Cats make great pets! They’re not just amazing with young kids, but it’s a whole lot of fun to dress them up in crazy clothing. They are fairly low-maintenance pets, but they can be even more enjoyable than a dog – for the right pet owners. They’re much cleaner than dogs, and far less demanding on their owners.
But did you know that there are a number of health reasons to own a cat?
General Health Benefits
You might be surprised to find that studies have proven cats be some of the best pets to have at home. They can provide health benefits such as:
Relaxation — Studies have shown that contact with pets – cats in particular – can have a positive effect on your vital signs. After contact with a cat, the blood pressure is lower, the pulse is slower, and the rate of breathing is steadier. The body becomes much more relaxed, similar to the way it relaxes after meditation. The reduction of stress is one of the main benefits of owning a cat.
Mental Benefits — There’s something amazing about having a warm, furry body to snuggle with, and it has been proven to help improve the state of mind of those coming in contact with pets. A study done in the Southern United States found that nursing homes which allowed animals on the premises tended to have lower expenses – particularly medication costs – than the homes that didn’t. All this thanks to the positive mental benefits of owning a cat.
Reducing Illness — Studies conducted throughout the last decades have shown that pet owners – particularly cat owners – tend to have less risk of illnesses. Sicknesses like colds, the flu, and other minor ailments are greatly reduced by the presence of a feline in the house.
Wellness Boost — Researchers aren’t quite sure why, but owning a cat has actually enabled people to earn a better score on psychological tests. Cat owners claim that they have a much better sense of well-being, contributing to a much healthier emotional balance.
Cats and Kids
Children that own cats are also definitely bettered by their contact with the animals. Child cat owners tend to have higher levels of self-esteem, something that is very important for the healthy development of the child in their later years. They also have better social skills, and are better able to interact with others.
They tend to have a feeling of responsibility towards the cat, and that translates into the same feelings towards others. Exposure to cats at a young age can help to reduce a child’s risk of allergies, as well as develop a resistance to asthma and other pulmonary issues.
Cats and Seniors
Cats provide companionship to those in their later years, promoting a greater sense of connectivity. This encourages seniors to connect with others socially, and will give them opportunities for recreation as they age.
Cat ownership has been proven to boost not only the health, but also the happiness of their owners. It can give retired seniors a sense of purpose, and encourage them with the knowledge that their feline companion has need of them.
Owning a cat has been proven to improve the general well-being of those suffering from HIV, as well as promote speedy recovery after a cardiac episode. Finally, cats have been known to reduce the loneliness of older, single women, improving their emotional wellbeing as well as their physical health.
Cats are pretty awesome pets, but they’re also great for your health. It may be time to start considering getting a cat of your own!
