Relieve stress
Many people enjoy petting cats. Pet owners note that stroking their pet calms nerves and relieves stress. Scientists have found an explanation for this fact.
Studies have shown that when a person pets a cat, the level of cortisol in his body drops. This is the name of the hormone that is formed during stress. When the production of this substance decreases, we feel calm and serene. If you are prone to stressful situations, then just pet the cat. This will help you relieve anxiety and nervousness.
Reflexologists believe that there are certain areas on the palm of a person's hand that are responsible for relieving stress. These are the areas that are stimulated when we pet cats. Gradually the anxiety goes away and relaxation sets in.
The benefits of cats for mental health
Cats relieve stress
Cats love to be petted - no wonder. But the interesting thing is that people also like to pet cats. Simply stroking a cat's warm, silky fur has a strong anti-stress effect, reduces anxiety and relaxes.
If we pay attention to the map of the palm that reflexologists use, we will see that the zones responsible for relaxation and stress relief are located precisely in those areas that are stimulated when stroking a cat.
Photo source: steps2fortune.ru
Anti-stress zones are highlighted in the figure with an oval
These points in the figure are indicated by the following icons
In addition, pleasant stroking stimulates the production of oxytocin - the “love hormone” and reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol. Australian scientists recently received evidence of this.
Cats cure depression
Cats improve the well-being of people suffering from mild to moderate depression. They improve your mood and reduce stress.
Cats have unconditional love for us. The relationship with your cat is easy, and you can be yourself without fear of hurting her feelings, saying the wrong thing, or receiving unsolicited advice. A rare opportunity in our lives, isn't it?
An animal is a responsibility. And if a depressed person can easily give up on himself, then caring for an animal pulls him back to the surface, helps him feel needed and useful.
A daily routine has the same supportive effect. You can stay off the couch and eat only sandwiches, but if you have a cat, you will have to feed it twice a day what it is used to eating and clean the litter box. Daily actions like these help keep you afloat.
A depressed person feels cut off from the rest of the world. But if you have a cat, you will never be alone.
Cats improve quality of life
Scientists at Brooklyn College (New York) conducted a study back in 1980 that involved elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases. The study participants included cat owners and people who did not own a cat.
The study found that cat owners coped with losses faster, felt less lonely and were generally more socially active.
By the way, it has recently been proven that pets also help cope with insomnia.
Cats contribute to the mental development of children
Cats are excellent therapists for children with autism, cerebral palsy and developmental delays. They help develop speech and communication skills and improve children's social interaction.
Treat depression
Cats help cope with mild to moderate depression. Studies have shown that interaction with furry pets promotes the production of serotonin. This substance is called the “hormone of joy”, it is responsible for improving mood.
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A cat is a companion animal. It can become your true friend. With depression, a person often finds himself socially isolated. You will never feel lonely next to a cat. When you're depressed, you may find it difficult to communicate with other people. But with a cat, you don't have to worry about looking your best. Animals love their owners in both sadness and joy.
People with depression often experience a lack of energy and find it difficult to perform even simple activities. But if you get a cat, you will have to take care of it every day. This will help overcome apathy and keep yourself in good shape.
Murka will teach you the right habits
A child should have his own responsibilities at home and in everyday life, without instilling a love of work and caring for a pet, it is quite possible to raise a complete egoist who sees nothing but his own ambitions. In order to avoid some negative aspects in parenting, teach your child to be friends with your pet and trust him to take care of it.
Reduce blood pressure
Scientists from Brooklyn College and New York University conducted a joint study. 48 people suffering from hypertension took part in the experiment. Their health status was studied for six months.
All subjects took medications to lower blood pressure. Half of the experiment participants were asked to have a cat at home. The results of the experiment showed that blood pressure decreased in all subjects. But stress spikes disappeared only in those participants who kept cats at home.
If you are prone to hypertension due to stress, then the cat will become your little healer. Stroking your furry pet can calm you down and your blood pressure will return to normal.
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Physical health benefits of cats: what do cats treat?
Cats lower blood pressure
Several studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cats on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. This is both the Brooklyn College study mentioned above and the New York University study, which involved 48 brokers who suffered from high blood pressure.
The study lasted 6 months, during which all subjects received a drug to lower blood pressure, and half of them got a cat at home. As a result, it turned out that average blood pressure levels decreased for all participants, but stress peaks only for those who got a cat.
Cats help prevent strokes and heart attacks
These life-threatening conditions largely develop against the background of constant stress and high blood pressure. Cats, by helping to relieve stress and lower blood pressure, help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Cats improve heart health
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that cat owners are 30-40% less likely to die from heart disease than those who don't own a cat. Interestingly, dogs did not have a similar effect.
Cats Boost Immunity and Reduce Risk of Asthma
Many parents are afraid to have animals in the home with small children. But recent research by scientists has shown that, on the contrary, children growing up with pets have higher levels of protective antibodies and stronger immunity, as well as a lower risk of developing allergies and bronchial asthma.
Cats reduce pain
Perhaps this effect is associated with the feeling of living warmth, because the body temperature of cats is higher than that of humans. Therefore, when a cat lies down on a sore spot, heating reduces the spasm and thus reduces the pain. If the cat is still purring, the healing effect of light vibration is added to its effect.
