulnerability by being more nurturing.
What is also interesting is that petting an animal can actually reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin, or the “love hormone.” This is a powerful feedback loop: you feel better, and your pet responds to that.
Emotional support and mental health
Due to their sensitivity, dogs are often used as emotional support animals or therapy dogs. Their ability to pick up on emotional changes makes them a great companion for those with anxiety, PTSD, and depression.