“Cats That Heal Your Depression”: 50 Pics Of Adorable Felines Who Don’t Even Know What Power They Hold
Even if they’re not a cat person, one has to admit, some of them are pretty darn cute. There’s something about them that just puts people in a better mood, whether it’s the tiny pink nose that they can’t help but boop or the jelly bean-like paw pads, which ought to evoke an inadvertent “awww”.
Quite a collection of “awww”-inspiring pictures of felines can be found on the ‘Cats That Heal Your Depression’ Twitter account. Dedicated to some of the most adorable critters out there, it has been providing regular heart-warming content for its followers—nearly 448k of them at the moment—since it was created in 2021. Scroll down to find pictures shared by the account and see for yourself just how adorable cats can be.
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Well, obviously the cat has to do the thinking. Dogs like WET!
Load More Replies...Wow. Make that dog all blond and you’d have my Scruffy, chicken legs and all (he passed on this past January at somewhere between 15 and 20—he was about 5 to 10 years old when we rescued him off the street, according to the vet’s best estimate). He loved our cats too. When they were kittens, they used to crawl all over him, and he didn’t mind at all. RIP Cruff-Cruff. You are so very missed.
I think I wrote about this before, but after my liver transplant, I fell into a deep, deep depression. Until a scruffy, long hair, tuxedo kitten showed up at our door. He hissed at me constantly, but loved the food. Hissing or not, the first night I wake up and he is sleeping with his little furry cheeks in the palm of my hand. A month later, I was no longer depressed, but a short 4 years later he passed away of a heart murmur. I was inconsolable. Then a few months pass and I find his splitting image in an adoption website. This one too sleeps with me at night and we have been together almost 15 years. I can't lose him too, the pain was too much, but such is life. They both saved my life.
The boy thinks he has a cat. The cat KNOWS he has a boy.
Cats are empaths. I suffer of a cervical hernia since 3 month, making me a bit depressed also, my cat is glued to me. She does the same when one of my daughters is ill. Good girl Rubis 🐈⬛
I did a little research and I'm pretty sure her tattoo's supposed to depict vasopressin and serotonin → https://pinterest.de/pin/vasopressin-and-serotonin-i-think-its-cool-and-all-but-why--256212666275523058/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)
Load More Replies...The tattoo is Oxytocin. It has to do with childbirth, milk production and social bonding. It's also a song by Billie Eirish. Wikipedia.
Saying that cats can heal one’s depression might be too strong of a statement; however, these critters are known to have a strong positive effect on people’s mental health. Greater Good magazine covered quite a few benefits of sharing a home with a cat, such as being happier and more confident, feeling less stress, and enjoying better sleep, just to name a few. It pointed out that even watching cat videos can help combat anxiety, annoyance, and sadness.
Greater Good also revealed that cats are a positive influence to our physical well-being as well. They are believed to help minimize the risk of a heart attack and can arguably alleviate numerous health complaints, such as headaches or back pain.
How precious, I love that a special relationship with a cat can stay the same through their whole life.
Once we whip that soft can-opener into shape, we can reward their good behavior.
Load More Replies...Those aren't bananas. Those are cantaloupes.
Load More Replies...Integrative mental health specialist, Louise B. Miller, Ph.D., pointed out that it’s not only cats but pets in general that provide numerous psychological and physical benefits to people. In addition to relieving stress by lowering the levels of cortisol in our body, they also help increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine, known as the “feel-good” chemicals.
Dr. Miller also emphasized that pets are a source of comfort and a sense of purpose; they make a person feel needed, which positively affects their self-esteem. In addition to that, some pets require regular physical activity—a dog that’s stomping by the door eager to go on a walk, for instance—which means regular exercise for their human as well.
Out of every litter, there are several kittens that pay absolutely zero attention to humans, but there will always be at least one who notices us, and approaches to check us out. If we’re nice—-and animals do have a sixth sense about that—-they’ll sit and calmly watch us, to learn how we roll. Sometimes they may even mimic a human smile, like this kitten is doing. Those are the kittens who will grow up to be our greatest and most memorable little companions, who we will always remember and miss, long after they’ve crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
I don’t need a ring, if someone proposed like this, we’ll her face says it all
I never thought I would fall in love with my best friend, and now I have so I am asking you.... would you own a cat with me?
