What Are The Health Benefits Of Cats?

Do you know what benefits cats bring to our health? In addition to being a great psychological support, especially for children and the elderly, they contribute to recovery from heart disease, help lower blood pressure and even cholesterol.

For this reason, medicine has taken them as allies. And no one disputes that sharing our days with kittens makes us live longer and better.

A healthy purr

Although the great healing secret of cats seems to be in their purr – which provides a relaxing and calming effect – their mere presence and being able to caress them is already a reason to better predispose people’s spirits.

Various studies have shown that kittens:

• They make the depressed smile again.
• They stimulate the social character of the shy.
• They control violent impulses.
• They relax the nervous.

• They make us regain our sense of play.
• They regulate our pressure.
• They keep our triglycerides in check.

Know what benefits cats bring to the human heart

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that owners of kittens who suffered a heart attack are less likely to die in the year after their heart attack  compared to those who do not own cats.

The reason seems to be that caressing the feline and listening to its purr causes vasodilation of the peripheral arteries and vessels that help relaxation.

In addition, contact with felines accelerates the recovery of people who underwent cardiovascular surgeries.

Cats and the elderly: a good combination

Recently, an investigation – which was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society –  concluded that older adults who live with a dog or a cat have greater psychological well-being.

In addition to feeling accompanied,  having to take care of the pet keeps them more active. For this reason, they present better performance in their daily activities. For instance:

• Get in and out of bed
• Prepare meals
• Bath
• Dress
• To walk

The study covered nearly 1,000 men and women between the ages of 70 and 75.

Children and cats

Children who spend their childhood with pets, in addition to developing a sense of responsibility, will be more social beings when they reach adulthood and will have more power of communication.

On the other hand, contrary to the belief installed in many, the little ones that grow up with cats and dogs are healthier and stronger.

Various investigations indicate that babies who live with these animals during their first year of life:

• They have a stronger immune system.
• They decrease the possibility of developing allergies and asthma in the future.
• They reduce the risk of suffering infections, especially respiratory and ear.
• They heal faster and need fewer antibiotics.

Cat therapy

Specialists define “positive effects” as the advantages that living with these felines bring to humans. Therefore, it is increasingly being used for animal-assisted therapy in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and prisons.

A team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (United States) concluded that if a dog or cat visits a patient hospitalized for heart problems, their heart and lung function are improved. And these effects are achieved in just twelve minutes.

In addition, these animals are very useful to treat patients with various psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and some forms of neurosis.

They have also been used successfully in cases of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. And they are ideal for improving the communication of autistic children.

Do yourself a favor: adopt a cat

If you are interested in knowing even more about what benefits cats provide to make human life healthier, we will tell you about other advantages of stroking a purring kitten :

• It makes people forget situations of physical or spiritual pain.
• Accelerates convalescence  from various diseases.

• Decreases stress  and anxiety.
• It reduces the symptoms of dyspnea.
• Helps heal infections and inflammations.
• Helps heal injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Reduces the risks of having a stroke.

So, if you have not yet incorporated a kitten into your life, do not hesitate. Adopt one and love it and take good care of it. You will surely become a healthier and happier person.