do they know when we are down?

You must be correct. It is true that humans have the highest mental state. But animals too have the senses. Cats and Dogs are the closest animals to human. Therefore they get the opportunity to be with human mostly the whole their lives. We see that animals are trained to do many things. Similarly when you love your cats a lot they understand that and they give it in return.

I definately think that they know when we are down. I have one cat who is less than a social butterfly when it comes to people. He doesn't like to cuddle, or be bothered with humans most of the time. He often runs when I try to catch him. But whenever I am feeling upset about something, out of nowhere he'll cuddle up next to me and purr at me. He only ever does this when I'm upset.

I think cats and dogs but mainly cats are connected in some way to the spiritual side of things, and they can sense many things that we don't understand, I have noticed this behaviour in my cats too, I just think they are atuned to things we do not understand.

I do animals know when we are down or sick. My sister-in-laws dog always knew when she was sick or down in the dumps and stayed right around her. She did not leave her side. Then when my sister-in-law had surgery and couln't get around her dog would not leave her side only long enough to go outside and go to the bathroom. Animals seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing when we are down, sick, or have had surgery.

Some animals are more sensitive than human being like dogs,cats and horses. They have more understanding with the human being. They understand the sorrows of the human and sense their feelings follow them and trace help their their solutions also. More or less I can only say that the pets are more faithful then the human itself. If you do not eat they do not eat. If you cry they cry and if you happy they play with you. Have a nice day and comment.

I agree! I have a cat and a dog and they both sense when something is not quite right and do their best to help. When I first hurt my back and couldn't let the animals jump up in my lap and such they both settled down and stopped trying to do that. They seemed more patient and waited for their foods and just tried their best to give me some comfort. Animals are not dumb, they know when something is wrong

i think animals like cats and dogs will be able to know when their owners are feeling down... especially if we already developed a strong relationship with them... they definitely can share our feelings... i know it because i used to have a dog before and she will lay next to me when i feel down and lick me... i never have a cat before... but i assume they are similar to dogs as well... take care and have a nice day...

That is so true although my story might take a different angle. About 7 to 8 years ago my mother had a houseful of catas - 26 when I counted. She loved her cats but my youngest brother hated them. On the other hand my second to last brother loved them dearly. Whenever the youngest one was around they would not be seen but when the other one came to the house they would appear from every nook and cranny, rubbing on you, sleeping with you and all that. Yes they are sensible and sensitive creatures and they do know when they are loved. The read people's emotions cotrrectly. I love them as much as I love dogs!

Cats definitely know when things aren't right. My son and daughter-in-law were visiting last month. He had a terrible kidney infection, running high fever sleeping most of the time. When they're here my cat usually gets in his lap or next to him in the chair every time he sits down. She won't have much to do with me while he's here. This time she would go up to him and "examine" him then walk away. But with me she is extra attentive, but not demanding when I'm sick.

I don't have pets, and I should probably leave this for this person to answer but..... When my mom fell and broke her hip, her cat became very "old". Her back legs and hips became very stiff, making it difficult for her to move around. I brought my mom to stay with me for awhile, and my nephew and brother took care of the cat. The cat always slept with her back to Mom's back, I think. Anyway, when she went home, the cat would sleep in front her, facing her. Everytime Mom would move, and it hurt, the cat would put her paw on her and pat her, just like a mother does when her child is a little fussy. Mom had surgery almost a year after she fell. (she is a stubborn old woman, and didn't go to the doctor after she fell the second time, which is when she broke her hip) Anyway, Mom had the surgery, went through therapy, got off the walker, walked with a cane for a bit, and the whole time, the cat just acted old. Once Mom stopped using her cane, and wasn't limping, the cat's movements improved, as well. So, yes, I do think that our pets do sense when we are down, or in pain. They know when something is not right, and I truly believe that they can take on the same symptoms that we do, trying to take some of that from us to make us feel better. Whew! Sorry about the round about to get to the point. *S*

I think so too. I don't get 'down' very often, but when I get sick with a fever my cats come closer and more often. When I really get sick, they sit up and watch me sleep. I can feel them watching me. The dogs are the same way. My Border Collies all jumped up on the bed, when I was sick and sat there watching me for days on end, but they never get up on the bed, when I well. They never sleep on the bed either when I'm sick. They just watch me, along with the cats.