Ok but the housekeeper who worked at my building would do that (from our balcony at third floor) at 7am in a sunday LMAO
I think someone's car warranty may be about to expire. Luckily, there's a salescat.
Always need a good salescat. Also- I’m new here- how does this work? Are people nice?
Load More Replies...I adopted my kitties when they were 8 weeks old. They were sister litter mates who were found as newborns with their mother. When I first got them they were pretty shy and liked to hide. One day I couldn't find them but since they stayed in my bedroom until they were acclimated, I knew they were somewhere in there. I could hear them meowing but couldn't find them anywhere. As I looked under the bed for the umpteenth time I called again, and from the bottom of the box springs a little head popped out, upside down, just like this little munchkin. I couldn't stop laughing!
All the benefits—not to mention the endless and unconditional love—critters bring into people’s lives are likely the reason so many of them share their home with a pet. According to Forbes, currently in 2023, as many as 66% US households, adding up to roughly 85 million of them, are home to a pet of some sort.
Even though dogs are still the more common option, with 58% pet owners enjoying their company, cats are not that far behind (36%).
Of course not. Our sleep is of utmost importance.
Load More Replies...Lt. Nog does this, and it makes it hard to play Video games. 🤣 20230520_1...4e9eaa.jpg
My Abby used to watch Supernatural with me. Seriously. She watched it. If I had to pause it to do something, she loudly made known her displeasure. I miss that little girl.
My foster kittens love to watch ice age with the kids. Especially the squirrel gets their attention 😂
Bouche used to watch animal videos.
Load More Replies...With the advent of Hi Def TV, the images are clear and crisp enough for animals to see them a lot better. Throw in a lot of movement and action, and their interest is piqued. Our youngest cat, Tabitha, has watched TV since she was a kitten. I have a picture of her as a tiny kitten, watching, of all things, The Seventh Seal (no clue why). Her favorites are Pixar and old silent slapstick comedy movies with a lot of action, like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd movies. She will be absolutely glued to the screen watching them, her eyes following everything, and her little head moving in every direction the action goes. I spend so much time watching her, I sometimes don’t watch the movie.
Here’s the picture of her watching The Seventh Seal as a kitten (in 2020). IMG_0768-6...5-jpeg.jpg
Let those sweet, impressionable kittens watch a more a pro-cat show; I hate Tom and Jerry and Sylvester cartoons, because I love cats, and in these shows they are the villains and get beaten up by everyone. This has always bothered me more than the violence toward characters like Elmer Fudd or Wile E. Coyote, for example. (Though I shouldn't really blame a coyote for wanting to eat either). Maybe put on Aristocats. (I say, as if cats can understand themes in storylines).
When you blep deeply into the void, the void bleps back.
Load More Replies...Both cats and dogs were once untamed animals fighting for their survival in the wilderness; which might be difficult to imagine by looking at the critter comfortably napping on the sofa covered by three of your favorite blankets.
It is difficult to determine when exactly dogs were domesticated, but, according to New Scientist, they separated from their wolf ancestors somewhere between 27,000 and 40,000 years ago, based on genetic evidence. (It seems that they became man’s best friend simply because the man had excessive amounts of meat. He started sharing it with the wild furry beast, turning it into a cute and loving critter over the span of thousands of years.) As for cats, Scientific American pointed out that they might have started their friendship with humans roughly 10,000 years ago.
Groucho Cat: "Parenting is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?!" 🥸😹
"Yes. I'm sure it's yours. No, it didn't come in the cat door. Look at the face!"
That's a Blue Morpho butterfly, so it's unlikely this pic is real, but it's lovely anyway!
Agreed. This has all the markings of a blue Morpho, but the size is way off, as they are fairly large. But as you said, it's still a lovely photo!
Load More Replies...They're all just big kitty cats! (Except the last one, which is probably quite a small kitty cat.)
Nope, still a big kitty cat. Even bigger than the rest of them.
Load More Replies...That’s what I was thinking, why is it called downward dog?! Downward cat would be purfect!
Load More Replies...Ever since people turned wild cats into what resembles Garfield more than a lion, they have been successfully cohabiting with all sorts of felines. Nowadays there are believed to be 73 breeds of cats—at least that’s how many are recognized by The International Cat Association (TIKA),—each one cuter than the other.
