The Benefits of Owning a Cat. Here Is What the Scientists Have to Say

A study carried out in 2015 proved that watching videos of cats can instantly boost a person’s mood by decreasing the negative feelings one might be dealing with. So, it comes as no surprise that owning a fluffy companion comes with proven benefits that should be taken into consideration. 

They lower the owner’s stress levels

In the United States alone, up to 610,000 people die as a result of heart disease. In fact, heart disease is now the leading cause of death in the case of both men and women. Because cats can lower the levels of stress one is dealing with, owning a cat can improve your heart health.

Because petting a cat can make a person feel calmer and more relaxed, numerous colleges all across the country have implemented programs that allow students to visit on-campus pets to alleviate the stress and the anxiety that they are dealing with.

So, if you lead a stressful life and you are considering getting a pet, a cat might be just the right companion that you need.

They can help you sleep better

The Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine showed that pet owners who sleep near their pets get, on average, better sleep than those who do not. Participants in the study said that the presence of their pets nearby as they go to bed makes them feel comforted and soothed.

However, it should be stated that this depends on the number of pets that one owns and on his/her personality. According to this study, the women who took part in the study said that they preferred sleeping with a cat than with their partner.

Nevertheless, if you find it difficult to get good sleep, it seems like allowing your cat in the bedroom might be just the solution that you so desperately need.

Their purring helps heal bones and muscle

The purr that cats make create vibrations that have a frequency that varies from 20 to 140 HZ. Scientists claim that frequencies that range from 18 to 35 HZ have a proven positive effect on muscle mobility after an injury. Therefore, the soothing purr that a cat makes can help you heal faster.

Allergies for children

In 2002, the National Institutes of Health published a study that pointed out to the fact that children under a year who lived in a home that had a cat were less likely to develop allergies, including allergies to grass, mites, and ragweed.

They are less expensive

According to the ASPCA, cat owners spend, on average, less money on their pets than dog owners. Cats are simple to take care of and they are more suitable as pets for those people who find that taking care of a dog is more time and energy-consuming.

Of course, if you want to, you can always treat your cat to a new gadget or toy. You can find numerous such items for cats at just a click away.

Besides, if you are set on living a sustainable life, you should know that, by comparison to dogs, cats have a smaller carbon footprint. In other words, owning cats is also better for the environment! You can additionally reduce your vet- related expenses with a pet insurance plan like Bivvy.

Cats help you develop social skills

Being emotionally invested in the relationship that you have with your beloved furry friend can help you manage social relationships better, scientists say. Owning a cat can help you get over loss easier and it can provide you with the needed support during the difficult situations that you might have to face.

Besides, as a cat owner, you are more likely to be interested in meeting and/or communicating with other cat owners and this can help you broaden your social circle.