Do you own a cat? Being the owner of a cat has a vast majority of different benefits. These include physical and mental health, along with keeping a routine. Owning a cat may cost money, but overall, the benefits outweigh the cost in numerous ways. A cat can create a very positive outlook on how you view situations and how you feel.

     Strangely enough, owning a cat can affect internal health, such as blood pressure or cholesterol levels. In “The benefit of pets and animal-assisted therapy to the health of older individuals,” the passage states that the residents of an Italian nursing home  “did have sixteen-point lower systolic blood pressure and five-point lower diastolic blood pressure than subjects who were not exposed to the cat.” By lowering stress levels, positive interactions with cats are proven to also lower the risk of heart disease. 

     A cat’s purr may also have a healing effect on human bones and muscles. The article, “7 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits Of Being a Cat Owner,” says, “frequencies in the 18-35 HZ range have a positive effect on joint mobility after injury…” Cats have the ability to purr at about twice the amount of that range, meaning that bonding with a cat may promote physical healing in the process. 

     Growing up with cats also helps to strengthen the immune system of the child exposed. “Children who were exposed to cats under the age of one were less likely to develop a variety of common allergies like dust mites, ragweed, and grass allergies” (Goodnet). Suddenly being exposed to these allergens at a much older age can prove to be a risky endeavor, increasing the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction compared to a developing immune system already accompanied to experiencing new things. 

    Not only do cats benefit mentally from being adopted, but humans may become happier too. Cats minimize anxiety and stress levels, but how? “Cats are able to trigger the release of calming chemicals into the human body which lowers your stress and anxiety levels in the process”(Goodnet). Cats are known for being very low maintenance and require little attention, meaning a simple cuddle break is usually enough to give both you and your cat an extra boost of serotonin. In the article, “Are Cats Good for our Mental Health,” it is stated that “cats are loving and affectionate animals.” The extra companionship that cats offer can combat the loneliness that so many humans face on a daily basis. 

                                                                                  Works Cited

1. Paul Cherniack, Ariella R. Cherniack. “The benefit of pets and animal-assisted therapy to the health of older individuals.” Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research, 2014, https://go.gale.com.

Goodnet. “7 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits Of Being a Cat Owner.” Goodnet, Aug 2018, www.goodnet.org/articles/7-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-being-cat-owner.

WLP Team. “Are cats good for our mental health?” We Love Pets, 

           www.we-love-pets.co.uk/we-love-pets-news/are-cats-good-for-our-mental-health.