And even though cuteness is a highly subjective matter, there seems to be a clear winner when it comes to popularity. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, back in 2021, Ragdoll became the most popular breed for the third consecutive year. It was followed by the Maine Coon Cat, the Exotic, and the Persian respectively.
This is supposed to be about Healing depression, not making it worse
Load More Replies...Way more wholesome than the last "wholesome relationship memes" we had
I will never understand how anyone could split these babies - in my house NONE of them would go!
My husky whose 3rd birthday got given a Kevin the carrot for his first Christmas and he still carries him round although Kevin is now just a grubby rag and I've searched everywhere for another to replace him with no joy. Lol he fights off his Mum and Dad (( other huskies) to make sure no one else can have Kevin.
Load More Replies...My Chloe has an emotional support pickle. I hope it’s taking good care of her in her new house with her Bubba. I miss them both dreadfully. At least they’re only across town.
Load More Replies...Despite domesticating them and living side by side for thousands of years already, people still find it difficult sometimes to understand whether their cat actually likes them. Let’s be honest, their somewhat unfazed facade at times or clear need for personal space might really puzzle their owners.
Evolutionary psychologist and writer, Nigel Barber, Ph.D., covered communication between cats and people in an article for Psychology Today. He pointed out that cats might utter a ‘meow’ not only to express hunger, but to greet you, as they typically do their mother when they’re still a kitten. (Yes, in a way they consider the owner a parent, or one of their own, at least.) The author also emphasized that when they’re relaxed, felines might start to blink slowly or purr.
Our kitty passed away last year only 3 months shy of her 19th birthday. I got her beans tattooed on me last week and it's by far my favorite tattoo. Now she will forever go on walkies with me.
“tHe LoVe Of My LiFe, ShE’s GoT gLiTtEr FoR sKiN, mY rAdIaNt BeAm In ThE nIgHt, I dOnT nEeD nO lIgHt To SEe YoU SHIIIIIIIIINEEEEE ITS YOUR GOLDEN HOURRRRRR”
For the ppl who downvoted this, it wasn’t meant to be offensive or anything lol-
Load More Replies...Dr. Nigel Barber also suggested that cats are popular subjects for internet content, which is likely to be affirmed by any avid user of the internet. The number of videos or cat memes circulating the web nowadays would likely be difficult to determine, but back in 2015, as much as 15% of internet traffic was believed to be driven by cat videos alone.
No worries. They're just getting into their lanes for the next zoomies race.
NOOO, Don't fall off!! These cats might heal depression, but they give anxiety!
“Ah yes. Move the camera a little to the right, you must get my good side”
In Loving Memory: Sarah Thompson (1980 - 2023) Sarah Thompson, a passionate advocate for wildlife, tragically lost her life in a big cat attack on June 21, 2023. Her unwavering commitment to conservation and love for big cats touched the hearts of many. She will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Sarah
I saw this picture and what sprang to mind was " here I come to save the day! I know that's mighty mouse but it works🐺🐶🐕
“Today, Friday, June 23rd, 2023, there has been a sighting of a rare form of cloud. Scientists are officially naming this unusual phenomenon a “Floof Cloud”. Be on the lookout for these, as they may have claws.”
"Faster than a speeding field mouse! Mightier than a Ginsu knife! Able to leap a California King in a single bound! Look, it's bird! It's a drone! It's Magnifi-Cat!
If cat-based content is something you enjoy, Bored Panda has you covered. From the most beautiful cats in the world to them looking so goofy, you might think something in their head stopped working, we’ve covered it all; browse more of our cat-related pieces here.
You have awakened the ancient void creature. There will be grave, grave, consequences…
Sometimes you look into the void, sometimes the void looks into you.
🎵 The paws on the cat go up and down, up and down, up and down. The paws on the cat go up and down until it goes to sleep. 🎵
It’s great to see that some cats actually LOVE baths. The duckies make the shot, though. Totally.
Mine don't do baths, but they take mini showers. They get in the bathtub with the tap dripping and use water to clean themselves. One started, the other two picked it up, so now they literally form a queue before bedtime. The one who was first has a health condition that makes him a bit smelly sometimes, but he never comes to bed unwashed.
Load More Replies...Turkish Van cats, They are know for their love for swimming :)
Load More Replies...Reminds me of a cat from my youth. He was this huge gray furball. We all figured he was just a large tomcat. But then he got wet. This huge gray tom turned out to be this skinny, tiny little cat with a huge amount of fluff.
