Aug 22 2008
Cats Can Improve Your Health
Have you ever heard having a cat or a dog improves your health? It’s true. An article in Cat Fancy reviews more scientific evidence cats help improve their owners’ health.
Cats: Good for Your Heart
First, cats help improve heart health. According to the article in Cat Fancy, one study found people who have had or currently had cats as companions suffered from heart disease and heart attacks less often than people who never owned a cat. More specifically, those who never owned cats were 40% more likely to die from a heart attack than those who had or have had cats as pets. Additionally, those who never had cats as companions were 30% more likely to die from stroke or chronic heart disease than those who had owned cats.
Cats Lower Your Medical Bills
Do you ever complain about how much it costs to take your cat to the vet? I know I have before! However, keeping your cat healthy and up-to-date on his or her vaccinations may lower your medical bills!
The article reports a study in Australia showed when the number of doctor’s visits and medications individuals with and without cats had during the year, cat owners visited the doctor fewer times and took less medication than people who did not own cats.
Cats and Mental Health
Cats can also improve one’s mental health. Cats, unlike friends, family, or significant others can truly offer a listening ear to you without giving you feedback you may not like! Cats will listen to what you have to say and oftentimes try to cheer their owners up when they see they are sad or are in pain. The article in Cat Fancy asserts when owners focus on their cats, they focus on something outside of themselves, which gets them to stop thinking so much about their problems.
Cats Reduce Allergy Risk
Research has also shown children who have a cat or a dog when they grow up reduce their risk of developing pet allergies as adults.
Interestingly, adults who did not have pets as children, then decide to get a pet later in life are at increased risk for developing pet allergies.
Please tell me what you think in the comments section below!
Source:
Cat Fancy: October 2008: Cats Are Good For You
