6 Scientific Benefits of Owning a Cat as a Pet

The internet is in love with cat videos these days, and even watching videos of cats can lift your mood, so imagine what positive effects owing a real cat could have. Cats are amazing companions, and even though they get a reputation for being ignorant and not caring about their owners, they are actually quite loving once you get to know them.

Now, one thing that all cat owners love to do is talk about how great their cat is, they could go on and on about the benefits of owning a cat, but a very few people would believe them. Well, they are actually right. There are a lot of benefits of having a pet cat that have been scientifically proven as well. Here is a list of some scientifically-backed benefits of owning a cat.

Cats Can Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are very common and serious problems. Chronic stress has been known to ruin the whole lives of many people. There are many ways to counter stress, but one of the best and most common methods is keeping a nice pet. A cat is a great option for a pet. Having a cute, fluffy and cuddly cat around can trigger the release of many stress releasing hormones. These hormones can effectively counter stress and anxiety and make you feel a lot better. Also, cats are very low maintenance, so you don’t really have to worry about them.

Having a Pet Cat Can Improve Your Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases are unfortunately becoming very popular these days, and one of the major reasons contributing to this rise is the increase in the stress levels of average people. In this way, stress is actively taking years of people’s lives. As we have mentioned before, a great way to counter stress is to own a pet cat. By reducing stress levels, cats can really improve the health of your heart and keep you living healthily for a longer time. According to a study, owning a cat can reduce the chances of heart disease by 30 percent.

Cats Can Help You Sleep Better

Another health problem that cats can help you with is insomnia. A lot of studies have proven that cats can make it easier for their owners to go to sleep. Recently, many studies were held in the UK about the effects of having a cat on the sleeping cycle of humans. The studies found that many people, a majority of whom were female, actually preferred to sleep with their cats.

The participants also reported a better quality of sleep when sleeping with their cats. In another study on the same issue, around forty-one percent of the participants agreed that sleeping with their pet was better, 20 percent said that their pets were a disturbance while sleeping and the remaining had neutral answers.

Owning a Cat is Environment-Friendly

Have a cat as a pet is also better for the environment. According to a recent study, the carbon footprint that is produced by the manufacturing of the resources to feed one dog over their lifetime is the same as a land cruiser. While as cats eat lesser food and require fewer resources, their carbon footprint is about the same as a humble hatchback. These benefits can make you understand the worth of a male calico cat, which is quite rare.

Cats Can Reduce the Chances of Allergies

Having a cat can also reduce the chance of allergies in humans, especially in children, by strengthening their immune systems. In fact, as mentioned by a study by the national institutes of health children who were exposed to cats at a young age have better resistance to many kinds of allergies like dust allergy, and allergies to grass, ragweed and many other elements.

Cats Can Help Get Rid of Bugs and Pests

Another advantage of owning a cat is that they can decrease the population of many pests and bugs from your home and its surroundings. Cats are known to feed on bugs like cockroaches. The cat will also keep rodents and mice away from the house. It is also scientifically proven that the smell of cats can repel these bugs and keep them away. Also, cats can save your life by getting rid of many dangerous reptiles. Cats are known to scare snakes away as well.

Are you thinking about getting a cat as well? Leave a comment!

About the Author:

This post is written by Taylor Starc, who is an animal behaviorist and a certified pet trainer. He has been working at Animal Training Academy in Montreal for ten years now. Apart from his professional life, he likes to read and write blogs in his leisure time. You can read some of his best pieces at https://obeymycat.com/.