Cats help heal wounds and strengthen bones
Cats purr at a frequency between 20-120 Hz. Experiments have shown that mechanical vibrations occurring at the frequency of a cat's purr:
- in the range of 18-35 Hz accelerate the restoration of cells, soft tissues, joints and muscles;
- in the range of 20-50 Hz and 100-200 Hz accelerate bone growth and strengthen them
Cats not only keep you healthy, but sometimes they can literally save your life, like the kitten Nafanya (read the details in our material).
Lower cholesterol
High cholesterol levels are the main cause of atherosclerosis. This disease subsequently leads to heart attacks and strokes. The presence of a cat in the house will help you reduce the concentration of this harmful substance in the blood. How does this happen?
Canadian scientists have found that constant communication with cats reduces triglyceride levels. These substances are responsible for the production of cholesterol. Therefore, cat owners are less likely to suffer from atherosclerosis.
Cat harm in the house
An animal with rabies is a threat to the health of the people around it.
These animals are carriers of dangerous diseases, some of which can infect humans. Among them:
- rabies;
- lichen;
- toxoplasmosis and other infections.
These fluffies can bring benefits and a lot of positive emotions. You just need to take some precautions.
The most terrible disease is rabies. For animals it is incurable. Therefore, it is necessary to get regular rabies vaccinations. The disease is contagious to humans. Ringworm is not a fatal disease, but it is unpleasant. People with weakened immune systems, as well as children, are mainly infected. A cat can get toxoplasmosis from eating poorly processed meat that contains parasites. After passing through the acute stage of the disease, the cat becomes a carrier of Toxoplasma for life. The main danger is for pregnant women. When this parasite enters the body of such girls, there is a risk of developing fetal pathologies. A miscarriage may occur.
It must be remembered that cats can be infected with helminths. People can also become infected. It is necessary to deworm cats according to a schedule. Some pets cause allergies. These animals may scratch during play or during aggression. Their claws contain many microbes that enter the bloodstream through a scratch. They cause the wound to fester or infection to spread.
Increases immunity in children
Many parents mistakenly believe that a small child and a cat in the house are incompatible. However, scientific research proves that children living next to furry pets have stronger immunity. They get sick much less often than their peers who do not have animals.
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Such children are less likely to suffer from allergies and asthma. After all, from an early age they come into contact with cat fur. Children's bodies produce antibodies against this allergen and form a strong immune system.
Don't be at a crossroads, or how to make an informed decision
Of course, in finding the ideal compromise in making a decision to purchase a cat, you need to take into account many factors, and do this honestly without illusions, because a cat that interferes with an established life or is abandoned and unnecessary by everyone is much more stressful for a little person. But if you make a balanced and wise decision about the friendship between the baby and the wayward furry, then a positive result will not be long in coming.
The main rule that many people lose sight of is a sufficient amount of information about the rules of cat behavior, about its maintenance, about the difficulties that experienced cat lovers face, and how they overcome them. Therefore, before you decide on a controversial or interesting issue, come visit Kotello, here you will find a lot of useful and necessary information, and your decision will be balanced, thoughtful and wise.
Relieve pain
Many “cat people” know that if you put your pet on a sore spot, the discomfort gradually goes away. Cats can act as a living pain reliever. What is the reason for this effect?
Cats have a higher body temperature than humans. Pets act like a living heating pad. Exposure to heat stimulates blood circulation and reduces pain.
If the cat purrs while leaning against the sore spot, the therapeutic effect is enhanced. Warming is complemented by healing vibrations. This is especially useful for musculoskeletal pain.
Mystic Guardian
Fans of mysticism believe that cats, by the very fact of their presence, “ennoble” the atmosphere of the house. In folk beliefs, it is believed that cats have a special relationship with the spirits of the house - brownies. They patronize tailed purrs, and therefore protect the house from troubles and unwanted guests. This is one of the reasons why the cat should be the first to enter a new home.
Parapsychologists adhere to a similar point of view, only the mechanism of a cat’s influence on the space of an apartment, from their point of view, is structured differently: it is assumed that cats feel the energy of surrounding objects and “clean” it, and can also neutralize the consequences of interaction with negative biofields. It is also believed that if the owner is sick, the cat can absorb the energy of the disease, thereby alleviating the person’s condition.
Slow down aging
When a person pets a cat, the production of oxytocin increases in his body. This substance is otherwise called the “love hormone”. It is thanks to oxytocin that affection and trust are established between a person and his pet.
Oxytocin rejuvenates muscles and slows down cell aging. This hormone promotes active longevity. Scientists have found that the constant presence of a cat in the house prolongs a person’s life by about 10 years. But this rule only works if you devote enough time to your pet and communicate with him often.
Do cats help lift your mood and reduce anxiety?
As already mentioned, while playing with cats, our body produces dopamine and serotonin
that improve your mood.
A 2021 study found that cats may provide benefits to humans by boosting mood and reducing anxiety. It has also been proven that pets help owners meet new people and make friends.
