Cats are the purr-fect pet. They’re warm, funny, adorable, fuzzy, cuddly, independent, clean. We can go on all day about our love for these furry felines.
Did you know cats offer unique mental and physical benefits?
In a year of stress and facing continued quarantine blues, a kitty can lift you up and even improve your health.
Despite being an independent animal, cats provide a lot of social support through their companionship and unconditional love. According to Healthline, people report experiencing fewer feelings of seclusion and negative emotions with a cat versus without. For kids, these same studies show that those who have a strong bond with their cat felt less lonely and sad and more energetic than those without a cat.
Cats are also shown to reduce stress and anxiety, which can lead to lower risk of heart disease.
The BBC shares that petting cats is seen as a form of stress relief that can cut the risk of stroke and heart disease by one-third. According the Healthline, “In one study, researchers followed 4,435 people for 13 years. People who had owned cats in the past were less likely to die from a heart attack during that time than people who had never owned cats—even when accounting for other risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and body mass index. This was true of people even if they didn’t have cats currently, the researchers explain, which suggests that cats are more like preventative medicine than treatment for an ongoing disease.” In other words, a kitty cuddle a day helps keep the doctor away!
There is nothing like the sound of a cat’s purr.
Cats purr for a variety of reasons but it is usually associated with happiness and contentment. According to the BBC, cats purr at a frequency of 20Hz to 150Hz which corresponds to the health frequencies for human bones (25-50Hz) and skin and soft tissue (100Hz) and scientists believe this benefits both humans and their feline friends. Best of all, purring has a psychological benefit by offering that calming effect on their human.
There are even more benefits of having a cat!
· There’s a reason why the internet is obsessed with cats – they are entertaining! Watching a cat play or get the random "zoomies" generates a chuckle and genuine smile.
· Cats are low maintenance and don’t take up much space, making them a perfect pet for a small house or apartment.
· Cats offer the unique benefit of being a natural pest control by helping to keep rodents and insects at bay. Our Catalyst cats are always on the hunt for that pesky fly that manages to come in through an open window.
At the end of the day, cats are truly paw-some.
Not only are they adorable, they offer us a support and companionship that give us more benefits than we ever knew!
What improvements to your life have you noticed since having a cat? Please let us know on the Catalyst Pet Facebook and Instagram!
