Did you know cats are very good for your well-being? If you have a cat, you know there is not much you would not do for it. Of course, it’s hard not to get mad when they do something bad or make a mistake like leaving a hairball on your bed or clawing up the furniture, but you always forgive them when they come to snuggle up next to you. Cats contribute to making our lives happier, but do cats help make our lives better and healthier, too?
As stated by one Australian study, people who own cats do not feel as anxious and are happier than people who don’t own cats. According to a survey with a total of 2,200 Scottish children in their teens, “Kids who had a strong bond with their kitties had a higher quality of life. The more attached they were, the more they felt fit, energetic, and attentive and less sad and lonely; and the more they enjoyed their time alone, at leisure, and at school.” Researchers say cats could also be very beneficial for children because children with cats are more content being alone than children without cats.
There are numerous ways your cat can contribute to your health. James Serpell, who taught at the University of Pennsylvania, followed 24 people “within a day or two of bringing their cat home and then several times over the next 10 months. At the one-month mark, people had reduced health complaints like headaches, back pain, and colds—although (on average) those benefits seemed to fade as time went on. As Serpell speculates, it’s possible that people who form a good relationship with their cat continue to see benefits, and people who don’t, well, don’t.” Serpell discusses how people have fewer issues with colds, headaches, and back pain. The longer you had a connection with the cat the greater the effectiveness of feeling good.
Image source: https://cats.com/cat-human-relationship
Information: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_science_backed_benefits_of_being_a_cat_lover