Cats can indeed know when their owners are sick. They may sense illness through changes in smell, behavior, and body language. Cats have a highly developed sense of smell, with millions more olfactory cells than humans, enabling them to detect subtle chemical changes in their owner’s body when they are ill. Additionally, cats are observant of changes in routine, mood, and physical symptoms like coughing or lethargy, which often accompany sickness. Many cat owners report that their cats become more attentive, clingy, and affectionate when they are unwell, which can be seen as a form of empathy or care. There are even documented cases, such as a therapy cat named Oscar, who was able to sense serious health deterioration in nursing home patients, suggesting cats can pick up on more than just common sickness. In summary, cats probably can tell when their humans are sick due to their keen senses and ability to perceive changes in scent, behavior, and routine, often responding with comforting behavior.
