The purr-fect pick-me-up: 94% of cat owners say purring has a positive impact on their wellbeing

Published: 07:31 EDT, 9 October 2026 | Updated: 07:34 EDT, 9 October 2026 Hearing your cat purring is the purr-fect pick me up after a hard day, new research has shown. According to 94 per cent of British cat owners, the soft contented sound their feline friends make improves their mood and helps relaxation.Researchers asked 1,000 cat owners to explain how they felt upon hearing their pet purr and two-fifths said their stress levels decreased straight away. Cat care specialists Sanicat used their very own feline barometer to compile the results, which showed two-thirds of owners felt better knowing their cat was happy. The results also revealed more than 63 per cent enjoyed a sense of emotional bonding with their whiskered companion. The findings were released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on October 10 to show how pet ownership can help people struggling with conditions. Just under a third of those asked said by owning a cat they are able to observe and understand non-verbal communication. More than 40 per cent of cat owners believe their relationship with their pet has helped them to understand the needs and feelings of animals generally. 94 per cent of cat owners say hearing their pet purr cheers them up and helps decrease stressThe results also show that pet owners think animal based therapy should be used more broadly in the treatment of mental illness. Four-fifths of those who took the survey said cat-therapy should be a form of support for emotional and psychological wellbeing. Cat therapy takes place in a therapeutic setting where a qualified professional uses the animals to comfort a patient. Despite support for cat therapy, the feline barometer revealed 50 per cent of respondents are unaware that it can be used to reduce anxiety and encourage communication.