Cats With a Calling? New Research Says Some Felines May Be Therapy Stars
For decades, therapy dogs have been the undisputed MVPs of animal assisted services. From college campuses during finals week to hospital wards and elder care facilities, dogs have been the go to species for stress relief and emotional support. But new research suggests it may be time to rethink the species lineup. According to a recent study, some cats may be just as well suited for therapy work as their canine counterparts.
Published in the journal Animals, the study was co authored by Washington State University professor Patricia Pendry alongside researchers in Belgium. The team set out to examine whether cats participating in animal assisted services share distinct behavioral traits that set them apart from the general feline population. The answer appears to be yes. Using a standardized behavioral assessment, researchers surveyed hundreds of cat owners across Belgium. They compared cats involved in animal assisted services with those who were not. The results challenge long held assumptions within both the veterinary and therapy communities.
Cats participating in animal assisted services showed higher levels of sociability toward both humans and other cats. They were more likely to seek attention, tolerate handling, and remain calm in unfamiliar environments. Notably, these cats were also more accepting of being picked up, a trait many practitioners know is far from universal in feline patients. From a behavioral standpoint, these traits mirror those commonly associated with therapy dogs. High engagement with people, emotional resilience, and tolerance of physical interaction are all considered core requirements for animal assisted services. The difference is that in cats, these characteristics appear to be naturally occurring rather than trained.
Pendry emphasized that this work does not suggest that all cats can or should do therapy work. Instead, the findings highlight individual variability within the species. Some cats genuinely seem to enjoy human interaction in structured settings and may benefit from the stimulation.
From a clinical perspective, the idea of therapy cats is more than just novel. It could expand access to animal assisted services for populations who do not respond as well to dogs. Some patients find dogs overwhelming due to size, energy, allergies, or fear. Cats, with their quieter presence and smaller footprint, may offer a more approachable alternative.
For veterinary professionals, this opens new conversations around animal welfare, behavioral screening, and client education. Unlike dogs, therapy cats are not typically trained for the role. Selection is based on temperament rather than obedience or task conditioning. This places an even greater emphasis on accurate behavioral assessment and stress monitoring. The study did not evaluate differences between breeds, although Pendry noted that commonly perceived social breeds such as Ragdolls or Maine Coons were not the focus. Instead, researchers examined individual behavioral traits within the cat population. This reinforces the importance of evaluating each animal as an individual rather than relying on breed stereotypes.
Therapy cats are currently more common in Europe than in the United States. In Belgium, cats are increasingly integrated into animal assisted services, particularly in stress relief settings. In contrast, most American programs remain dog centric. For U.S. veterinarians, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge. As interest grows, practitioners may be asked to help identify suitable candidates, counsel owners on realistic expectations, and safeguard feline welfare. Questions remain about whether these behavioral traits are innate, shaped by early socialization, or influenced by environment and experience. Researchers stress that more data is needed before therapy cats become mainstream. Welfare considerations are paramount, especially given the species sensitivity to stress. A cat that appears calm may still be experiencing physiological stress, making careful monitoring essential.
The takeaway for veterinary professionals is not that cats should replace dogs in therapy programs, but that the door may be wider than previously thought. Recognizing that some cats may thrive in these roles allows for more nuanced conversations about animal assisted services and species appropriate care. As Pendry notes, the goal is not to push cats into therapy work but to acknowledge that for certain individuals, this type of interaction may be genuinely enriching. And if any animal could turn napping and receiving affection into a professional skill set, it is probably a cat.
