If you’re feeling down, maybe don’t pet your cat, new study suggests

A recent study found that while both dogs and cats can briefly improve your mood, petting a cat actually increases your stress levels, unlike dogs. This insight is significant as it highlights the nuanced differences in how pets affect our mental health. Given the growing focus on mental wellness, understanding these effects can help people better manage their emotional states by knowing which interactions might have unintended stress-inducing consequences. The findings suggest that while pets are generally beneficial for our wellbeing, the nature of our interaction with them can vary greatly in its impact.