Cats are an amazing, independent and easy to own pet. They are also very adorable and fun to play with, but did you know cats aren’t just cute fluffy pets; they are actually good for your health. Cats have a healthy effect on their owners, and I’m not just saying that because I am a cat person, the scientific benefits of owning a cat have been proven by scientific studies as well. Don’t believe me? Here is a list of some amazing health benefits of owning a cat, with their scientific explanations as well.

Scientific Benefits of Owning a Cat

    1. Cats Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

One of the most common causes of heart disease is stress. Many scientific studies have shown that owning a pet, especially a cat as it is a low maintenance pet can significantly reduce your stress levels. Decreased stress will contribute to a better overall health especially your cardiovascular health. According to a recent study, owning a cat can actually lower the risk of many cardiovascular diseases by a whopping thirty percent. So, consider getting a cat to lower your day to day stress and stay happy.

    2. The Purring of Cats Helps to Heal Bones, Tendons and Muscles

That’s right. I’m not joking. It has been proven by studies that the purring sound of a cat enhances the healing abilities of humans. Studies have shown that frequencies ranging from 18 to 35 HZ have a positive healing effect on humans and the frequency at which a cat purrs is around 20 to 140 HZ. Also, the purring sound that a cat makes is extremely comforting and soothing, and it has been associated with therapeutic healing for a very long time. So, if you are recovering from an injury, keep a cat close to have fun and accelerate your healing at the same time. 

    3. Cats Can Help Counter Insomnia and Help You Sleep Better

Another amazing benefit of owning a cat is that they can make sleeping easier for you. Scientists have said that owning a cat can actually help in countering insomnia. Many studies were done in the UK recently, which found that many people, especially females, preferred sleeping with their pet cats instead of their partners. 

The Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine recently conducted a study, after which it was reported that forty-one percent of the participants of the study agreed that it was easier to sleep with their pets while only 20 percent of the participants declared the experience as annoying.

    4. Cats Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are two of very serious problems these days and having a pet like a cat around can help you combat stress. When you pat your cat, it will be happy, and as a sympathetic response, your body will also release happy hormones which can help in countering stress.

    5. Cats Can Improve the Immune System of Kids against Allergies

cat in blanket

A study which was published by the National Institute of Health in the early 2000s proved that children who spent time with pets when they were young did not develop as many allergies as other children who did not have pets in their life. Hence, it would not be wrong to say that keeping pets close by can help make the immune system stronger and develop better resistance against many disorders especially allergies. 

Are you thinking about a cat as a pet as well? Go ahead! I have a male calico cat of my own, and it is very close to my heart. If you need suggestions for purchasing one, worth of a male calico cat is quite high these days so, it is worth giving a shot! 

A veterinarian, Clemmie Roob earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences. In addition to practicing veterinary medicine, she also develops web content professional, focusing in her writing on veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences and research, alternative and complementary medicine, and comparative medicine.

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