I have a dream of having a cat that likes baths and a cat that chitters at birds. I don't have a cat yet that likes baths, but I'm hopeful about the chittering. My new kitten is quite vocal, but he isn't big enough yet to reach the window ledge.
What a beautiful picture! And still a better love story than Twilight.
Sun Tsu's Art of War is a better love story than Twilight.
Load More Replies...Ahhhhhh! You smell like flowers my sweet! And are as pretty as them also!
Only if there are no litter boxes to clean, and everyone is healthy
Load More Replies...Either this person is taking care of them or they have catnip in their garden
Load More Replies...If that's not what a group of cats is called, that should totally be the name.
Load More Replies...I know what you mean, but they not necessarily stray cats...our neighbors have several indoor/outdoor cats who come by and visit all the time.
Load More Replies...I WANT THIS GAY CAT RIGHT NOW THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Load More Replies...Happy Pride to cats and pandas alike! Street fair is setting up outside my window as I type this, Trans March to go by in a couple of hours. 🏳️🌈🐱🐼
And a deafening scream was heard, the neighbour ran and turned George over to a bleeding out Georgie with a red stained rain slicker
Load More Replies...I’d ink the cats paws and make it permanent. Gotta let people know you’re owned.
»No. These boots are new and I...you're not supposed to...wait....it's raining...no, that's not allow.....okay...I love you, too«
Maybe it's an arranged marriage.
Load More Replies...They look like they are mid hug but that puffed up tail gives it away, they are play fighting.
…and is mr orange having a little cheeky chomp?! Look at his crinkled nose!!
Load More Replies...Not a real hug! Orange fellow is chomping on the grey and white one! But still quite adorable!!
I find that utterly charming. (And now I have to go re-watch the movies...)
Load More Replies...Yes, ha ha, very funny. Now put it away before I claw your eyes out.
HOW DARE YOU TOUCH THE VOID CREATURE WITH SUCH HIDEOUS HUMAN CREATIONS
Orange cats aren't exactly renowned for their sense.
Load More Replies...🎶One day you'll look to see I've gone. But tomorrow may rain so I'll follow the Sun 🎶 Lennon-McCartney
Forget the hangover he's going to have a heart attack from inhaling an entire tray of catnip
That is the purrple winged bush butterfly, found commonly when owners are not looking.
Load More Replies...Where could I get one except human sized? Asking for a friend 😅
Load More Replies..."can I get that chair?" -- Not if it gets you first.
Load More Replies...Either brothers from another mother, or sisters from another mister. Or maybe siblings who are really niblings? Aw hell. Make up your own rhymes.
The cat is gorgeous but I think I just fell in love with the dog, just stunning 😍
I have a void, Jack, who always looks like this cat does in their pictures. A 15 pounder, the runt of his litter who grew into a big big boy. Always surprised, always googly-eyed, kinda goofy and doofy. But, even though he may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, he IS just the sweetest, most loving, and cuddliest cat in the world. Love him with a heart and a half.
I have always kinda like Dutch doors. You can have the door closed so nothing crawls in, but still have it open.
The first one really looks like the expression you'd have if a cat decided to sit on your head 😹
Y'all I've been trying to keep my mind occupied but this post......I have a tortoise shell kitty named Tink that I took in. She was heavily pregnant when I found her despite the fact she barely looks above a kitten herself. Yesterday she gave birth to 7!! kittens! 3 black, 3 yellow-orange, and 1 white. She lost two of the yellow-orange babies tonight :( sorry to bring anyone down but I can't help but be heartbroken. Please if you know anyone that has kitties old enough/well enough to do it, beg them to get the sweeties fixed. Such young kitties shouldn't have to go through birthing and losing babies.
Custom full color flyers - $100 Hours spent distributing flyers - 51 Sleep gotten in three days - 47 minutes Online pet chats visited, posting “lost cat” ads - 107 Cats expression when it realizes the cat flap has a lock, and they don’t have opposable thumbs - PRICELESS.
How to take over the world. As if they haven’t done that already, by taking over our lives, one by one.
Load More Replies...Why do I have The March of the Wooden Soldiers playing in my head when I see that picture?
Years ago I had a granddaughter of the original Whiskas cat. She was such a sweet cat.
