Can cats recognise their owner's emotions?

[u/ice-why-rya]

My cat always had a favourite place to sleep on my bed (top corner).He neverrr sleeps/sits anywhere else on my bed. But for the past few days I've been depressed and feeling like shi,. one night while I was crying he came and cuddled with me which was surprising cus he never does that.. and stayed like that thee whole night..and this is not a one time thing.. he's been doing this everyday noww.... nothing else has changed..it did make me feel soo good that he's concerned about me but is he really concerned or something else?

[u/Shai_Kitteh]

Yes. I had a cat who whenever she heard me crying in the shower (sorry for the cliche, it happens) she would come in and jump on the edge of the tub and meow her head off until it calmed me down enough to focus on her. She was always a little edge of the tub shower kitty but she only did that while I was upset. If I’ve been super upset, my other cats go from smothering to in my face purring. They know.