Loving, affectionate, (sometimes) unfriendly, but always captivating, cats light up their owners’ lives in more ways than one. We can’t be entirely sure if they really do have seven lives, but we are sure that there are 7 benefits of having a cat in your home, and we’re here to share these with you.
They’re good for your heart and not just for the loving attention that they give you. A scientific paper published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology has shown that people who live with a feline companion have a lower risk of dying from a heart attack or cardiovascular-related diseases.
They help combat stress and anxiety, it has been shown that spending time with your cat, stroking them, playing with them, or even just being next to them, reduces our levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases serotonin in our brains (the hormone in control of our happiness and wellbeing).
They help your children to grow up stronger and healthier. A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics has found supporting evidence which shows that if children have contact with cats and dogs throughout the early years of their lives, they are more likely to be protected against infectious respiratory diseases.
They help you overcome grief and loneliness. Cats are very sensitive to human emotions and can be excellent companions for people going through complicated emotional stages of their lives, or simply those who live alone.
They help you sleep better. By sharing a bedroom with one of these loving animals, you gain a sense of security which helps you to get that much-needed good night’s sleep. Not to mention the comforting sound of their purring.
They bring happiness to our lives. Nothing beats enjoying watching your cat roll around and swipe the air as they play with you or their favourite cat toy. As well as being adorable, cats are amusing and make you laugh, gifting you with pure moments of happiness.
They hunt mice (and other pests). Last but not least, we mustn’t forget a cat’s natural instinct to hunt—which was, in fact, the reason for their domestication in the first place. If you have problems with rodents or have an insect infestation (e.g. cockroaches) your cat will help keep them at bay.
We know you don’t really need to be told the reasons to own a cat, but we hope that these tips will help you to better understand your relationship with your beloved pet. Or, they may just help you to convince your family to adopt a new kitty.