Cats’ Healing Power

Every cat owner knows the benefits from cat’s companionship. The difference between the life with and without the cat has been huge. We all remember the first day when this beautiful creature moved in our place – its playfulness, affection and spontaneity, won our hearts immediately. Not only that the cats fill our lives with love and joy, but they also have a healing influence on our health, as reported by different scientific studies. According to the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute in Minneapolis, a ten year study of more than 4.000 Americans has shown that cats can reduce the risk of heart attack by nearly one third. There is, also, a lot of evidence supporting the theory that interaction with the cats increases the level of oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine production, which in turn influences our health in decreasing the symptoms of stress and anxiety. In the article “The Health Benefits of Pets” we can see what the recent studies have been found out till today.

• Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
• Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
• Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
• Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
• While people with dogs often experience the greatest health benefits, a pet doesn’t necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate.

According to the article “The Healing Power Of Cats”, the cat’s purr has been considered as the most important factor in healing humans, as we can see on the picture bellow.

However, it is not necessary to be an expert and to notice how many time we laugh when our cat does something funny, makes some silly pose or just plays around. Not to mention, how many people, whether they are cat owners or not, enjoy the funny cats’ pictures or videos spreading on the Internet. And we are all very familiar with the fact that a good laugh improves our mood and enhances our health. This naturally relaxing creature helps us to discover the simplicity of life, focus on the present moment and develop a sense of wonder. In this era, when we are going too far with technology, these beings and animals in general, assist us in restoring connection with nature and our own instincts.