Can a cat be literally “scared to death”?

In humans, there is a condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a rare disorder in which the heart stops working after an emotionally traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, etc.

In wildlife medicine, there is a condition known as capture myopathy in which an animal becomes so stressed/frightened that they could die after being chased or caught.

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New studies reveal there is a real physiological connection between the mind and the heart.

In the conditions mentioned above, there can be a mass release of stress hormones that can have devastating effects on the heart.

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The way an animal perceives things can wreak havoc on the animals physical and psychological wellbeing.

Treating anxiety disorders helps to keep your cat’s heart healthy for as long as possible; decreasing the anxiety simply benefits the welfare of the animal.

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For those of you who are intrigued by the similarities between diseases (both physical and emotional) that humans and non-human animals share, we would encourage you to read a book called Zoobiguity written in collaboration with a cardiologist and psychiatrist.

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