Lucky picture. You couldn’t have gotten them to lose like this if you tried.
They look a little dirty, so must be strays. I hope whoever took this picture rescued them and either gave them a forever home, or found a loving forever home for them, as they should never be separated.
I would most definitely keep it like this. I’d even put the date on it, and sign the cat’s name to their artwork. Maybe even name the piece. But FIRST and foremost, I would wash all the cement off the cat’s paws, and anywhere else they’ve gotten it on themself, because that stuff can burn.
(Say this in a Jimmy Cagney voice.) Come on. Put ‘em up. Put ‘em up. What are ya, a coward? Put ‘em up, I say.
Seriously. I was looking at the nice pattern on the wood until I scrolled far enough to realize it was the cat, lol.
Load More Replies...Or not. Looks more like “Hey! Quit looking at Winken, Blinken, and Nod over there, and pay attention to ME!”
Load More Replies...While you’re working, I’m just gonna lay her and take in the scenery, OK?
Adorable!! Mama and her five babies- don't forget the orange one at the back!
Well then, quit buying the blankets that have teeth and claws, ffs. Jeez!
Yes. Even tiny kittens can expand in the night, just like adult cats do.
Load More Replies...“Ah! He got me! No, save yourselves - go on without me. I’ll just lay here on this nice warm spot … what? He did NOT miss me! Look at it right here … I swear there was a huge hole right here. Well, this is embarrassing … “
“Robin Hood and Little John walkin' through the forest, laughin' back and forth at what the other one has to say. Reminiscin', this-n-thattin', havin' such a good time. Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day! Never ever thinkin' there was danger in the water they were drinkin', they just guzzled it down. Never dreamin' that a schemin' sheriff and his posse was a-watchin' them an gatherin' around. Robin Hood and Little John runnin' through the forest, jumpin' fences, dodgin' trees an' tryin' to get away. Contemplatin' nothin' but escape an' finally makin' it. Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day! Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day!”
If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an Amen?
“Join us next week, when our intrepid adventurer explores the jungle in cognito.”
Very satisfied with the selfie they just took. “Yes. You can post that one.”
My grown up cats do this. If I ever couldn’t find my phone, I’d look for Abby, because she was likely to be found sitting on it.
Well, I guess everyone goes through that phase of sniffing markers…..
I can still beat them, you know. Just let me get my zoomies going, and I’ll show you.
No, Samantha, I DON’T like your cooking. In fact, I’d rather eat cat food! Wait … what?!? Whaddayamean I AM a cat?!?”
*spooky music* "They're at the door! I don't think we can run away much longer. We're about to be destroyed...by cuteness!"
Don’t worry. Me and the moon will watch over you and keep you safe.
No they didn’t, or it would’ve been tipped over. Kittens aren’t that precise when they jump. YOU put the poor baby in there to get this picture. A*****e.
What? You want ME to make a speech? Oh my, I don’t know what to say! Um….I’d like to thank the Academy…..
Cats are the best! They make me smile and laugh, even when they scratch or bite...
I had fed my cat and the 2 strays. Had a bit of leftover chicken I was about to put in the fridge, looked away, zzzzzzzip. Gone was the chicken, out the window.
Reminds me of the time my mom (rather foolishly) left a chicken carcass on the kitchen counter, and went off to do something else. She'd been planning to boil it down into stock. She came back, and the whole thing was just GONE. We looked everywhere, but it was nowhere to be found. Turns out that my cat had dragged it down and both her and our dog had devoured it. Cat was fat, happy and smug, doggo had indigestion. Thankfully, both were fine, but it was a bit scary (Vet told us to just watch them carefully).
Load More Replies...Cats are the best! They make me smile and laugh, even when they scratch or bite...
I had fed my cat and the 2 strays. Had a bit of leftover chicken I was about to put in the fridge, looked away, zzzzzzzip. Gone was the chicken, out the window.
Reminds me of the time my mom (rather foolishly) left a chicken carcass on the kitchen counter, and went off to do something else. She'd been planning to boil it down into stock. She came back, and the whole thing was just GONE. We looked everywhere, but it was nowhere to be found. Turns out that my cat had dragged it down and both her and our dog had devoured it. Cat was fat, happy and smug, doggo had indigestion. Thankfully, both were fine, but it was a bit scary (Vet told us to just watch them carefully).
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